[dillywho]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

I am the first one irritated when somebody highjacks a thread, but I want to jump in for a moment because somebody mentioned "service dogs." There is a new "trick" among some dog owners that is gaining popularity. They put a little cape or sign on their "regular" dog that says, "service dog" or "service dog in training" so they can take it where it isn't suppose to be. Takes a lot of nerve HUH? Okay, now back (or bark) to the "dogs at town square thread."

you will always have those people who will cheat at anything (tee times, taxes, etc.) Guess this is no different.

[billethkid]

for general application and condemnation.
The events/occurrence as terrible as they would/could be are statistically insignificant.
So why does a subject like this warrant any consideration when real issues like using a cell and driving. More people killed than by drunk driving, yet it is tolerated...no let's call a spade a spade...ALLOWED!!!
Guess why. Because it is easy to articulate the negatives of a dog in town or not...because most have nothing to lose...they don't have dogs.
Precisely the reason there is an organization called MADD (mother's against drunk driving) they are not drinkers and have nothing to lose. But give up a cell phone ...now that there is personal involvement...losing the use of cell phones by the same mothers....not a peep....and ALLOWING the slaughter to continue.

I take my dog to the squares as they are a part of the family. If we are going to discuss behavior, let's not limit it to the dogs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BTK

[Pookirgirl]

One evening at the Market Square, there was a dog wandering around. It seemed to be lost or we assumed it was. I called him over and to my surprise, a woman suddenly appeared and was very agitated and began yelling at me and my husband for calling him over. I was so taken back, as we were actually checking his collar for ID. We though if he had wandered away, we would have tried to contact the rightful owner. He wasn't on a leash mind you... just left free to wander! She was rude and arrogant.
We were not trying to steal her dog...just trying to help. But really... if people must bring their pets, they should be on a leash that is ATTACHED to their owner!

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by billethkid

for general application and condemnation.
The events/occurrence as terrible as they would/could be are statistically insignificant. I take my dog to the squares as they are a part of the family. If we are going to discuss behavior, let's not limit it to the dogs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BTK

A voice of reason.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Pookirgirl

But really... if people must bring their pets, they should be on a leash that is ATTACHED to their owner!

The woman was an idiot to have an unleashed dog roaming around.

People like that ruin it for the majority of dog owners, who are intelligent and considerate.

[dillywho]

Originally Posted by billethkid

for general application and condemnation.
The events/occurrence as terrible as they would/could be are statistically insignificant.
So why does a subject like this warrant any consideration when real issues like using a cell and driving. More people killed than by drunk driving, yet it is tolerated...no let's call a spade a spade...ALLOWED!!!
Guess why. Because it is easy to articulate the negatives of a dog in town or not...because most have nothing to lose...they don't have dogs.
Precisely the reason there is an organization called MADD (mother's against drunk driving) they are not drinkers and have nothing to lose. But give up a cell phone ...now that there is personal involvement...losing the use of cell phones by the same mothers....not a peep....and ALLOWING the slaughter to continue.

I take my dog to the squares as they are a part of the family. If we are going to discuss behavior, let's not limit it to the dogs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BTK

Guess you failed to read the part where I said that I do have a dog and did have two. One person, be it child or adult, or one other animal killed or maimed by a "single incident" is one too many. Do you argue this much when you are not allowed to take your dog other places? Had dogs not been allowed in the squares in the first place, this would not have become an issue. As for the cell phones, there again, the people should be responsible users. Talking on a cell phone (hands free) is no different than talking to another person in the car whether in the passenger seat or the back seat. Texting is another matter since it cannot be done without taking your eyes off the road and reading it or typing a reply.

[RCT]

Originally Posted by billethkid

for general application and condemnation.
The events/occurrence as terrible as they would/could be are statistically insignificant.
So why does a subject like this warrant any consideration when real issues like using a cell and driving. More people killed than by drunk driving, yet it is tolerated...no let's call a spade a spade...ALLOWED!!!
Guess why. Because it is easy to articulate the negatives of a dog in town or not...because most have nothing to lose...they don't have dogs.
Precisely the reason there is an organization called MADD (mother's against drunk driving) they are not drinkers and have nothing to lose. But give up a cell phone ...now that there is personal involvement...losing the use of cell phones by the same mothers....not a peep....and ALLOWING the slaughter to continue.

I take my dog to the squares as they are a part of the family. If we are going to discuss behavior, let's not limit it to the dogs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BTK

Maybe we should start a organization called VADD Villagers against denying dogs

[lj410]

I am an animal lover but I think pets should not be allowed in the entertainment areas.. These areas are crowded and often loud. Pets are unpredictable and why wait for trouble to happen.

Originally Posted by dillywho

Why do we see so many posts about people walking their pets (curb your dog thread) that complain about the smell getting in their yards if the smell won't become a problem at the squares as there gets to be more and more dogs? It is just natural for them to "leave their mark". In another thread (dog parks), it has been noted that dogs are more apt to become aggressive when leashed and the dogs on the squares have to be leashed. Actually, according to the restrictions here, they must be leashed when not in the confines of your own property. As you said about it being too noisy for yours when you did take them (it), it is usually too noisy for most animals. I've even heard some of the "two-legged" ones say they were ready to go home because it was too noisy to visit. My dog is too old for the parks, but that seems like a good idea if people must have their dogs in a social setting....there than can be off leash and socialize with their own species. As you said, people go to the squares to enjoy the entertainment and other people.

That's because there often is not one at Lake Paradise Dog Park nor around the trees outside this Villages dog park where many dogs seem to go to pee and poop.

Sometimes there is a smell at these two places if the sun has been not out long enough for the pee to evaporate. Remember though where it seems the Villages gets most of its irrigation water? If you want to smell something quite bad, check out the sprinklers on any of the many golf courses in TV.

I took my leashed dog to TV squares on my way to the Grateful Dog, the Whole Earth Pet Supply, PetCo, Pet Smart or some other store near the Villages' squares which allow dogs in their stores. This was not late in the evening when I visited the squares with a pooch in tow.

[clyd709]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

I am the first one irritated when somebody highjacks a thread, but I want to jump in for a moment because somebody mentioned "service dogs." There is a new "trick" among some dog owners that is gaining popularity. They put a little cape or sign on their "regular" dog that says, "service dog" or "service dog in training" so they can take it where it isn't suppose to be. Takes a lot of nerve HUH? Okay, now back (or bark) to the "dogs at town square thread."

I agree 100% with what you are saying. I for one have several family members whow have service dogs. My 2 cousins are totally blind and have had Guide Dogs most of their adult lives. Registered Service Dogs come from Accredited Guide Dog or Sservice Dog Schools and the Handlers have Picture Id's from their Schools certifying that the are Bona Fide Trained Canines. If you ever suspect someone is faking it just very politely start up a conversation and they will usually be very willing to tell you about the wonderfull school that there dog is from. If they are hdesitent ask to see there Photo I.D and that usually gets them a little flusterred if they are faking it. It is sad that this sort of thing happens but in to-days world nothing amazes me. If you suspect that the dog is not a Registered Service Dog then report it to the Local Authorities It usually takes only a few minutes to figure this out when talking to the person. Proffesionally Trained Service Dogs are the most wonderfull thing in this world to a person who Cannot See, Are Deaf. Or Have Seizures. 99% of people who have Service Animals are Real but you always get a few scammers out there who make it bad for everyone. I say all of this from real experience because I have been extensivley involved with Guide Dogs For The Blind for over 20 years. If you need any info please E.Mail me with any questions you may have.Thank you Please excuse my typo errors was in a hurry to get this on line

[cabo35]

Originally Posted by Pookirgirl

But really... if people must bring their pets, they should be on a leash that is ATTACHED to their owner!

Right on! On several occasions I have observed dogs walking obnoxious owners at the town squares. Those owners need to be leashed when in public places.

[SteveZ]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

The woman was an idiot to have an unleashed dog roaming around.

People like that ruin it for the majority of dog owners, who are intelligent and considerate.

Agreed. All the laws in the world have never been able to curb "stupid" and inconsiderate behavior.

[GatbTester]

For what we pay in amenities monthly, those sidewalks and the town squares BETTER be public, or you are going to see a huge wall of complaining home owner's come crashing down right on the developer's door step.

[golfnut]

Gat, what do amenity fees have to do with the Squares.

[KathieI]

I love meeting the dogs at the square, my only concern is idiot owners.

A few months ago it was extremely busy at LSL and someone had their dog on a long leash and I almost tripped on the leash and the dog. For goodness sake, please, please, keep your dog on a short leash. They shouldn't be so far in front of you that pedestrians can't see them and there could be an accident. Or don't walk them through the crowds at all, dogs don't belong there unless you're carrying them.