My first run-in with a Trumpanzee.

[silverweb]

When I came out of a store yesterday, a new SUV was parked to my right that had a small dog in it, barking, whining, and very agitated. The car was locked up tight, with all the windows completely closed. I had only been in the store for about 15 minutes and my car was like an oven, so I became very concerned about the dog.

I called the store, asking them to make an announcement, but they had no intercom system. I waited a while longer, keeping an eye on the dog for symptoms of heat exhaustion, and when the owner still hadn't returned, called Animal Services to report it. They said they'd send someone out immediately and asked if I would wait for them. After 10 or 15 minutes more, they still hadn't arrived and the dog had been in the car for at least 30 minutes by then.

A 70-ish couple finally showed up and unlocked the car. I told them that I was very concerned about the dog being locked in it for so long on an 80-degree day, with no ventilation at all, so I had called Animal Services. That's when the fun began.

The man rushed right up close, shaking his pointed finger in my face and yelling: "First of all, I'M NO SNOWFLAKE and YOU need to mind your own FUCKING business! I want your name and license because I'm going to SUE YOUR ASS OFF for HARASSMENT!"

As soon as I heard "snowflake," I knew what I was dealing with. His usage of the word was baffling because it didn't apply to the situation in any way, and harassment by definition requires repetition, not a single confrontation. Hair-trigger rage and ignorance on loud display expose the deplorables every time. I tried to explain that I had not been in the store long at all and my car was very hot when I unlocked it, but he kept shouting over me about suing.

At that point, the whole bizarre situation of the moment and his MAGAzoid reaction suddenly hit my funny bone and I started laughing; that, of course, infuriated him further. The angrier he got, the harder I laughed, and by then he was apoplectic. I headed around my car to get in with a dismissive wave, still laughing.

Meanwhile, his very muted wife had stuck her hand inside their car, saying, "It's nice and cool in there, not hot at all. Come see for yourself." I was already getting into my car, so I just said I was very glad to hear it and that the dog was all right. Hubby was still raging, ordering her to "get that bitch's license so I can sue."

After driving to another area of the parking lot, I called Animal Services back to tell them what happened and that the dog was okay so they could cancel the rescue call. Of course, right about then, all kinds of clever comebacks to the guy's ranting came to mind, but it wouldn't have been productive or healthy to engage further.

Being laughed at had very likely ruined his whole week and it was only Monday, so that was good enough for me.

What an interesting day!

[Thomas Hurt]

1. can you imagine if every time Trump spoke in front of camera, people just laughed in his face...

and walked away, no one feeding his pathology. Then again he might wig and hurt someone.

[silverweb]

4. I've had the same thought.

When this guy got right in my face, the possibility that he might get physical came to mind, but he didn't. If his wife wasn't with him, he might have.

Trump has fanatical surrogates to do his dirty work for him, so he's a lot more dangerous.

[Aristus]

2. Trumpism is a mental illness.

It's an illness that appeals to people who are already mentally disturbed.

Certainly the way he instantly went to the 'snowflake' epithet unbidden means someone else has been doing his thinking for a while.

[silverweb]

5. Exactly.

Immediate, thin-skinned, rage-filled aggression is a hallmark of Trumpism and all they know is their talking points.

[SWBTATTReg]

3. Most people would have been grateful that someone cared enough about their pets...and idiots...

shouldn't have ever left their pets inside a hot car like that...should have never brought the pet(s) with them on their errands if they were going to be in the car for any amount of time (or at least one of them should have stayed in the car). These are the idiots that basically have no rationale for their logic, other than screaming more louder than anyone else in the room/area...

Good for you, silverweb, for caring about our four legged friends...

[silverweb]

7. Thanks. :)

I feel the same way you do that one of them should have stayed in the car with the dog if they couldn't leave it at home. If I'd just left without doing something, I'd have felt horribly guilty that it might have died from the heat. There was no other option in my mind but to do what I did.

This clown seriously sounded like an O'Reilly clone the way he was shouting over me. Like you said, they have no logical rationale, just rage and noise.

[SWBTATTReg]

10. You're absolutely right, rage and noise, and nothing else to offer to support any kind of ...

reasonable logic in what they did. They got caught, simple as that, and they were mad that they got caught.

My animals (3 doggies) love go shopping w/ me...they wait in the car while I run into the store (quickly). I also never take them on a hot day, but wait instead, for cooler days.

Take care, you and yours !!

[silverweb]

15. You, too!

[Haggis for Breakfast]

6. In some states - Florida comes to mind - leaving your dog

in a locked car with the windows up, is against the law and cause for arrest.

[silverweb]

9. It's illegal here in California, too.

There are mitigating circumstances that can be considered in court, like the temperature that day, having left the vehicle for a very brief period of time, etc, but overall, it is illegal.

[utopian]

20. In Oregon you can legally smash the window if a pet locked in a hot car

The total lack of awareness and common sense of these pet owners is astounding, but it's symptomatic of the sort of selfishness that allows Trumpism to prosper to the extent that it has.

[silverweb]

25. It's legal in California, too, under certain circumstances.

You must call authorities first and then wait with the animal until they arrive. There are also some gray areas that make such action risky.

This dog wasn't in any serious distress - yet - but I was keeping a close eye on it while I waited.

Trumpanzees are by nature extremely self-centered. I have family members who are part of that cult and their predisposition was very apparent before Trump ever came on the scene.

[Fla Dem]

8. You did the right thing. I only wish Animal Rescue or the police had been there when they came out.

The woman probably said it was cool in the car to placate her husband. I fear she probably took the brunt of his rage as they drove off. But she's probably used to it.

[SWBTATTReg]

11. Sadly, I bet you're right...this is another form of road rage...nt

[silverweb]

13. Yup.

I was desperately hoping Animal Services would arrive before the people did, but it wasn't to be.

The woman hadn't spoken a word until she said the car was cool inside and I concur with your assessment. I felt sorry for her, in fact, because I'm sure she had to put up with his anger for at least the rest of the day. We already know how MAGA men view women.

[Corgigal]

12. Call 911

they have tools to punch out that window and the owners can't do a damn thing about it. Yeah, I worked 911 for 8 years , but this is a true emergency call.

Not to mention old white dude don't normally peacock around younger people in uniforms.

You're a sweet person for caring and you were correct. Dogs can't even sweat for goodness sakes.

[silverweb]

14. I had called 911.

They told me I had to call the city animal services number.

I do have an emergency window breaker/seatbelt cutter in the car and could legally have used it if the dog was in extremis, but thankfully it wasn't.

[Corgigal]

16. Opps,

then they suck. That's a recorded line and a stupid answer.

Well again, you did the right thing and thank you for caring for the pup.

[silverweb]

17. The recorded line had a long menu.

I did finally get a very sweet young lady who handled my call quite efficiently. I just wish the rescue people had arrived quickly, but it's reasonable to assume they had a lot of calls that afternoon.

I do feel good about having called them, though, and confronting the owner. Maybe they'll think twice next time.

[Corgigal]

19. Puppy police rarely respond

quickly. It's amazing if they even have someone on the road. If we got a call about a loose aggressive dog we would go out first. They would do their best but we couldn't ignore that call.

Why I would have put in a call in for you? Not only for the hot pup but because I can't tell you how this situation can escalate into a violent encounter. It's safer for all if we get a unit to swing by.

I worked in the county where Tampa Bay Florida is located, different locations might not have that manning.

You should feel good, it's people like you who save lives every summer now.

[silverweb]

21. Thanks.

I may write to the city about this, suggesting what you describe. My son-in-law works in the mayor's office and can tell me the right person to contact for the best response.

Summers are not going to get anything but hotter as time goes on. Everyone should be very well aware of the danger to pets and children left in cars, and bystanders shouldn't be afraid to intervene when necessary. We're all responsible to do our part.

[Croney]

18. Why would the woman say it was cool inside, are you sure the car wasn't running?

I ask because I left my dog in my car, running with the AC on, while I ran into Whole Foods to grab a couple of things. I came out to an irate woman scolding me. I tried to tell her the AC was on, but she stormed off in a huff. Since that day, I have not left my dog alone even with the AC on. The thought of a smashed window is a good deterrent.

It sounds like you had a run-in with people who should not be allowed to have a dog at all. Too bad Animal Control didn't arrive before they got back to the car.

[silverweb]

23. The car wasn't running.

IF it was running, it was so quiet as to be imperceptible and I don't think that happens even with new cars, except for electric vehicles. This was a new Nissan Rogue, not an EV, so I'm quite sure it wasn't running.

As someone else has mentioned, I suspect that she said it because her bully of a husband was carrying on and she might have been trying to defuse him and/or placate me. The other thing is that she didn't get in the car, but just stuck her hand in, which I don't consider an accurate way of checking the temperature.

I, too, wish Animal Services had arrived before the couple did. They might be very good to the dog otherwise, but this showed extremely poor judgment. As public awareness of the problem grows and animal lovers become more proactive, it should discourage this kind of irresponsible behavior.

[elleng]

22. 'Hair-trigger rage and ignorance on loud display expose the deplorables every time.'

[silverweb]

28. 'Tis true.

I've learned to spot them very quickly. They have no concept of subtlety, nuance, or common courtesy at all, but reactively lash out at anything or anyone they disagree with or challenges them in any way. Talk about being obvious.... LOL

[Karadeniz]

24. I think your reaction was perfect...probably irked the spit out of him!

[silverweb]

26. I couldn't help it.

The absurdity of his reaction, his ignorant misuse of "snowflake" and "harassment," his repeated threats to sue me, and the whole situation just hit me all at once. All I could do was laugh and the angrier he got, the harder it made me laugh.

It did really get under his skin, which pleased me no end.

[lame54]

27. How fast were you driving?

[silverweb]

29. We were in a parking lot.

There was no driving involved.

[BKDem]

30. Threatening to sue! That's the ticket!

That's how Donald handles most things, and he's a genius!

[silverweb]

31. My thought precisely.

At one point, I did say "good luck with that" to the raging maniac while I was laughing at him. Not sure he heard me, though, he was so busy shouting.

It's also not only legal, but encouraged to report these circumstances in California and if the dog had been showing signs of real distress, it would have been perfectly legal for me to break a window once I called authorities and agreed to wait with the animal for them.

[Shrike47]

32. One thing for sure, the dog owner isn't an attorney. That threat was just stupid.

[silverweb]

37. Indeed.

Part of why I started laughing at him. LOL

[Major Nikon]

33. Would have been a golden opportunity to pull out a phone and video

You could have made the dipshit an instant celebrity.

[silverweb]

38. It never occurred to me.

It was a big, busy parking lot, though, and I wouldn't be surprised if someone else had posted a video somewhere. I was too focused on the guy to notice any other people around.

[FakeNoose]

34. Wow, just wow! Horrible behavior and even worse attitude

Ignorant people like this didn't just happen in the last 3 years. They've been like this for most of their lives, but they used to keep their rage bottled up inside them. Now Chump has enabled them to act up in the most awful ways.

Hillary had them nailed when she called them "deplorable." Maybe the doggy was okay but that doesn't excuse their (his) behavior one bit.

[silverweb]

39. I agree completely.

Something called "common courtesy," acknowledged as a necessary positive in all social encounters, is nearly extinct among certain (deplorable) types.

[Kaiserguy]

35. You should have gotten his plate #

and filed a complain about their treatment of their dog.

[silverweb]

40. I did.

Calling Animal Services accomplished that and they have authority in all animal cases. When I first called, I gave them the car's description and license plate number, as well as my contact information, and described in detail what was happening.

After the incident, I called back and told them about the reaction I received, which was noted on the case report. For all I know, they might make contact with the couple for followup.

[DFW]

36. One thing that might have resulted in an immediate squad car arriving

Instead of saying there was a dog in there, say you saw something or someONE moving in there, and from the angle, you couldn't tell right away if it was an animal or a child, but you didn't want to wait a second longer in case a child's life was in danger.

[silverweb]

41. That wouldn't fly.

I was standing right next to the car and could see very clearly. If a squad car had arrived on that pretext, I'd be in big trouble for lying and misuse of the 911 system.