Barking up the wrong tree

New York City isn't exactly a quiet place, but for some reason barking dogs just set people on edge. I find this a bit annoying. I'm sure you all heard that Clifton, New Jersey is trying to limit the amount of time dogs can bark.

I've been on both sides of this debate. I once lived near these people who had just moved to the city with two huge Labradors. They barked so much that my neighbors upstairs called the city and left a nasty note on their door. Mind you, I lived next door, the closest to the barking, and had no problem. Dogs will be dogs. They bark. Get over it.

Recently, my neighbor at my new apartment complained to me about the dogs. Luckily she didn't call the police, but one day I was outside and she yelled over the fence, "Quiet your dogs please!" I have to say, it really aggravated me. First, learn some manners and say things politely. Secondly, my dogs are outside in my courtyard maybe 3 times a day for 5 minutes at a maximum. Plus they only really bark when they hear something, which happens when she comes out and smokes (after which, she throws the butts in my courtyard, which is really nice.) I know every dog owner says their dog is perfect, but I've talked to other neighbors who have said they didn't realize I had a dog because he so rarely barks.

I'm sorry, but this is New York City. People need to get over this "quality of life" crap. Face it: you give up a bucolic, noise-free existence when you move here. You wouldn't call the cops for a crying baby, so why pick on dogs, who only bark when something is wrong anyway. I don't have any statistics, but I'm sure there's been more than one occasion where a dog has had to be dropped off at a shelter because he or she barked too much.

I'm just tired of everyone complaining and calling the cops on everyone else. If your neighbor's dog barks too much, try letting him know, because maybe the dog is only doing it when he isn't there. Also at the end of the day, you will have to deal with some nuisances as New Yorker. GET OVER IT!

Sorry to rant, but that's what blogs are for. Please comment if you have an opinion on this.

Pit Bull Panic Attack

I recently stumbled upon a post Dog Blog about NYC Councilman Peter Vallone, Jr. attempt to ban pit bulls in our city. What's going on here? First we ban smoking, then trans fat, and now a whole family of dogs (I just found out that a pit bull isn't an actual breed, but a general term that refers to various types of terriers). Um, here's an idea, why don't we ban the idiots who train their dogs (whatever their breed) to be vicious. I'm absolutely serious. If you are proven guilty in a court of law of training a dog to attack, you are never allowed to enter any of the five boroughs ever again. Wouldn't that solve the problem? I admit there are occasionally dogs who are born vicious, but if a dog is habitually seriously injuring others, the problem is usually with the owner, not the animal.

Find out more about the bill, or protest it.

We like cats too!I

I decided the blog was getting too dog-focused, so I'm going to include a tip for feline-lovers. The Cat Practice is a veterinary practice catering only to, well, cats. I used them to board my cat 'Schug once, and I can't give a higher recommendation. The staff was great and very friendly. I was moving from apartment to another and had a week of homelessness in between during which I had to stay with a friend without her. The staff at the Cat Practice was very friendly and didn't mind me coming in once or twice a day to visit. 'Schug was petrified, but I think not having to deal with loud dogs really helped her out. They didn't pay me to write this I promise, but check them out if you have a cat!

Dog Shows: Way Too Many White People

I went to Westminster last night. I had a lot of fun because, well, you don't start a blog about pets if you don't like dogs after all. BUT, I did have an unsettling realization. I looked around the crowd at Madison Square Garden, and there was not one minority, other than a few Asians. Let's remember this is New York City, diversity capital of the world. It was like watching an episode of Friends.

This is the first time I've gone to a show and really the first time I've watched, so maybe I'm out of line making suggestions, but it seems like the American Kennel Association should reach out more. Other whitebread pastimes have become more integrated lately. Look at tennis and golf. So why not dog shows?

Maybe it's because the idea of breeds is itself a little racist. Why is a dog considered legitimate only if its genetic profile matches some imaginary ideal? I know this is going to be controversial, but why not allow at least one mutt category? I'm not saying this would automatically bring in people of other races, but it would certainly make the event seem a little more inclusive.

NYC 2007 Dog Show!

No blog about having pets in New York City would be complete without actually mentioning the Westminster Dog Show. It takes place every year and is always a huge event, whether you hate it or love it. I just found out my friend has an extra ticket, so I'm going for the first time! I'll let you know how it goes.

New York for Newbies: Pooper Scooper Laws

I'm starting a new feature for New Yorkers who are new to the city. Anyone who's been here a while will already know most of what's in these posts, but who knows, even a native New Yorker can learn something.

The first post is about the thing we all know and love: picking up dog poop. New York City was the first to enact a "pooper scooper" law in 1978. According to the NY Times, 471 people were ticketed in 2004, a small percentage of overall dog owners. Here is the exact wording of the law:
Section 161.03 of the New York City Health Code

a) A person who owns, possesses or controls a dog, cat or other animal shall not permit the animal to commit a nuisance on a sidewalk of any public place, on a floor, wall, stairway or roof of any public or private premises used in common by the public, or on a fence, wall or stairway of a building abutting on a public place.


I've never been fined personally, but I can tell you, your neighbors will be very vocal if you don't pick up after your dog. You'll often seen "curb your dog" signs, which I found out means, pick up his poop! Some people buy the baggies at pet stores, but I just save plastic bags from the grocery store, etc. It's really gross and annoying when he goes more than once, so I usually take a few. I live in a residential area in Brooklyn, so one issue I've run into is where to throw it away. Public garbage cans are few and far between and people get testy if you throw it in the bins in front of our building. I don't understand why they get so upset because garbage is garbage, but I've been yelled at more than once. Anyway, I generally know when he will go and plan my walk so that I'm near a city trash can. If my dog has tummy problems, I have to bring along a newspaper and position it very carefully when he goes. Gross, I know.

That's really about it. If you are thinking of moving to New York or just have, feel free to email me with questions.

Least well-known threat to urban dogs in the winter

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Another dog dies this winter.

Many of you may remember the woman who died walking her dogs last year from an electrified manhole cover. Yes, it does happen. In the winter, salt applied to ice-covered streets corrodes electrical wires, causing manhole covers and sometimes lamposts to have stray voltage. If your dog suddenly stops, bolts, or yelps, he or she may be experiencing a painful shock. Last year a dog was killed in Park Slope, so it is a concern. Here are some tips to keep your pooch safe.

1. Be safe, not sorry. If your dog hates to go down certain streets or near a particular lampost, listen to him. He may have experienced a shock in the past.

2. If possible, you and your pet should wear rubber-soled shoes in winter.

3. Try to avoid manhole covers and try not to let your dog urinate on lamposts. There are always trees and fire hydrants.

4. If your dog does show signs of electrocution, do not touch him, no matter how hard it is not to. You'll only put yourself in danger.

5. If you suspect stray voltage, call Con Edison 800-75-CONED or New York City at 311. In the case of emergency, always call 911.