By Daniela Caride Publisher
Cleo, waiting for her forever family. Sadly, it won't be us. (Photo courtesy of Kelly Austin)
My husband, Martin, and I always thought our dream dog would never show up. We wanted to adopt a young German Shepherd Dog, very affectionate with all creatures who had potential for Schutzhund training.
As unlikely as it seemed, we found her this week.
A friend sent me an e-mail about Cleo, a 66-pound, 2-year-old German Shepherd who had been trained for several months. Then her owner got sick, which forced him to surrender two of his four beloved shepherds. Cleo was one of them. She is the sweetest dog ever — living in a foster home with a cat and several dogs, she gets along with everyone.
At night I called Cleo’s foster mom, and we had a wonderful conversation about her and our happy household. My dogs Frieda, Geppetto and Lola would love to have another playmate, and she would enjoy it even more.
So the next morning I called animal control just to double-check on dog limits in Cambridge, MA, where we live, before scheduling Cleo’s trip from Tennessee. The officer told me I couldn’t bring more than three dogs to any park. I would have to spend double the time walking four dogs — who are very sweet and well behaved — just because they are dogs.
Even with the hassle, I decided to make such sacrifice for Cleo. During the week, I would walk the dogs in turns. On weekends, Martin and I would go to the park together with four dogs, and he would take Cleo to Schutzhund training.
Cleo at her foster home. (Photo courtesy of Kelly Austin)
But that wasn’t all. The officer added I would need a kennel license. Any address in Cambridge with more than three dogs needs it, even if the dogs are just part of the family. I knew that. What I didn’t know is that kennel licenses here are only issued for some zoning areas.
So I left a message at the inspection department to check if my home was eligible and headed to Fresh Pond Reservation with the dogs for our walk.
There, we passed by three nannies chatting merrily. One was pushing a stroller with six kids and pulling a cart with a toddler. Another one was pushing another six-seat stroller filled to capacity, and the third one had a full double stroller.
I did the math — 15 kids divided by 3 equals 5 kids per person. The nannies were enjoying the fall at Fresh Pond while making honest money by walking a truckload of babies. Nobody interrogated them about the kids’ ages, asked for license tags or proof of vaccination.
And all I wanted was to be able to walk Cleo with us every day as my fourth canine kid. How I envied those women.
I asked myself why it’s so difficult to get one more dog here. Is it because dogs can be vicious? It makes no sense. Humans are the meanest creatures ever. Dogs may kill to defend themselves or to eat. Humans are capable of killing for pleasure. But we, of course, protect our kind. I wouldn’t be fined, evicted or jailed for having 15 children. Kids are kids, and all the rest are seen as beasts.
When we reached the dog pond, my phone rang. And while I watched Frieda, Geppetto and Lola happily wrestling over a stick in the water, the inspector told me Cambridge doesn’t issue kennel licenses in my home’s zoning area. He was very sorry.
The inspector’s words killed me. I am so sorry Cleo can’t be part of our wonderful life only because she is a dog. I feel so unwelcome, unfit and lonely.
That’s the price I pay for loving beasts so much.
Update: Cleo has been adopted!!
This sucks, Daniela! So many rules, so many regulations! You are absolutely right!
People are allowed to have as many kids as they want, regardless if they will take good care of them or if they will disturb the whole neighborhood (as they frequently do).
People do not complain when kids are screaming and making all sort of noises, but one dog barking will bring everyone into fits of rage!
Sometimes, life sucks! I am very sorry for your and Martin, and most of all, sorry for Cleo! ;-((
Thank you, Marise. I hope she finds a wonderful home soon. If you know of any people who could take a wonderful GSD, please forward this e-mail.
Yeah, I feel very happy for people who love kids and have as many as they want. I wished I could do the same. Look at Angelina Jolie! I don't understand why other animals don't deserve as much neighbors' understanding and patience as human children.
:-(
It is really unfair Dani!!! Sometimes i meet people who complain that an apartment building (edificio) is becomming a kennel because thare are many animals in it and that they bring noise , ilnesses etc… The same people who complain about this fact do not complain about children slamming the doors of the elevators or running like mad and crying out loud in the biulding´s common area , bothering all the neighbours.
I know many persons here in Rio de Janeiro who have more than 4 cats or dogs in an apartment and live quite normalyy, without bothering anyone.
My grand mother once had 1 dog and 23 cats in her apartment, here in Rio. And when she died , they stayed in her apartment, with two maids, who took care of them and the house, for nearly three years until we found a good home for all of them.
Wow, Marcia, it's so great that you took care of all those animals and
found them good homes after your grandma died. Thank you!
Yep, I really don't think four dogs would be a big deal, especially
here. We have a big house, backyard, and our neighbors have dogs.
Daniela,
this so assanine.It makes me so angry.Knowing how you love your furry kids.Love those dogs you have a little harder today.Hang in there Daniela,joan
Thanks, Joan. The support of friends is the only good thing I take
from this experience. Thanks for your words.
It is unbelievable that people there can have as many weapons as they want, practically without restrictions, leading to frequent actions of snipers that kill inocents at university campi, shoppings, anywhere, as we can read daily in the newspapers, and it is not allow to have more than three dogs at home, … NONSENSE!
Yeah, I feel dog restrictions here are very severe.
Hi, Susana. I agree that it is absurd to limit the pet numbers like that, and that it certainly appears to be an abridgement of Dani's civil rights, but as for your other point, I have 2 words: Second Amendment.
Yes Minniemeow, you are right, but if you go to the site of the U.S. Constitution you´ll see that there are a lot of discussions and doubts about it, for example: "In spite of extensive recent discussion and much legislative action with respect to regulation of the purchase, possession, and transportation of firearms, as well as proposals to substantially curtail ownership of firearms, there is no definitive resolution by the courts of just what right the Second Amendment protects". Anyway, the important issue here is that it´s a pity that Cleo will not have the opportunity to share Daniela´s love.
I'm so sorry, Dani.
Thank you, Margie.
Wow! Don't you think that's a little backwards?? isn't it the price you pay for living in a place that represses your freedoms, rather than the price you pay for loving animals?? YOU are in the right! The GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS are wrong! Don't just take it! Fight back and get those regulations changed! As the mother of many happy pets, I cannot believe you are just willing to "take it." Where is your indignation and determination?? YOUR heart is in the right place, but it doesn't sound like the rulers of Cambridge have one! Poor dog.
Hi, Ginnie, you are right, and I will fight back. But I won't be able to change rules soon enough to take Cleo, and that's why I feel so bad. Changing regulations, if it happens, might take several years.
thank you for sharing this, I like your blog, good continuation
I'm sorry for you :( Cleo looks like a sweetheart, and a good family member. I have three fur kids (A ferret, a corgi and a 6 month old kittern) and I wouldn't give them up for anything! Here's hoping you find a happy ending
Thank you, Meggie! That's very sweet of you.
:-)
Hi Penny,
Thanks for your comment. The law is clear about not allowing more than 3 dogs without a kennel license, and kennel licenses cannot be issued in the area I live. Despite all that, I was able to get an OK from the local authorities to bring a fourth dog home. I am writing several stories about what happened, to be published later this year, probably in my book.
I'll keep you posted.
i dont understand.. if you like the dog so much and could provide a stable and loving home, why not take her? regulations are for those who abuse the ability to successfully take care of a number of pets and become dangerous horders. as long as you are loving and took care of them all without letting them become a nuisance (sound or smell with the neighbors), there would have been no problems.
I like the update: Cleo has been adopted! Yay!
Hi, JJ
I agree that many laws are not worth a penny, but I don't lie and, no matter how dull laws can be, I don't cheat. I woud not tell I have four dogs, but somebody could report me.