Today, while leaving the pharmacy, after picking up my highly stigmatized medications and contemplating which color cane I should get then not getting a new cane at all, I noticed a new phenomenon: It's the beautiful dog phenomenon (BDP).

A BDP is an increase in the beauty of a guide or service dog directly after inappropriate or poor behavior. It can be observed especially directly through the eyes of others, and indirectly through the ears of the guide dog handler.

Example #1: The one which sparked the term

I turn away from the pharmacy window after Mom pays for and carries the medications, tooth paste and
Heat Patches
Julio notices something on the floor and goes for it. I say "Julio, no!" Then, a fellow pharmacy patron tells me "You have a beautiful dog."

There are several possible indescressions which can increase the likelyhood of the BDP. Those which have the greatest influence on the likelyhood of the BDP occuring are those which are dangerous, embarrassing or most painful.

Example #2

The dog becomes distracted by food outside of a sidewalk cafe. There happens to be a driveway nearby. The dog lunges for the food, while traffic is near. The handler, shaken, corrects the dog. A pedestrian gently grabs or pats the handler's shoulder and says "What a beautiful dog." Or, the pedestrian may bend down, pat the dog and say "You're so beautiful."

The cause of the BDP is unclear, but handlers can prevent the BDP by having an incredibly ugly dog (there is no such thing), having a perfect dog or avoiding public places. Failing prevention, the most important aspect of managing the BDP is smiling and saying "thank you" or "get your hand off my dog" whichever applies most, then evacuating the area.