book is in its second printing. Folks fight over the limited first editions on eBay, bidding more than $100 a copy!
Celebrating our area's four-legged, feathered and finned friends
By Summer Dogs
What all this about muzzling your dogs during Downtown After Dinner and the Summer Festival?
Yes, the ordinance says, among other things, that at City-sponsored events, dogs must be on a leash no longer than three feet, and they must be muzzled.
Now before you all get your tails stuck in a fan, let me explain, since I served on the committee which drafted said ordinance. We’re talking about Downtown events, with thousands of people, food and loud music. Local dogs aren’t used to big crowds on city streets. Downtown After Dinner is a fantabulous program: every Saturday night, from May through mid-September, the streets are closed to car traffic and live entertainment is on every block. The streets and sidewalks are jammed with people.
Before the ordinance, a Bad Thing was happening. Some Irresponsible Dog Owners (boooooo, hisss, wrinkle nose and spit) were bringing sad dogs on heavy chains to Downtown After Dinner, with the sole purpose of intimidation. Yuck and poor dogs and I’ve already said boo hiss spit.
But a greyhound rescue group also came to advocate for the sweet greyhounds looking for homes. (YAY!! HOORAY!!! GOOD HUMANS!!!)
The ordinance committee didn’t want to ban all dogs, so we made a compromise. Dogs would be muzzled and on short leads.
During a recent city commission meeting, Commissioner Gayle Kaler asked if I would be willing to bring one of my dogs to Downtown After Dinner and talk to folks about the proper muzzles, etc.
People have been using groomer’s muzzles which clamp the dogs’ mouths shut. Oh this is dangerous – potentially deadly — as the dog can’t pant. The appropriate muzzle is a basket muzzle, pictured above.
Now, Dear Readers, this is where I missed a wonderful opportunity. I should have answered, “Commissioner Kaler, thank you for the chance to make this point. I don’t think Downtown After Dinner is a particularly fun thing for most dogs. They are on the pavement, which is at least 10 degrees hotter. They are surrounded by a claustrophobic ocean of humans. The bands are loud for us; imagine what that decibel level would feel like to ears that are exponentially more sensitive than ours. I personally feel that my dogs would be happier at home.”
But, no. I did not say that. I looked like a deer in headlights for a moment, and then my mouth said, “Yes. Yes I would.” (Sam I Am is going to kill me.)
Somewhere my brain was flashing “WRONG ANSWER,” but I couldn’t get the right answer to my mouth in time.
It’s hot. Put yourself in your dog’s paws. Turn up your hearing aid (borrow one if you need to). Turn it way up and then imagine it four times louder and walk around the Summer Festival. Take your shoes off and walk on the pavement. Wear a fur coat.
Having fun yet?
No. Neither is your dog. We love our dogs enough to know when they would be happier at home.
Addendum: It saddens me to share this, but sharing it might save a family from a terrible tragedy. I have personally heard of two separate instances of treasured dogs who died of heat stroke this week. Please, please don’t tie your dogs out in this weather, even with access to shade and water and all of your love, which both of these dogs had. It is just too hot.
