Imagine for a moment being in a town where people have never been exposed to dogs: they know what a dog looks like, because they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve seen pictures of them, or maybe seen them from a distance when they travel to other places\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 but they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve never actually petted a dog, or walked one on a leash, or even spent five minutes observing one.<\/p>\n
Now, some kook in the town wants to make it legal to keep pet dogs in the dog-free town.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They will poop in the yards!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d people exclaim.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They will bark and make awful noise, and they will chase our cats!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Some people might even let their dogs in the house \u00e2\u20ac\u201c just think of how unsanitary that would be, and how dangerous to the children!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0The townsfolk, having never been exposed to the companionship of dogs, are opposed.<\/p>\n
Some bring up the scenario of dogfights, which attract gambling and other unsavory activities.<\/p>\n
The dog-loving kook is fully supportive of a standard leash law, and that all dog owners should have to purchase a license from the city every year for every dog. \u00c2\u00a0He supports requiring immunizations against dangerous diseases (like rabies), and the owner\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s maintaining proof of such.\u00c2\u00a0 Many of the townsfolk mill about in opposition to the kook\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s crazy dog plan, but little by little, respectable ordinary people step forward, cautiously expressing a willingness to consider the idea.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153My brother has a dog,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d said one, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153and he keeps burglars away from the house when my brother is gone.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 Another explains that she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d really like for her aged mother to have a dog for companionship.\u00c2\u00a0 Someone else mentions they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve heard that dogs can actually be trained to assist the blind.\u00c2\u00a0 All of these people are in favor of reasonable limitations \u00e2\u20ac\u201c no one suggests just letting the dogs run wild, stealing suppers from the table, biting children, and pooping on the town hall steps.<\/p>\n
Can this hypothetical town accept change?\u00c2\u00a0 Is there any possibility that they can get past the fear of the unfamiliar, to find the benefits of a companion animal who helps guard their home, gives them a reason to go outdoors and walk, and offers unconditional love each day?<\/p>\n
*\u00c2\u00a0 *\u00c2\u00a0 *<\/p>\n
Now, turn your imagination 45 degrees, and see that the hypothetical town is our town.\u00c2\u00a0 The discussion is not about dogs, but about chickens.\u00c2\u00a0 The proposed regulations would be similar:\u00c2\u00a0 roosters would not be allowed (thus eliminating the noise component), the number of birds would be limited, confinement to the back or side yard would be required.\u00c2\u00a0 Registration and purchase of a license would also be required, just as it is for dogs.<\/p>\n
The benefits are slightly different, but comparable.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Can this town ever get past its paranoia to try something new?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Imagine for a moment being in a town where people have never been exposed to dogs: they know what a dog looks like, because they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve seen pictures of them, or maybe seen them from a distance when they travel to … Continue reading