Page 20 - Boca Club News - March '22

Page 20, Boca Club News

Nature & Pets

The Environmental Enthusiast:

Reject Retractables

By Tina K. VaLant. Remember Dr. 1) They aren’t safe. Directly from a flexi lead box: leads behind them. Luckily no one was injured, but there
Dolittle, the man who was able to Warning: To avoid the risk of eye or facial injury and cuts, were a couple close calls with them running into traffic
converse with all the animals? Boca burns, and/or amputations to your body or the body of before they were stopped.
Raton’s Tina VaLant, who was named another person from the leash cord/tape or all belt and hook, A standard lead loop can be jerked from your hand if
Palm Beach County “Animal Friend read and follow the enclosed warnings/directions. a squirrel (or other stimulus) is sighted. Put your hand
of the Year,” doesn’t claim that ability, Some people do not pay close enough attention to their through the loop, resting the intersection on your wrist, and
but she does relate remarkably well dog while on lead. Flexis enable the dog to wander off farther gently grasp in your palm with the dog on your left. Dogs
to flora and fauna. An avid rescuer and can cause friction against a (human or dog) leg. Cases traditionally are walked on the left, since the majority of
(known for her beloved Australian exist where a finger or dog’s leg was severely injured. Is this us are right-handed. Hunters carried their rifle on the right
shepherds), she serves as a foster home to surrendered pets, something you want to use with your furry family member? side, hound on the left.
volunteers with numerous organizations and assists wildlife. Or around your two-legged children? No, thank you. 3) They aren’t benefiting your relationship. “By using a
She raises/releases ten species of native butterflies, for over Truly conscientious, responsible event organizers will retractable lead, the handler loses the opportunity to educate
20 years. Recently she garnered worldwide attention with an note no retractable/flexi leads on their event promotions. their dog on how to walk properly on lead. Retractables
unexpected animal adventure: reCRABilitation of HERbert, a The best ones refuse admission to retractables, or offer to foster the dog’s disassociation with the handler–the exact
limbless blue land crab. For over four decades, Tina’s award- swap out for a standard lead at admission. This activity opposite of what we strive for in our relationship with our
winning company, Extraordinary Photography, captures avoids several dangers, including people (and dogs) getting dogs,” stated Madison Moore, a positive dog trainer.
portraits, pets, weddings, and events. She will answer tripped, injured or tangled. 4) Bad things can happen to good dogs/people. While
questions at TinaValant.com or (561) 945-6363. 2) The plastic handle can easily be yanked from your out on a daily walk near his community golf course, a man
While doing a meet and greet/home visit for a small dog hand. While at a dog event in a park, a car backfired. Two accompanied his pug on a retractable; that’s what they always
in rescue, the potential new parents asked what supplies they large dogs were frightened and took off, dragging their flexi used. The dog stretched from being close by, to 10-12 feet
needed. “What about one of those flexible leashes, so she gets away, to drink from the lake, just like he had always done.
more exercise?” he asked. I calmly took several deep breaths, In a blink, the dog was grabbed by a reptilian resident. There
reminding myself that we “attract more bees with honey than was a yip and bubbles. The cable snapped back like a whip,
vinegar.” I loathe flexi leads for a variety of reasons: nearly missing the man. Before you start hating alligators,
understand: a native animal in its natural habitat saw an
Attention Dog Owners opportunity to do what he was born to do: survive. It wasn’t
personal. There was nothing the man could do.
It is your responsibility to This tragedy can easily be avoided. Wildlife experts were
pick up after consulted and agreed, had the guy been in sight (four feet,
your dog. It’s the law. not ten+) the gator would have most likely been deterred.
Some of you have been He eventually rescued another pug. Now he only uses a
negligent in doing so. standard lead, and never allows the dog near the water.
Please keep our I encourage you to cut the cord on your retractable and
Boca community dispose of it properly. Grab your (six foot) lead, bags, dog(s)
beautiful! and enjoy your walk!
Photo by Tina K. VaLant

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