World would be a better place if more people had a dog

To the editor:

Re: 'Why do Torontonians need to put dogs before other people,' Letters, March 5.

I am a dog owner and I also run a pet services company and the most giving and kindest people I know are pet owners.

Back in the day when you put your dog in the backyard and walked them on leash was the biggest reason why dogs become aggressive and "mauled children."

We are all tax-paying citizens and there are hundreds of parks that are for people and their children to enjoy, and if that isn't enough for people who don't like dogs then maybe (as letter writer Carey Morgan puts it) you should "move to the country" and have all the green space you want.

It is a proven fact dogs that are given regular exercise and socialization are friendly, loving members of society. I think if more people had a dog and went to a dog park to socialize, there would be more love and compassion toward fellow humans.

As we all know, when humans socialize it make us happier. I pick up after my dogs and when I see "meadow muffins" from other dog owners I pick them up, too.

As to "the existing dog parks becoming cesspools," I see more people who walk dogs pick up garbage than people who are just out for a stroll because we don't want our pets to get into anything.

So in a way, all of us with "dogitis" actually keep the parks clean.

I have more issues with people who picnic in the park and leave their food everywhere for the wild animals to fight over and the geese and get plastic lodged in their throats.

So I guess we all have things that bother us, so why don't we all just get along and be responsible for our pets and children, pick up after ourselves and respect each other and be happy.

Anna Legge