Dog Days of Summer
Dogs, dogs, dogs, they’re everywhere! Never have dogs been so popular, from the tiniest to the biggest. They’re everywhere.
Currently I’ve down sized from Dobermans, which I’ve had for the past 26 years to my new Maltese pups, Lily and Sophie. These two fluffy white friends are ever loving and the best companions I could imagine.
Since I now have the smaller dogs and feel more protective of them, it’s much more obvious as to how many other people have big dogs.
I keep mine on a leash at all times, as I want to be able to catch them in a hurry as they are quicker than lightening and I’m not as quick as I used to be.
We walk on the Mammoth Creek path and other places around town. I take them to work with me every day and to friend’s homes occasionally, where they are welcome.
Of course when I moved to Mammoth in the early 1970’s, my friends and I were just like others who move to Mammoth today, we had several dogs.
There was a German Sheppard, a Black Lab, an Australian Sheppard and a few mixed breeds. Yes, we had our own dog pack. In those days there was no leash law and it seemed like the dogs just ran the town. There were dogs everywhere. We had our run- ins with other dogs and neighbors and even had to have the Sheppard quarantined, as he loved to chase (and bite) snowmobiles and scare the people who were visiting the neighborhood where we lived in Majestic Pines.
We really thought that we lived out in the boonies as the street ended at the corner of Majestic Pines and Kelly Rd., where I lived. There was no Meridian St or Mammoth Vista development, let alone the Little Eagle Lodge or JSL. No, it was the end of the trail there and we liked it that way! It was a little bit like the Wild West.
So, I know all about having dogs and trying to keep them under control.
The issue that has been brought to my attention recently is the people who have dogs and find little need to put them on a leash or control them when they are in public or other private locations.
I met a girl recently who was telling me of how her pet pit bull was chewing up her neighbor’s dog and she had little concern about it. It was more or less to her, like “that’s just the way it is”. Wow, I thought, if this dog is handled this way, what or who will be the next victim. It kind of surprised me.
Another friend just had her dog chewed on by a neighbor’s dog that was in her yard.
I really wasn’t happy when they decided to put a leash law into effect originally in my old neighborhood at Sunny Slopes. But even there, I had dogs come into my yard and tear up one of my dogs, back in the 1980’s.
To take the time to train your dog to come, heal or just mind is not such a big deal. It makes the time spent on the trails and walkways here so much more enjoyable.
We also have qualified dog trainers these days like Angie Tapley and Anne Parks, who work with dogs independently and in groups.
My two little ones even went to the small dog training last summer in Bishop and they had a ball playing with all the other little dogs ranging from 2 lbs. to 15 lbs.
Please be considerate of others when you have you dog(s) out in public. It will make everyone’s experience out doors so much nicer. Have them on a leash when you’re hiking and don’t let them run up to other dogs or people and jump on them or scare unsuspecting passers by. No one likes to have big dirty paw prints all over the front of them. Or even be knocked down by a large beast! We even have some clients/customers who come to the store with their dogs, which is fine, but only when they behave properly.
We all love to enjoy our beautiful outdoors and indoors here in the Sierra, so keep your furry friends where they will be safe and will not be a danger to others.
