The Depp of Neighborliness

Dear Dog Lady,

We have a one-eyed dog, Pippin. We adopted him from the pound a couple of years ago. His right eye was gone when we got him. The shelter people didn’t know how he lost it, but he does fine with his limited vision. I just wish the seeing-eyed public could be as accepting. I can’t tell you how many comments and questions we get about Pippin’s missing eye. Nobody has ever been rude about it, until our new neighbor in Provincetown began calling Pippin “pirate” or “Davy Jones dog.” Whenever he sees us, he yells, “Ahoy mateys.” We figure he’s probably seen “Pirates of the Caribbean” too many times, but this is getting old. What can we politely tell him to shut him up?

Bruce, Cape Cod, MA

Bruce, it’s quite ridiculous the Depps people will go to foist their lowbrow humor on others.

Your new neighbor probably enjoys Johnny Depp fantasy films, so forgive his lame buccaneer bluster. He’s a newcomer on your block and is reaching out in the best way he knows how – through your dog, which is usually where the conversation begins between strangers.

Ignore his insensitivity and, remember, Pippin is blind to bad taste. The next time this amateur swashbuckler calls your cute cur “Pirate,” you might want to remind him the name is “Pippin,” but don’t make a huge deal of it. Be bigger than to shut him up. Your friendliness will probably stop the awkward “ahoy matey” shout-outs.

Posted by Dog Lady at December 30, 2006 01:55 PM