opinions // 20 theotherpress.ca Keep your doggone canines away from me » Animals should respect and behave =) Cazzy Lewchuk Staff Writer do not like dogs. Especially yours. Yes, even though yours is different than the other ones. Most pet owners and/or lovers think I don't have a soul when I make this statement, but a lot of people aren't dog lovers. We have allergies, sad childhood experiences with other dogs, or we just aren't one for animals—which is usually fine: people who don’t like dogs aren't forced to keep them as pets. But many pet owners show disrespect to the personal space and preferences of others with their dogs. Having a pet creates a certain degree of entitlement. Some of it is justified, in that you have to take care of a living being. Dog owners need to take their animals in public, just like those who have kids do. But too often, owners forget that not everybody likes or is even : used to dogs. Far too often excuses such : as “Oh, he’s friendly!” “She : doesn’t shed!” or “He barks at : everybody?!” are made when : dogs behave in a way that : makes others uncomfortable. : Dogs by nature are friendly : animals. They may be jumping : on you or barking at your : kid out of genuine affection. : But those who aren't used to : animal behaviour don’t know : that, and it’s important to : keep dogs at ease in public : or around others just as with : children. Many places, particularly indoor buildings, prevent dogs : from entering altogether or : request that they be kept on : a leash. It’s very important : to follow these rules and not : assume that your pet can be : the exception. Everyone’s dog : is “special” and “friendlier” : than other dogs. A dog in : a store may make others : uncomfortable, trigger : allergies, or endanger itself (by : eating a display of chocolate, : for example). This also goes for : buildings that don’t allow pets. : Your dog may be housebroken, : but it only takes one accident : to ruin a carpet forever. No matter how trained or friendly a pet is, it’s still : an animal and behaves : ina way that’s frequently : uncomfortable to others. Pet : owners and bystanders need to : respect each other to ensure a : safe and healthy environment : for all parties. And it’s not : just in public; firm rules must : be established in the owners’ : homes. Dogs should not : bark or growl at guests. They : shouldn’t jump on or attempt : to have sex with a visitor’s legs. : If requested, the dog should : not be in the same room as the : visitor, and there should bea : reasonable attempt to clean : the room a dog had occupied. : Ihave allergies and I don’t : want dog hair all over my good : clothes. Having a pet is rewarding, but a big responsibility. Dogs : are faithful companions for : life, but they must learn to : respect others the same way : they would their owner. Home 1s where your stuff 1s » Why there is nothing wrong with staying home Elliot Chan Opinions Editor Y _ Mopinions @theotherpress.ca here is often this bludgeoning urge to go out and seize the day. Ona Friday night, it sure seems like everyone is eager to make something of it, but more often than not, it just means going to the same restaurant or bar, with the same people, and stumbling home to a well- deserved Saturday morning hangover. With such a great desire to make it to the weekend or holiday break, maybe we should take some time to relax and just stay home. I love travelling. It’s the passion that drives my very existence. Knowing that I have some place to go in the near future excites me the same way a new superhero movie may excite other people. I love travelling, but commuting sucks. Being out of my natural environment, the little niche I created for myself, sucks. I dislike long bus rides, and I : can barely speak English let : alone any other languages, so : communicating in a foreign : place is always a lengthy game : of charades. I love travelling, : but I can’t imagine doing it all : the time. : : Staycation, the term coined : : for the act of staying at home : during a long weekend ora : holiday season, is a perfectly : reasonable way to take a break. : Regular day-to-day life is : stressful to say the least, and : travelling—especially with : a group—whether it’s down : to the pub or to the other : side of the world, is no less : exhausting. It’s a good idea to get out of the house once in a while : and experience something : other than television shows : and instant noodles. But if you : find yourself dashing here and : there on a daily basis, stop, : take a moment, lie down in : your bed, walk out into your : garden, open your closet, look : out your window, scan your : bookshelf, survey your pantry, : and experience the very place : you live in. The grass may always : seem greener. You look at a Experience the very place you live in. : picturesque image of a beach : in Thailand, you look at : the happy photos of friends : drinking in a bar, and you : feel tempted. Embrace that : temptation should it happen. : Don’t force yourself to stay at : home, but don’t force yourself : to go out either. The choice is : yours. Nevertheless, if your : choice is to stay home, know : this: you are going to have : the freedom to do whatever : you want, wear whatever you : want, and nobody will kick you : out or charge you a $10 cover : to enter. You can fall asleep : without having to transit : home. You can leave a mess : and nobody will get angry. You : can listen to your own music, : watch the shows you like, read : the books you want, and eat : the food you cooked. Home is not a prison; it’s : where your stuff is, and you’ve : worked hard for all your stuff. THE LEARNING CENTRE PRESENTS ecu oy KICKOFF WHEN: Wednesday, April 8, 11:30am-2:30pm WHERE: New Westminster Concourse EVENTS: Play games and win prizes Learn hip hop dancing with Monique Test your physical endurance Try the 30-Minute Hit Get answers to study questions Learn stress relief strategies And more! wey i NG Partners: The Library, Otfice for Mew Students, - tee er ee ls CENTRE other Press newspaper, Float House & Chartwella