Comments on: Articulate Dogged Discussion

By: Jack

Jack — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:02:43 +0000

The day will come when we will enjoy dogs and cats like the Orientals do.

By: TJ

TJ — Sat, 31 May 2008 01:49:37 +0000

Anne: We are grumpier than we used to be. My spouse and I sometimes comment on how things have changed. No one carried little plastic bags to pick up dog poop. We figured it was good for the soil and if someone stepped in it – well, that wasn’t the end of the world.

We also didn’t have “play dates” for our dogs (or children)and we mostly left them (the dogs, not the children) in our back yards or living rooms but would take them with us to run free at Sandy Beach (or whatever it is called these days.) No one would take a grumpy dog out into the general public because it would be a lot of work keeping them under control. I haven’t owned a dog in many years because it looks like way too much work these days.

I think a lot of people younger than me think their dogs and children are way too special and don’t care if they are a pain in the butt – kids and dogs – to everyone else.

Of course, I had an injury from a neighbor’s dog a few years ago that cost me a lot of money and loss of the ability to walk for a couple of weeks, and one of my adult children had her face ripped open by a “rescued” German Shepherd, which caused much pain and lots of money to repair, so I now am very concerned when I see a dog off leash.

By: Anne

Anne — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:46:38 +0000

When did we become a populace of doghaters? I grew up with loose dogs, dog poop and all. Even teachers welcomed some loose dogs at schools — the regular visitors became our friends.

Boise introduced leash laws after we moved to Idaho some 40-plus years ago — however Boise city limits hadn’t reached where we lived then and loose dogs joined the sometimes loose horses, cows, cats and other creatures in our semi-rural neighborhood. Dogs on leashes — ours and others — joined family outings into Boise and in general appeared to be welcomed. The daily newspaper published happy photos of dogs and their owners playing Frisbee in city parks despite the leash laws — some of those photos were probably by Dave.

Somewhere along the line, there was a reduction of dog owners and a proliferation of cat owners. As dogs have resurfaced as frequently-owned pets, there seems to be little tolerance for what was once a part of life — even within cities.

Is it because there is an expectation of a sanitized idealized life? Or are we all just grumpier than we used to be?

By: JIMV

JIMV — Thu, 29 May 2008 15:03:29 +0000

“In response to JIMV, you suggest that those who want to run Fido should buy a farm. Well, that’s a wonderful suggestion that is 50-year’s too late. Have you noticed our subdivision landscape in this valley and many other cities? The typical family still has a pet dog, but the typical family can no longer afford to buy a farm. And homes aren’t being built on much land anymore(often 1/4 acre or less.) Have you noticed these changes?”

Demographics and home ownership have changed so now non dog owners must put up with doggie mines on public property! Or worse, be expected to pay taxes so Fido can poop where ever his owners desire!!…Sorry, your rights to your dog end on our property line, not the middle of my yard.

By: Sam the sham

Sam the sham — Thu, 29 May 2008 01:18:12 +0000

Hey there Chet Parker. The Saturday Mkt actually rents the area for the hours that the Market is open and running (as well as a bit of time before and after allowing set up and take down), so they certainly can enforce the no dog rule, but would rather that people would be able to read the signs (not well written) and be responsible human beings.
Well, it is quite obvious that THAT is not going to happen. If you think that it’s bad for the folks going to the Market or in your case, just being on 8th Street, try being a vendor…
People parking themselves and dogs in front of the one’s booth making it difficult for customers to make a purchase; dogs peeing on the booth or pooping in front of the booth or having a dog fight near the booth. A real draw for someone trying to do business.
Sometimes it feels as if Saturday Market is no longer a place people go to make a purchase, but a place to show off the dog – or is it put on the dog. Anyway, it’s gone to the dogs! The vendors are making less each week…. dog owners are a part of the problem.

By: Slim jim

Slim jim — Wed, 28 May 2008 11:23:50 +0000

I hate the dog poop at the Depot, the Parks, in my front yard (not from my dog as he goes in the back). Dogs run around down my street without a human and when I call Animal Control they never come!
From Scotch Pines Dog Training, lesson number 8 handout:
“REMEMBER: A DOG WHO MUST BE KEPT ON LEASH IS NO MORE THAN A SLAVE. WORK HARD TO ELEVATE YOUR DOG TO THE TRUSTED STATUS OF FRIEND!”
Got that just last week. My little buddy stays on leash due to laws, traffic, and consideration for others. Not always in that order.

By: sam the sham

sam the sham — Wed, 28 May 2008 10:50:40 +0000

Like Dave here, I have a foo dog. A little white dog to keep me walking everyday. He poops in my yard before we take a walk, but he often will poop again while on the walk – there is no stopping that kind of thing. BUT I always have a few pooper bags in my pocket and pick up after him.

Off leash? There are people who’s livelihood is holding dog training classes promising that you will be able to walk your dog off leash. If there are leash laws on the book in this city are they not promising to teach you how to break the law? These classes are often held at Ann Morrison Park.

By: Sara

Sara — Tue, 27 May 2008 21:17:07 +0000

Dog Owner, I believe what JIMV was relating was that too many people have too much dog for their property and then feel its their right to inflict said dog on the rest of us. Those who put large dogs in small living conditions are not being fair to the dog either.

By: Dog Owner

Dog Owner — Tue, 27 May 2008 12:21:06 +0000

In response to JIMV, you suggest that those who want to run Fido should buy a farm. Well, that’s a wonderful suggestion that is 50-year’s too late. Have you noticed our subdivision landscape in this valley and many other cities? The typical family still has a pet dog, but the typical family can no longer afford to buy a farm. And homes aren’t being built on much land anymore(often 1/4 acre or less.) Have you noticed these changes?

By: JIMV

JIMV — Tue, 27 May 2008 01:30:25 +0000

Where is it in any city charter, any statement of citizen rights, or any other concept of citizenship that a persons hobbies rate special treatment in allocating resources. No one has a right to use city property in a manner that is to the detriment of others simply because they desire to own a pet. Their pet rights end at their property line. If they want to run fido, buy a farm. Don’t expect fido’s little surprises to be welcomed by other folk who also have a right to use the parks without doggie mines.