Unfairly Accused
Dear Frankie,
Recently, I lost a week of treats and watching Lassie reruns because I ripped a hole in one of my mom’s new living room curtains. I think the punishment didn’t match the crime because it was an accident.
I asked my friend Roscoe what he thought about me being punished for an accident. He said he thought I got off easy for the damage I caused, and it was time to move on. I want to explain what happened and hear what you think.
Last month, it rained for three weeks straight, so I couldn’t go to the dog park. I’m an only dog, and three weeks without canine companionship was getting me down. When I told my mom I was lonely and had nothing to do, she suggested I look out the window and tell her if anything interesting was happening in the neighborhood. When I went into the living room, I found the curtains, which are behind the couch, closed. So, I tried to open them by standing on the couch and pushing them apart with my paw. Unfortunately, I lost my balance and fell, and on the way down, my nails got caught in the curtain.
When I told my mom what happened, I thought it was unfair of her to punish me because it was her idea to look out the window, and I didn’t mean to rip the curtain.
Louis
Dear Louis,
Accidents have consequences. An example might help you understand the reason why. Say your mother rear-ended a car when she was driving. Similar to your situation, it was an accident; she didn’t mean to hit the car, but she did. In the eyes of the law, she is at fault and responsible for paying for the repairs to the car she hit.
In your situation, your mom thought the consequence of the damage you caused, even though it was an accident, was to withdraw treats and videos for a week.
I agree with Roscoe; you got a light sentence, and now that your punishment is behind you, accept it as a life lesson learned and move on.
If it makes you feel better, we have all been there.
Best, Frankie
© 2023 Geneva Woodruff
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