I wonder what other dog owners think of messages placed around Station Approach, warning us of the risks of hot pavements to our pets’ paws and instructing us not to walk between certain hours in hot weather. While the person who placed these notices is clearly a dog-lover with the best of intentions, I, for one, have some reservations about the wisdom of telling other people what they should and should not be doing.
For a start, no walking my dog between 8am and 8pm? Who invented these times? Even the RSPCA keeps its advice general and talks of “early morning or late evening” which allows pet owners a degree of judgement in the matter.
There is also the issue of the effect these notices have on those of us who have made the decision to have our dog with us between these times. Sometimes it is unavoidable, for example for people on the way to the station following an overnight stay in Rye. Sometimes I walk my dog into town before it gets too hot, taking plenty of water for him, then we get the bus back together, avoiding walking back in too much heat. These are the kind of decisions sensible dog owners make, taking into account the circumstances on the day and their intimate knowledge of their own pet. I do not take kindly to the implication that I am a bad owner if I am out and about with my dog between these arbitrary hours.
Finally, where does all this end? Should I print off some notices reminding well-built men to keep their shorts up at waist level to avoid offence? What about some parenting advice or something about shouting into mobile phones? Of course, I have no intention of doing any of those things, but I hope this isn’t the start of a trend of shaming those we disagree with, however well-intentioned we may be.
What do you think about these notices? Have they helped to remind you of an important issue or do you resent being told how to look after your dog? Let us know!
Image Credits: David Mcloughlin .