A Plea to the City of Vancouver

It’s  the final day of the long Easter weekend. Family time and for many, a deeply religious time as well. Part of my family time has been walking at lovely Trout Lake in John Hendry Park with my son and his dogs. We met several others there, also walking their dogs.  I really should clarify ~ the dogs were racing about and playing, wrestling and generally having a good time. Dog owners and myself were discussing the City of Vancouver’s proposed changes to the dog park. Opinions expressed by these dog owners and residents of East Vancouver were of extreme concern about the proposed changes. Is it the intention of the City of Vancouver to push dogs and their owners out of this lovely park?

Off leash dog parks are a necessary part of any community where there are responsible dog owners, and there are many. From the prairies where there is lots of green space, I recognize that the need for control of the limited green spaces out here on the west coast is paramount. In Victoria, BC now for the last 10 years, I visit one of our off leash areas frequently to enjoy the dogs in the dedicated green space and in spring, the daffodils. My sons, now in Vancouver, have frequented the John Hendry Park at Trout Lake with their dogs.

John Hendry Park is a moderately sized park and the amount of off leash area that dogs are permitted will be reduced by almost 80%. The remaining amount off leash area will decrease their running room and at the same time increase the chance of risk to humans, Vancouver residents, their families and tourists. Some residents and visitors that are unable to be dog owners enjoy the dogs and watching their play. Putting these family pets in a confined space increases the risks of territorial fights between dogs.=

When this non-resident and non-dog owner visits, our walks there, with my sons and my grand dogs, are cherished parts of our family time together.  

This singular voice asks, in the interest of both family and dogs, that the City of Vancouver modify their plan and expand the amount of green space available for dogs and their human families.

“A dog reflects the family life.Whoever saw 

a frisky dog in a gloomy family, or a sad dog 

in a happy one? Snarling people have snarling 

dogs, dangerous people have dangerous ones.”

~Arthur Conan Doyle, 

The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes