Help Us Build A Dog Park!
Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 12:56PM Hi everyone!
I want to talk to you about someone who's very near and dear to this little pink heart of mine: my firstborn son, Watson, our 2-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback. We pride ourselves on being responsible pet owners and for the past two years, we've been driving, an hour roundtrip, 3-5 times a week, to Richmond, where we take Watson to the nearest dog park. Unfortunately, there are currently no off-leash dog parks nearby. And just as other people enjoy the convenience of public swimming pools, jogging trails, golf courses, and playgrounds, we dog owners need a place to exercise and enjoy our pets in an off-leash, clean, and safe environment.
WatsonSuch a facility would benefit our community in so many ways:
1) It promotes responsible pet ownership. Most dogs require exercise that leash restrictions do not permit. Dogs are social animals whose overall health is improved by regular interaction with people and other dogs. Happy, healthy dogs are calmer and more well-behaved, reducing nuisances such as barking, aggression, and other behavioral problems exhibited by idle and/or non-socialized dogs.
2) It fosters positive community-building and networking opportunities by providing an environment for social interaction for people, as well as their pets. There are so many families here that would greatly benefit by having the opportunity to connect with people who share a common interest, and create a lasting, social network.
3) Dog park patrons tend to be people who appreciate the park and take an "ownership interest" in it. As a result, they keep the area clean and free of criminal activities and other negative elements.
The Fort Lee housing office has been promising its residents a dog park for the past two years, so I've created this petition to urge them to start progress on it. Won't you help me?
Please sign the petition here:
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