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.