29/10/2015
I talk to my dog. I am not embarrassed to admit that I do it frequently.
Based on recent island developments, I thought a sit-down face-to-face with Coop, my 100 lb. black lab, was in order. I faced the difficult task of explaining to him that it is a civil infraction for a dog to swim on Bainbridge Island. He and I both know when I throw a stick for him to retrieve he is not sufficiently near me to be under my direct control nor obedient to my commands (BIMC §6.04.030 and §6.04.010(8)). He can’t be. I have a better arm than that and he’s focused on the stick and nothing but the stick so help me lab. Therefore, I am in violation of law and subject to a fine.
He looked at me with his 360 degrees of salt water eyes and seemed to say, "You’re kidding, right?" I said, "Nope." As we talked, Coop took a break to chase a squirrel through the woods. I thought I heard the squirrel laugh over the prospect of any dog catching a wild critter on this island. The squirrel seemed to be saying those who think differently need to get out more.
Then I showed Coop the plastic pool I had purchased for his beloved swimming within the municipal code. He looked at me and seemed to ask, "What is this, Capitol Hill or something?" I said, "Nope, you’re not that lucky, Coop. Capitol Hill dogs can swim off-leash at a 9-acre waterfront area in Magnuson Park." I explained to him that, notwithstanding the fact Bainbridge is surrounded by salt water, he was unfortunately resigned by legislation to live in water-dog East Berlin.
He asked me what had happened. I explained that I thought many people had moved here thinking this island is better than other environments. Coop said, "So, what’s wrong with that?" I told him, "Nothing." I had done the same thing nearly 40 years ago. But I explained to him that it appears that when many of these people left their prior locations for Bainbridge, they packed their suitcases and brought all their baggage with them.
I told him I thought sometimes the island legislates and regulates to the loudest voice while leaving common sense at the door. He said, "That’s sad." I said, "Yep." He said he would feel better if he could swim for a stick. So I filled the plastic pool.
—Tom Hayward, Bainbridge Island
Related Stories
City Takes Another Step Toward an Off-Leash Trial at Pritchard Park
Citizens Launch Petition to Protect Off-Leash Dog Rights at Pritchard Park
Council Set to Pass Tamer Leash Law, Considers Off-Leash Trial at Pritchard
City Council Considers Law Requiring Leashing Dogs in Your Own Living Room
Letter to the Editor: To Leash or Not to Leash
Owner of Seriously Wounded Dog Warns About Risk of New Dog Park
Bainbridge Woman Hospitalized from Dog Park Hit and Run Speaks out
New Bainbridge Island Dog Park Set to Open
Park Board Votes to Make Strawberry Hill Site for Off-Leash Dogs
Letter to the Editor: A Letter to the Park Board About Off-Leash Dogs on Island Trails
Letter from the Editor: Shared Use Is Fair Park Policy for People & Their Dogs
Council Questions Transferring Properties to Park District Because of Its Failure to Provide Off-Leash Options
Fist Fight Between Two Women Points to Increasing Tension over Dogs on Bainbridge
One Dog Walker Assaulted by Another Near Grand Forest
Photo Essay: Coyotes Fight for Sheep Carcass on Runamuck Ranch
Good Dog! Teaching Come
Good Dog! Steps to off-Leash Control
Letter from the Editor: Dog Doody Duty
Proposed Dog Park at Battle Point Unleashes Doggy Dilemma at Public Meeting
Park District Opens Up Off-Leash Dog Discussion at Public Hearing 7/17
Dogs’ Due at Park Board Public Hearing?
Wildlife Habitat Designer Launches FIDOS—Friends of Island Dogs and Open Space
Photo courtesy of Tom Hayward.