A Message About Safety: Use Your Backyard! Or a Leash.

Mom and I have one big pet peeve, and that's people who let their dogs run around off the leash. We know you think your dog is smarter than average, and always obeys your commands. Uh huh. When your dog gets hit by a car, you are going to CRY. I know it's a hard thing to think about, but it's reality.

First, my dog walkers and I have been encountering some loose Big Brownies at night. They are about my size. I told them off several times, which seemed to make sense with them, but not their parents. You see parents, YOU are responsible for YOUR dog's safety, and the safety of other dogs when you don't put them on a leash. Also, consider other people. Some people don't want to be jumped on and scratched, and they don't want their dog jumped on and riled up.

Second, we live in a really nice neighborhood, on busy streets, with big houses. Big houses have nice, big backyards. Now why would you have a big, safe, enclosed back yard and not use it? Yet every morning and evening, I see herds of dogs (all sizes) running out the front door and into the yard. What if your dog chases after a squirrel and into the street? What if someone is driving too fast and can't stop? What if your dog gets into a fight with another dog? I swear I didn't start it with that chihuahua one time... he accused me of making Taco Bell jokes and it just wasn't true!

Anyway, here's my point:

If you have a backyard, USE IT! I'd love to come and take big steamy dumps in your backyard, but some people don't even appreciate that they have one. You might have to scoop a few times, or run over a few bombs with the mower, but it might save your dog's life. It's common sense!

Respectfully,

Lucy