Jim can lie down and sleep this cold off. I have to sit up or stay up so here’s my entry. I’ve no voice except for that which is written.
There is a little plot of land, garbage actually, that is called Fiesta Island in San Diego CA, USA. It was traditionally used for a scout camp, Over The Line tournaments, but mostly for beach access for dog owners and water sports enthusiasts.
Because San Diego’s Park and Wreck (should be Recreation but that’s what we call it) hates 60% of the population, the portion that own a pet, has deemed us park haters, they will not permit a dog owner to tread on the turf that taxpayer pays for.
It has taken fifteen years since I was in the trenches working with community groups and lobbying the City Council. I even interviewed a candidate for office. We spent an hour over coffee and he promised to keep an open mind. I went door-to-door helping to elect him and worked phone banks and he won. Afterward, he never gave me or his other volunteers the time of day.
One wonders why California and San Diego are in the pits, moneywise. No, it has nothing to do with dogs or leash-free areas. It has to do with people and how they are treated. If Fiesta Island never changed it would still meet the needs of its users. It took Park and Wreck and the City government to put everyone at odds. Left alone, people might just get along.
Yes, I was an agitator many years ago and even now my little park has the most Animal Control presence of any park in the City. Sorry, folks. It was a pretty scary bunch back in the day, two Bichons, one Poodle, at least three Yorkies. All owned by retirees. Back then Animal Control would radio in the attack then drive in with three vehicles, bursting sprinkler pipes, all after seventy-year old widows and their canine companions.
Most of our human and canine friends are gone now, to other communities or to a final resting place. Over forty friends gave money to the city for a tree in our little park, to memorialize my dog Chani. The haters fought it every step of the way but since Park and Rec dictated the type, size and placement of the tree they had no choice but to accept it. I love that it has a view of the much disputed Soledad Cross. It is a badge of honor that I tried so hard to get Chani a legal area in which to chase her ball and she died before our dream could become true.
The haters said to leave it alone. Given my age and wisdom I may have done so. If I hadn’t drawn attention, it would have been left alone. Once the two complainers are gone, current dog owners will be safe once again to have reponsible fun at the park. Fifteen years, and I just wrote an editorial to the paper back there, and I hope people will continue planting seeds in the bed we’ve sown. With much hope for the future, Dee
Cooking with Dee 