I love dogs.
I’ve had many dogs in my life. The best dog that there ever was in the whole world was our family dog Lou, who died three years ago. I will miss him forever. There never was before and there never will be again a dog as wonderful as our Lou.
As I now live in a world of condos and co-ops and apartment buildings here in the downtown Toronto world headquarters of REM, I find myself astounded by how many people have dogs in their apartments. I am torn by this because I think dogs are so great everyone should have a dog in their life, but I also think big dogs should not live in apartments.
Things sure have changed. There was a time when pets were not permitted in buildings. While I think it is wonderfully progressive to see apartment and condo dwellers have pets, I am alarmed by the number of dog owners who do not seem to take their responsibilities for pets seriously.
The problem is that the majority of dogs I see only seem to get a few short moments outside to relieve themselves, and not near the time they need to enjoy getting outside. I am not so much referring to small dogs that are happy and pleased to live in an apartment with brief times outside. My concern is for the many big dogs that are kept in apartments. I have seen Rottweilers, German Sheppards, Greyhounds and even Great Danes that get out for only a few short moments in the morning and evening.
I must clarify that I have seen many, good, decent and kind dog owners who take their dogs out for long walks daily and I do wish to make clear that I am making assumptions from my own brief observations. I have no facts to base my opinion on. I may be full of baloney on this issue so if you disagree you may as well stop reading right here.
It seems to me that there are more pet owners that do not take responsibility for their pets than those who do. I worry specifically about the large dogs that some people get for the novelty.
Sometimes I have walked by the “off-leash” areas that cities provide. On a nice Saturday or Sunday I sometimes see a lot of dogs running around. Yet on weekdays and even weekends that are slightly inclement, there is a vast difference. There are far fewer dogs running around. It leads me to conclude that there are many thousands of dogs spending long days and nights alone confined to small apartments in our cities.
It is terrific that buildings and cities are more receptive to pet owners. I’m sure it helps Realtors sell these residences when pet owners are permitted to bring their four-legged family members into these homes. I note also that many stores are pleased to allow pets to come into the premises with their owners. That’s something new for me in the big city.
How many times do we have to see news reports of animals found abandoned in apartments – even tied up to an appliance in the kitchen area? How many of these pets are simply under the radar and not reported at all?
The Humane Society always warns us about people who get a dog as a novelty or an impulse. People get in a mood to have a dog around but then quickly tire of the work involved in caring for a pet.
As much as we are progressing in a society where doors are open to dogs living in apartments, have we created a situation that may provide more opportunities for neglect and cruelty?
I cannot think of a better companion for anyone than a good dog who is always pleased to see you no matter what. Always ready to go for a walk and never complain about their day once. I think a big dog needs to have a good sized backyard or at the very least a committed responsible owner who will take them out frequently for long walks.
Given that our society is challenged with growing child poverty, spousal abuse, violence in our midst and drug abuse, we have a lot of priorities that need to be addressed. But all of it seems to come down to one thing. Responsibility for our own behaviour and for those in our midst including our pets.
Maybe banning large dogs from apartments is something to consider. At the very least we should educate people about being responsible for these wonderful animals.
Heino Molls is publisher of REM. Email [email protected].
