One of the great things about being dog lovers, is the “instant rapport” it creates with others sharing the same love. Today, this “natural attraction” is more important than ever – because, today, dog lovers are trying to keep their balance on the eroding sands of public opinion. Let’s take a look at something most of us don’t want to face, and see what we can do about it.

Most of us don’t really “like” conflict. It’s not something we grew up aspiring to take on as a lifestyle, and it’s certainly not something that nurtures us or makes us feel healthy and good. Because of that, most of us shy away from conflict and negativity since we understand how “toxic” those forces can be to our health and well-being. After all, it’s love, happiness, peace and fun that we seek through our dogs – not anger.

Since we feel that way, and since dogs are a way of keeping our sanity and good feelings alive in a world that seems ever more creepy and tense, we naturally avoid anyone or anything that makes us feel bad.

Enter: Pet Control Laws. Not just “pet control laws” but the strange ones creeping into cities like Albequerque, N.M., Los Angeles, California, Louisville, Kentucky, etc. I’m talking about laws that actually say how many unaltered dogs you can have, how long the leash must be, how high your fences must be, that unspayed bitches can’t come in contact with unaltered dogs, ruling that city authorities will fine you and spay or neuter your dog before giving it back to you if it has been “picked up” for any reason … and one of those reasons can simply be that your dog has “perturbed” someone. If laws are needed to control dogs, don’t you think dog lovers should write them?

I love dog lovers. I love the craziness, the innocence and the open hearts. And I love it all so much that I’ve gone to the best thinkers in the world, asking “What can we do about these frightening laws that are starting to destroy our way of life?”

Now I’ve said it. I’ve gone and turned this from a happy commentary to somethng that makes us feel bad. Sorry about that, but (if you bear with me) we might be able to turn this commentary around and feel a whole lot better. How are we going to do that? We’re going to do it by de-constructing (You like that term? I got it from a lady with a PhD.) the very thing that seems so powerful and overwhelming to us.

Let’s begin.

For starters, let’s admit that anything restricting our dogs is a turn-off. (Hey, most of us are still turning up our noses at being forced to pick up after our dogs in public, right)? And anything that costs us money is a turn-off, too. (Six foot fences for a Chihuahua? Get real)! So, right away, we’re starting out on the defensive.

But, what happens if we chill out? What happens if we take a deep breath – or if we go the whole way and flip into a trance or whatever puts you into an altered state of mind – and walk into these controversies … cool?

I know. I can hear it now. You’re saying there’s no way you can keep your cool in a crowded room of dog haters. I can understand that. But, we said we were going to “de-construct” this thing, right? OK, then … let’s get started.

To begin with, let’s get over the “shock and awe” of anti-dog laws.

Anyone in this country – anyone – can propose laws about anything they want to. “They” can. “You” can. “I” can.

Just like “they” can propose laws controlling pets, “we” can propose laws, too.

Think about it. We can propose legislation that is completely opposite to anything they would ever try to pass. We don’t have to ask anyone’s permission to do it. We’ve got dog clubs and volunteers. We’ve got the whole political organization. And we’ve got the motivation.

If you distill the issues they’re dealing with into the most basic components, what does it really come down to? The length of a dog’s leash? Fine. We can make a rule about that. How about 10 feet? Or 20?

Do they want a rule about how many dogs a person can have on a property of any particular size? How about if we make a rule limiting the number to how well those dogs are cared for, instead?

Get the idea?

When laws are propsed to a city, the city must act on them. Usually, it’s that simple.

“Fear” has a way of paralyzing our minds and the people dreaming up these laws know it. When we’re shocked, we stand frozen and we watch – unable to do anything. As the fear melts away, we realize what has happened and we deal with it the best way that we can. But, dog lovers have hearts – and we have the “smarts” to go with them.

Talk from your heart when it comes to dog laws. Don’t panic. Don’t plead. Don’t beg. Hold the feelings of fun, and love, and peace and happiness that your dogs are all about. Convey those feelings to anyone confronting you. Walk into municiple buildings and public hearings with a sense of dignity about you. Dress well. Don’t lose your temper. Don’t lose your cool. Don’t act like a victim, or a loser – because you aren’t.

Among many other things in his classic poen, “If,” the great poet, Rudyard Kipling, wrote: “If you can keep your head when all those around you are losing theirs …” I like to put it this way: “If you can keep your head when all those around you are losing theirs, then you will live to see another day.” If you live to see another day, then you can stand up for what you believe. And, if you stand up for what you believe, then, as Rudyard Kipling says: “Yours will be the world and all that’s in it.”

On With the Show!