Hi There
I live on the Brisbane Northside (about 10km from CBD).
My ex-husband and I rescued three abused dogs when we lived in Dubai and bought them all back with us
to Australia when we came back 7 years ago.
One of the dogs - a now 13 yr old male border collie/spaniel/? called Sam has had anxiety issues since we
rescued him and in recent times has also become arthritic in his back legs. Due to this, he has developed
a real reluctance toward going to our local dog park due to the sheer amount of younger dogs and kids who try and
get him to play with them and he ends up starting to tremble and going straight for the gate to get out. I had
heard about the yellow ribbon idea a year or so ago and thought it might be a great way to allow Sam the enjoyment
of going to the dog park with our other 2 dogs plus give him the space and understanding from other pet owners / parents
that Sam is there to sniff and watch without being harassed. I will say that I did anticipate having to explain the
concept to most people but I wasn't prepared the "who cares" type attitude I received from most of them when I told them
about the concept and Sam. Therefore, the one day I took Sam in with a big yellow ribbon on his collar, I found it to be
not worth the effort as either people are uninterested, ignorant toward what the concept really is about or just downright
uncaring.
I know the project is aimed toward responses when people are walking their dogs in public as opposed to in a dog park situation.
Unfortunately with three big dogs, I cannot really walk them without being pulled in three different directions so most of their
interaction with the public is in fenced dog parks.
I don't take my dogs to that particular dog park anymore as Sam was getting too stressed and now go to dog parks where there are
few other dogs or older dogs and no kids to bother him. He doesn't need to wear the yellow ribbon for these reasons but all in all
I sadly found that the yellow ribbon idea here within my community was virtually unheard of and not a successful option for me when
I tried it.
I do think it is a marvellous idea - especially for older dogs. I have found with my three dogs that as they get older, their tolerance
to younger , more energetic dogs or to strangers wanting to pat them has declined and I have been told by a vet that this is common in
most older dogs.
I hope you get great coverage for your article as the more information out there in the public for the Yellow Ribbon Idea is needed
urgently. If you would like to take some pics of Sam or have me email you some of him wearing a yellow ribbon on his collar, just let me
know. You are welcome to use the comments I have given also and edit them as you wish.
Good Luck with it . I really mean that. Your doing a really really good thing for all vulnerable , sensitive + every dog who could benefit
from the Yellow Ribbon Program.
