Like a lot of people, I decided to use January as a time to improve, mostly on the exercise side of life. My lovely daughter took me running the other day and it wasn't as bad as I thought so, what the heck, let's give it a go, I told myself.
Being somewhat sedentary, today I got things rolling with a walk, as she is out of town. I get geared up, grab my dog and head out the door for 30 minutes of fairly brisk walking (I won't even start on the untended sidewalks unfit for human feet).
Off I go, la, la, la, haven't been walking for 5 minutes and up ahead a dog is casually roaming his front yard; no fence, no tether, life is great he tells himself.
Well, tell that to my medium-sized canine who would rather stick hot pokers in his eyes than let any other dog get near his people, no matter how unmatched he may be in size and skill. He is an awesome pet, love him to pieces, but that his is biggest and almost only fault. He has gotten more civil with fellow dogs in his 12 years but you sure don't want to be on the other end of his leash when another dog decides to check you out.
My point? I guess I'm frustrated I couldn't get 1 block from my house without a potential incident (I very quickly spun around before my doggy spotted his enemy).
Are dogs allowed to roam free, even if it is their own yard? I don't know, I'm not up on all the regulations. For all I know, that dog was very well mannered and would have totally ignored us but I wasn't willing to take the chance. I had visions of myself ending up on my butt on the ice trying to keep my loyal companion from getting or inflicting injury.
Well, that's my little story. I sure would appreciate it if all dogs were contained, in town anyway.
Wendy Bryan
Cranbrook