Don't Take Away My Beach

Okay, I'm not a political animal but right now I'm mad as a rabid boar.
The only place I can swim (forget that stuff I've said about being a water wuss) is in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. They have all the beaches around here and it's always been off leash. Then, in 2002, they illegally imposed a leash law, actually telling us Newfs (and Labs and Goldens and Chessies, etc.) that we could not swim within the first 300 feet unless we were on a leash. Please, talk about a recipe for drowning.
Dad and some others fought them in court and won. But now they're up to no good again trying to take away my right (but not obligation) to eventually be a WRD. The GGNRA just has to go. Where, I don't care but not here. I swore to Big Jack I would not let them do this again. If a Newfie can't go to the beach and romp, then I'm heading back to Canada.

And while I'm on the subject of anti-doggers, a couple of times the Rangers have said to Dad, "it's just a dog" and other such nonsense. For them and those who think like them, I offer the following:


"Just a Dog"
(by Richard Biby)

People have said to me from time to time things like "lighten up,
it's just a dog" or "that's a lot of money for just a dog." They
say to me they don't understand the distance traveled, the time
spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog". Some of my proudest
moments have come about with "just a dog". Many hours have passed
and the only company I had was "just a dog", but I did not once feel
slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by
"just a dog", and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of
"just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.
For those of you who do not understand the whys and wherefores of
"just a dog", then you will probably understand phrases like "just a
friend", "just a sunrise", or "just a promise".
"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship,
trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out in me the
compassion and patience that make me a better person. Because of
"just a dog", I will rise early, take long walks, and look longingly
to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog"
-- but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the
fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. "Just a
dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from
myself and the worries of the day.
I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog"
-- but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being
"just a man". So, the next time you hear the phrase, "just a dog",
just smile, because they "just don't understand".
Just a thought."


'Nuff said on the subject. I'm a bleeding Newfie for Dogs' Sake. I'm only here to help and look cute and bring joy to mankind and dogkind. Why can't we all just get along? And if not, we were here first. Indeed, the first dog indigeneous to North America. We served our Native American friends well and they were good to us. And goodness, where would Lewis & Clark have ended up if it hadn't been for "Seaman"???

Okay, okay, I said I was done with this. Big congrat to Gizzie -- he's a water maniac. And lots of love to Nanook and Pooka. Finally, all my love to the Karazans who are my family, my friends and my love.

Andrew's snoring (again) so it's time to give him a lick and catch a few winks.