[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Pturner

I would never take my dog to the square, in part because he wouldn't like it. He couldn't take the heat and is too small to safely walk amoung a crowd of people. I have seen dogs at the square who were miserable. Clearly, they don't belong there and their owners should be ashamed.

HOWEVER, I also have seen dogs at the square who seem to relish it. Responsible pet owners know the difference. Well behaved dogs who love the opportunity to be with their people on the square, and whose people pick up their doggy poop, are a pleasure. The pleasure is shared by the dog, dog owner and others who enjoy seeing them, inquiring about them and perhaps petting them. Smiles all around (unless Fumar and The Villages Grump are present.)

Responsible dog owners who might take their well-behaved dogs to the square in the cooler months or cooler parts of the day, would never take them when it's too hot for the dog to handle. I wish the few irresponsible dog owners could be banned, not just from the squares but from pet ownership at all!

Keep the dogs, ban irresponsible owners.

I agree. It's all about using common sense.