By Catniss "Kitty" Friedman
Clearly purr-sistence truly does pay off. As another Valley Reporter Dog Issue was announced my heart sank knowing that the Mad River Valley’s feline citizenry would once again be minimized. Fur the past three years I have respectfully submitted letters encouraging the editorial staff to consider a potential cat issue.
I am heartened to know that progress has been made and that my feline friends will have greater inclusion in this issue. I’d like to thank the powers that be at The Valley Reporter for hearing our voices, I sincerely hope you are not just paw-ndering to our constituency. While I would still prefer to see a dedicated cat issue or at least a more inclusive name change, dog-gone it, I am appreciative of the progress being made.
Now it is time for me to turn my attention to a pet-related mew-vment taking hold here in the Mad River Valley. That being the concept of a new dog park in The Valley. While intellectually speaking, I don’t understand the need for the development of this in-fur-structure, I am all fur-it.
In fact, I put my money where my mouth is and have made a donation to the effort. I shih-tzu not and encourage you to do the same. I am glad to know that my name will be placed on a plaque for my canine paw-tners (and their people) to see.
Why am I so supportive? Frankly, I’m not too sure, it just seems like the right thing to do. Perhaps, they will return the favor at some point, not holding my breath but hey, anything is paw-sible. I dug into some of the features of the proposed park and it is truly an ambitious project.
Apparently, my canine friends have a need for “socialization” and a place to expel some of their boundless energy. You must be kitten me. Why can't they just relax at home like us, but whatevfur!
There will be a large fenced-in area, which is great because dogs certainly have a proclivity to wander and the results can be ruff. It will also feature entry vestibules to manage access and avoid conflict. I never understood why dogs feel the need to sniff each other’s butts when meeting and often times get all aggressive with one another. but to each his own I suppose.
Other key components of the plan are a toy library, along with play features and structures to help entertain these simple-minded creatures. I find this purr-plexing as an inexpensive length of yarn or a rolled-up ball of pay-purr suffices to entertain us. Oh, my pug-ness, these mutts could learn from us cats in regard to entertaining one’s self as we are far more imaginative.
Apparently, there will be plenty of signage clearly outlining the rules for the park. Breaking mews, I’m pretty sure none of these dogs will ever bother to read them. Us cats don’t need rules and regulations, that why towns don’t require us to be licensed, just sayin'.
The most compelling element of the dog park is a place to compost their collective excrement. Now this is a pawsome idea. If this helps to keep one poop off of the trails it makes the project all worthwhile. I never understood why they can’t casually go off, dig a hole, do their business and cover it up like us. Dog-gone it, what can you expect from a species that has a tendency to eat their own poop, but I digress.
When last I looked, I noticed that the “park funding” effort has been successful and the final goal is a mere whisker away. I strongly encourage you to join me in supporting this worthwhile investment in our community right meow. You can learn more by clicking the link at www.mrvrd.org. Imagine the paw-sibilities! How about a cat park in 2024, or would suggesting that be a faux paw?
Wishing everyone a purr-fect New Year.
Catniss “Kitty” Friedman lives in Moretown
