Most, but certainly not all, dog owners cannot comprehend why others can
possibly be offended by the behavior of their pets. ?Walking the dog? is a
euphemism for allowing one?s pet to defecate on someone else?s property.
The ?responsible? dog owners inevitably reply: Well, I pick up afterwards.
Well, good for you. Do you want a medal for that? Do you lick up your dog?s
urine? Then we have dog bites by the thousands, some of which mutilate
children. The owners of vicious dogs that attack persons always, and I mean
always, say: But my dog is a gentle, loving pet. He bit off a child?s nose?
That child should have been more careful.
    Then we have nonstop barking, heard only by neighbors. How sad that dog
owners are deaf.

What exactly is your question?

It seems to me that you do not have a liking for dogs in general,
never mind the owners....

I, myself, am a former dog owner ( the ex-hubby got custody of the
dog...I got to keep the cat ). However, when I did live with my dog, I
always prided myself with being respectful of the neighbours and those
whose properties we *walked* by.

Me? I just LOVE dogs.

Have even got one of my own, Daisy by name.

Yeah, I know it's a silly name for a dog but that's how it goes.

Whenever I take Daisy for a walkie, I always take a supply of plastic
bags with me. Harrods preferably but Tesco or Sainsbury if necessary.

If and when Daisy should do a poo, I pounce on the said poo and,
before it could possibly become contaminated by flies etc., I pick up
the poo and encapsulate it within a plastic bag.

Now, this is the important bit ...

I then pop the plastic bag in the nearest letter-box. 

This is IMPORTANT because, otherwise, how would folk know that I am so
publicly spirited?

I urge ALL dog owners to follow my example because I can readily
understand that it must be annoying to find poos left on a footpath.

There's always room for improvement!

HARHARHAR..Bryan...OMG...You cause me to fall off my chair every time..

Well as long as the *poop* is not on the floor next to my chair....LOL

And when may we see a pic of your beloved Daisy???
I have been waiting patiently for ages now...


Your turn next...

Hi, Steph

I will put a piccy of Daisy up shortly, especially for you!

LOL

Bryan

Hi Bryan, Just how do you transfer a photo from your computer so it
shows on GA. Does it have to go elsewhere first to , understandably,
protect your privacy. I have placed a question recently on this very
thing. Regards. Pug

Hi, Pug

Sorry, I don't know how to do it yet but I will find out & let you know,

However, it can be done and animals are fairly anonymous:

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=236567

I am now hoping that we may soon see a piccy of a Pug, too.

All the Best

Bryan

Just a friendly comment. :)

Steph53 - 
The question is. "Why are dog owners so insufferably obtuse?"

However the question is somewhat of an opinion, so I'm not sure how
one can answer such a question.  There must be many answers, which all
will be argued by both sides.  However if a dog does bite a child or
something there is always the American court system.  People are very
upset when they see a child with no nose.

The comments so far reinforce the wording of the question. Why do you
take your dog for its cute *walkie* on other peoples' property? Why
not use your own property?
monroe22

If you want to spend $20 bitching then go right ahead!

To me walking the dog means just that. She uses our back yard at home
to do her business. She DOES NOT do it when walking. My dog doesn't
bark constantly. My dog is not aggressive, but if there are small
children around I keep her on the lead anyway, just to be safe.

So, SOME dog owners are irresponsible and shouldn't be allowed to keep
a cockroach, let alone a dog. But not all. Remember that. Or I'll let
my dog defecate on your garden.

(joke)

Hi, Monroe

I usually take Daisy for a walk on the Queen's property (Liz II that
is) because she's a dog lover herself. Not that you'd know, because
she owns Corgis (not my favourite breed).

Queenie often stops me for a chat when we meet up, like two or three
times a day, and we have worked out a deal.

Queenie has promised not to steal Daisy and I have promised not to
steal any of her Corgis, even though they would command top price at
our local Chinese.

Queenie's a grand lass and she tells me that if anyone says a bad word
against dogs, she'll send them to The Guillotine. (Apparently, she's
got a special deal going with her mates in France.)

Rest assured, I will not reveal even your handle to any of the Queen's Bodyguard.

Have you any plans to come to the UK?

If so, please let me know.

Probably the same sorts of idiots who let their children run wild in
public and fail to admonish them for bad bahavior or tell them to shut
up and use their "indoor" voice.

probonopublico: Well, you are in a rarified stratum that I cannot
begin to comprehend. Simple soul that I am, I would defer to her
majesty's dogs. But again, if I may, it is not dogs per se that
irritate me...it is the dog owners who cannot grasp that their pets
are beyond reproach. Excuse me, I don't care if you pick up 1000 times
after your dogs. How about using your own property rather than that
which belongs to others? When some dog owner gives me a plausible
explanation why their dogs are entitled to defecate and urinate on
property to which their masters have no title, not only will I shut
up, I will applaud them for solving a mystery which has long befuddled
me.

Hi, Monroe

Like you, I get VERY annoyed when dogs (other than Daisy) defecate on my property.

Daisy does so often and she is encouraged so to do, precisely so that
she won't defecate on anyone else's property.

However, dogs also like to go out and for those of us who like dogs
(like Queenie and me) we like to take our dogs with us, wherever and
whenever possible.

This is not always possible because many places here in the UK now
discriminate against dogs.

The signs are everywhere: 'No Dogs Except Guide Dogs'.

As you would expect, Daisy now carries a compass, just so that she can
qualify as a Guide Dog.

I have yet to see a sign 'No Cats', 'No Seagulls', 'No Lions', 'No Elephants' ...

Is this fair?

Talking about Seagulls ... Wow, they are really much WORSE than dogs!
... They plop great big dollops of foul stuff everywhere and NOBODY
ever carries a plastic bag to scoop up after them. (Except for us dog
owners who are suitably prepared.)

But that's the price I am prepared to pay for choosing to live by the sea.

Now, not everybody likes dogs but I do!

Living by myself, I do like having a little furry thing around to
'talk' to, to play with, to feed, etc.

And really, I don't mind the cost even though the vet's bills are now
out of this world.

Me? I don't smoke and I hate the smell. Always have but I accept that
if people are stupid enough to risk ruining their lungs, etc. then so
be it.

Don't forget that even Hitler liked dogs, so he couldn't have been ALL bad.

And think of all those dogs who bring comfort to the disadvantaged.
Yes, the Guide Dogs.

And Lassie ... My favourite Hollywood film star ... She was not only
gorgeous but she could act!

Of course, some dogs are a menace and some owners are irresponsible
but, at least, Queenie and me do try our best.

Believe me, it's not much fun having Royal Blood coursing through your
veins these days.

One Who Knows.

Probonopublico: Debating you is a losing proposition...you are one
smart person. Your posts to GA are always interesting. Of course you
love your dog. Why not? Most persons have pets they love dearly...the
pets supply an emotional need. I have zero problems with responsible
dog owners. Unfortunately (for me) they seem to be a tiny minority in
my neighborhood. Nonetheless, your remarks about other creatures
(cats, seagulls, etc.) not being proscribed, except for cats, are a
bit specious. Seagulls are indeed filthy, but they are not pets under
control. Cats, unless feral, are usually under control. But my
question is: Where is it written that dog rights supersede property
rights?

Hi, Monroe

You ask: 'Where is it written that dog rights supersede property rights?'

It isn't.

Just the opposite, where I live, owners can be prosecuted for allowing
their dogs to foul. But, of course, there a MILLION laws and only one
cop.

Many 'laws' are impractical or unenforceable.

You are probably too young to remember 'Prohibition' ... But, boy, did
we know how to live in those days!

The speak-easies, the flappers, the booze served in tea cups, and All That Jazz.

I get consolation from all these so-called Laws because I figure that,
by giving the politicians something to do, it keeps them out of
mischief.

Oops, please forgive me if I am being rude ...

You are not a politician are you?

I now remember that there is or was a thing called the Monroe Doctrine.

Note to self: Must check!

By the way, Daisy & I have just been for our usual morning walk and -
Guess What? - a MILLION Seagulls squawking and sploshing EVERYWHERE!

You will have to excuse me now because I've got to get a shower.

Those bloody seagulls.

The Monroe Doctrine ...

'He argued and finally won over the Cabinet to an independent policy.
In Monroe's message to Congress on December 2, 1823, he delivered what
we have always called the Monroe Doctrine, although in truth it should
have been called the Adams Doctrine. Essentially, the United States
was informing the powers of the Old World that the American continents
were no longer open to European colonization, and that any effort to
extend European political influence into the New World would be
considered by the United States "as dangerous to our peace and
safety." The United States would not interfere in European wars or
internal affairs, and expected Europe to stay out of American
affairs.'

Well, we kept OUR part of the bargain - until recently. Why oh why did
we not invoke the Monroe Doctrine when the invasion of Iraq was
mooted?

Oops ... I've just re-read your question and I see that you said 'obtuse'.

Silly me, I read it as 'obese'.

I do wish people wouldn't use 'obscure' words.

I find it very 'obstreperous'.

Of course, I do know what it means because I remember my Pythagorous.

The Adjacent over the Obtuse is the Sign of Four.

Or something like that.

I think.

Hi again Bryan....

Please don't let Daisy hear you talking so negatively about seagulls...
Isn't she still infatuated with one particular frisky gull or has that
relationship flown the *coop*? ;)

probonopublico: Once again, your wit and humor are top drawer. A
conversation with you must be a treat. Didn't know you are of an age
to remember Prohibition;
I am a mere 76. (I presume you are a Brit...did the UK once prohibit liquor?
  Love your comment: a million laws, one cop. How true. No, I am not a
politician...not dumb enough for that occupation. I am a professional
curmudgeon. Whatever the general public favors, I'm against it. For
instance, I would rather step in dog poop than listen to three seconds
of rock so-called music.
Best,
monroe22

saem_aero-ga: You are correct: My question is indeed an opinion, and
cannot be definitively answered. This was done deliberately to provoke
comments. If I had worded it in a rigorous, legalistic manner, It
would receive a precise answer, and that would be it.
Regards,
monroe22

I'm a scrupulously courteous dog owner, but I am aware that not
everyone who has a dog has manners. I find the situation quite
comparable to the problem of undisciplined, bratty children who
despoil their neighborhoods and disturb the peace in restaurants and
stores.

The source of the trouble isn't really dogs or children: it's the
lazy, self-absorbed, irresponsible humans who are in charge of these
critters and kids.

If a stranger's dog dumps a doodoo deposit on my front yard, piddles
on the fence posts, and then walks away, I blame the stranger, not the
dog.

Most dogs are peachy. But some humans are the pits.

pinkfreud; To say the very least, I am honored by any comment you add.
You, probono, and many others are a source of information that makes
Google Answers so fascinating...AND intelligent. (Internet chat rooms
are populated mostly by morons, typically teenagers. Yes, we were all
stupid teenagers once.)
  Certainly,I agree irresponsible persons are a plague...why are so many of them?

Hi, Monroe

You guessed, I am a Brit and, as far as I know, we've never had
Prohibition in this country.

But, until someone asks that very question, I might have been living in ignorance.

You guessed my age PERFECTLY which is a huge achievement, because when
I was younger I added 20 years onto my age, as you do.

But, now that I am older, I have knocked 50 years off.

My two daughters think this is ridiculous, because I am now younger
than they are and they have to wheel me around in a pram.

Personally, I think that are just a little jealous.

Cheers!

Bryan

probonopublico/Bryan: The concept of being wheeled about in a pram is
marvelous. I must try that out on my daughter.
  When you described the highlights of the Prohibition era as if you
personally experienced them, I was confused. Perhaps you are an
American who emigrated to Britain? I was fairly certain that the UK
never had Prohibition...Brits are too smart to legislate such
nonsense. I am a lifelong admirer of all things British.
Recently I saw on TV Tony Blair in a give and take exchange in
Parliament. It was the most impressive display of quick, intelligent
grasp of issues I have ever seen. Wish he could be the American
President.
   Anyway, here I am, using GA as an email device to converse with a
Brit. (I am a Chicagoan by birth.) Give my best to Daisy.
Regards, monroe22

Hi, Again, Monroe

YES I am a Brit born and bred.

However, I have been to Chicago many times, although I have never seen
you, not even in the musical nor in the Palmer House.

Are you in Lefty's Mob?

I often wonder how things might have changed since Al quit the business.

Ah, those were the days and I can still recall those many happy hours
spent waiting at O'Hare. What joy!

As for Tony Blair, he's yours!

If you are up for it, you can also have John Prescott, Jack Straw and
David Blunkett FREE. They're all on special offer.

But when they've gone, they've gone.

Act now! 

All the Best

Bryan

probonopublico: First of all, I am ultraconservative, as I suspect you are too.
All I was trying to convey was how impressive Tony Blair was in the
short segment I viewed. No doubt, if I were a Brit, my take would have
been otherwise.
Perhaps, the underlying meaning is this: I love the British
parliamentary system! Too bad we colonials can't toss out the govt.
quick time. May I add,
I love the British military? The British and the US military could
straighten out world politics in a jiffy. Or is that too Nazi? Another
thing I treasure are films by David Lean. Am I too old to become a
Brit?
Best,
monroe22

Hi, Monroe

Daisy and I have just returned from our morning walkies. We are both
early risers. It's now nearly 6 a.m. in our neck of the woods.

Daisy was MOST prolific this morning and 17 householders are going to
get a pleasant surprise when they get round to checking their letter
boxes.

Coincidentally, Daisy and I bumped into Queenie. She told me that,
after doing a bit of ironing, she wanted some fresh air.

Naturally, I told her about you and your admiration for all things
British and I enquired about your wish to become a Brit.

'No problem', says she, 'Many of my ancestors were German: the early
Georges, Prince Albert (Queen Vic's hubby) and Queen Mary (Geo 5's
hausfrau) for example'.

So there is a ROYAL precedent: foreign nationality at birth does not
prevent you and yours from reaching the very top.

It's all terribly democratic.

However, it is essential that you prepare yourself fully by immersing
yourself in British culture.

For example, do you wear spats and a monocle?

If not, put this right immediately: appearances are SO important.

Once you have obtained all the kit, we can take it from there.

By the way, was it Lefty's Mob?

All the Best

Bryan

Hi Monroe,

Although I am not quite as worldly as Bryan and yourself, nor have I
walked the many miles on this earth. I did at first take offense to
this question because I question anyone who does not love and adore
dogs. Dogs are clearly a gift from God, happy to see us no matter how
long we've been gone. If you take the garbage out, they are just as
happy when you return as if you left them alone for two weeks to go on
vacation.

I had a wonderful dog, he was a bull terrier. He had a nasty bark and
a worse growl, but very little bite. Banging on our door, entering
unescorted, or showing physical aggression to a family member was
enough to turn this happy puppy into a growling barking menace.
However, I would never tolerate nightly barking, daily barking, or any
other neighbor aggravating behavior. My dog used our property to care
for his nose powdering breaks. His walks were for excercise, however
they are animals, they mark territory by urinating, and can't tell us
if they might need a break to speak to a man about a horse. For that
occasion I brought several baggies.

With all this said, the problem with your question is clear. You
assumed all dog owners fit into this category. The true issue is in
life we have a small percentage, say 5% of the general public who are
...without concern for others. These are the types of morons who park
across 3 spots in a parking lot, or park in a handicap spot to quickly
run in someplace. The very same people who will park in the right lane
of a back street, or double park in Manhattan, because what they are
doing is more important then anything else going on in life. I'm also
sure this is the person who as a child left their bicycle in front of
the door of a store they were walking in. This is the person on their
cell phone in a restaurant, and definitely the senseless jackass on
their cell phone in a movie theater. These people will falsify a
workers compensation claim to get money with no concern for the amount
of hurdles an actual injured person will have to clear based on their
theft. That complete idiot who cut you off in traffic, or insisted on
being in front of you only to slow down. How about that genius backing
up on a parkway because they missed their exit, or cutting across
three lanes to make it. This is that car with the radio so loud you
can't hear yours. How about the one on the motorcycle who assumes that
a major roadway is a perfect place to practice his stunts, or zipping
between lanes in traffic waiting for someone to open a door and send
him flying.

The odd thing is these people seem to be the larger percentage of
society, the reality is this is a small percentage they just stand out
like a bright purple and neon green house in a normal neighborhood. It
isn't their numbers, it's their volume, their level of annoyance. 1000
dogs may walk past your house, but if one of them makes their day
break on your lawn....that's the one you remember.

How do you resolve this situation, well there's the real question.
When as a society will we be allowed to stand outside waiting for the
selfish clod parked in a handicapped zone to come back out so we can
give him a reason to have a handicap parking spot. In your case, I
would reccomend renting a comedy called Me Myself and Irene. Jim
Carrey's slapstick humor accents perfectly what a lovely day of
revenge against these morons would be like. There is a specific
combined scene which meets your question. His neighbor has a very
large dog, and his neighbors wife steals his newspaper every day to
read while she does her business, and the dog does his on Jim's lawn.
The revenge is quite...an eye opener.

In the meantime, I wish I could sit on your lawn in a comfy chair all
day with a nice cigar and a cool drink and just wait for the first dog
walker without a baggie.

Thanks for a great conversation creater.
Mother911-ga

Dear mother911-ga: Many thanks for your thoughtful comment. Indeed,
most of the offensive, boorish types you listed are far worse than the
annoyance sometimes caused by dog owners. (Note: owners, not dogs.)May
I say that by no means do I take issue with ALL dog owners. Yet, at
least in my suburban area, I truly wish it were only 5% who annoy. I
have neighbors on either side with dogs that bark and yap virtually
nonstop at all hours, another across whose dog mercifully (for
me)died, and several others a few doors distant with the same problem.
So, to me, it is more like 80% I am fully aware that I may just have
an unfortunate location, and that I am never disturbed by responsible
dog owners. But there are times when I seriously contemplate moving
from my house, which I love dearly. Why should anyone be put in that
position? Furthermore, I NEVER disturb neighbors in any fashion. You
will probably think: Why not discuss the problem with your neighbors?
Answer: Useless, because they are obtuse, and of course would never
get rid of their pets.
   So, it seems to me, suburbia is the second worst possible place for
a dog and simultaneously exactly where a majority of families own
dogs. (The worst place for a dog is of course a dense urban
environment.) In suburbia, the dog owners who *responsibly* use their
back yards as a dog run, are all tragically deaf. And don't get me
started on newspaper accounts of dogs killing or mauling someone. The
dog owners always, and I mean always, are quoted as saying their pets
are loving, gentle, cuddly creatures. Puke.
  I shall have a look at the Jim Carrey film...thanks.
Regards, monroe22

probonopublico: Yes, it was Lefty's mob. Who is Lefty? Please extend
my best wishes to Queenie, and that I look forward to meeting you and
Her Majesty on my next trip to the UK. I am working on
appearances...jolly good show for a toff such as myself. What make of
umbrella do you recommend?
   Do you know the joke about the British paratrooper whose 'chute didn't deploy?
Best,
monroe22

Hi, Again, Monroe

Which umbrella should a toff use? Black a la Stead in The Avengers. If
it also doubles as a sword stick, so much the better. That's the type
I use myself.

Oh and don't forget a Bowler hat and a cravat.

'Do you know the joke about the British paratrooper whose 'chute didn't deploy?'

No, please tell me the joke about the British paratrooper whose 'chute
didn't deploy.

You wrote 'Yes, it was Lefty's mob. Who is Lefty?'

Congratulations you have given the required Identification Code.

Welcome to the Club!

Do you wish to pay your subscription by Standing Order? 

Bryan

Probonopublico: Yes, I will pay my subscription by Standing Order. And
yes,I will dress as closely as possible to Stead. The Avengers show
was wonderful.

Here's the famous joke:
  The RAF paratroopers are on a combat training exercise. They spill
out of the aircraft, 'chutes blossoming like flowers. But one poor
devil's parachute doesn't open. He plummets down, but miraculously
collides with another parachutist, who reflexively grasps the
unfortunate one by the wrists. The one who caught him happens to be an
officer.
Trooper: (emotionally, Cockney accent) God luv you sir! You saved me life!
Officer: (very cool, upper class clipped enunciation) Quite all right. What   
          outfit are you with, son?
Trooper: (attempting to stand at attention under trying circumstances) 'Awkins,
         Sir. Sergeant, her Majesty's Fourth Royal Fusiliers. SIR!!!
Officer: Jolly good.
   They continue their swaying downward descent, with the sergeant's
face brushing back and forth against the officer's crotch.
Officer: I say, Hawkins, by any chance, are you homosexual?
Trooper: (extremely indignant) 'Oo, me? No sir!! Not me!!
Officer: (pauses) Oh...Hmmm...Pity...(releases his grip)

  That would make a great Monty Python skit.

Brilliant, Monroe

I loved it!

Thanks

Bryan

monroe22,

Dogs are animals and can't be trained to use the toilet indoors.
Therefore, they must be trained to go outdoors.

As a dog owner myself, I have trained my dog to go in a certain place
on my property, which is where he generally goes. However, if we are
out for a walk or away from home and he has to go, it is impossible
for him to run to the closest Starbucks to use the facilities.

Now my question for you, is it just dogs that you despise -- or all
animals? If you live in the suburbs, surely there must be birds
chirping at times. Maybe even deer or rabbits defecating on your
property. While they don't have owners to pick up after them, do they
infuriate like your local dogs and owners?

chirpy-ga: Well, I have heard some dumbass remarks in my long life.
Yours is a contender for the top 10. Allow me to be possibly the first
to inform you that wild animals (deer, rabbits, birds, that sort of
category) are not under the control of humans. Putting diapers on them
presents insuperable problems. Therefore, I forgive them their
trespasses. I have, as I believe I stated previously, zero animosity
to animals in general. However, I would love to horsewhip dog owners
who allow their pets to bark at all hours and defecate on SOMEONE
ELSE'S PROPERTY. Now, you are apparently among that unfortunately
scarce group of responsible dog owners who control their pet's
behavior, and I congratulate you for that. Believe me, they are a very
rare type in my neighborhood. But your question is: When my dog and I
are away from home, what am I supposed to do? My reply is: Board your
dog when you are away from home for a long time. If you are visiting
someone for a few hours, leave Rover home.
In other words, continue your responsible behavior. If you feel this
is too much to ask, why, you are hopeless.
monroe22