K-9 Citizens (and the people who love them)

Hi all, and sorry for my blog slacking of late. I will invent the word… “slogging” to represent this phenomena. So, sorry for my recent slogging.

Here is a statement of truth: Gina is not a community activist.

Having been raised in the nest of grass roots volunteerism, and knowing first-hand what kind of effects its resulting phenomena like… long-hours-spent-waiting-in-the-car-whilst-copies-are-being-made-at-Kinkos-regarding-topics-and-activities-of-no-interest-to-me could have on any of MY potential off spring, it was relatively easy for me to develop an appreciation for downhill battles, arguments I know I can win, and agreeing to disagree. I admit that in many ways, my personal definition of “compromise” involves more “whatever, you win. I’ll deal with it and pretend to be happy” than “win win.”

(Side note: But I’ll also admit that the older I get, the more I notice myself overcompensating for this. I sometimes surprise myself with a “my way or the highway” reaction here and there. I’m less passive aggressive and more… plain old aggressive. The Phantom headline could read: “Baby Gina takes the reins…and becomes radical despot.”)

But God damnit, there should be dog parks in Washington DC. On this, I am not willing to compromise. And I mean fully-legal, sanctioned and ENCLOSED dog parks. But there are people here- a lot of them- who are anti-dog park. My west coast brain is still trying to make sense of it. I’m trying to see their side of the story, but everyway I spin it, in my head, they are just wrong. Dog parks are GOOD. But after attending a local Parks and Rec. meeting last night, I have realized that dog parks are a lot like prescription drugs. They must be proven safe and effective before they will be approved. And in this case, the burden of proof is on “us” (the dog people and their dogs) to prove that we are good neighbors and an asset to our community.

A statement by me of “Trust me folks, the “crack park” in Seattle’s Belltown totally cleaned up super nice after it became a dog park. It was a relatively cheap and easy way to make an entire neighborhood safe by bringing in positive activity and pushing out crime! Yay for dogs!!” just isn’t going to do it. There are people in this city with some serious misgivings about dogs and people who own them. And I can’t totally blame them. There are tons of dangerously irresponsible (and just plain lame) dog owners in the world. But here’s the thing: Those people don’t generally use dog parks. And if they do, they are so quickly outcast and shunned by we uppity-dog-park-types that they either 1) change their ways or 2) stop showing up. A pox unto the person who does not pick up their dog's poop at a dog park…. My point is: in a sanctioned dog park, there will always be more responsible dog owners than irresponsible dog owners. And responsible dog-owners are good neighbors. Arguably even better neighbors than drug dealers, hookers, and people with guns (or best yet, individuals who encompass all three!)

I think Daphne would make an excellent ambassador of good faith to the otherwise un-dog-inclined residents of my neighborhood. She already attracts children like the Pied Piper, and apparently has made more friends in the district than I have, so I think she is well suited for the job.

I’m going to walk her more often off of my beaten paths, and I’m going to pick up trash in the process. The last thing I want to be confused for is a target community activist, but I’m afraid that could happen given that this idea is both progressive, helpful and… hurts no one. (insert sarcastic eye roll here) In light of this, I’m going to wait to start this until The Man gets home from Iraq (only a few more DAYS!!) so he can escort me, because I don’t feel safe doing this alone. (I’m totally killing two birds here, by not only accomplishing my doggie good-will plans, but also filling up his man-tank with Hunter/Protector fuel!). Kind of a sad statement that I don’t feel safe picking up trash alone, but I’ll try not to dwell on that.

All right, fine. My secret fantasy is out of the bag: I just want to let Daphne charm her way into the hearts and minds of the good people of planet Earth while the sweet sounds of “Love Can Build a Bridge” by The Judds play quietly in the background…. Is that too much to ask for?? Yes, I fear it is. But I’m going to try to be an extra good neighbor anyway.