LICENSE TO OWN

License: A permission granted by competent authority to engage in a business or occupation or in an activity otherwise unlawful b) : a document, plate, or tag evidencing a license granted.

We need a license to drive a car, a license to own a firearm, a license to operate a business, to sell real estate, to run a daycare, to fish in fresh water.

All dogs within the city of Toronto require a license, under Chapter 349 of the Municipal code. Renewable every year.

Failure to do so may result in a $240. fine.

The city doesn't care if your dog is healthy, if it has up-to-date shots, if you are a responsible or abusive owner--in other words, it's a money grab. Every year!

In theory, the reasoning behind the license is if your dog gets loose and lost, the tag number on its collar will enable Animal Control to check the records and be able to return your dog to you.

In the UK, the government now wants people to be 'competence tested' before they are able to own a dog.

A good idea? You bet!

Why NOT license the owner . . . ??

We have classes for expectant mothers before they welcome their new baby into their home.

We study the driver's handbook ( or should!) before we get behind the wheel.

We are required to pass a course before we are able to be licensed to own a firearm.

Why, with dogs, can we bring one into our home and lives with nothing more than the asking price necessary?

There are just too many breeds owned by far too many people who don't realize what they have at the end of the leash.

A dog is an investment. In money, time, energy, emotion and hopefully your heart.

Obedience schools are cleaning up on wrong choices made. Rescue organizations of all breeds are full with people's bad decisions.

The warnings in the various dog breed standards letting people know what kind of temperament their adorable puppy has coursing through its genes are there for a reason:

*NOT recommended for the faint of heart or those used to handling a poodle; nor would they suit a first time dog owner who has no experience handling dogs.

*Self-confident and fearless, requiring a dominant owner, able to keep his alpha position within the pack.

*This natural guard dog is protective, courageous and fearless. They need an owner to know how to display leadership at all times. Aggression and attacks on people are due to poor handling and training. For the most part, they are generally good with other dogs.

*They will be aggressive with strangers unless they are trained and socialized from a young age. Proper training must be stressed for them. They never fall back from a fight.

*Suspicious of strangers. A watchdog that cannot be bribed.

It's just too easy to purchase a dog online with a credit card number and Paypal.

Some of these interesting breeds whose temperaments I've cited above, can be purchased online on Kijiji, GetAPuppy,TerrificPets or a thousand other similiar sites.

Unfortunately even some breeders are guilty by omission by not mentioning their breed's less desirable traits--just to make a sale.

I would like to see anyone interested in owning a dog taking a course first, pass the course and then proceed on to selecting one of three or four breeds suggested by the instructor of the course, as a good match for their personalities and lifestyles.

Too many people fall in love with 'the look' of a particular breed as a six-week old pup, never taking the time to research the breed history and function.

"It's so cute--I want one!" Many times an impulse purchase.

Taking a course and receiving a license to own, would do away with impulse shopping. It would give aspiring puppy owners a glimpse into the responsibility and nurturing it takes to end up with a well-balanced companion.

A darned good idea!!

It's Your Responsibility

As we make our way over to the off-leash area, I do a quick check to see which dogs are in the enclosure.

There are three dogs at this end of the fenced-in area. One is conscious of our approach-a small mixed breed (I like to call them-Canadian Classics). He has approached the fence and is running back and forth barking at us. It's a contagious energy, as the other two-medium-sized dogs, who've now been alerted to a situation, are dutifully following behind the self-proclaimed leader of the pack, wondering what all the fuss is about.

I'm surprised Mighty-Mutt's owner isn't concerned with all the vocalizing and fence-aggression the dog's displaying but then I realize-the owner probably isn't aware there's anything wrong with this kind of 'welcome.'

The three dogs have gathered at the gate. Before I open the door, I tell them all to sit. The medium-sized dogs comply-the smaller one is in quite a frenzied state, frantic to be the first one to get acquainted with my girl. I wait.

This shouldn't be my responsibility! The owner of the dog is watching from a distance, still in conversation with the other dog owners...he half-heartedly calls the dog once, then returns to the conversation.

Some fancy footwork is necessary as I squeeze through the gate to ensure the little dog doesn't escape. I then invite my girl in.

Journey respectfully stands still, head held high, tail in a playful greeting, until the dogs have made their introductions.

A play-stance from the beagle and three of them are off--chasing, dodging one another and whipping around the bushes. Not Mighty Mutt though...

He is now chasing at my girl's heels, nipping and just generally being obnoxious-the pack is out of control in his opinion. He's striving for dominance. The others are paying him no attention.

Two times during play, Journey has stopped, turned to the little dog and told him to 'back off' by way of a growl. ( 'Can't you see I'm playing, I'm not interested in your energy, leave my hocks alone!!'). He's not deterred.

Before it escalates any further, I step in and leash my dog and we leave the immediate area. I look back and see the two medium-sized dogs playing while Mighty Mutt continues to bark us away.

I could have stayed and let the scene play itself out but instead, as pack leader, I chose not to allow a confrontation. Why the other owners were not hands-on in this mini-drama, I don't know. I do know there are far too many owners who aren't in-tune with their dogs, especially in a social setting where multiple personalities (both canine and human) are at play.

If you see your dog displaying anti-social behavior it's your responsibility to rein him in. Don't leave it for another owner to deal with. Don't call it 'cute' and please don't make excuses for the behavior!

Teach your dog! Know your dog!!

The Open Door

This afternoon I was coming home from the store-a short walk up from Queen St. In the past week the trees have gone from promising buds to lush green foliage and I was enjoying the swing into spring on a sunny afternoon.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a streak of movement in a backyard. I stopped, trying to identify that familair slinking motion.

No more than a minute later a large-size, male dog came loping down the driveway, head and tail down. At first glance, his gait and physical appearance reminded me of a coyote. he was quite majestic-looking. He paused, glanced behind him-waiting for something. Ten seconds later, a smaller, stocky female followed. When she caught up with him, they proceeded down the driveway, along the sidewalk to the next driveway. They headed toward that backyard at a steady pace.

Now I was intrigued!

Our neighbourhood is not one where dogs run at large. There's the odd dog lazing on a front porch while the owner is doing some gardening or once in awhile a bark from a fenced backyard but that's as feral as the dogs get around here.

Another minute later and the same pattern occured. The male emerged from the backyard first, waiting to escort the female along the sidewalk to the next driveway, up the driveway and into the backyard. I followed along, trying to get their attention. They were obviously on some kind of mission.

After trailing these two for seven backyards, I called over to two women who were walking their Portugeuse Water dogs on the opposite side of the street. I explained the situation and asked if either could perhaps spare a leash.

One of the women excused herself, letting us know her dog was dominant where other males are concerned. She crossed the street to stay at a safe distance. The other woman took her dog's leash off (well-trained dog!!) and offered it up.

Since my arms were weighed down with grocery bags, I asked her if she'd make an attempt at leashing one of the dogs.

Using treats she brought along for her dog walk, she offered some to the two dogs on their way down the driveway. Throwing them in their general direction, the dogs rushed over and gobbled them up hungrily. Gingerly the female approached close enough, and finally accepted the exchange of freedom for some treats.

It was painfully obvious though, getting the male to do likewise was not going to happen. On top of that, treat lady's bag was empty.

I took a moment to assess the dog's behavior and physical well-being. I noticed the male was thin-not starving but not well-fleshed out. The female was friendly and portly but still seemed to be very hungry. Their tongues were lolling, they needed water. They were both walking stiff-legged, as if they'd put a few miles under those paws.

I called my son and asked him to bring out a bowl of water. (he knows me well enough by now, not to question these strange requests.)

Spying a fenced-in yard on the corner, I told treat lady to lead the captive over to it. These two vagrants were obviously a pair-where one went the other would follow. I put my grocery bags down, took the leash, opened the gate and led the female into the yard. The male hesitated but out of concern for his partner, followed.

With the gate closed behind us, we had them both!

They drank their fill and thanks to the lady with the dominant dog who ran home to get them food, they finished off a full bowl of kibble.

A neighbour called Animal Control and gave them the address. They told us they could come right away and pick up the dogs but if they weren't claimed in three days-they'd be put down.

These dogs are obviously owned by someone, they are wearing collars, no tags though. Perhaps they will find they're microchipped.

Observing their behavior in the yard, it comes to me---she's pregnant!! If I was a betting woman, that's where I'd put my money!

Rick with Animal Control arrived within twenty minutes. He took a look at the dogs and said, 'I know these dogs, they live down the block. I've never really seen them but they match the description. Their owner has been sited for the piles in the backyard.' There's no one home there right now but the door is wide open. Probably a disgruntled neighbour. Lots of barking complaints.' Rick leads the female into the van and the male dutifully follows. I thank him for his quick response and he gives me his card.

Now I'm another disgruntled neighbour...although I'm within 500 ft. from my own door, I pick up my bags of groceries and storm down the street, looking for the house with the 'open door.'

I locate it easily. It's an ill-kept place with boxes and over-flowing garbage bins at the side.

I hear a dog barking in the backyard.

Approaching two gentlemen sitting out on a porch two houses down, I ask them what they can tell me about their neighbour-the one with the open door. They tell me there's a dog in a cage in the backyard, and the young guy who rents the place breeds his huskys quite frequently but they never see him walking the dogs.

I have to ask them if they have any idea why his door is wide open if he's not at home. They tell me they wouldn't be surprised if a neighbour opened it in hopes of getting rid of those dogs.

I will return to this house tomorrow and continue to do so until I find someone at home. I want to speak to this person...badly!!