Be A Good Neighbor, And A Good Pet Parent

I've always tried to live by the golden rule, "do unto others as you would have them do to you."  Okay, I'm the first to admit I've probably screwed this up. A lot. I'm not perfect, I doubt anyone is.

But it makes me angry when people just blatantly disregard rules and laws that have been put in place for the good of themselves, their pets, and the community because they just don't care.

Sadly, I've been having a problem with one these people.

Anyone who has used our wonderful trail system knows that there are signs on nearly every corner of the trail system stating rules of use for the trails and parks in Woodbury. One of the biggest and most important rules is that all dogs must be on a leash at all times--and they must be picked up after.

We live on one of the trails, and let me say, a lot of people are really great about picking up after their dogs, and nearly everyone keeps their dog on a leash. I know, because I've watched. But I also know there are a lot of people who don't do such a great job of picking up after their dog.  I know this because my own dog has found a lot of poop while walking down the trail, and it didn't belong to her.

Okay, maybe you forgot to bring a bag with you when you walked your dog, or maybe you even went back with a bag later and couldn't find the mess.  It's happened to me.  I get it.  I will write off the “natural fertilizer.”

But what I don't get, is those who completely throw the leash law and caution to the wind, and let their dog run freely down the path.

There's a primary offender here, and they know who they are--I'm not going to call them out here because I already have, in person.  I've watched this resident and their dog on multiple occasions, while the dog runs free and does its business wherever it may please while the owner looks the other way.

Finally, today as I watched the dog run through MY yard, I'd had enough.  I shouted out to the resident, I informed them that there's a leash law in Woodbury.

Instead of being apologetic and tethering the dog, the owner informed me that the dog "doesn't have to be on a leash" because "he never goes into anyone else's yard."

Sorry, I must have missed that on the Woodbury City Ordinance Page; the caveat to the leash law where it says your dog doesn't have to be leashed if he doesn't go in other people's yards.

Not to mention the fact that this dog DOES go on other people's yards, because I've watched him do it. And he runs several hundred feet ahead of his owner, so I doubt the owner could stop him from doing the activity he supposedly doesn't do, anyway.

But what really ground my gears was the resident's attitude about it.  This person acted like I was a crazy person for asking (okay, demanding) that they leash their dog.  They sarcastically told me to "have a nice day" while telling their walking partner clearly what they thought about me and my "craziness."  I'll admit, I didn't have very nice words about this resident once I was inside my house, either.

Now I really wish this whole thing would have turned out different.  I hate picking fights with people, especially neighbors.  I try to go out of my way not to start trouble with neighbors, because after all, you have to live with them every day.  I’ve seen enough horror situations where neighbors hate each other.  It’s not pretty, and it never ends well.

But when someone is repeatedly doing their own thing without any regard for their dog's safety or their neighbors' property or the laws of this community, I can't just sit by.

We've so enjoyed living on the trail.  We enjoy our Woodbury neighbors and for the most part, everyone is nice, friendly, and helpful.  It's sad that one bad apple has marred that experience. 

Leash laws aren't just some random rule that the City of Woodbury put in place for no good reason to break dog’s spirits.  Leashes keep your dog out of harm's way--keep them from getting hit by cars, from tangling with other wild and domestic animals, and from "exploring" property that doesn't belong to them.  

I've had a lot of dogs over the years, and have spent a lot of time with dog trainers.  So I don't care if your dog is Lassie, you can never guarantee that your dog will never run away from you.  I have read so many heartbreaking stories of owners who thought their dogs would never run, or that they would never run into the street, or that they would always come back.  These stories end in tragedy, for it was "just the one time" the dog ran, and there happened to be a car.

Folks, it only takes ONE time.  One time for your dog to follow his nose and take off on you.  One time for something tragic to happen.

It happened to us, last weekend.  Our dog snuck under our gate, and she was gone.  She'd snuck out once or twice before, but we always managed to chase her down, or call her until she stopped and came back.

Not this time.  She ran, and she was gone.  She did not come back.  She was gone for seventeen sleep-less hours, until a kind resident apprehended her and returned her to us.  We are so thankful, and so grateful to that person, and to God for protecting her.  Because we know how the story could have turned out.  We've seen the countless missing dog posters around town--seen the dogs that haven't come home again.  My heart breaks for these families because now I have been there—not knowing if your dog is alive or dead (or worse, injured and stranded), if you’re ever going to see your beloved family member again.

Really, is it worth it?  If you value your dog's safety (and your neighbors good graces), keep him on his leash.  It doesn't matter if he doesn't like it, or wants to walk faster than you do.  Our dog has that problem--seemingly quiet walks always turn into the 100-yard dash.  We bite the bullet.  We run alongside her, even if it looks stupid, or we feel stupid doing it.  (Because really, who can't control their 10lb dog on a leash? Um, us.)

If your dog really, really hates being on a leash (and you can't possibly run 20mph), Woodbury even provides a fenced dog park where your dog can fulfill his natural desires.  But that place isn't our trail systems.

So am I totally regretting how the situation went down with my neighbor? Yeah.  I so wish things were different.  But if that owner puts their dog on a leash now because I was a jerk, well, then it was worth it for the safety of that dog.

Because we've learned too well what "just once" can mean, and I don't want anyone else to have to learn that lesson the hard way, no matter how rude they may be.