×

Dog Days in New Ulm

To the editor:

Having had many experiences with the dogs of New Ulm, as a person who loves to walk and uses those sidewalks whose importance is discounted by some, I’ve more than noticed the current discussions regarding in what way dogs are to be “under direct control” in New Ulm.

I love dogs and am amazed at their loyalty and intelligence. After retiring from teaching abroad and returning here to my original home state of Minnesota, I had the pleasure of getting to know Mandy, my brother Curt’s dog. Mandy was sweet, affectionate and very, very intelligent. She understood an amazing amount of English and had a great sense of humor and desire to share. But even Mandy had instincts which caused her to react to another dog while out being walked on a leash by my sister-in-law, Marge, suddenly changing direction and charging off, leaving Marge with a broken wrist. It happened. Mandy became more dog, less family member for a few seconds.

Some of us walk. Prejudice has developed in the U.S. against humans who sometimes walk instead of driving. As if most who walk have insufficient funds in the bank to purchase a vehicle, lack a valid driver’s license, or have some health problem which precludes the possibility of driving. Those situations do exist, of course, but some people just like to engage in that ancient and hallowed human activity of moving about on two legs. If we’re ever going to “take back the streets” in our dear country, getting out there on the sidewalks would seem to be a good “first step.” Plus walking would certainly seem to fit in very well with the goals our local Clinic has for us townspeople.

Dogs, once they have decided that a passerby on a nearby sidewalk is a strange — even threatening — phenomenon, very quickly dart towards that person, who is just attempting to pass by. I have defended myself in various ways as the dog bounds towards me, leaving its owner/master/dog parent behind by some seconds. If the dog has begun its leap, leaving its minder behind, the best I can do sometimes is to call out in a loud, firm and calm voice, “CALL YOUR DOG!” That sometimes works. Since I often pull a cart for shopping in the neighborhood or transporting heavy library books, on one occasion I managed to swirl around, keeping the cart between the dog and myself for the time it took its minder to cross the street, reach us and calm the dog down. Recently a very courteous dog parent knelt down and held his dog by the collar while I passed. I was impressed and expressed my thanks!

Dogs INSIDE houses also get very excited when a walker passes by. Once, on a walk of about 45 minutes or so, I decided to count how many dogs inside houses got upset and barked loudly at the event of a person walking by. I upset nine dogs that day. Be assured, they are doing a very good job of protecting your property while you are away at work or for other reasons.

Until matters can be resolved legally, for the happiness and safety of all, including human beings, I have a suggestion: if you are out in your unfenced yard, frolicking with your dog, it would be very reassuring to those people ambling by on your side of the street or even across it, if you would position yourself between your dog and the sidewalk, so that if/when your dog suddenly notices “danger” moving along on the sidewalk, there will be a good chance you can head off your pet before he/she leaves your property.

Mange tusen takk!!

Shirley Iverson

New Ulm

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper?
   

COMMENTS

Starting at $4.38/week.

Subscribe Today