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I got a ticket at the dog beach, just a few days after it first opened several years ago. It was 9:30 am and my dog was off the leash in the water. Why don't they fence off the dog beach so you don't have to stand there with your dog on a leash while the pooch swims?

PS, I fought the ticket and won!

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Please come adopt a dog. We have wonderful puppies and adult dogs available for adoption at Bideawee.

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Adoption Outreach Coordinator
audrey.fisher@bideawee.org

Continue east of the Dog Run in Pelham Bay Park to the bay or inlet(whatever). it's a good place for off leash dogs to clamber on the rocks and swim.

I have spent a good deal of time in western Europe. Many countries allow dogs in pubs and restaurants, not groceries, butcher shops etc. Surely some Europeans have dog allergies but it does not seem to be a problem The dogs stay under owners' tables.

So many people thing that they their dog is more important that the law

http://poopslope.blogspot.com/

and

http://credo-ny.blogspot.com/

As the papa of a three year old French bulldog, I often take him to open air seating restaurants and like in France or Italy, have gotten better service. On the other hand, I understand that people may be either afraid of or allergic to dogs and consider them intolerable in places where food are served. Perhaps we can change the laws which allows restaurants the option to have dog friendly sections of restaurants, much like the smoking sections of ten years ago, rather than a complete ban on all dogs in restaurants. I know several places in my neighborhood that would welcome that option. I for one would be morel likely to eat out if I have the option of taking my dog to a restaurant than not.

As the papa of a three year old French bulldog, I often take him to open air seating restaurants and like in France or Italy, have gotten better service. On the other hand, I understand that people may be either afraid of or allergic to dogs and consider them intolerable in places where food are served. Perhaps we can change the laws which allows restaurants the option to have dog friendly sections of restaurants, much like the smoking sections of ten years ago, rather than a complete ban on all dogs in restaurants. I know several places in my neighborhood that would welcome that option. I for one would be morel likely to eat out if I have the option of taking my dog to a restaurant than not.

@ Karyn Hirsch: it was "The Dog Song" by Nellie McKay. And we ended on George Clinton's "Atomic Dog."

forest park in kew gardens is great - trails and open spaces and at the northernmost part is a large field where we let the dogs run off leash till 9am.

What is the name of the snappy filler song about how great it is walking your dog-female artist.

The more I think of it, the more nonsensical the “I don’t know why dogs aren’t allowed in restaurants and supermarkets” statement seems. Although, being self-centered and entitled, it is a very “New York” thing to say. Here’s a list for Ms. Zonis.
- People are allergic to dog dander, some highly so.
- Dog fur gets everywhere
- Dogs are curious, they lick, sniff, touch, explore… some people don’t like that near their food
- Sometimes there are doggy accidents, and judging by the amount of fresh urine puddles and feces piles I see every day, not near my food.
- Dogs bark, whimper, beg, and bite… not really appropriate restaurant behavior.
- Dogs aren’t people. I know it hurts to hear that but dogs aren’t people and were previously considered livestock. Being non-people they aren’t too attuned to the social compact… Let’s be honest, most New Yorkers ignore the social compact.
- And lastly, it’s really about the people and not the dog. If the average pet was as well trained as a service dog, there’d probably be little opposition.

In her comment on dogs not being allowed in restaurants: when Nadia said that she didn't really see how the germs from dogs could get into the food, I think she was obviously a bit off here, if not disingenuous. Germs aside -- which by the way, we can't see, remember? -- there are things we can see, like animal hair -- which through no magic is light enough to become separated from the bodies of animals, float through the air on the lightest of breezes, and land on your plate and food. We have a cat at home, and this happens sometimes. Of course, when you're paying attention, you happen to see these things...

I cant believe the guest would even question the health wisdom of "no dogs in restaurants"! We were recently in Italy where in some places dogs were allowed; wouldn't cha know it, a waiter touched our bread after playing with one of the patrons' dog. I know some dog lovers dont mind sharing their bodily fluids with their dogs but I certainly do, especially since we all know where dogs' mouths often go.

Yes, fur and dander and droplets and whatever else that get shaken-off the animals do get into food via air and contact transfer. I had a friend over for dinner who insisted on bringing her 2 dogs; weeks later, I was still finding fur remnants.

To help Ms. Zonis "quite understand" why dogs are not allowed in food stores or restaurants: dogs have been known to urinate or defecate unexpectedly, and they may carry fleas, ticks and other vermin. Seeing them in restaurants in France is charming, but I would not like to see it made a practice in New York.

Dogs may also give way to natural urges in food stores, and since some merchandise like bread and produce is often shelved open near the floor, they can eat or (worse) lick it. I don't want a dog doing that to the food I may buy.

For the guest on dogs in restaurants… People already let their children run around uncontrolled and undisciplined in public places, do we really want to exacerbate that with letting them do the same with the animals they love just as much as human children if not more than other people. I missed part of this segment due to work, but I’ve also noticed the phenomenon of many (large) dogs off leash walking the city sidewalks, fact of the matter is there are people with a very real fear of dogs (I am not one) but dog owners feel entitled to break the law. Again, this (along with the barking, shedding, smell if they are unclean, or simple curious wandering (NYC restaurant tables tend to be densely packed) ) is why restaurants ban them.

Another great dog-walking option is "strayfromtheheart.org", on the upper west side.

To walk dogs (and also look after cats) join New York Cares .. www.newyorkcares.org they have masses of dog walking and cat caring programs all over the 5 boroughs and you can just sign up when you have the time and inclination. Great for the animal lover who cant own an animal for any reason.

Love seeing dogs everywhere, such great expressions. Also amusing to see well-behaved animals strolling around off leash. In fact, NYC would be just about perfect if dog owners picked up after their dogs and bicyclists rode with traffic. Maybe that's heaven.

For dogless dog lovers, there's a non-profit in the city (forget the name) who trains future service dogs and asks volunteers on weekends to take them as puppies to the homes of the elderly to get them used to being in new homes and with new (elderly) people.

I want to address the commenter who asked about how to enjoy the NYC dog walking culture without a dog. He or she could volunteer at a shelter as a dog walker. Shelters such as BARC and Sean Casey Animal Rescue (both in Brooklyn) welcome volunteers to take shelter dogs for walks. It gives the dogs exercise and socializes them, thus improving their chances for adoption.

For your dogless dog lovers out there, many local shelters need dog walkers. I can think of two off the top of my head: BARC in Williamsburg and Sean Casey Animal Rescue in Windsor Terrace. Contact your local rescue to see if they could use you on the end of a leash. It's a great way to get your "fix."

Nicole Fitzgerald
Animal Communicator
www.nicolefitzgerald.com

some shelters - like BARC in Williamsburg - need dogwalkers. Maybe your listener that likes dogs but doesn't have one could "borrow" one for a walk to the local dog run.

People who don't have dogs but want contact with them can walk shelter dogs. Contact ASPCA and Bide-a-Wee for locations and opportunities.

For the listener who doesn't own a dog but likes spending time with dogs - dog shelters like volunteers to come walk their dogs. 2 place I know of: BARC in Williamsburg and Sean Casey Animal Rescue in Windsor Terrace (Bklyn)

for those of you who like dogs but can't have one permanantely, try volunteering at a dog shelter and walk dogs. the place i go to is BARC in south williamsburg! it's great - you can spend a few hours with a great pup. generally you walk up to mc careen park and back.

This might be random but...if you areout with your dog and wanna have a beer. It is hard to find a place that will let you. Willamsburg Brooklyn. The name of the bar is Barcade. Half bar and half arcade.

Most dogs are not allowed on NYC beaches, though Urban Hound has a list of beaches on which you can walk your dog. Most likely, you will not be hounded (har har) for having your dog on any of the beaches listed on the site.

Best place for your dog to play in the water that I've found is at Ramapo Reservation in Mahwah, NJ. Anyone else have thoughts?

Any suggestions for people who don't have a dog of their own, but enjoy their company? A lot of dog runs in the city have signs saying they are for dogs and their people ONLY, rather like playgrounds.

Hillside (Dog) Park near the Brooklyn Bridge is a great place for dogs and humans. I'll be going there right after this segment

..and I bet it's a pleasure to be on that lawn at about 9:40am...

Every sunny Saturday before 9am sharp, there are hundreds of dogs on the great lawn in Prospect Park. It is a sight to be seen, and a dog's tail wagging dream.

I took my pooch to Manhattan in May to sample some dog parks that are not listed in the NYC Parks Department list. My dog is a 50 lb pointer mix with lots and lots of energy and whose play style is definitely boisterous.
The dog park at Battery Park City was dominated by toy breeds and owners who were rather unwelcoming of a larger, more active dog. I walked over to the Tribeca Dog Run on Warren St. between Greenwich and Chambers and found more dogs who shared my pup's size and temperament. And the place had a large, clean wading pool for the doggies to cool off!
If you're ever in NJ, stop and visit the Sewaren Dog Park in Woodbridge Township. It's a 5 minute drive from the Outerbridge Crossing and both the dogs and owners are a friendly, sociable bunch.