I like dogs very much, but have little tolerance for nuisance pets who jump up on me, clawing at my clothing.
It's a treat to see a good dog.
A good dog is a well-trained dog.
A nuisance dog is a yelper or barker who seems to never stop! His voice seems amplified, as his barks are heard blocks away.
A neighbor about a block away has a dog who begins barking (almost in a tearful mode) the moment his owner drives out of the yard to begin her work day.
It's an irritant to everyone in the neighborhood and especially disruptive to a peaceful day when one plans to relax on the patio with friends.
Another nuisance, particularly for folk who don't have a dog, is that of dog owners who walk their pet in your neighborhood for him to do his toilet routine.
Recently while on my daily walk I noted a new sign in a beatifully landscaped yard.
It was placed near the sidewalk so it would be impossible to ignore it.
This was no hand-scrawled sign; it had been nicely printed with a large font and a fine border.
In plain sight the sign read, "NO POOP, NO PEE.
" Once I could stop laughing, I walked on.
Soon I saw another sign.
This homeowner had really had it with pets pooping on their property.
The sign read, "PLEASE LEAVE YOUR ADDRESS SO I MAY BRING MY DOG TO POOP AND PEE IN YOUR YARD.
" Pet owners who ignore local leash laws and allow their dog to run freely throughout the neighborhood, are another irritant to many of us.
Often a roaming dog is responsible for overturned garbage cans and other mischief.
I wonder if we could enact a binding agreement for all persons who acquire a new dog.
Pet owners would be agree to: - provide adequate shelter - provide nutrition - provide appropriate vet care - provide a collar with name tag - Keep their dog enclosed or on a leash - provide daily exercise routine - carry a scoop and bag to clean up after poochy - consider neighbors A close relative of mine had prior arrangements to visit another relative.
He arrived on the designated afternoon, knocked on the door and waited for it to open with a friendly smile and perhaps even a hug.
To his consternation, before he could say 'Hi,' she lifted her voice and blurted emphatically, "You can't bring that dog in here!" Red-faced, the young man shouted back, "Well, if my dog isn't welcome in your home, neither am I.
" He turned and left the premises.
Why jeopardize friendships and family ties by stupidity? When invited to visit someone, if you plan on taking your pet, tell your friend or relative that poochy will be with you.
If poochy won't be welcome in their home, you have time to make other arrangements.
As a host, if someone comes to visit with his dog alongside, assuming you don't prefer pets in your home, greet them with a smile anyway, take a deep breath and simply invite them in.
Nurture friendships; don't allow a dog to separate you and your friends and/or family.