The Journal

Issue date: 3/8/07 Section: Opinion/Editorial

Megan Connelly

The winter months can be a particularly monotonous time to live in St. Louis. From being snowed-in without electricity to lack of mountains to make good use of the snow, living in Missouri can be a sad state of affairs. Now imagine how dogs feel.


Most people have to leave their dogs alone for long hours while they're at work, class, running errands, etc. The highlight of Fido's day is spotting his owner heading towards the door as he's gazing sadly out the window. What kind of a life is that?


Of course there is the occasional walk, maybe even fetch in the backyard if the dog is lucky, but such activities alone aren't enough to raise a mentally and physically healthy pup.


I know it sounds like I'm over-thinking our pets' capacity for living a life of meaning and prosperity. However, I side with the National Geographic Channel's Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan, who promotes a life of balance between dogs and humans. He attributes all dog/people problems and behavioral issues to what he calls an unbalanced life. Translation: lack of exercise.


This led me to join the renegade group of dog owners that meet every morning at 6 a.m. to unleash their dogs and let them run free through Blackburn Park as God intended it.


I heard about the group from a woman while I was walking my year-old golden retriever. She too had a golden with her, though older and far more obedient. As my dog, Berkeley, wound his leash around the woman, she told me how much fun her Andy had with the other dogs. Clearly Berkeley could afford to learn a thing or two from Andy - the decision was easy.


I soon discovered some members of this group have been meeting consistently for nearly 20 years and had to protect their morning gatherings from multiple angry residents living on the park perimeters. Some of the opposition even involved the Webster Groves Police Department. They had to go on-leash for a short, grim period, but the cops don't mess with them anymore.


These gatherings provide two essential things for the dogs: great exercise and dog-to-dog interaction of the non puppy-producing variety. The dogs trot along and chase one another in a relatively organized fashion, and amazingly none ever run away. They are pack animals, after all, and just enjoy frolicking together free of any leash tugging at them.


Owners carry bags for the necessary pick-ups and are quick to offer one to those who find themselves bag-less. They also carry leashes just in case a dog gets aggressive or other unforeseeable events occur.

Continued...

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