[MR] What to do (practical solutions and thoughts)

[Laurie Clarkston]

-- Not every dog owner who brings their dog to an event is a good pet owner..
-- Not every event is a good environment for dogs.
-- Not everyone is thrilled with being around dogs.
-- Not every dog who comes to an event is comfortable in that environment.
    -- Dealing with the issue of a dog biting someone and breaking the skin; local authorities have to be contacted (a law in Virginia).
    -- Leash laws apply year round (again in Virginia), not just Spring time.
-- Not all dogs are current on their shots (bad pet owner issue).

-- Every Autocrat and group has a say in what they will allow at their event; not everyone is going to agree to it, but everyone should respect it.
Event flyers for the most part clearly state, no pets, no alcohol, etc..., and yet this gets overlooked.
-- Those events where dogs are allowed, it is a privilege to dog owners.
-- Not a dog person?  You have to decide if you want to participate at an event where dogs are allowed.

SCA events are trying to create the best of the Middle Ages.  It is not perfect.

Cairistiona






________________________________
From: Marybeth Lavrakas <katrous at yahoo.com>
To: atlantia at atlantia.sca.org
Sent: Thu, December 3, 2009 1:59:17 PM
Subject: [MR] What to do (practical solutions and thoughts)

I am very grateful to hear the problems that happened at Sapphire; like I said, my questions are not about wanting "them to do different" but to find out what was done, what results, because I want to be thinking of ways to make things better at events where dogs are allowed so they can still be allowed there (not everywhere). If I have some ideas autocrats might find useful, but if we don't talk about them how will anyone know? 

Let's assume a generic event is happening, 150-200 people expected, camping, dogs allowed. Poop, barking, unusual agression possible issues. The generic Me has volunteered to be on staff to deal with faciliating the experience/minimize the problems caused by dogs being on site. What advice would you give me?  (Give the former Saphire autocrats a stiff drink, just cause they desrve it, check.)

PS, Pipe down, you bad Facebook knight (and you know who you are)

Kateryn Rous
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