Pirattitude — AARRRGGGHHH!!!!

Posted on | September 19, 2006 | 2 Comments

I dreamt about two seemingly unrelated things – pirates and dogs.  More specifically, pirates and dog owners. 

Note:  No knitting content.  I have been knitting, and spinning, but no progress pics yet.  Soon…soon!

Last night the premier episode of Wife Swap aired.  They featured one family that live their lives as pirates – every day.  In fact, the husband started Talk Like A Pirate Day, in which I wholeheartedly participate each year (it happens to be TODAY, matey!!!).  They dress like pirates, talk like pirates, and let’s just say their household is less than shipshape.  Their credo was “Pirattitude!”, or living free from responsibilities, cares, and to an extent, consideration for others.  (Clarification: embracing who you are inside is an idea I support – being inconsiderate to others is not.)

Where do dogs come into this?  (1) Sgt. Britty and I went hiking at Oak Mountain on Sunday. We met several folks on the trail who warned us about a couple hiking with two dogs, one of which charged them and had to be restrained by its owner.  The dog was off its leash, which is against park rules.  (2) Our neighborhood has a message board where residents post items of interest.  Yesterday, a woman posted about an incident in which her dog was attacked by an unrestrained dog while out walking.  The unrestrained dog attacked without provocation and the woman incurred over $300 in emergency vet bills.  (3) On another message board I visit (hiking related), I read a post where a couple were hiking in the Sipsey Wilderness and came upon a tent erected ON the trail (bad form) with a large dog outside it.  The dog seemed alright while they circled around the tent and got back on the trail; then it charged the woman.  She managed to beat it off with her hiking poles until the owner emerged from the tent to collect the dog.  He didn’t even apologize for its behavior or the fact that it was unrestrained. 

The two things got me thinking about the social contract and wondering if some people feel they’re exempt from performing according to the behavioral norms society expects from them.  And if so, why?  Why should someone allow their dog to roam free where they could cause serious injury or even death to another animal or – god forbid – a child?  What makes them think this is okay?  Why should a pirate family neglect their bills with the philosophy that “it’ll get paid, somehow”?  Why is society full of people who just don’t care what repercussions their actions may have?

I try, very hard, to teach my 10 year old son to have respect for other people, their belongings, and nature.  He has a destructive streak.  Give that boy a stick and he’s whacking the side of the house (that’s okay), the bushes (that’s not okay) and if I’m not watching him carefully, my flowers and herbs (that will get him into SERIOUS trouble!).  It’s so difficult to make him understand that kicking a mushroom growing alongside the trail is wrong because it deprives others from discovering that mushroom on their journey.  I’m hopeful that he will eventually get it, and grow to love and respect people and animals and nature.  But when I see how irresponsible some adults act, I have to shake my head.  And try harder. 

Edited to add:  I DO have a little knitting content for you!  Click here for a pirate knitted bag pattern!  Courtesy of Talk Like a Pirate. 

Category: Uncategorized

Comments

2 Responses to “Pirattitude — AARRRGGGHHH!!!!”

  1. maryse
    September 19th, 2006 @ 11:45 am

    ok so i don’t watch wife swap. but this family really live like pirates? do they go out and attack people and steal their booty? and set fire to cars?

    because that’s what pirates would do.

    and people who don’t restrain their pets or discipline their children suck. because in the end they’re doing a deservice to society in general but also to their pets and children. so they can live free without a car, but in the end they’re only hurting themselves. because no one will want to be with them or their dog, or their child.

    arrgggghhhhh

  2. Emily
    September 20th, 2006 @ 9:09 am

    The guy who started talk like a pirate day lives like a pirate all the time? That’s a little disturbing, particularly since he should be out maurading to be able to pay his bills. I didn’t think you got to keep things like electricity if you didn’t pay your bills…

    PS Irresponsible pet owners are one of my Least Favorite Things.