Today we went for a big walk in a park I never visited
before. It’s not a dog park where dogs
can run free. This park has lots of signs
reminding people that dogs have to stay on their leashes and to make sure to pick
up any poop. That’s okay cuz it is a
very pretty park with lots of different kinds of trees and flowers. There are
lots of roads and paths and benches to sit on.
While we were walking, Mom told me a story. She told me about how different things were for dogs a long, long time ago in the 1970’s. I like history and this was about dogs so I paid very close attention. She said when she was young and working in the city, she
lived not far from this park but said she didn’t bring her then dog (her name was Nico)
to this park very often.
Mom said back then, the laws about dogs and leashes were much
less strict and people were much more dog friendly. She said she and Nico could go for walks anywhere, and they didn't have only certain parks where dogs were welcome like they do today. Nico could even go outside of their house by
herself without being fenced in. If Mom
wanted to go into a store for a minute, Nico could sit by the door and wait.
Mom didn’t worry about anything bad happening.
Today, she doesn’t let me off of my leash or out of her sight.
It was interesting learning about the olden days and I sort
of wish I could run around with my friends any time I wanted, but I’m glad that
I have humans who care about me and want to keep me safe.
I’m also glad that more humans, like my Mom and her friends, are getting together to make
sure that the rules that get made about dogs are fair for all dogs and that all dogs are treated well, especially
dogs who don’t have furever homes with loving humans.
When people hurt dogs, they need to be punished a whole lot. It makes me so sad when I see how badly dogs
are hurt by horrible people. And the law shouldn’t say a dog is bad and can be
killed because of how it looks.
We are lucky to have humans who love us and take care of us
but we need to make sure our humans keep looking out for and try to help dogs who
aren’t so lucky.
Your friend,
Zeva
