Lakewood Arts Festival -- No Dogs Allowed

Steven Greenwell · Post by **Steven Greenwell** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 7:41 am

We have just had our dog six months so we are still learning where to go to enjoy an outing and still be able to bring him with us. Last Saturday we walked down our street looking forward to a walk through the Lakewood Arts Festival. When we got to the end of the block we saw a sign on the barricade indicating, "no dogs allowed." So, instead we turned around and took a walk through some neighborhoods -- even stopped and made a purchase at a garage sale. I was disappointed this local event does not allow dogs. We have seen people with dogs at the Clifton Arts Fest andTremont Art event -- just assumed there would be no problem here.

Park visits have also changed since we have our dog. We used to walk to local restaurants to buy something to eat and then walk out to Lakewood park. Now we take the short drive across the border to purchase food and then on to Edgewater Park. We have seen and walked by lots of folks with their dogs there and not had any problems.

Valerie Molinski · Post by **Valerie Molinski** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 7:50 am

I have also discovered that, sadly, Lakewood is not as family friendly as I thought it was.
http://lakewoodobserver.com/forum/view ... sc&start=0

Rhonda loje · Post by **Rhonda loje** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 8:03 am

I have more details to come but........

On Saturday, October 18th we are working on an event that will be fun for kids, dogs and adults. We are going to close Detroit from the Hospital to the Library. It is called the Spooky Pooch Parade.

For a registration fee of $10 you will get a goodie bag packed with treats for your dog. There will be raffle prizes and contests. All dogs who register must be in costume and we encourage kids and adults to participate too!

There will be prizes for costumes and alot of children's activities.

Check out mainstreetlakewood.org to see a few of the specifics and to register online.

All proceeds go the the Lakewood Animal Shelter, the Lakewood Dog Park and Main Street Lakewood.

It should be great fun! Take a look at the video where we got the idea...
http://www.hautedogs.org/howloween.html

Hopefully we will have more activities for kids to enjoy than the above event..we need to make this more like Lakewood.

If you would like to help in any way with this event please PM me.

Thanks,
Rhonda Loje
Co-Chair
Spooky Pooch Parade

Shawn Juris · Post by **Shawn Juris** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 8:30 am

Not as family friendly?? Were moms, dads and children not allowed to the arts festival? I'm sure that there is a discussion to be had and some consideration due regarding what makes the most sense in terms of dogs being allowed here or there. The no dogs in the parks has been on the books for a while though, no? In terms of the dogs at the Arts Festival, it raised an eyebrow for me and may have been something recently new but I guess I could understand it. Pedestrian traffic is heavy on that day and there are a good number of kids and the artists are displaying breakable items. I'd be interested to hear the thought behind the decision but the phrase "bull in a china shop" comes to mind on this one.

Interesting story about the arts festival and a dog experience. While dogs were not permitted, I did walk past one rather large Rottweiler (mix maybe) that the owner sat near a bench with no leash while they were going in and out of their shop. The dog was well behaved but that seems a risky move and frankly doesn't comply with the leash law. Maybe it's decisions like this that have ruined it for everyone else?

Jeff Dreger · Post by **Jeff Dreger** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 8:38 am

I have also discovered that, sadly, Lakewood is not as family friendly as I thought it was.
http://lakewoodobserver.com/forum/vie ... sc&start=0

I guess that's a matter of perspective... as the victim of a dog attack and the father of two little girls, I feel much more comfortable in a dog-free park. In my opinion, family friendly is not the same as dog friendly... not mutually exclusive, just different.

Steven - I could be reading too much into your post, but I get the feeling sometimes that dog owners feel they have the right to go anywhere at anytime with their animals. As crowded as the Arts Fest can be (and that's a good thing), I really don't see the need to subject a dog to that and nor do I think most people want one more thing to trip over or step on.

Missy Limkemann · Post by **Missy Limkemann** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 8:40 am

I saw lots of dogs at the art walk. Normally when I go to the Tremont one, there are more animals than humans. I take my pooches there. I know that most of the time they are given treats by a lot of the people there. (i also wrap them in "adopt me" shirts) One guy even gave me a huge donation for my rescue and I thought "this is so cool. i should get a booth here."

Oh by the way the leash law for Lakewood is "animal must be on leash" but it doesnt say what type of leash. I mean what is a leash to me may not be a leash to you. And I agree that the dog should not have been without a leash.

But the art fest was fun, too bad my son wouldnt let me look longer but he did save me money that way. LOL.

Ivor Karabatkovic · Post by **Ivor Karabatkovic** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 8:52 am

If I had $2000 or probably more worth of art hanging that took me a year to complete, I'd hope that people wouldn't bring their dogs near it either.

FWIW.

You don't see dogs allowed in school events or in stadiums, does that make them not family friendly all of a sudden?

Jeff Dreger · Post by **Jeff Dreger** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 9:01 am

I saw lots of dogs at the art walk

OK, so I'm a little confused... were the signs up or not? did these dog owners see them or not? was this a law/rule they didn't like so they chose to ignore it? not accusations here, just unclear as to why "lots of dogs" were at the art walk if signs really were posted that they were not allowed?

Missy Limkemann · Post by **Missy Limkemann** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 9:06 am

the signs were posted on the barricades that blocked the streets, like at Warren Road. I didnt see the sign till my 2nd walk thru because all the people blocked them. But I saw lots of dogs all over the place. People walking them, carrying them etc. I was thinking of bringing George (chihuahua)with me, but he bites strangers. LOL. But he is small enough that I could have just carried me with him. But after seeing the crowd I am glad I did not bring my pets with me. I can see why there were signs though, a ton of people in small places with dogs just isnt a good mix.

Steven Greenwell · Post by **Steven Greenwell** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 9:34 am

Steven - I could be reading too much into your post, but I get the feeling sometimes that dog owners feel they have the right to go anywhere at anytime with their animals. As crowded as the Arts Fest can be (and that's a good thing), I really don't see the need to subject a dog to that and nor do I think most people want one more thing to trip over or step on.

Above is a quote from Jeff in previous post (sorry, I don't know how to use the quote function on this forum).

Jeff -- Yes, you're reading too much into my post. I was just stating my experience of the facts. I've been to Art Festivals allowing dogs and I was disappointed that Lakewood doesnt'.

Colleen Wing · Post by **Colleen Wing** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 10:41 am

I can only speak from my experience for the last few years but I have always seen signs for no dogs. Bikes aren't allowed either.

Having had a booth for two years (a seperate incident) there are a lot of rules that the Festival has which they don't enforce throughout the festival. The reason I was given is because they have volunteers enforce them, which they don't do. The police often are the only ones who say anything.

Dee Krupp · Post by **Dee Krupp** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 11:09 am

Jeff Dreger wrote:
I saw lots of dogs at the art walk
OK, so I'm a little confused... were the signs up or not? did these dog owners see them or not? was this a law/rule they didn't like so they chose to ignore it? not accusations here, just unclear as to why "lots of dogs" were at the art walk if signs really were posted that they were not allowed?

There are signs at the parks as well, but I'm always seeing dogs there. I respect the fact that dogs aren't allowed so I won't bring my dog. It angers me when others feel their dog is special so they can break the rules.

The Arts Festival is so very crowded, and dogs shouldn't be allowed. It's just not the ideal environment.

Rhonda....your event sounds like a blast!! I look forward to it.

Brad Hutchison · Post by **Brad Hutchison** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 11:34 am

I got chucked out of the Art Fest by the cops last year for taking my dog, so I knew better this year. I guess it makes sense, I just wish they would also outlaw giant SUV strollers with monster truck tires from such events. Much more of a nuisance and a danger to heels and exhibits alike.

I still don't understand why leashed dogs are forbidden in parks.

Valerie Molinski · Post by **Valerie Molinski** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 12:28 pm

Ivor Karabatkovic wrote:If I had $2000 or probably more worth of art hanging that took me a year to complete, I'd hope that people wouldn't bring their dogs near it either.

FWIW.

You don't see dogs allowed in school events or in stadiums, does that make them not family friendly all of a sudden?

A four year old can be just as destructive or worse than an untrained dog. I have both a dog and a four year old and neither would go near or touch 2k worth of art because they know better. Both have been trained to respect other people's property and are kept within reasonable control at all times in scenarios you describe.

I moved from a place where well behaved family pets were always welcome to events, so this is new for me. I dont get the assumptions that dogs= danger or destruction just by default.

Jeff Dreger · Post by **Jeff Dreger** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 1:45 pm

A four year old can be just as destructive or worse than an untrained dog.

IMHO, it's much more reasonable to say no animals than it is to say no families allowed.

I dont get the assumptions that dogs= danger or destruction just by default.

and I don't get the assumption that the opposite is true just by default

I was attacked by a dog. The dog was on a leash. The owner was "in control" of the dog. The owner was paying attention to the dog and its surroundings. The dog was (is) a very nice/good dog. All I did was walk by and say "hi"... with absolutely no warning whatsoever the dog lunged at me and bit me sending me to the ER. The dog had no history of anything remotely like this and I can't think of how the owner might have done anything different/better. The bottom line is that the dog is an animal and something for some reason made him react in this way at this time. I can't blame the dog or owner, but I can appreciate how some places and events are more appropriate than others for these animals. Even "good" dogs are still animals and can react suddenly in unexpected ways. The destructive four year old that you mention could be in for a nasty surprise if he/she accidentally steps on a dogs paw or something. I'm sorry, but I just don't see why people feel that bringing animals to events like this is a right or a necessity or that it somehow makes it more family friendly... or that the animal wouldn't prefer not to be subjected to crowds.