By Mary Beauchamp
This is for all of you who walk your dog(s) along 20th Street in Lakeport. Good for you and good for your dog. However, for those of you who think it”s perfectly alright to let your dog use it as a toilet and then leave it there for homeowners and others to look at and smell, you should be embarrassed and ashamed of yourselves.
It does not break down, it is not good for the water system and if it was good fertilizer someone, somewhere would be selling it. Animal control would make a fortune. I”ve got a bad back, bad knees and a bad hip. If I can carry a bag and pick up after my dog, so can you. There are no excuses. You”re lazy.
At the dog park, where bags and a garbage can are provided, some of you still don”t clean up after your dog(s). You”re the main reason dogs are restricted to certain small areas of our parks. That and those of you who don”t think the leash law applies to you. Maybe we should gather it all up and bring it back to you and let you deal with the smell and the flies. Be adults and take responsibility. A big thank you to those who do.
And, during the hot summer days, if you can”t put your hand on the pavement because it is too hot, then it is too hot for your dog. If it”s too hot in your pick-up bed, then it is too hot for your dog. Touch it and you”ll see. All that water in a bucket will not cool down that metal. Use your brain and think! If it”s too hot or cold for you, then it”s too hot or cold for your animal.
And, for heaven”s sake, pay attention to your dog”s barking. That incessant barking in the winter may be stress from the cold. Find out what”s going on. Your neighbors don”t want to listen to that. Dogs bark and that”s a fact. We all know and understand that, but if it”s incessant, then there”s something wrong. Take the time to find out.
If you can”t be or don”t want to be a responsible pet owner, then don”t get one. It”s as simple as that. Obey the laws. Keep your dog on a leash and in control. Stay out of restricted areas and clean up after your animal.
Mary Beauchamp
Lakeport
