I am not a dog owner. But, I enjoy the cuddles and companionship of all dogs that I know. A frequent highlight of any interaction with dogs is the tell-tale (pun) sign of their happiness via the tail wag. However, I endured a moment of crisis recently when on my daily walk for coffee.

I tend to walk the same route to the local Beaned Café for a cup or two of coffee a few times a week. Often, there are dogs being walked and each one happily wagging its tail at the sight of any prospective human petter. This itself is a welcome interaction usually guided by the owner praising their dog’s eagerness to meet a new friend or the owner tempering their pup’s expectations instructing the dog to keep walking. In other words for me, “don’t touch my dog or talk to me about my dog,”. Fair enough.

My route also takes me through Reunion neighborhood where there are dogs out for their morning routine in their yards. Here and there, I’ve greeted some of the friendlier looking dogs with light praise and a light pat on the head. But, yesterday, I was greeting one of the yard dogs wagging away and I could swear this dog smiled at me. I was happy to call this dog a good boy, without knowing its actual gender, and scratch behind its ears. As I reached out for this pup, it snapped its jaws at my hand. Then, I had my first epiphany in years. I can see a dog’s tail wagging because the dog is happy. But, I don’t know why the dog is happy. Is it happy to be spoken to as a good boy or girl? Is it happy at the possible pets it might receive? Or, is the dog happy because it wants to bite my face off and sees me getting closer? I, for one, was not willing to find out. I scurried back home, shaken.

I will continue to take my leisurely walks for morning coffee. But, I will steer clear of any pooches wagging their tails at me. I know they’re happy and I’m happy to leave them alone so they don’t take pound of my flesh.