Brevard County pet people barkin' for beach space

The sign on any beach in Brevard County reads: NO DOGS ALLOWED ON THIS BEACH. Why, you ask? Hey, it's been that way for 37 years, darn it, so why not?

That's the attitude a lot of Brevard County folks have about the "No dogs on the our beaches" law, discussed in the news article our title has linked to above, and one that's about as archaic as bloomer bathing suits on women.

According to an article on VisitFlorida.com, there are a total of 1100 miles of coastline in Florida. Yet Brevard's 72 miles of beach is off limits to dogs for fear of their doo-doo and them being intimidating to small children and beach wildlife. Hey, I've been to Brevard County, it's a pretty place - mostly. People don't seem to be scared of much, a shuttle crash, perhaps, but that's about it.

But I find it hard to believe the fear of doo-doo factor is so strong on this coast. I've seen some of the dirty baby diapers found along the same 72 miles nearly every day! And why are dogs more intimidating to small children and wildlife in Brevard County than they are around the rest of the state where, for the most part, there is at least one small portion of beach in each area where dogs are allowed to frolic with their humans? That just doesn't make sense.

The 37-year ban on dogs should change and here's why.

Providing at least one beach open to dogs and their people is good for touri$m. Residents of Florida without dogs are not the only people who travel around the state. Actually, one of the more common tourists of Florida has become the affluent gay couple from across the pond, who bring one or two of their precious fur children along on their vacation. Then there's the out of state families who load up the kids, the ones without and with fur, and head to Florida to spend lots of $$ before the school year begins again.

And oh, yeah, there's also the northern folks, who faithfully travel with their beloved pets and come down in the winter to relax and who spend enough money while here to keep us residents from having to pay a $tate $ales tax.

If you going to ban something, ban humans without manners, who leave their food, cigarette butts, and other icky litter all over the place, including the beaches, and including those infamous soiled diapers, then cry fowl when they see a dog eliminate itself as his or her human runs pooper scooper patrol behind it.

Many municipalities around the state allow dogs on their beaches and in their parks. They even provide doo-doo bags and waste receptacles for their visitors. And where visitors feel welcome, that's where they'll stay and spend their hard earned ca$h. And for those people, we are most appreciative.

RX help for your pet

Residents of Alachua and Marion Counties (and by now, probably others,) can get a card for prescription discounts of as much as 50 percent under a new program through the National Association of Counties. There's no application and no "qualifying." The card is free to any county resident regardless of age or income.

For people with pets, the best part about this card is that some medications for their beloved companion animal may be covered it it's available at a regular pharmacy.

The card is accepted at most of the main pharmacies, including CVS, Walgreens, Wise's Drug Store, Wal-Mart, Publix and Winn-Dixie and can also be used for some mail-order prescriptions. Even if someone has insurance through their employer, they can still get a prescription card. The card might cover a medication not covered by their current insurance. Reported savings have been around 14 percent on brand name medications and 34 percent on generics, plus there's a discount on certain diabetic supplies.

Check with your county to see if they've enrolled in this program and if they aren't, ask them to consider it. All Florida counties are eligible IF they are members of the Florida Association of Counties and participate in activities of the national association.

The most pet-friendly cities in Florida?

Dogfriendly.com has come out with their 2007 list of Top 10 dog-friendly vacation spots in North America. A Florida city didn't make the list until Orlando screeched in at number 8 - whew! I was beginning to worry our sunshine state wasn't going to get the recognition it deserves. And actually, I think a couple of other Florida cities should get similar recognition.

People from other states ask me a lot, "What are the top three pet-friendly cities in Florida?" My answer isn't based on a scientific poll. It's based on what people tell me, what I read, my experience during past visits and most of all, if they have in place a pet-friendly emergency shelter for hurricanes and other disasters, and how many dog parks, pet-friendly beaches and places to dine outdoors with pets the city offers.

Oh, let me add one more thing to that list - I pay attention to just how much of a big deal a city makes about designating stuff pet-friendly. For example, some cities started doggie dining without a much as a woof and a fee and a few others took three months, and at least that many public hearings, to decide to charge restaurants an outrageous $150 to apply for a permit to offer doggie dining. So yes, the city's attitude is important as well.

So...without further adieu, let me say in my opinion, the Top Three Pet-Friendly Cities in Florida are: 1) Orlando, 2) Miami and 3) Jacksonville. The Greater Tampa Bay area is getting there, sort of. And the Panhandle, well, let's just say there's room for improvement.

What do you think? Do you agree with my choices? Or do you disagree or think I left someone out? Let me know by leaving your reply below.

Swimming lessons for dogs

I'm linking this blog to an article I just read on http://www.tampabay10.com/ about a man in Largo who teaches dogs to swim.

Frankly, the need for this surprises me. I've had many companion animals through the years and only a couple liked water enough to jump into our pool. The others, well, they just didn't. They sniffed the edge of the pool, the light bulb went off in their heads, they backed up and sat down. "We're sitting out this gig, mom, we've got you covered from right here," they seemed to say.

The article says about 10,000 dogs drowned in the US last year. It says dogs can find their way into a pool, but often can't find their way out because, as the swim teacher referred to in the article says, dogs lack a, "sense of depth perception" and panic. But some clearly don't panic. Two of mine absolutely soared through the air and did gleeful belly flops into the aqua abyss the first time they saw the pool. So does that mean certain breeds have depth perception and others don't?

Now, I am not undermining the usefulness of teaching your dog (or cat) to swim. I'm just saying...where were the guardians of those 10,000 dogs? Even if my water-loving dogs are doing their thing, I'm keeping an eye out, you know what I mean? If my husband is floating around on the pool recliner, I'm keeping an eye out. Why weren't all those people keeping an eye out for their companion animals?

I'll keep wondering I suppose, like I wonder why people can be so irresponsible when it comes to their animals and then blame the animal for misbehaving in some fashion.

Stay safe this summer and if your dog loves the water, let him or her swim, but still... keep an eye out for them!

Bill seeks to save pets during domestic violence cases

The story I've linked to here is about California Senator Sheila Kuehl, and her quest to get a bill (SB 353, to be exact) passed that would protect pets during domestic violence incidents. I not only want to applaud her efforts and keep my fingers crossed the bill becomes law, I also want Florida lawmakers to follow suit.

Through the years, plenty of pets have been injured, tortured and/or killed as a way for the abuser to further control his victim. Sen. Kuehl's bill would allow judges to include any kind of animal in protective orders for as long as deemed necessary, which would mean abusers would have to stay away from the pet or pets involved and not be allowed to harm the pet. Violating the order would be a misdemeanor.

New York, Vermont and Maine passed similar laws last year. I hope Florida will be next. As a matter of fact, I'm off to write my lawmakers a letter about it. Won't you write one to yours?

Horses just wanna have fun

While I love watching horses frolick in a field and simply adore taking photos of colts learning to walk, I am not what you would call a "horsey person." When I was younger, I went horseback riding on a horse the stables said was "normally very calm. " I should have known. About a mile into the ride, "Normally Calm" decided he wanted lunch and he proceeded to take me on a drag race back to the barn. I was terrified and haven't been on a horse since. I admire them - from afar.

Since I don't know that much about horses and their ways, it's not surprising that I would be amazed to learn that horses love playing with toys. Yes, toys. Dogs have toys, Cats have toys. Now horses have toys. There are Web sites that sell them. One is http://horseballs.com which has items such as "Stallballs" and "Eggbutts" that are designed to "enrich" a horse's environment. Another one has a product called "Likit"which can be purchased from http://www.likit.co.uk/. Very cool.

Leaving dogs in hot car is a crime

We were thrilled to see the recent news article about the Ohio man who has been charged with two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals after leaving his two dogs inside a parked car near a store in Alachua County.

The police observed the dogs in the car for 10-15 minutes, in 90 plus degree heat, with the front windows merely cracked. The dogs had no water and were panting heavily. The criminal was held at least over night in the Alachua County jail on a $2,000 bond. We'd like to see this crime treated with the same decisiveness all over the state, indeed, all over the nation.