I\u2019ve always known Aspen to be a dog friendly town, but since having kids, I feel like it\u2019s Aspen: dog friendly, kid tolerated. One recent night on the bike path, my 3-year-old was striding by the ballfield and was lunged at by a dog tied up to the fence.<\/p>\n
My boyfriend shouted, \u201cWho\u2019s dog is this?\u201d and was immediately called an asshole by the owner. I honestly didn\u2019t know who was going to attack first, the owner or the dog.<\/p>\n
I understand people love their dogs. You think your dog is a good dog and can do no wrong, but a 3-year-old is at dog teeth height. When a dog jumps at you at that height, mouth open and slobbering, I don\u2019t suppose anyone would think, \u201cIt\u2019s OK, this will be a friendly encounter,\u201d even if it is intended to be. Not everyone knows your dog. Even my great kids act naughty sometimes (though their grandparents would disagree).<\/p>\n
Even your dog can bite when it comes across something it doesn\u2019t understand. I\u2019ve seen unprovoked dog bites many times working in the medical field. Not everyone likes their face licked; not everyone wants to be jumped on. Let\u2019s make Aspen friendly for dogs and kids alike.<\/p>\n
Erica Purcell<\/p>\n
Aspen<\/p>\n