Are the town squares going to the dogs in the evenings?
Some think it’s wonderful to see all the pooches at the squares with their owners. Others, not so much.
Seeing dogs at the squares on any given night is the norm. Dogs sit with their owners and enjoy a cold drink and there are some dogs who have even joined in the line dancing!
Bert Burke from the Village of Palo Alto loves to see all the dogs.
“I come to Spanish Springs three nights a week and each night there are at least four or five dogs,” Burke said. “I lost my dog two years ago and it makes me happy to see them here. I can pet them and pretend their mine for a couple of minutes.”
Linda and Mark Alducin from the Village of Silver Lake love to bring their dogs Bubba and Charlie to the square.
When it’s hot, they are sure to bring along water for their furry friends.
Karen Sleeper from Summerfield with her dogs Pepper and Harmony come to the squares every weekend. While no one has ever complained to her about her dogs, she said it would be nice if it was more dog friendly at the squares with the addition of watering bowls.
While the majority of people said they don’t mind the dogs, there are a few that would like to see people leave them at home.
“It’s too hot for dogs here,” said James Mertins of the Village of Alhambra. “I’m a dog lover but, the squares just aren’t the place for dogs. I have seen them dragged around in the heat with their tongues dragging.”
Mertin’s wife, Carolyn agrees.
“Some people bring their dogs here in enclosed strollers with the sides zipped up. Those are like little doggie ovens in there. They think they’re doing their dogs a favor by pushing them around. The poor things look miserable,” she said.
A vast majority of people complained about owners not cleaning up after their dogs. Most felt the addition of doggie bag dispensers at various locations around the squares would help alleviate that problem.
If you must bring Fido to the square, there are a few “nice neighbor rules” that should be followed.
• Keep your dog on a short leash. Some of the retractable leashes go out to 16 feet. A leash that long will cause someone to trip. Keep your dog close to your side.
• Don’t take your dog onto the dance floor where someone, including your dog, could get seriously injured. The best case scenario is to keep you dog on the outside perimeter where the sidewalks are.
• A tired dog is a cranky dog so watch him carefully when strangers are attempting to pet him. If a dog is too hot or too stressed from the loud music and too many people, he may bite the unsuspecting hand!
• Children and unfamiliar dogs do not mix. The Villages is full of little grandchildren running around the squares and they love dogs. Keep your dog away from any approaching child unless their parents approve.
• Carry a “doggie diaper bag”. Cold water, plastic bowl, towels and plenty of clean up bags.
• If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your dog. Even the healthiest dog can suffer from dehydration, heat stroke and sunburn if overexposed to the heat.