Is sick of editorial letters condemning dogs in public!

I have been responding to a handful of letters in my local newpaper (Stevens Point Journal) complaining about dogs in public. A few bad dog owners misbehave and we're all condemned and ridiculed for taking our dogs out in public. We have a beautiful public park nearby, and an open air Farmer's Market. I've been criticized in both locations for allowing Molly to accompany me. Neither is posted for no dogs. She is well behaved, and in the rare instance that she answers the call of nature in public, I always have the necessary bags on hand - in fact the park has a few poop bag stations. I guess I'm just looking for some like-minded folks to stand behind my opinions. Does anyone else encounter this in their communities? I can sort of understand where some might question a dog at the Farmer's Market - if said Dog is licking the produce, etc, but I can vouch that my dog gets no where near and even if I left her standing alone in the middle of the Market (I NEVER would!) she wouldn't touch an unsupervised T-bone on the ground because she's so well behaved - But the PARK? Would they banish the birds and waterfowl, squirrels and rabbits, etc, too? I'm just all fired up and tired of being the only vocal pro-dogger in town by the look of it!

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Comment by Sam Tsang on July 22, 2010 at 7:50pm
Sometimes we need to know what's within our circle of influence and what's outside of that circle. Anytime you spent spinning wheels won't get you anywhere. Don't hate the dog haters, like you said, blame those who ruined it for the rest of us.

A couple of years ago my wife and I were walking our dogs at this park that clearly marks "pets MUST BE on leash", we were talking to this older lady with a maltese, suddenly a chocolate lab came running, the lady turned pale, in distress stuttered the words "we are in trouble" and started running away. The lab showed no sign of aggression at all, but the lady dramatically dropped to the ground, she cried and told us to get her heart medicine from her car, while I monitor her condition, the lab's owner finally arrived to retrieve her runaway. After a good half an hour, the lady was doing much better and explained to us how she had a bad "big dog" accident as a youngster. Moral of the story? Some folks does have valid reasons (old lady), some are just plain idiots (lab owner), live and set a positive example -action speaks much louder than words.
Comment by Cassandra on July 22, 2010 at 6:52pm
I guess I should feel sorry for such people because they've clearly never had the joy of a devoted dog like our Corgi's!
Comment by Cassandra on July 22, 2010 at 6:49pm
Thanks for the support! I guess I'm just feeling feisty and heartsore from fighting with the ignoramuses that speak out in our open letters. I'm sure there're lots who agree with my view, but they aren't speaking out. Everyone's entitled to their opinion, don't get me wrong - but for Heaven's sake make sure you know what you're talking about and think before you type! An uniformed opinion is worse than no opinion at all! That's the political science student coming out, I guess.
Comment by Misti, Guinness and Finnegan on July 22, 2010 at 6:41pm
I agree with you. Thankfully the Farmer's Markets in my area are dog friendly. Some of the booths even have free treats and water bowls out for dogs. And it's not as though the produce is on the ground, it's in the back of trucks or on tables.

The parks in the city I live in don't allow dogs, though. I have to drive at least a few miles to take them on a paved trail. I prefer trails as opposed to roads or sidewalks because I'm away from traffic, and the trails are pet friendly. Lots of garbage cans and poop bags. And trees for them to sniff and mark without anyone getting mad.
Comment by Cassandra on July 22, 2010 at 6:37pm
Like I said, I can SORT OF understand the Farmer's Market objections - but don't people realize where the produce comes from? A few hours before the market it was lying in dirt, likely fertilized by compost and "other" fertilizers, trampled by bugs and rodents, and at the Market its undefended from bugs and random curious hands. I can't see a dog standing four feet away as a threat :) But that's just me!
Comment by Tris & Jeanne on July 22, 2010 at 6:28pm
Some folks just gotta complain. If they're breathing... they're complaining! I don't see the harm of a Corgilicious at a farmer's market........ especially since they're so low to the ground. The owner of the Subway (sandwich) shop here has even told me it's OK to bring Fox inside the store (for a takeout order). He says that unless the dog jumps up towards the food counter, he's fine with it.
Comment by Monica, Orion, and Laika on July 22, 2010 at 6:15pm
I can kind of understand why people wouldn't want a dog at the farmers market where there's food, I mean people like me wouldn't care, my face is constantly being licked by my dogs who have had their mouths on god knows what that day, but I understand where they're coming from. I guess. But at the park?? Especially with supplied poop bags? If someone so much as gave me a dirty look for having my dogs at the park I'd give them a piece of my mind. What, squirrels, birds, chipmunks, etc. are allowed in public places but our dogs who we pick up after and that are far better behaved than wild animals aren't? Some people are just dumb.

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