What would a Woodstock dog say to the Catskill Center?

Dear Catskill Center,

When my human told me that we can no longer walk together in the Thorn Preserve, I was devastated. We have had such good times there — the place smells great, any time of year. I love walking in the snow and the ice, in the falling autumn leaves and I don’t mind the rain (he does!), nor the mud. As you can tell, I’m a nature-loving dog!  I love to watch those red-winged blackbirds come out in springtime, and, even though my human discourages it, I still love digging “like a mad dog” in the soft earth, hoping to grab myself a field mouse — don’t worry, I hardly ever find one, but its “the hunt’ that I’m in to!

And all the friends I’ve made at Thorn — Benji, LuLu, Baron, Skye, Hubbel — how will I get by without them?  Running and playing, fetching sticks and rubber balls, and, best of all, dashing down into the cool stream after a long stroll in the summer fields —  its a dog’s best life, let me assure you! I know you have advised us to go instead to the dog park, but the Preserve has been our communal “hang” since I came to town when I was a young dog, and it can’t really be replaced! I mean, 60 acres of grass and sky and stream is not something every dog — let alone human — gets to enjoy every day!

Alas, it’s too bad some humans let their dogs off-leash, but I myself have had 99% positive encounters with my unleashed fellow canines. Let’s not overreact: let’s just keep educating the 1% who don’t have the rules down. (Contrary to what’s said about my species, you can teach an old human new tricks!)

So, please reconsider. I know about your ongoing advocacy for the valley we live in, and, as a dog, I deeply appreciate it. But now is not the time to give in to a “woke” shake-up, which is what this ban is! I promise that I’ll stay leashed, and that I’ll gently remind my human to “pick up after” I go. And he and I will spread the word with our pals of both species! Listen: my bark is my bond! The next time they play that old nugget, “Who Let the Dogs (Back) Out?”, let it be answered in a  joyous howl: “The Catskill Center Did!”

Glendia
(dictated telepathically to my human Martin Haber)
Woodstock