Freedom's for the Dogs

2009-04-16T05:26:35Z

Is it really? Apparently, many dog owners seem to think so. I love dogs, and have two precious rescues of my own. They are wonderful companions, though not without their quirks – and as much as we train them – they’re still dogs, and in this instance, like people, they often times have a mind of their own. They like some dogs, and not others - they like some toys, and not others. They uniformly chase squirrels and ducks, and sniff things I couldn’t (and wouldn’t want to) imagine. They each have their own personality, their own likes and dislikes, and while we’d love dogs that always listened to us, we respect their individual personalities, and within limits, like to let dogs be dogs.

With that in mind, when they are out in public with us or in any area where they may encounter people and other dogs that is not a dog park – they’re on a leash. This is out of concern for their safety, and out of respect for other dog owners – though our dogs are friendly, other owners do not know this, and there may always be the one time when they decide they don’t like another dog after they meet him or her, or vice versa. Proponents of off leash dogs possibly have not experienced or witnessed some of the things I have – my own girl being chased by an off leash dog, until the owner finally caught up with us with sincere apologies. Another time in a situation where the caretaker thought the dog was trustworthy; she was attacked leading to a visit to the emergency room. Dogs being dogs, most dogs will want to meet another dog when they see him/her, but the sight of an off leash dog running full sprint and head on at us, is always terrifying – we can’t ascertain the temperament of the dog until it is already upon us, and we cannot escape. Dogs running into the street, dogs chasing squirrels, not returning when called and getting lost, friendly dogs running up to other dogs and getting attacked themselves – what, truly, is the price of a dog’s freedom? His or her life?

There’s loss of freedom from another perspective, as well. We often like to walk our dogs on the American River Trail. It’s beautiful, and we all enjoy it as a family. One beautiful spring day, we had to turn around three times, until we were finally forced off the trail and path we were on, due to constantly running into off leash dogs. We felt as if we lost a little of our own freedom that day. Other people taking liberties because they trust their own dogs meant that we didn’t have the liberty to walk ours where we wanted to.

The human race has chosen to domesticate dogs, and with that choice comes responsibility – the responsibility to respect and protect your pets, and when possible, others. There are areas that are designated for dogs to be able to run off leash and experience the freedom they love – to run and play – and at dog parks you make a choice as do the other owners to take a chance that all dogs will get along – there are also remote areas where a dog can be taken off lead without the possibility of running into people or other dogs, there are even places you can rent that have acres and acres for the dog to run. With that in mind, why risk their freedom or life by having them off lead in public spaces, while similarly taking away the freedom of others?

The following link contains information about Sacramento leash laws:

http://sacdog.org/Efforts/LeashLaws.htm

To those people whose dogs are 100% predictable and controllable at all times without fail or question, with my apologies please disregard.

What Doesn't Suck about Regional Transit?

2009-04-10T06:11:35Z

A lot! Eager readers expecting a slam on Regional Transit – read on – you might be surprised. That’s another story to be written by someone with an opposing point of view, of which I’m sure there are many. In two years of consistently riding Regional Transit, the complaints I’ve heard run the gamut.

What hasn’t been heard – why nine times out of ten, I ditch my car in favor of Regional Transit? When I started riding the bus, I received numerous offers of rides along with groans of pity when I mentioned I’d be bussing over. To this day, I’ve not yet managed to convince my friends that riding the bus is fun! It’s not just a cost factor – it’s everything from a sense of community to the chance to read the newspaper.

Contrary to popular belief, most drivers do want to talk to and help people. I’ve seen drivers stop on a dime for what’s deemed in the public transit community as “a runner”. I’ve seen them go out of their way to help an elderly or disabled person, and I’ve seen the riders courteously offer their seats to other riders when the bus is full. I’ve personally experienced this, having been offered a seat numerous times when standing on the bus. I’ve made acquaintances and learned about new things happening in the community, and, nine times out of ten, I arrive at work on time.

While I have long been a proponent of Regional Transit, last week, my belief in the system was cemented when I left my lunch on the previous bus or on the island at the connecting point. I mentioned it to my driver, who said that when he went back to the connecting point, he’d check to see if it was there, stated the time he would be back at the stop near my work, and left. Right – I knew I’d never see that lunch again. Ever the optimist, however, I proceeded to the stop at the allotted time, and there he was – right on time – and – there was my lunch! It had to have taken a tremendous effort of coordination for him to recover the lunch and bring it back to me. I really enjoyed my lunch that day!

My opinion is that the issues that most people experience are not due to inadequacies on the part of the drivers, they are due to inadequacies in funding, support, and lack of knowledge about how to use the system – but that’s for another story.

Every morning, I look forward to my brisk (usually very brisk) walk to the bus stop. I get exercise, fresh air, reading time, and save money to boot. Who knows who I will meet or what I will learn today? I need to close for now…I have a bus to catch.

Newest articles on The Sacramento Press written by Angela Murray

Freedom's for the Dogs

What Doesn't Suck about Regional Transit?