Also, fyi, dogs are my security system. One of the few benefits of living in a city run by gangstas is that many local folks know of dogs only via vicious dogfighting rings, and thus they think all dogs are dangerous fighters. My dog is a well-tempered cuddlebug but still scares folks, and for that I am grateful. Of course the one time she tried to let me know some jerk was in the backyard stealing stuff, my reaction was “shu’up and go sleep mmmfffzzzz”. Goodbye bike and rake….

As for dogs being a nuisance, so are people. They poop and pee all over the city and bother me in the park as well. They also play tennis, and thus somehow I am paying for tennis courts and other things I think are bothersome and ridiculous. I’d love to move to a rural area but that’s not quite possible and, frankly, none of your business to tell me where to live. My dog was also a rescue dog, rescued from some fighting operation in the city, and thus she belongs in DC as much as any person. She didn’t ask to be born here, after all.

I wish I could convince all people to be courteous with their dog, but therein lie deeper issues of DC citizens. I am courteous with my dog, don’t allow her to bark at people or bother them, I pick up her poop, etc. As someone pointed out here recently, I’ve had all of two people in five years tell me to my face what a nuisance dogs are. I’ve had dozens, if not hundreds, of delighted people and kids pet my dog and remark how nice she is, etc. Also, frankly, she eats so much trash off the city and park streets she should be on the city payroll.

Dogs bark. Dogs pee and poop everywhere. Dogs are an ambulatory quality-of-life offense.

And letting your dog off the leash in a public park just ruins it for the (non-pet-enamored) humans. The leash laws are there because not everyone enjoys playing with your dog. And no, your laughing assurance of “don’t worry, he won’t bite” doesn’t do anything for me; if I enjoyed being slobbered on / pawed / charged at by a dog, I’d get one.

Want your animals to run free? Move to a rural area. If you’re going to live in the city, follow the city’s laws about animals; they’re there for everyone’s safety and sanitation.

She’s fairly special, I’ll admit, but when she would bark and the citrus scent sprayed out, she discovered that she liked the scent and would just keep barking until she’d consumed all the scent. It was funny to watch, but really didn’t help the problem. Now she’s indoors all day, so not to worry.