Yesterday my husband and I went to walk through a local ravine. The park there is beautiful and has previously afforded us the opportunity to frame some beautiful photos. This time the light and the snow weren't quite coming together just right, but it still could have been a pleasant walk except for ... brainless morons on the loose!
I'm talking about the dog owners we encountered. Their dogs were busy being canines, something you can't fault them for, but what is the problem with their owners? As we entered the area, we passed more than one sign that admonished all dog owners to keep their animals on a leash and to clean up after them, the "poop & scoop" routine. We had just passed one of the signs when charging around a bend in the trail came four dogs, all happy to be free and unleashed. Not one of them was on the aforementioned lead and all of them were running straight at us. They were all of a size, and we're talking full-grown German Shepherds. It turned out that they were not aggressive, but that's not the point. No-one can guarantee an animal's behaviour and that's the reason for the leash. That scene could have been totally frightening for someone who is afraid of dogs, especially for someone who has previously been bitten. It would ruin their outing in the park, and that's just plain wrong. How could it be right for one person to enjoy themselves in a way that destroys the enjoyment for someone else? As we walked along it happened more than once that we had to step over or around piles of dog shit marring the pristine stretches of white. Some incredible idiot even went so far as to hang from a tree branch a bag of dog shit. Was that their idea of a joke? Dogs are reasonably intelligent creatures. They can certainly do wonderful things when they work as guide dogs or furry therapists for stroke survivors, not to mention the joy they can bring to a child who shares a bond of love with their pet. No, the problem is not with the animals. The problem is with the owners who all too often act like they don't even have the intelligence level of their pet.
I'm talking about the dog owners we encountered. Their dogs were busy being canines, something you can't fault them for, but what is the problem with their owners? As we entered the area, we passed more than one sign that admonished all dog owners to keep their animals on a leash and to clean up after them, the "poop & scoop" routine. We had just passed one of the signs when charging around a bend in the trail came four dogs, all happy to be free and unleashed. Not one of them was on the aforementioned lead and all of them were running straight at us. They were all of a size, and we're talking full-grown German Shepherds. It turned out that they were not aggressive, but that's not the point. No-one can guarantee an animal's behaviour and that's the reason for the leash. That scene could have been totally frightening for someone who is afraid of dogs, especially for someone who has previously been bitten. It would ruin their outing in the park, and that's just plain wrong. How could it be right for one person to enjoy themselves in a way that destroys the enjoyment for someone else? As we walked along it happened more than once that we had to step over or around piles of dog shit marring the pristine stretches of white. Some incredible idiot even went so far as to hang from a tree branch a bag of dog shit. Was that their idea of a joke? Dogs are reasonably intelligent creatures. They can certainly do wonderful things when they work as guide dogs or furry therapists for stroke survivors, not to mention the joy they can bring to a child who shares a bond of love with their pet. No, the problem is not with the animals. The problem is with the owners who all too often act like they don't even have the intelligence level of their pet.
4 Comments:
I love the "intelligence level" comment! ;-)
I am absolutely terrified of big dogs. I was attacked by two pitbull terriers when I was a kid and never really got over it. I would have been scared poopless.
On another note, I want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukah (depending where you fall on the faith scale). I hope you and your family have a wonderful 2006
What a long post...Nice blog though... Merry Christmas..Best wishes, Ciao..do leave me a comment...:p
where we live the only things that kill humans are wild and domestic dogs - they are also the major killers of wildlife and all have been introduced by humans
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