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Of trails and dogs

I promise to cultivate greater patience in the future, if you promise to train or control your dogs

To the lady who I blew up at on Oct. 24 when one of her three dogs molested me while I was running on Campbell Mountain, I offer my sincere apology. Walking dogs and running are both healthy and sustainable activities, and we should rather help each other because we have far bigger common problems: motorcyclists and ATV-ers using trails even when it is clearly forbidden, and those dumping garbage, such as at the beginning of the Campbell Mountain trails, for example.

At the same time, runners should be able to use the trail without being molested by dogs. As your part of the bargain I would suggest you train your dogs to obey better, something that shouldn’t be too hard because most dogs aren’t that stupid. If your dog is really untrainable, I think you should keep him on a leash or not take him to areas where runners must be expected.

For my part I promise to be more patient, in case things don’t work out in spite of your best efforts. I confess that yelling “… ‘I am sorry’ is not enough!...” at you doesn’t help, because if your dog senses a confrontation he will take his master’s side and may make things worse. He’s just a dog and means his best.

I promise to cultivate greater patience in the future, if you promise to train or control your dogs.

Do we have a deal?

Florian Maurer

 

Naramata