[MR] Dogs at events

[Dawn Davis]

As a person who is very afraid of large dogs, this is a topic that I have ranted and raved on over the years. I can say though that I have had both positive and negative experiences with dogs and their owners. 
   
  In my experience, I would say 98 percent of animal owners are respectful with their animals and keep them leashed or at least under control. I have met some wonderful people who have dogs that I like as much as I ever will. These people keep their dogs leashed, the dogs are trained to obey commands, they are well groomed, they ask before bringing them into halls/tents and they are healthy, happy animals. I have met some of the most mild mannered and well behaved dogs in the SCA. I have even met a therapy dog who I can say did wonders for my fears. For those dog owners I say, vivat! 
   
  The issue comes with that two percent that believes either their dog is above the rules or that you just have not met the right dog yet. I have had people think it funny to "playfully" sic their dog on me or have it jump on me and lick my face (which is scary!) and then laugh at my fear. I have seen people leave large dogs to run free and disrupt events and I have seen people leave them chained to cabins all day with no water. I have had dogs knock over my chair as they trample everything in my tent or poo right where everyone is walking. Fortunately this is not an everyday occurence.
   
  Unfortunately is all has to do with they type of owner and the same can be said for some parents. In a group as large as we are, there will be an issue sometimes with someone feeling the rules dont apply to them, no matter what the rule is. However, I feel lucky that is still (in my experience) an unusual occurence rather than a daily one. 
   
  On the whole I think that we deal with animals in the best way we can. We announce in flyers if they are acceptable at sites, we publish rules in the flyers for care of animals on site. I do not feel that more paperwork or more stringent rules are needed. What is needed is that each of us take personal responsibility to understand our animals, our children, our music, our stuff, etc is not any more important than the items of the person camped/sitting next to us. If we treat others as we expect to be treated (ahh that old golden rule), things tend to run pretty smoothly. 
   
  My 75 cents...thanks
  Kisaiya Zingara 

 				
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