Animals in public places
 

I know this will probably make me the most unpopular person in The Villages but PLEASE leave your animals at home. Please don't bring your dog, cat, etc., into Lowe's, Home Depot, Publix, Albertsons, Beall's, or any other retail store. Please do not bring them to the Towne Squares--it isn't a barnyard to show off your animals. I understand you love them and they're like a member of your family, but leave them at home!

Re: Animals in public places
 

sounds like you are ready for the nursing home. I guess you don't like to hear the birds sing in the morning either.

Re: Animals in public places
 

I am curious why you would post such a pointed remark to an individual who was voicing an opinion. Are you in favor of letting all animals roam free in public places? Please take a moment and tell us all, which animals should be allowed in public places and which ones should not be. I have a friend who has a pet monkey. He takes it everywhere with him. The monkey has bitten three people, including an infant. Recently a small dog "that would never hurt anybody" viciously attacked my daughters neighbor. She was injured very seriously. Until recently, we had a young woman in our employ. She had a 10 inch scar on her right cheek, from the end of her eye to her chin. It was caused by a neighborhood dog "that would never hurt anybody." Just before we moved from New York, our neighbors dog bolted from the front porch and lunged at me as I was riding past on my bicycle. The dog knocked both me and the bike over onto the pavement. The owner was on the porch yelling for the dog to stop, because...."This is the first time the dog ever did anything like that......She would never hurt anybody."

So, please give us the guidelines. I want to know which ones are safe and which ones are not safe.

Re: Animals in public places
 

Personally, I don't have any problem taking my well-trained, leashed dog anywhere allowed by law. I travel with baggies for those call-of-nature moments and make sure my dog and other folk are protected from each other.

Having said that, do I believe there are pet owners who lack sense in the control of their animals? YEP! Sometimes I think the critter at the handle-end of the leash is the one that really should be licensed. Having a pet animal is a responsibility which includes protection of others. There are many folk who seem to think a pet is a fashion accessory or toy rather than a responsibility, and they make it rough on those who take the time and effort to train and control their pets. I taught dog obedience for a long time, but there were always so many folk who should have been in those classes who never were.

The "monkey story" is a good one. I'm surprised the local animal control authorities didn't get involved.

That's why I like courtyard villas. They make life so much easier with pets.

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It's apparent that you're not an animal lover - how sad :'(. We often take our pets to the squares and have always sat in an area out of the way of the dancing, vendors, etc. and the number of positive responses we have from people is very gratifying. We will be the first ones to admit that there are smart pet owners and not so smart pet owners as evidenced by their lack of being responsible for their pets when in public places. We do not fit into this category. We enjoy sharing our pets with those who are interested and have made a number of new friends because of these meetings. Only service dogs belong in stores and we agree with you there. You definately have a right to your opinion and we apologize if you've been offended in some way; but we're positive it wasn't us.

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Let people put up a fence!

Re: Animals in public places
 

The point of my comment is that your pets don't belong in retail stores, or in public places where the general public gathers. To me it's a matter of consideration of others. I, and many others, are offended by your inconsideration. If you want to meet other pet owners form a pet owners club. Take your pet for a ride or a long walk, on a leash as required in your covenant. But, please be considerate of others who may not appreciate your pet as you do.

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As for me, I love well behaved dogs and enjoy meeting them on the squares. We have 2 little dogs, always pick up after them, and they are never off leash. We meet so many nice people when we have our dogs with us.

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:dontknow:I've never seen anyone bring a pet inside of Lowe's or Publix. I make a run to Publix at least once daily....sometimes twice daily. I also run to Lowe's often.....never saw critters in there.....but outside....yeah sure. I don't care if the critters are in an outside environment (or park or square) as long as they are leashed as the law requires and owners clean-up after them. I understand that there is fraction of the population that are 1) hyper-allergic or 2) hyper-phobic and pet owners should be considerate of these problems that these unfortunate people have. That said though, based on my experience, I'm inclined to believe those with these problems represent a small segment of the population in this country. I wonder what the anti-pet-in public-places folks feel about guide dogs or helper dogs in public places. Ever have a narc-dog sniff you at the airport......oh my. Life's tough....deal with it.

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Well, if I move there after my two month visit in November...I'll be bringing my Yorkie into public places. She is my service dog and laws under ADA allow her to accompany me in all public places. She fits in my purse...and doesn't bother a soul.
Lynn

Re: Animals in public places
 

It appears that some pet owners are as inconsiderate of others as some smokers are. What a shame!

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I'm curious what kind of service your dog provides from the inside of your purse. ;D

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Actually, if you must know--she can detect if/when I have a seizure and she barks when it is about to happen.

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NO offense was intended in my question. I think it's wonderful that you have that kind of service from your pet. Do you get enough warning to do somthing to ward off the seizure?

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We have enjoyed taking our two dogs to the town square at Lake Sumter Landing. We met many other dog lovers and got to talk to a lot of new people, interested in talking about the dogs. We did not think we were being offensive and enjoyed the friendly conversation. We are moving to the Villages for that friendly open atmosphere. It is a shame that friendly openess does not extend to all. I still think those that love animals are the people that we want to get to know anyway.
P.S.
Those that do not appreciate the dogs should not travel to Europe as they are always allowed in department stores, shops, and restaurants. No one seems to mind at all.

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It's no wonder we prefer our pets over certain people.....

Re: Animals in public places
 

AMEN!

:agree:

Lynn

Re: Animals in public places
 

My post name says it all. Duffy is our Carin Terrier and the great great granddaughter of Toto and Darby is our Westie. When we finally get to TV, stop and say Hi to them when you see them at some of the outdoor dances. We won't be staying long because we don't want to offend anyone. We just want them taught to be good and kind dogs in public. We think that's it's important to socialize them if at anytime they have to be around lots of people. We can't do that if they are kept in the house all the time.

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I'm happy to see there are so many pet lovers who have well trained dogs and who enjoy their animals. One reason we recently bought in the Villages (a Courtyard Villa, natch) ... because we saw so many dogs (on leashes) in public places. I hope that never changes, and that our two dogs make many new friends.

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Yep I've seen dogs in Lowe's and Home Depot. Just how anyone can be offended by a white, beige, spotted puff ball sitting on a towel in the kiddie seat doing nothing but looking around.....Oh yeah "looking"....maybe we shouldn't look into others shopping carts. Yeah for the dogs.....and leash the grand kids. I love TV since there are way more dog lovers than dog dislikers. I say hi to every dog I see since they pups KNOW that the only reason people go to the town squares is to see them.

Re: Animals in public places
 

VillagerJudy!

:agree: :agree: :agree:

We don't want to live in a Villa necessarily but we may have to if walking our dog (and picking up) will get us booed by some people. We want to be really good Villagers when we get there and don't want to rub anyone the wrong way.

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Darbyduff, you don't have to live in a Villa to own a dog. The rules for dog ownership is only that they need to be leashed and you have to pick up after them! Pet owners live in all type of homes from the patio villas to the largest premier. We live in a ranch and we have had no problem what so ever. We do take our dog out on a leash on our property to do her business. We also walk her off the property but usually after she has gone and then it is near public areas like the rec center or mail box area. I do have lots and lots of neighbors that walk their pets right around our neighborhood and they do pick up after them. I haven't heard of anyone in our neighborhood that has had a problem.

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PLEASE no fences in The Villages. I had an ugly unpainted wooden fence in the neighbors yard at my last home. Couldn't wait to move. Plenty of places to walk your pets. Plenty of dog parks to excerise your pet. And if you want privacy go live in a high rise. Only spiderman could look in your windows.

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I'd guess your neighbor felt the same way as you.

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When rude, loud mouth people who don't know how to say excuse me when they bump into you stop coming to the squares, and stop loud conversations drowning out the performers, then I will leave my dog at home.
sgvegas

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By the way, anyone who doesn't know how to pick up dog doo. Always carry a zip lock bag (appropriate size of dog), turn it inside out, stick your hand inside and pick up the doo doo roll it off your hand so it is right side out and zip it up. Also works with the plastic sleeves that come on your newpapers. No muss, no fuss, and should be no complaints from neighbors. :bigthumbsup:

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We end up with a lot of plastic bags so we tie them to both of our dogs leashes and when the time is right, they are handy. Or we put the zip log bags in the bags if we're running low on bags. There has been times when one of our dogs makes a couple of deposits on the lawns of our neighbors but we are always ready for any emergency's.

It's good to know that there are many dog owners that live homes other than the villas. What would you say the percentage of dog owners are in the villages? Just curious. :dontknow:

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Oshunluva,

We'll have your dogs sniff my dogs!!!! ;D ;D :bigthumbsup:

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Freddy will leave them "pee" mails to welcome them. LMAO. And in your golf cart keep a roll of small plastic garbage bags for extra pick ups......it is just soooooo much neater in the glove box than plastic bags

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Please, someone get fences approved in the backyards that you have paid for. I'm not talking about putting a pick up truck up on blocks in the front yard. I'm talking about tastefully fencing in a small area in your backyard if enough people actively voiced this concern it can be changed. Those who sat no fences because it would detract from the openness of the TV. Please stay of other people's backyard. No one is suggesting that our dogs will put outback and left there, I wouldn't put my grandkids out back without being present and trust me my dog is much better behaved than the grandkids, I love the grandkids. It just that I don't want to be limited to living in a villa to enjoy the backyard (that I pay for) with my dog, and for late night trips for the dogs use.

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We have an invisable fence for our springer spanial at our Michigan home, and we have a court yard villa with a doggie door for her in the Villages. Both work very well for her. The "fence" is a PetSafe produce and I would recommend it.
We also are responsible pet owners and also use a leash with her in public areas. I wish everyone would follow the leash rule. Sometimes at the lake pet park, people let their dogs run loose and it has caused problems.

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Lake Pet Park??? .. I've been trying to find out where the Pet parks are. Even Village Real Estate Agents don't seem to know where they are.

I know there is one quite a bit north of 466, but I was hoping to find one more southerly. Could you elaborate on where the Lake Pet Park is located, or any other pet parks?

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I would take ten dogs in a public place any day over people who smoke and are rude about it. Sorry smokers but not only are you endangering your own health, you are putting others at risk with second hand smoke.

I for one wish TV would ban smoking in public places.