Dogs are not people

So right off the bat I will be offending all those dog lovers who think their pets (yes, they are pets) are their children. But someone has to be straight with you. Sorry to break it this way, but I think we’ve crossed too many lines to include your animal (yes, it’s an animal) in with people activities. But before I go any further, let me say I have always had cats, dogs, hamsters and all such manner of pets in my life. I loved them and with little encouragement could cry right now just thinking of some of them who have gone on to that big cage in the sky. Not for one minute am I denying these wonderful things are marvelous companions as study after study has proven.

But a recent trip to the United Kingdom opened my eyes as to just how far things have gone pushing me into a 180-degree change of opinion. During past visits to Europe or Britain I was well aware of little doggies everywhere and smiled at all the cute little things in their bunting bags, wicker carrying cases or held in the arms of their loving owners while the owners did their daily chores around town. They were (and continue to be) welcomed in restaurants, stores, hotels, shops of all kinds and I, like so many, saw no problem in including these small, well-mannered bundles of love into these environments.

Then we went to Port Isaac, Cornwall, England to see the town where one of our favourite Britcoms is filmed. The tiny town of Port Isaac is a beauty situated on the coast looking all very British. All the while a scenic attraction of sorts, it always had its fair share of tourists but owing to the popularity of television’s Doc Martin those numbers have increased significantly. And here’s what I noticed like never before.

People had their dogs with them. By the dozens. But I’m not talking little dogs as were seen years ago, I’m talking big dogs. Sometimes more than one. And what do dogs do? Exactly that. They do. They do-do. All over the place. They peed on people’s fences, on people’s cars, in people’s yards, on people’s flower gardens, on people’s trees. Hundreds of dogs - biiiig dogs - continually relieved themselves or marked on the private properties of these homeowners. You could smell the dog urine.

I know. I know. Your dog wouldn’t do that. Your dog, somehow magically, has managed to keep itself from urinating for hours at a time when it’s outside around the smell of the urine of dozens of other dogs. Your dog would never mark anywhere it shouldn’t. But let me ask you a question. Would you post a sign outside your doorway inviting hundreds of dogs to pee there? I’m going to guess the answer would be no. But that’s what is happening because dogs are now being welcomed everywhere people are.

When a little doggie is in its owner’s arms or carrier it’s a little different than what has morphed into owners with their large dogs. I question whether that was ever the intent of the welcome.

We went into an open and roofed market when I began to smell something. Sure enough, owners with their dogs marking their spots were there. Another year or so and no one will be able to stand the stench of the market.

These dogs should not be with their owners in so many people places. Don’t bring them. Leave them at home. They aren’t like kids who may want to be there. They are perfectly content to stay at home. Being in a hot car, walking on hot pavement, sometimes having water available but sometimes not, being around dozens of walking feet - were I a dog, I think my reaction would be thanks but no thanks. Hire a dog sitter for the time you’re away. Put your pooch in a kennel. I often see posts on Facebook where owners place a camera by their at-home dog to see what it does when they are away. And they all do the same thing. They sleep. Because that’s what dogs do.

When proprietors thought it would be nice to invite dogs into their stores, I don’t think there was a thought the Chihuahua would turn into a Great Dane - a Great Dane that poops things larger than a Chihuahua. Just as there’s a move afoot to let kids be kids, how be we let dogs be dogs.

Sheila Graham is a member of the Amherst News Community Editorial Panel.