The Dog Dilemma
I can't possibly be the only person, in their pursuit of a canine companion on Long Island or, as in my case, their relocation to the island with a four legged child, who has discovered the apparent distaste this section of the country has for man's best friend. I could write a long winded list of places where dogs aren't allowed to exist but that would take me all day so instead I offer a list of places where dogs are allowed on Long Island:
1. In their owner's backyard, granted they are fortunate enough to have one.
2. On a side walk, with a leash on, attached to their owner, granted their town has side walks.
3. Inside their owner's home which should have sound proof windows and walls since no one else wants to know that there is a dog inhabiting the property.
Call me crazy, but that seems like an unreasonably short list of places for dogs to enjoy their lives and for people to enjoy the company of their pets. In my experience, dogs should be and have been allowed in public facilities, on or off leash and under voice control in many places and with limited problems for eons. This includes but is not limited to beaches, trails, parks, and outdoor markets or community events and yes even in some STORES (insert sound of my neighbors gasping). I'm almost certain that if I strolled into my local Starbucks on the Gold Coast of L.I. I would be met with disgust, indignation, and would probably be asked not to return to that location. They may even revoke my Starbucks Gold Card if I had one, which I don't.
In one of my first encounters with the Vigilante Pooch Patrol, Boyfriend and I attempted a farmers market at an outlet center on a weekend afternoon in Deer Park, NY. We hooked up our 35 pound ball of love and fluff to his short leash and grabbed our reusable grocery bags from the trunk. As we stepped onto the grounds a woman in a white button down, black slacks, and a fresh blow out waved her grande iced caramel macchiato at us and opened her arms wide, physically blocking our path. To what did we owe such a hearty welcome? "Ownly do-awgs that can be cahrreed may entah the grounds." We very politely asked her if she was in fact, joking. No, she was serious. Could Boyfriend have picked up Poochy? Yes, that would not have been a problem physically. Unfortunately that solution did not occur to us until we were safely steaming in the car, vowing never to return to such an abominable establishment. I also think she probably still would've turned us away, even with the furr ball safely in Boyfriend's arms.
Since then we have been kicked off of the town beach for simply allowing our dog's paws to touch the sand not once, but twice. If someone hasn't actually told us to leave, we've gotten enough negative energy shot our way to know its time.
Now to its credit, Nassau County does have a number of public parks which often include
4. The Dog Park.
For those of you unfamiliar with this phenomenon, it is typically a chain link fenced area of either dirt, mulch, or grass wherein dogs can basically be dogs while humans stand around and anthropomorphize their dogs, read a book, or drink a cup of coffee. This is the way it should be! Although, I would like all parties to have more space in which to partake in these activities.
Since moving to the North Shore, we have begun to make frequent trips to Christopher Morley Park in North Hills where the dog park is usually bumpin'. Not only does Edison get his social fix but Boyfriend and I get our doggy therapy.
1. In their owner's backyard, granted they are fortunate enough to have one.
2. On a side walk, with a leash on, attached to their owner, granted their town has side walks.
3. Inside their owner's home which should have sound proof windows and walls since no one else wants to know that there is a dog inhabiting the property.
Call me crazy, but that seems like an unreasonably short list of places for dogs to enjoy their lives and for people to enjoy the company of their pets. In my experience, dogs should be and have been allowed in public facilities, on or off leash and under voice control in many places and with limited problems for eons. This includes but is not limited to beaches, trails, parks, and outdoor markets or community events and yes even in some STORES (insert sound of my neighbors gasping). I'm almost certain that if I strolled into my local Starbucks on the Gold Coast of L.I. I would be met with disgust, indignation, and would probably be asked not to return to that location. They may even revoke my Starbucks Gold Card if I had one, which I don't.
In one of my first encounters with the Vigilante Pooch Patrol, Boyfriend and I attempted a farmers market at an outlet center on a weekend afternoon in Deer Park, NY. We hooked up our 35 pound ball of love and fluff to his short leash and grabbed our reusable grocery bags from the trunk. As we stepped onto the grounds a woman in a white button down, black slacks, and a fresh blow out waved her grande iced caramel macchiato at us and opened her arms wide, physically blocking our path. To what did we owe such a hearty welcome? "Ownly do-awgs that can be cahrreed may entah the grounds." We very politely asked her if she was in fact, joking. No, she was serious. Could Boyfriend have picked up Poochy? Yes, that would not have been a problem physically. Unfortunately that solution did not occur to us until we were safely steaming in the car, vowing never to return to such an abominable establishment. I also think she probably still would've turned us away, even with the furr ball safely in Boyfriend's arms.
Since then we have been kicked off of the town beach for simply allowing our dog's paws to touch the sand not once, but twice. If someone hasn't actually told us to leave, we've gotten enough negative energy shot our way to know its time.
Now to its credit, Nassau County does have a number of public parks which often include
4. The Dog Park.
For those of you unfamiliar with this phenomenon, it is typically a chain link fenced area of either dirt, mulch, or grass wherein dogs can basically be dogs while humans stand around and anthropomorphize their dogs, read a book, or drink a cup of coffee. This is the way it should be! Although, I would like all parties to have more space in which to partake in these activities.
Since moving to the North Shore, we have begun to make frequent trips to Christopher Morley Park in North Hills where the dog park is usually bumpin'. Not only does Edison get his social fix but Boyfriend and I get our doggy therapy.
Comments
Post a Comment