[NOTE: This is a letter to the editor I submitted to the Lawrence Journal World in hopes of preventing an accident that could be avoided. Etiquette and safety seem like such no brainers, but evidently not. What I wanted to write--but thought better of--was a point about misplaced sense of entitlement: "You would have a fit if I grabbed your child and started to hug it, so why does it seem okay to you for your child to try to grab my dog?" I also wanted to end with: "And parents, when you're in the park with your children, put down those cell phones and get off those benches and PLAY with your kids so that don't have to wander around searching for something to do." But I didn't--]
Here's what I did write:
Twice in the past week during walks in the park I have had
to be abrupt to young kids (a toddler and a pre-schooler) who startled my dog
and me by running up behind us with the intent to pet him. In both cases, the parents were too far from
their children to intervene.
My dog is a 50 pound work dog, not a plaything. He grew up around frat guys and adults and is
unaccustomed to children. Elderly with
limited eye sight, he is sensitive to movement around him, especially from
behind. The daily walks are part of
his—and my—health regimen. As we exercise,
I do my part to be respectful of city ordinances and the environment of our
shared spaces. He is always on a leash
in the park, and we always attempt to keep a distance from others, especially
gatherings with children. And, yes, I
scoop his poop.
While I take care of my animal, I have to rely on parents to
teach children how to co-exist with dogs in public spaces. At a minimum, kids need to be taught not to
run toward a dog, especially not from behind;
not to scream at a dog, taunt it, or throw objects at it; and they need
to know to ask permission (from a safe distance) to pet an animal. Parents, let’s please work together to make
the parks safe places we all can enjoy.
