This past weekend, I met a man with the requisite 3 “H”: Handsome, Hardworking and HAWT!
But let me start from the beginning…
On Sunday, the boys and I went to the XYZ Pet Store in Chelsea to buy a few goodies for Shadow, my 4 1/2 month old puppy. While at the store, we noticed XYZ had several new puppies, including an 8 week old Red Merle (Brown and White) Toy Australian Shepard with hazel eyes. He looked like a cuddly, little teddy bear. He was beyond adorable! So adorable, in fact, that I decided on the spot to get him as a playmate for Shadow.
While the boys played with our newest family member, Teddy, I wandered about the store looking for a few items. “Joe”, the store manager, came over and assisted. We shared a few laughs and even joked about how hard it would be for a divorced woman with two sons and two dogs to find a date! HA the laughs on him!
As we were preparing to leave, we noticed several protesters outside the store. They were belligerent and combative with everyone who exited the store but I could never have imagined what was yet to come.
As we attempted to leave the store, the boys and I were blocked passage by several of the protesters. Chants that included “Puppy killers!”, “You’re a bad Mom”, “Your children will be High School dropouts”, “You’re Ghetto Latinos”, and “Your kids will never amount to anything” were just a few of the G-rated phrases that met us as we tried to hail a cab.
What should have been a happy moment, had turned into something ugly. I was livid! My 9 year old was terrified. My teen was furious and our new puppy, Teddy, was crying in his crate.
“Joe” stepped in. He screamed at the protesters, telling them to leave us alone. The protesters didn’t care. They were going for the jugular. They were going after my boys and directed all their anger towards them.
Grasping Andrew’s small hand, I tried to shield him. I pulled him closer to my side, blocking his view of the others but I couldn’t cover his ears. I couldn’t shut out the chanting. I could feel him getting more agitated with every yell of “Murderer!”. I bent close, whispering in his ear, but he could not hear me. He was transfixed, like a deer caught in the headlights.
Karl, noticing his brother’s fright, jumped into the fray. Trying to calm the protesters, he told them they weren’t going to sway others while disparaging them. This only served to enrage them and to draw their ire. Their fixation turned ugly, uglier than what they sought to prevent. In attempting to stop what they perceived as animal abuse, they had turned to child abuse… disparaging, emotional, racial abuse.
These “adults”, and I say that loosely, believed their rights to protest against XYZ trumped the rights of others, even the rights of children. They were rabid dogs, foaming at the mouth, and going for the kill.
Thankfully, Joe ran into the street and stopped a passing police van. The officers noticing the children, quickly pulled over. The protesters dispersed, attempting to mingle in the crowd that had formed but it was too late. The officers saw them and quickly rounded up the leader of the group, a young Latina (Ironic isn’t it? ).
I sent Andrew back into the pet store as I filed a complaint. He ran inside willingly, with my teen hovering protectively over him. Watching them, I couldn’t help but notice how young and innocent they both seemed. I wanted to shield them, to protect them, but I know my ability to do so is quickly coming to an end. I have to prepare them for the world and this would become a teaching point.
So where does the date come in?
A day after the whole sordid affair, I received a call from Joe, my 25 year old handsome, hardworking, HAWT knight in shining armour.
I haven’t accepted his dinner date yet. Not sure if I should. I mean I am more than 10 years his senior!
What do you think I should do?
{ 14 comments… add one }
That’s insane! People need to get a grip! No one is dying, puppies are not being killed inside the store. While I’m against puppy mills and a lot of pet shops, it shouldn’t stop people from buying/rescuing the poor animals that live in those shops!
Go on the date. 🙂
I seriously cannot believe this happened to you and your boys. My goodness how awful, and on such a happy occassion. I think I’m more infuriated that a fellow Latina could be the ring leader of attacking a mother and her sons. Makes me sick. Obviously their anger was misdirected at the puppy store.
Yep! Go on the date! 🙂
NYCPatty recently posted..My Knitting Corner
I think this is friggin ridiculous. I am embarrased and ashamed at their behavior. How dare they treat you and your children in such a horrific way – in an abusive way. I am so enraged by this, that I cannot even imagine how you and your boys must have felt. I’m sorry this happened to you and your boys, lady. This is just so damn stupid of them. This is what happens when you arm ignorance with anger …you get blind hate.
On the positive note, I think you should give Joe a chance – only if you’re into him. Ten years your junior, is actually perfect. 😉
Ay mujer, sending you and your boys positive energy and lots of cuddles with the new puppy.
Best,
Li
@LaLicenciada
Li recently posted..Wordless Wednesday- Now Pass the Cocoa
@ Alissa & @ NYCPatty: I was so glad that the boys saw that I didn’t have to sink to the protestors level and hurl slurs and venom to get justice. It was def. a teaching moment!
I am almost crying. Regardless of the protesters’ motivation for being at this store, they should have had the basic human decency to leave the boys out of it. I admire Karl for trying to reason with them, but they were unreasonable to say the very least.
As far as Joe, I say go to dinner. Enjoy adult company, get to know him as a person. So far he’s got a few points in his favor. Running into traffic to get help for a damsel in distress is impressive.
I’m glad you all survived this experience, looking forward to photos of Shadow and Teddy in action.
Ofelia recently posted..Personalized plates – Wordless Wednesday
@ Li: Here was a Latina calling my sons racist degrading slurs, knowing full well the battles our young minority men and women face on a daily basis. It sickened me more than you can imagine! Thankfully, I was able to use it use it a postive teaching moment and break it down to a level that they could understand. As I stated to them, their future is not determined by outside perceptions.
@ Ofelia: I was so proud of Karl for not sinking to their level. While they, the “adults” were hurling slurs, my teen was acting like one. I commended him for keeping a level head but also had to speak to him about “jumping into the fire”. Since he looks older, I would not want someone to attack him and hurt him in the process.
As for “Joe”, I’ve decided to go out to dinner after reading all the comments 😀 I just hope I don’t look like a cougar HA!
OMG, I thought I was reading a book or something. Hard to believe something like can happen in middle of Manhattan. There you are buying a puppy to take him home to give him love and they are screaming at you and your sons. I’m sorry your sons had to go through that…
As for the date, I agree with Ofelia. Enjoy the adult company and go with the flow slowly 🙂
The puppies look so cute!! Looking forward to pictures and videos…
Isolated Existence recently posted..Valentines Day Special Project
That’s horrible, yet good in the end. I say give Joe a chance. You only live once, and if it doesn’t work out so be it.
alissa apel recently posted..Wordless Wednesday – Hats
Girl, you better jump on that HORSE, and keep riding it till it can’t run anymore!!! What r u waiting for!!!! ;))))
Insane, totally unacceptable!
There is something seriously wrong when fighting for the rights of animals you totally dimiss the rights of a human.
Chica that is terrible. People are so ridiculous. People forget that if you are going to try and do good, don;t turn people off of your cause be being jerks. SOrry you and the boys had to experience that.
But on the other hand, a hot 25 year old. Chica I would be all over that like white on rice. I say give him a chance. Just have fun with no expectations and you might be nicely surprised.
Carolyn G recently posted..Post-it Pop-up Valentines Day Dispenser Review!
OMG — it’s people AND situations like this that set seemingly good causes back. I think you should write a letter to the editor of your newspaper ( use your post from this blog – it’s wonderfully written & intelligent !). I can only hope that the joy of that adorable new puppy will help your children get past this horrible incident. The memory that they WILL take with them is of the calm, strong way their Mama’ handled herself – our actions speak louder than words w/our children – and yours speaks volumes!!!! Muy bien, Ms. Latina!
Am just catching up – and I feel like all I can say is Are you SERIOUS? I hope this didn’t scar you younger one with any bad/hurtful memories.
BTW, how did the date go? 🙂
Vida recently posted..Thalia Kids’ Book Club- BIG NATE- meet the author – GIVEAWAY