a griswold story

sunday we took the girls & griswold for a walk & as we were making our way back to our house. we saw this woman a bike with a chocolate lab on a leash...wes & i both were thinking the same thing: looks like a tragic accident waiting to happen. or maybe this lab is more civilized than our griswold...
not so.
the woman starts to pull over (they were going very fast) & is trying to stop to let the dogs meet each other. instead of a graceful stop & dismount she is nearly thrown off the side of her bike b/c she's holding onto the leash & sort of just lands in the tree lawn. i had to bite my lip not to laugh but it was hilarious!
anyway, the dogs start to sniff & then griswold, who is obviously older does the dog bark & jump to seal his dominance. we quickly realize that this woman believes that dogs are basically human as she provides us with a brief conversation between the two dogs. again, i bite my lip not to laugh.
so then i off-handedly mention that griswold gets a bit protective of the girls & i moved the stroller with both girls a bit further away b/c the dogs were wrestling & playing, which is always exciting when they are both still on leashes. which was flabbergasting this woman...
about 30 seconds after i made the protective dog comment, her dog sort of takes an interest in adeline who was cheering the two on & makes a minor step towards her. bad decision doggy.
griswold lets outs a ferocious bark & his hair is standing on end & his teeth are showing & he starts lunging towards the dog, immediately pushing the dog to the ground (this dog was bigger than griz). wow! sometimes we are taken aback by how strong & protective he is. it warms my heart knowing wes & i aren't the only ones in this house who would die for the little ones...but it also brings a bit of fear knowing that he will attempt to take down anyone & anything who he feels is a threat to the girls.
like the next door neighbor's friend's dog who is sometimes visiting & jumps the fence...what will happen if adeline is outside playing with griswold & i'm in the house & this dog is suddenly in the yard with both griz & addy? hhmmmm...i do think that older dog will no longer be around after a few minutes. seriously; you just need to see griz in action.
this bike-riding-dog-owner was became very upset at griswold & said quickly & sternly 'we are going now.' & off she went, pulling her dog along. i understand that she doesn't want her dog to be threatened, but...a dog's kids are off limits, apparently! he even gets in between grandparents & regular visitors & the girls.


i'm not saying he's a threat to everyone; don't get me wrong. he is a very sweet & kind & gentle dog. just watch him allow adeline to wrestle him & take a stick out of his mouth & let amelia sit leaning against him. maybe think of it how a parent would react to a threat? i don't know. all i know is that he is a really good dog & after seeing this happen over & over, i would trust him with my safety. maybe he even knows how to call 911!!!