Cat Got Your Tongue?

LT and I were out running errands this week. Outside of our local over-priced organic grocery store, I noticed cages with cats, and a few dogs on leashes. Apparently the local animal shelter was hosting an event to promote "adoption" of these animals. As we left the store, we paused at the cages to look at the cats. LT loves to chase after the neighbor's cat, so I thought it would be fun to stop and look. And besides the kitties on display were really cute. I ooohed and ahhhed over the kitties, and LT and I meowed a few times. I turned to go, and passed by a volunteer holding a small dog. I stopped and said, "oh LT, look at the doggie..." And the volunteer looked at me, then at LT, and then back at me. She then said, "well, you're obviously in to adoption. How about a dog?" Um. Uh. Um. What? I quickly said, "um, no thank you," and walked away. I was muttering to myself all the way to my car. A million thoughts were racing through my head. I wanted to go back and say something to that stupid lady. I mean, what a dumb thing to say. I turned around when I got to my car and started to march back towards the store. I wanted to tell that lady that my daughter may not understand what she is saying, but other children might. And hey, I'm a dog lover too, but she might want to consider how that comment could make a child, my child, feel. As I got closer I noticed a crowd beginning to gather around the lady. And I chickened out. The last thing I wanted to do was to create a scene. I turned around and slunk back to my car. Before I set LT in her carseat, I hugged her. I wish I could just put her in a bubble and protect her from stupid crap like this.