Responsible dog ownership
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Equality & NIxburg News
Jennifer Williamson
Let’s talk dog ownership and being a responsible dog owner. Those that know me and have visited Jenny’s General Store over the past few years know I had owned a dog and loved her dearly. My son picked her out when she was 10 weeks old from a rescue in Birmingham. When she passed away, she was over 17 years old.
She came to the store with me every day, and even though she was blind in one eye and had arthritis and severe skin allergies, she loved to greet all my customers. However, I would confine her if a customer told me they had a fear of dogs and was not comfortable with her being near them, because that was the responsible thing to do.
I also never let her roam, kept an eye on her when she needed to go outside, and I made sure she never got into trouble in or around our home, business, or community.
Recently I have been experiencing some dog problems with a red pitbull named Ladybug that has killed many of my livestock birds. This pitbull was caught with one of my Cayuga ducks in her mouth in a neighbor’s yard, so nothing I could do about it other than talk to the dog owner who hid inside his house.
The dog has broken through my fence several times since; killing chickens, ducks and turkeys, even leaving a trail of turkey feathers to its owner’s front door. The pitbull owner knows that Ladybug kills and does nothing but hide and lies when the sheriff talked to them. Sheriff has been notified several times, but all we can do is take the neighbor to court for damages.
With recent deaths of children in Northern Alabama by dog attacks, what will the sheriff and the dog owner do when Ladybug turns from turkeys to babies? Dog trainers and behaviorists will tell you that a running toddler can trigger a dog like Ladybug, so if my grandson, who is playing within my fenced in yard, is running while Ladybug is in her attack and killing mode, what then? Fences have not stopped her from killing before, so yes I fear for my grandchild and my neighbor’s babies with Ladybug being in the community.
Friday, March 15, is Karaoke Night at Coosa Live (formerly known as Equality Performing Arts Center), which is tonight. Come enjoy an evening out enjoying live music.
While it is not mandatory, you are encouraged to bring a dish of shareable food for our “Potluck,” and if you can afford to drop something into the donation jar for the music, it helps keep the lights on. Coosa Live provides free coffee, iced tea, water, and fresh-popped popcorn, as well as some of the potluck offerings.
Saturday, March 23, at 4 p.m. is Bingo at the Equality Volunteer Fire Department Hall on Highway 9. This is a fund-raising event to support the Equality Volunteer Fire Department. It is $1 a card and lots of fun. There will be concession sales, and all proceeds support the EVFD, so come join the fun.
Saturday, March 28, is the next Equality Neighborhood Watch Meeting from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Please plan on attending an informative and enjoyable social event. You can bring a dish to pass if you like, but not necessary, as there is a community potluck because sharing food always goes well with gatherings.
I depend upon my readers to share with me what is happening within your organizations, churches, neighborhoods, groups, or family to share in next week’s column. Please contact me; leave a voice message or text 256-531-6460 or email at coosacafe@gmail.com.
