[Mrs. Robinson]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

You love animals deeply, purely, passionately, and I think that is a good thing. Some others don't love them like you do. There has been too much hateful banter on this forum today. In my humble opinion.

Your comment is well-taken as is what CFrance has said in some of her posts. The banter always seems to turn hateful when the topic has anything to do with pets. The hateful ones are so unnecessary and there are too many of them. They are not helpful.

Most dog owners are not unconscious (present company included) and we do the best we can. Our dogs are leashed and we pick up after them when they "go" -- at home and otherwise. Then there are the limited few you simply want to choke, such as the woman at Walmart in a previous post.

We do not have sidewalks in any of the neighborhoods and dog parks are few; most owners have to drive to one. We do not have fenced yards, so taking your dog for a walk is virtually, the only exercise readily available.

Walking a dog on the 100+ degree blacktop is not an option without shoes or for any pet. Walking along the edge of someone's grass is not going to kill it. If someone lets their dog continually relieve them self on someone's lawn, then YES -- you have an issue and should deal with the pet owner. However, an accident is an accident so lighten up! It's doubtful there would be any damage and if so, it isn't permanent. It takes a lot of ongoing pee to kill a shrub!

Many of the angry posters on this thread have not even experienced any of the problems they are bringing up. So -- can we let sleeping dogs lie????