Quote:
Originally Posted by hotrodgirl
I am anew to the forum, and will be at TV in May for the Lifestyle Preview Plan. I have been reading with interest all the pet threads as I have two small dogs. I consider myself a responsible pet owner who cares deeply about the well-being of my animals and that of my fellow neighbors as well. That being said, I walk my dogs 4 or 5 times per day, perhaps a mile ot two at a time. While I cannot control their "urge to go", I would never consider not picking up after them,and try to get them to go on a parkway or off someone's property when possible. Unfortunately this will not always be the case. I admonish those who are inconsiderate and don't pick up, but also am discouraged by those who choose to be irrational in their thoughts about pets. All of this talk has me thinking of canceling my upcoming house hunt, as I don't think I wish to be considered one of those awful pet owners. Currently I have another property in Florida and they have installed a pet post with bags and a waste can on the property. This both encourages people to pick up and throw out waste in a designated spot, or if not convenient, at home. The dog owners contribute to the cost. I do understand you have some dog parks there, but one of my dogs was attacked by a dog on our street and I am hesitant to go to a park where dogs are off lead. So we walk-a lot! I think we all need to temper our thoughts and consider we are not all on the same wavelength.
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It's just that some areas that may look like common areas are really not. Here in TV each homeowner is responsible for watering and caring for grass and landscaping surrounding their home. Many of us pay to have the services done, including fertilization and pest treatments. Many of us have invested in specialty landscaping.
We live in a courtyard villa neighborhood. There isn't any area amongst the homes that is not the responsibility of some homeowner.... no real 'common property' that is cared for by The Villages. No parkways.
So when a dog is allowed to pee on a newly planted palm tree, for example, or along sod adjacent to a wall that the owner pays to have maintained, being annoyed has nothing to do with disliking dogs.... it has to do with owners who would rather ruin your plants and sod than their own.
If a person wouldn't let their dog pee on their own bougainvillea for example, why is the one on a stranger's property fair game?
I have been fortunate to own dogs for most of my life and I could never understand that reasoning. We have talked about this on the forum forever, by all accounts... and no one can offer a legitimate answer to that one question.
Here, our neighbors use their OWN yards, walk their dogs in the street, or take them by golf car to a doggy park. We have parks here where the dogs are separated in areas according to size, and the dogs love them, even the shy ones.
So, don't feel that we are overreacting, or that we as a group don't like dogs.
Just be aware that someone is paying to maintain the groomed areas around their homes in any neighborhood you walk in.
Oh, and Welcome! Hope your visit to our paradise will be most enjoyable!
