"Nobody Kicks my Dog but Me"

There was this phrase that my dad used to use to describe my sister and I.... "Nobody kicks my dog but me."  It sounds a little rough around the edges but it was a perfect description.  You see, my sister was a whole lot bigger than me.  She was tall and larger framed.  I was very petite and extremely thin. She was quite a violent "babysitter" with me and I was often left with lumps and bruises that she would inflict due to frustration.  I don't hold a grudge for the things that she did.  Sometimes I would antagonize her.  Other times she did it due to frustration at other people.  Regardless, it happened.  The point is not to pick at her...the point is that she may have been violent but she absolutely did NOT tolerate anyone else talking ugly to me, acting ugly to me and certainly not putting their hands on me.  Ever.  The irony is that she was quite protective of me for many, many years.  You see nobody kicked her dog but her (so to speak).

This often describes, albeit it in a very coarse way, how we feel about family and close friends.  If you're like me, you're brutally honest with people.  I, personally, try to be tactful but I am not shy about telling someone to shut their mouths.  I am not shy about telling someone my opinion, though I know when to shut my mouth....most of the time.  I am quick to make certain that my children are respectful and be quite firm in the fact that you respect your elders, period.  I am a parent that expects for my children's friends' parents to let me know if they are misbehaving or being rude (thankfully it isn't a problem because they know better.)  I am also quick to let my closest friends' children know if they are being turds.... we have that kind of relationship.  I know them well enough to do this without skipping a beat (and expect my friends to do the same with my kids).

Ironically enough, I am also quick to jump at anyone who thinks they can step in without knowing these children well.  Recently, I had a situation where a friend's child was being a bit of a turd.  I told him to knock it off and he seemed to.  Then someone else (who DOESN'T know him as well) stepped in and tore into him....and then proceeded to lecture his mom.  Realistically, the other person had a right to voice their opinion.  However, my back was up right away...."don't pick on him.  You don't know.  All you're seeing is how he behaved in that moment.  You're not seeing how he is the rest of the time.  You can't judge him based on that!"  It was quite difficult to hold my tongue.

Sometimes it's easy to forget how good someone's heart truly is.  Remember, when you're picking at someone that you might be asking for it from their nearest and dearest.  Don't be surprised when they fire back when you nose in where you don't belong.

**Side note:  Obviously no dogs were kicked in this, or any post.  This is simply an old phrase.  I don't advocate any sort of kicking to any person or animal.