I have heard from a few others who feel the same way I do about the subject of dogs at faires, so I thought it might be best to present our collective opinions. Would anyone be
willing to pass this message along to the OFF Board for consideration? It would be much appreciated as I am not in the area and can't attend meetings...
It is really upsetting to me (and my fur-child) that dogs are going to be completely banned from our favorite faire. I realize why it has been done, but it really is not fair to those of us who have always been responsible dog owners. My dog is always leashed and with us, cleaned up after, and is great with kids. He is part of our family and we will not kennel him (he gets separation anxiety and doesn't have the proper shots). If we cannot find a dog sitter this year (which will be very difficult considering we live in a VW bus and have been on the road the last few months), we won't be able to attend, and that prospect is simply heartbreaking.
I know what a pain dogs can be. Actually, the dogs aren't even the problem, it's the irresponsible doggie parents that can't keep their dogs leashed and under control that are the problem. I know this first hand because I volunteered to be a dog patrol coordinator at last year's faire. I wanted to stand up for dogs' rights to be with their humans at the faire, so I put in many hours and was on call the entire weekend trying to check in all the dogs, remind people to keep their dogs leashed, and spreading the word about the dog rules. I thought it went rather well, too. It seemed like there were fewer dogs and most people quickly put their dogs on a leash with a gentle reminder. When I heard dogs would not be allowed at the 2007 faire, I felt that all our hard work was for nothing. We had scores of volunteers sign up for dog patrol and help, and this is the thanks we get: no dogs ever again. I know OFF didn't ban dogs to make anyone from dog patrol feel unappreciated, but it's hard not to feel that our hard work was in vain.
Maybe OFF folks don't mind the dog lovers being pissed enough not to come at all, since I guess it would make the faire smaller. But by leaving out our four-legged friends and those of us who love them too much to stick them in a cage in a kennel all weekend, we are losing a huge part of the family and the barter faire community. I have heard from several others via online forums and e-mails that the dog ban is keeping them from coming this year at all. I am still debating whether we will even make the trip... One friend said that his family (which included his dogs) was more important than a barter faire, so he would be staying at home with them. If we're really trying to be a family faire, why are we excluding man's best friend? Are dogs not considered part of our family? I know my dog is part of mine.
My dog is my family, and if he's not wanted, I don't feel wanted. I hate to miss my favorite event, especially because I am looking forward to volunteering in the kitchen
and sharing some vegan recipes... but I really have split feelings about whether we should even go or not. Juneau (my dog) will certainly be heartbroken if we go to one of his favorite events without him.
Thanks for listening, I just felt it was necessary to say this on behalf of others who are
feeling the same thing and for all the dogs who can't speak up for themselves.
