Not sure I want to start a rant here but it's always a good discussion topic: leashes.

I've noticed the number of people with multiple, unleashed dogs seems to be on the rise.  After reading the article in the (other) paper yesterday about the elderly lady that got mobbed by a pack of loose labs, I think it's time that law enforcement started getting serious about this issue.

Oh yeah, and I'm also tired of dogs running into my yard and taking a dump while the owner pretends to be looking the other way.  If I have to get the pellet gun out, it's gonna be aimed at the owner's a$$!

(end of rant)

This is not NYC, this is Jackson, Wyoming. Emphasis on Wyoming. We live here because we want to be in the great outdoors and have our pets enjoy it with us. Why restrain them to a leash when they fertilize your plants and attack innocent grandmothers? Sarcasm aside, I really do think that dogs should be able to roam free. The majority of the dogs here are fairly well trained and don't jump all over the elderly every chance they get. So put the pellet gun away, Swifty.

Your right this is Jackson, Wyoming. Emphasis on open spaces and wildlife. The slogan for Jackson tourism shouldn't be; Jackson home to loose dogs. Not only do dogs pose a hazard to humans, they also scare the shit out of nondomesticated animals. I for one have been bit by loose domesticated dogs. So, how do I or the owner, know for sure what the dog is going to do. At this point, for my own safety, every loose approaching dog should be maced. Domesticated dogs should be removed from public lands, and jail time should be heavy for the owner of an attacking animal. I realize this sounds inflammatory, but the selfishness of dog owners needs to be leashed.

Bottom-line, there MUST be both mutual respect and personal responsibility.  

Personally I do not think there is any good excuse to not pick up after your pet, period.  And doing so would go a long way towards appeasing those who are often unhappy with dogs and their owners.  I do believe the community in general has been improving in that respect-partly thanks to 'Mutt-Mitt' stations.  I'm sorry that does not seem to be the case for SwiftFloater!  

And to use my poorly behaved dogs as an example.....I know they have selective hearing when off leash and don't listen to their mother....so, I either have them on leashes or only let them off leash where there aren't other people around.  Frankly it is too embarassing not to!  I also want them to be able to run, but I would be horrified if they knocked someone down or anything similar.  Luckily they have improved with age, but I don't take chances.  If you know your dog is not controlled by voice-command it is supposed to be on a leash.  Mine often aren't, so leashing it is!  

Sadly, we can have the overwhelming majority of dog owners doing a good to great job of respecting those around them only to have all of us look bad when a few dogs are allowed to roam, etc.  It is very possible that in the future we will end up without the choice to leash or not if we do not practice mutual respect and personal responsibility.....

Law enforcement here works hard in my experience often without our respect and support-hopefully they will remember I said that if I roll through a stop sign.... :).  And they would be in a lose-lose situation if these issues were dumped on them as well...someone would be mad at them whatever they did.  And, hey, wouldn't it be nice if it wasn't necessary because we all practiced personal responsibility and mutual respect??????  :)  

Christie,

As a former dog owner, I don't feel like I'm just on one side of this issue but let's be real for a minute.  What percentage of owners do you think really pick up after their dogs on a regular basis?  If they're only letting dogs run (and go) in the forest that would be one thing, but I'm talking about yards, parks and sidewalks.  As Jackson's housing density increases, this problem will become worse.

Owner behavior IS the problem and influential people like yourself need to speak out loudly and clearly at every opportunity.

Okay, I'm ready to let go now, but thanks for letting me vent.

Q:  What's the number one call into the Teton County Sheriff's office?  A:  complaints about barking dogs.

Some people are SCARED of dogs.  Some people are ALLERGIC to dogs.  Some people just DON'T LIKE dogs.

Dogs are a HUGE problem in Teton County.  A local rancher recently shot a dog at large that was harassing his livestock.  This was a legal action.  The owner witnessed the shooting.

In Wyoming, sheep are afforded more protection from dogs than are humans.  Don't believe it?  Look up the statute.

ChristieDMV (a vet, I assume), regarding her dogs, said "...don't listen to their mother..."  Christie, wake up.  Your dogs are not your children.  You are not their mother.  They're not of our species.  They're DOGS.

Regarding picking up dog feces, I am reminded of what a friend said "I haven't met a woman yet I'd do that for."

First let me respond to 'George Bush'.  My last comment took me so long to write that I did not see your comment until after posting.  Please accept my apologies if it seemed as if I was blowing you off!

While the theme of personal responsibility and mutual respect--and I meant that ALL pet owners need to practice these--was not written specifically with your concerns in mind, I do believe they apply.  

As is almost always the case regardless of the subject, the small percentage is making the entire dog owning population look bad.  I deal with a huge number of dog owners who are as frustrated as you are with those that don't follow the rules.  They know what is likely to happen...those that allow their dogs to roam and scare people or chase wildlife or those that don't clean up after their dogs will ruin it for all.  

None of this makes a difference to the fact that you have had bad experiences that just should not have happened!  And while I don't want to see dogs getting maced etc, I do wish I knew how to solve this issue.  

For what little it is worth, I am not the only dog owner frustrated with those that allow attacks such as you experienced to occur.

First of all... What does this have to do with anti-freeze I wonder?

Secondly, Where are you getting your information about calls into the Sheriff's office? I know a couple people over there and have talked with both of them, and both say this is not true.

I agree with Christie, in that a few irresponsible dog owners are making the large number of responsible owners look bad.

That said - I do feel that if there were more peer pressure, from dog owner to dog owner, on being responsible that would go a long way in keeping the peace around here. I know when I am out on the trails with my dog - if he won't respond to voice control, he goes on a leash... And I hold my friends and their dogs up to the same standard. Plus, I think with all the Mutt Mitt stations around - people really don't have an excuse NOT to pick up.

I do believe it is a privelidge to live in a place where we have so many options and so much access to the wilderness. And I know that if we continue to see ill-mannered dogs out on our trails and in our neighborhoods - we are going to lose the privelidge. I try to be part of the solution.

To SwiftFloater...you make some very good points, thank you for your voice of reason!!!  There is nothing wrong with venting especially since you are not making personal attacks.....

It is estimated that 1,825,000 pounds -yes, that # is correct- of poop is generated by the dogs in Teton County each year.  Yes, it is a huge issue.  Personally I have had several people tell me that they believe more folks are scooping than even a few years ago.   PAWS should get much of the credit for this.  The 'Mutt-Mitt' program etc has been a big help.  And I am probably exposed to a unique population of pet owners, because almost 100% of the people I know scoop.  But of course I would be in my line of work!  I don't know what percentage across the board scoop, but I have been involved with those trying to increase awareness about why it is so important.  Hopefully we are making progress.

I'm REALLY new at blogging, in case you couldn't tell :), but I'm hoping this one will be that opportunity to 'speak out loudly and clearly' as you said.

Bottom line, pun absolutely intended, there is no good excuse to avoid scooping!

Q:  What's the number one call into the Teton County Sheriff's office?  A:  complaints about barking dogs.

O'Riley1 said:  '... Where are you getting your information about calls into the Sheriff's office?"

That information came directly from Darren Rudd, Teton County Animal Control Officer.  Call him to verify:  733-2331.

ChristieDVM said:  "It is estimated that 1,825,000 pounds -yes, that # is correct- of poop is generated by the dogs in Teton County each year."

Unreal.  That's a lot of crap.

Q:  How many children, in America, go BLIND every year because of roundworms that destroy their optic nerves?  Roundworms are picked up from dog feces they come into contact with in playgrounds, parks, etc.

A:  40-50 children , in America, go BLIND every year because of roundworms that destroy their optic nerves.  Roundworms are picked up from dog feces they come into contact with in playgrounds, parks, etc.

Wolf pups in Yellowstone are being killed (some 40% or more of wolf pups, as I recall) by what *initially* looks like parvo - investigations are ongoing.  Parvo is a very hearty virus that can survive harsh environments and it's being brought in by tourists with DOGS.

I think dogs should be banned on ALL our public lands.  Let your dog run on *your* property, not *ours* and certainly not mine.  Don't have enough space for your dog to run?  Maybe you should't have acquired the thing in the first place.

Regarding picking up dog feces, I am reminded of what a friend said "I haven't met a woman yet I'd do that for."

Well...

It appears there is a difference of opinion at the sheriff's office,

I spoke with one of the deputies and he says this is absolutely not

true.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. Maybe that is a one of the

biggest complaints that the animal control guys get....That would

make sense -  being animal control and all.

I don't understand your friend's comment...Does he not want to

pick up the woman's poop? or the woman's dog's poop? I feel

really sorry for your friend if women are pooping on his lawn.

What's the most frightening thing while walking around Jackson?

Blood thirsty barking dogs.  

I feel the problem isn't only the small percent of selfish dog owners. It's the massive amount of dogs in Jackson and a lack of places for them to be. This problem stresses the minimal human outlets like Cache Creek. All dogs have this annoying habit of walking right in front of strangers. That behavioral trait coupled with the fact that half the users of Cache Creek have genes linked to the canine tree and you've got a problem. Many outdoorsy people stay away from cache creek directly because of the massive population of domesticated furry creatures. Dog owners need to create another place (think dog park) that will allow some relief to Cache. Otherwise the complaints will add up at the forest office and dogs will be banned.

Damn no edit function.

I forgot to add Emily's pond as an equally sensitive area having massive dog issues. At least it was last time I was there last winter. I haven't been back after last years dog mania fiasco. Winter recreation is hard enough with the weather and snow conditions, throw in dog mania and it's intolerable. Which is unfortunate because the strength of a community lies in the health and fitness of it's members (IMHO).

O'Riley1, I asked Darren Rudd, "What is the number one call into the Teton County Sheriff's office?" - *not* what is the number one call he, Darren Rudd, receives.  He *and* another deputy have told me that the number one call into the Sheriff's office is complaints about barking dogs.  I want to resolve this question for you.  What will satisfy you?

"Regarding picking up dog feces, I am reminded of what a friend said 'I haven't met a woman yet I'd do that for.'"  I believe the meaning here is "If I'm not willing to pick up a woman's feces, I'm sure as hell not willing to pick up a dog's feces."

George Bush >?<, I stopped visiting Cache Creek years ago because of dogs at large and large dog feces everywhere.  Cache Creek is definately an example of one group of users (dog owners) pushing other users (people who are scared of dogs, allergic to dogs or just don't like them) out.  And this isn't fair.

I think dogs should be banned on ALL our public lands.  Let your dog run on *your* property, not *ours* and certainly not mine.  Don't have enough space for your dog to run?  Maybe you shouldn't have acquired the thing in the first place.

1.I spoke directly to Darren Rudd.  He says that although complaints about barking dogs ranks pretty high-perhaps even #1- for calls into Animal Control, it is by no means the source of most calls to the Sheriff's Office.

2.to KYDOMC-you seemed to miss the point when I referred to my dogs as 'not listening to their mother'.  I was trying to use them as a reminder of the rules about when to have your dog on a leash without sounding preachy about the subject.  And dictionary.com defines the word 'mother' as a.someone or something that gives rise to or exercises protective care over something else b.to care for or protect like a mother; act maternally toward.  There is no mention of a need to be related genetically in any way.  More importantly, thank you for ultimately moving away from personal attacks on me.  This blog is meant for discussion of pet related issues, including the frustrations and concerns you have brought up, BUT it will NOT be about personal attacks on anyone.

3.Yes, roundworms can cause blindness in children.  It is generally thought to be more-but not exclusively- a problem of cat feces in public sandboxes.  That is why it is recommended that they be covered when not in use.  Thank you KYDOMC for another reminder of why it is important to pick up after your pet.

4.Yes, in 2004 the surviving wolf pup population was much less than expected in Yellowstone.  It is quite likely parvovirus was involved.  However, we do not know how long the virus is stable in the environment-it is at least several years-, so blaming tourists' dogs is probably unfair.  In my opinion the wolves probably encountered the virus in the soil during their travels, not by direct contact with anyones dogs.  But again, it would be best if everyone picked up after their pet!

5.A dog park would be great!  Any thoughts on where it could go?  I'll personally pay for the first Mutt Mitt station to be installed when a park is established.

6.Much of the 'public' using public lands are dog owners, horse owners, etc.  I think we are all going to have to learn to deal with each other.  No one group has more right than any other to public lands.  Here is a novel concept....how about if we all act responsibly???????  and respect those around us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Yep, dog and horse owners should ALL clean up after their respective animals and keep from infringing on others' outdoor experiences.  I still believe that would go along way towards good will between groups.

7.to 'George Bush'-I truly wish I had the right thing to say to anyone who has had such scary encounters with dogs.  An aggressive dog is a frightening thing even when you know what you are getting into as I sometimes deal with.  It is completely inadequate for me to say this, but I am sorry this has been your most significant exposure to dogs since the human-animal bond can be quite a positive influence.

I'm satisfied - thank you ChristieDVM!

1.  Apparently we are getting two different stories from Mr. Rudd.  I intend to clarify; I will call him and other Sheriff department officials.

2.  ChristieDMV, I fail to understand how you could possible interpret my remarks to constitute a personal attack on you at any level.  What I said was "ChristieDMV (a vet, I assume), regarding her dogs, said "...don't listen to their mother..."  Christie, wake up.  Your dogs are not your children.  You are not their mother.  They're not of our species.  They're DOGS."

If this offends you, how about a friendly edit:  "ChristieDMV (a vet, I assume), regarding her dogs, said "...don't listen to their mother..."  Christie, wake up.  Your dogs are not your *biological* children.  You are not their *biological* mother.  They're not of our species.  They're DOGS.

Is there a moderator of this blog?

3.  ChristieDMV stated:  "Yes, roundworms can cause blindness in children. It is generally thought to be more-but not exclusively- a problem of cat feces in public sandboxes."

ChristieDMV, I believe you are mistaken.  Please cite your source.

My source, CDC (Center for Disease Control) states:  "The common dog ascarid, T. canis, has long been recognized as a cause of larva migrans syndromes in children. The cat ascarid, T. cati, can also cause disease in humans, although for reasons partly related to the defecation habits of cats, it does so less frequently."  Ascarids are roundworms.  And "When a human ingests infective eggs, the eggs hatch and release larvae that can migrate anywhere in the body, a condition known as visceral larva migrans. The signs and symptoms seen in humans are determined by the tissues or organs damaged during larval migration. Organs commonly affected are the eye, brain, liver, and lung, where infections can cause permanent visual, neurologic, or other tissue damage."

Everything I've cited can be found in a PDF file at CDC's website:  http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/ascaris/prevention.pdf

Gee, worms from dogs and cats can and do cause permanent visual, neurologic, or other tissue damage to the eye, brain, liver, and lungs.  Nasty.

4.  ChristieDMV, regarding parvo killing wolf pups in Yellowstone, how can you say "blaming tourists' dogs is probably unfair. In my opinion the wolves probably encountered the virus in the soil during their travels, not by direct contact with anyones dogs."  I assume the viruses became deposited in the soil by tourists stepping on infected dog feces and then walking/hiking around the park.  Where would the parvo come from if not from domestic dogs being brough into the park?  This isn't direct contact, it is indirect contact, but it IS contact.

5.  About a dog park - I would NOT want any of my tax dollars to be spent on a park where privately owned dogs could run (on or off leash), bark, urinate, defecate and possibly attack humans.  Any "dog park" should be acquired/built/maintained by private funds.

I think dogs should be banned on ALL our public lands.  Let your dog run on *your* property, not *ours* and certainly not mine.  Don't have enough space for your dog to run?  Maybe you shouldn't have acquired the thing in the first place.

6.  ChristieDMV, you stated  "Much of the 'public' using public lands are dog owners, horse owners, etc. I think we are all going to have to learn to deal with each other. No one group has more right than any other to public lands. Here is a novel concept....how about if we all act responsibly??????? and respect those around us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"  That's very optimistic of you, possibly even impossibly optimistic...!  Human nature being what it is, some people are always going to act irresponsibly.

Regarding picking up dog feces, I am reminded of what a friend said "I haven't met a woman yet I'd do that for."

The reality in TC is this...

A lot of us own dogs.

It would be great if we all picked up after them...especially considering the huge amount of Mutt Mitt stations available, in common dog friendly areas.

People who are too lazy or don't have the time to utilize these free, and very appreciated stations shouldn't own pets..it's pretty simple..if you can't take on the responsibility of pet ownership..don't get a dog!!!!

The following is Unnacceptable:

Using violence of any sort towards a person or animal. Obviously a Rancher protecting his livestock is within Wyoming state laws to do so, but threatening a dog, or dog owner with a weapon, even if it is a pellet gun, is ridiculous...and the person wielding the weapon would be dealing with the law..not the dog, or dog owner...WAKE UP!!

Allowing dogs total free reign at Cache Creek. It is supposed to be for EVERYONE..not just pet owners....I take my child skiing there quite often, and my son gets knocked down every time..i'm appalled at the lack of apology from dog owners, and lack of voice commmand of their dogs.. Usually I get a martyr type sigh as if I shouldn't be there with a child...WAKE UP....the jaded jackie dog owner attitude is so 2005....

and finally people who allow dogs to defecate freely in private yards etc. This is so wrong, on so many levels. It's common courtesy to pick up...It doesn't matter if you live in Wyoming or NYC....pick up your dogs crap!!! Sheesh!!

PEACE IN

dog owners should obey the law, and there should be heavy fines for those who dont, and assult charges should be able to be filed against ANY dog owner whose dog violates the private space of a human being..IE if your dog wants to smell my crotch you are going to incure a $100 fine, and Jail time for repeat offenders...I hate dog owners who assume that everyone likes dogs. Keep your dog on a leash or keep it in your own yard....or keep it in a stew pot at Chinatown.....

I like dogs, I just don't know if I can eat a whole one....

So, KYDOMC, at the risk of ruining your day, I, ChristieDVM-yes, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, not DMV-Dept. of Motor Vehicles-AM the moderator/author of this blog.  If your use of my name and scathing comments directed at me do not indicate a personal attack, please keep your version of a personal attack to yourself.  And please note that in my reference to my dogs not listening to 'their mother', I'm pretty sure that I never mentioned having given birth to them...I never claimed they are my 'biological children'.  Many adopted humans and pets would argue your definition of mother I believe.  And why does it bother you if I consider MY pets to be part of MY family??

I'm sure the experts at the CDC know far more about roundworm infections in people than I do.  What I see and hear about are concerns about cat feces in sandboxes, since no one picks up after their cat.  And cats consume far more rodents and other wildlife contributing to their intestinal parasite load.  More often they aquire a Taenia species than Ascarids this way though.  REGARDLESS, we BOTH want dog owners to pick up after their pets!

About parvovirus...this is a virus that lives in the soil for an unknown amount of time, probably many years.  And this is not a disease that you would miss in your dog since the symptoms are vomiting and bloody diarrhea i.e. a VERY sick dog..also keep in mind it is almost exclusively a puppy disease....so, I do not believe you would unknowingly walk through a fresh source of virus and spread it around.  I doubt there have been a lot of parvo puppies happily vacationing in the Park.  Furthermore, wolves avoid people as much as possible and dogs are, appropriately,not allowed in much of Yellowstone.  MY conclusion from this info is that wolves are not circling the hotels and picking up virus in people concetnrated areas, but instead are encountering it elsewhere.  Certainly I could be wrong.  I am not denying that it comes from dogs, but as I said before, I believe it is unfair to blame tourists' dogs.  

KYDOMC, would it kill you to encourage a dog park?  I assure you I am not asking you to contribute.  I would think you, who seem to hate everything about dogs, would love  for a large percentage of them to run in a defined area??????   As 'Silvan' correctly pointed out, many of us in Teton Co. own dogs...we are part of the public too.  And when you mention 'our' public lands please remember that.

Finally, why continue to quote your friend??  You obviously want dog owners to pick up after their dogs, so why encourage his philosophy?  Hopefully he does not have dogs as he is obviously not cleaning up after them...  It may well be 'impossibly optimistic' of me to hope that we can all act responsibly...I have no problem with my approach of hoping for the best.....

To 'Silvan'....yes, yes and hmm...yes...thank you

To 'Rocking Chair'...oh my.....

ChristieDVM has charged me with making "scathing comments" directed at her.  Anyone else have an opinion?  Personally, I don't see it that way AT ALL.  I do think ChristieDVM is considerably sensitive.

ChristieDVM said "Many adopted humans and pets would argue your definition of mother I believe."  Name one pet that would argue my definition of mother.  Perhaps a talking monkey?  Actually, I never offered a definition of "mother."  I could care less if you consider your pets to be a part of your family.  But the fact remains:  they're not of our species. They're DOGS.  If you consider your dog to be part of your family then logically you'd have to no longer consider it to be a pet.  Would you agree?  Just as one would consider a human child to be part of a family, one would never consider that child to be a pet.

I just think, overall, it's very unhealthy to consider a member of another species to be part of one's family.

One reason much of the world hates Americans is because we're fat and stupid.  What about the couple in the northwest that blew some $40K for their DOG'S bone marrow transplant?  And now we have drugs for dogs that are overweight?  What a joke.

ChristieDVM, in your opinion, which is the greater health problem in Teton county, T. cati (cat ascarid) or T. canis (dog ascarid)?  Just curious as to your professional opinion.

Gee, worms from dogs and cats can and do cause permanent visual, neurological, or other tissue damage to the eye, brain, liver, and lungs of us humans. Nasty.

About parvo killing wolf pups in Yellowstone - ChristieDVM, where would the parvo come from if not from domestic dogs being brought into the park?  Care to speculate?

Regarding dog parks, ChristieDVM said "I would think you, who seem to hate everything about dogs, would love for a large percentage of them to run in a defined area?"  I think an excellent defined area for dogs to run would be southbound highway 89...!

ChristieDVM said "As 'Silvan' correctly pointed out, many of us in Teton Co. own dogs...we are part of the public too. And when you mention 'our' public lands please remember that."  When dogs become a public nuisance, they should be banned from the areas they are a nuisance in.  This includes towns, cities, counties and state and national lands.  Just because someone *owns* a tiger or an alligator or a gorilla for a pet doesn't give them any automatic right to take their animal onto public land.  Same for dogs.  Where is it written that humans have a "right" to take dogs into or onto public places?

To quote ROCKING CHAIR:  "I like dogs, I just don't know if I can eat a whole one...."

I think I'll take my friend's quote as part of my signature.  :)

--

KYDOMC

KEEP YOUR DOG OUTTA MY CROTCH

Regarding picking up dog feces, I am reminded of what a friend said, "I haven't met a woman yet I'd do that for."

To KYDOMC - you requested an opinion on your comments. While your comments may not be "scathing" they are pretty condecending. You ask ChristieDVM for her professional opinion - but it is clear that you don't respect that opinion once she takes the time to respond to you.

I don't see you proposing any solutions to these perceived problems - just repetitive rants.

My advice to Christie - don't waste your time.

O'Riley1, I disagree with you on two points:  (1) I assure you I respect ChristieDVM's opinion, but I also assure you I will not hesitate to challenge her when I believe she is mistaken or is offering erronous information she refuses to back-up or when she refuses to cite her sources.

You said you didn't see me proposing any solution to these "perceived" problems.  (2) The problems are more than "perceived", they are very real and serious public health issues.  See my next post.  In my previous posts you can find my proposed solutions which include banning dogs from all public property, at city, state and national levels.

From the billingsgazette.com

http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/03/23/news/wyoming/60-study.txt

Study shows parasites in dog feces

By Gazette News Services

LARAMIE - Researchers at the University of Wyoming found parasites that were potentially infectious to dogs and humans in 16 of 250 samples of dog feces collected here.

The waste was collected by a parasitology professor and undergraduate lab students who found the samples in six Laramie parks, some walking paths and sidewalks.

Twelve of the 16 tainted samples contained worms; the other four had a parasitic protozoan called Isospora.

Associate professor of parasitology Bill Jolley said he was inspired to do the study after spending 32 years playing and coaching softball in Laramie parks.

"It's very obvious to anyone who uses city parks and walkways ... that they're not cleaning up after their dogs," he said, "and I've been a parasitologist for close to 40 years, and I'm aware of many things these domestic and wild animals are packing around with them."

Children playing at a park or other areas frequented by dogs also could become infected if they accidentally ingested fecal matter. In humans, a small infection might be unnoticeable, but a large one could cause damage to the eyes or central nervous system, or even death.

But there's no way to tell exactly how often human infections happen, Jolley said, because there's no easy diagnosis for humans. Light infections often present no symptoms.

Dogs are much more likely to be infected than humans. But any infection is easily prevented if dog owners clean up after their pets. That's particularly important, Jolley said, since the eggs of some of the worms can survive for months, even through freezing weather.

--

From Wikipedia:  Isosporiasis is a human intestinal disease caused by a parasite called Isospora belli. Symptoms include diarrhea and weight loss. It is sometimes associated with AIDS. The first documented case was in 1915.

Clinical Features

Infection causes acute, non bloody diarrhea with crampy abdominal pain, which can last for weeks and result in malabsorption and weight loss. In immunodepressed patients, and in infants and children, the diarrhea can be severe. Eosinophilia may be present (differently from other protozoan infections).

KYDOMC - my tax dollars pay for numerous services I will never directly take advantage of, e.g., schools, school buses, playgrounds, athletic fields, etc., for children.  I don't have children and don't plan to have any.  I find them infinitely more annoying than pets - but that's a topic for another blog.  However, I do, in an indirect way, benefit from all the publicly funded buildings, programs and services offered to children.  Presumably they are educating them to one day be productive citizens.  At the very least, it keeps the kids out of our hair for a good part of the day for the better part of the year.  My point is, why would a publicly funded dog park be such a leap?  The availabilty of a dog park would presumably decrease your conflicts with all the poorly trained dogs and irresponsible owners in Jackson so you would benefit from its presence just as I benefit from the presence of schools and playgrounds and school buses I will never use.

And I will quibble with you on poop pick-up.  I walk and run at Emily's Pond frequently and most dog owners do pick up the poop.  Given the number of people that walk their dogs there, I would say a left behind pile of poop is the exception, not the rule.    

Next point - you state:

"I could care less if you consider your pets to be a part of your family.  But the fact remains:  they're not of our species. They're DOGS.  If you consider your dog to be part of your family then logically you'd have to no longer consider it to be a pet.  Would you agree?"

First you say you don't care if Christie DVM considers her pets to be part of her family but then you tell her she's illogical if she does.  If you don't care, than drop it.    

Plenty of people affectionately refer to their pets as their "kids".  My friends tell their (human biological) children to call me Auntie even though we aren't related.  These are terms of endearment.  It's got nothing to do with logic.  It has to do with love and how important someone or some animal is in your life.  Just because you don't identify with that feeling doesn't make it any less real.  

I don't agree with your logic.  A pet can be part of your family and considering it to be so does not mean you no longer consider it to be a pet.  It's not mutually exclusive and I don't know why you would think so.  

SwimUpstream:  I agree; we all benefit from taxpayer funded school systems.  "Presumably they are educating them (children) to one day be productive citizens."  Dogs do not become "productive citizens."  We already pay, through our tax dollars, for drug dogs, etc., owned by police and sheriff's departments.  *Those are* productive dogs.  You first heard it here:  privately owned dogs should not be subsidized in any way.  Idiots are already buying health insurance for their dogs - what's next?  Doggie Medicare/Medicade?  This taxpayer doesn't think so.  There are what, some 5,000 dogs in Teton County?  If a "dog park" could accommodate even 250 dogs at once (and that's probably a stretch), that's only 5%.  People that don't own dogs would not benefit, directly or indirectly, from a taxpayer subsidized "dog park."  My vote is a resounding "NO."

"I walk and run at Emily's Pond frequently and most dog owners do pick up the poop."  Well, that's just great, but guess what - there's more areas to walk/hike/run than Emily's Pond.  How many pounds/tons of dog crap have you seen up Cache Creek?

"First you say you don't care if Christie DVM considers her pets to be part of her family but then you tell her she's illogical if she does.  If you don't care, than drop it."  How about *you* don't tell *me* what to do.

SwimUpstream wrote:  "I don't agree with your logic.  A pet can be part of your family and considering it to be so does not mean you no longer consider it to be a pet.  It's not mutually exclusive and I don't know why you would think so."  So if a young member of a family is raising, through FFA, a lamb but considers it to be also a pet and a member of the family, and the lamb is then slaughtered, does that mean the family ate one of it's own members?

"Plenty of people affectionately refer to their pets as their "kids". My friends tell their (human biological) children to call me Auntie even though we aren't related. These are terms of endearment. It's got nothing to do with logic. It has to do with love and how important someone or some animal is in your life. Just because you don't identify with that feeling doesn't make it any less real."

People that anthropomorphize their dogs disgust me. Dogs are pack animals who are instinctively submissive to the alpha who feeds them. Dog-owning humans still somehow mistake the slavish devotion of the species as love. It's how the domestic dog’s mind is wired to behave. It has nothing to do with "personality" and even less to do with any imagined deeper relationship or allegiance you may think your dogs feel toward you. You feed it - it thinks you're the greatest. It thinks you're the "top dog."

To quote an attorney:  "I really feel the cultural lionizing of animals is sapping our compassion toward other humans."  And, "I think people are more inclined now to be dismissive of the suffering of other people and more likely to sympathize with domestic animals because they’re cute and obedient."  I agree.

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KYDOMC

KEEP YOUR DOG OUTTA MY CROTCH

Regarding picking up dog feces, I am reminded of what a friend said, "I haven't met a woman yet I'd do that for."