Zoe is the sweetest black lab. She loves attention and people. She is the dog who bounds out of the house, her entire body wiggling with excitement, when the school bus drops the neighborhood kids off. She needs to greet them as they walk down the street.
When visitors come to stay, Zoe makes sure they are welcomed with style. She's never shown aggression or anger at anyone. She is all smiles.
So knowing her gentle nature and love of people, we were quite surprised one Saturday afternoon to see a different side of Zoe.
We were headed toward the freeway, to spend the day North in Portland. Zoe was sitting in her usual spot in the van; comfortably resting on the floor at the kids feet. Both dogs know the routine, we've driven it enough.
We stopped at the light. I noticed a young man walking along the sidewalk next to us. Zoe suddenly jumped up from her spot and began to bark and growl. She showed her teeth. She was ready to leap through the glass and go after him.
I took a long look at the man. He didn't look like a bad guy....but I think dogs can sense the inner self. For Zoe not to like someone, there had to be a reason. And I'll choose her instincts over mine anyday.
