Dog Days of Summer

Okay, so I totally suck. But that's just because I can't think of any good excuses for ignoring this blog. All I can do is try harder. I don't know, maybe if I called it Pitt Bull Post I'd stay on top of it more and follow up regularly. And that conveniently brings us right around to today's topic - irresponsible neighbors with crazy dogs - and why I'm thinking about moving.

What is wrong with people? You live in the city - and I'm not talking about the outskirts, I'm talking about a city plot, not far out of downtown, where you know there are kids and families and other people with dogs. Are you stupid, oblivious, or just don't care? Although I'm talking about our new neighbor, it could be so many people's neighbors in Akron - or any other city out there.

I'm sure the owners are quite nice. It's just too bad that we may never find out. Our first encounters with them have been through their dogs, two pitt bull mixes, one of which has been terrorizing the neighborhood. Both dogs are left outside on relatively flimsy tethers all day and evening, and they bark pretty much constantly, but I would probably be able to tolerate it if that's all it was. But one dog has broke off its tether several times - and the last straw for us was the day it came after my 3-year-old daughter while she was in our yard playing.

The dog in question is younger, newer to their family, from an abused situation, and does not like men, according to the owner with whom we spoke before this whole situation erupted. The owners also know that it keeps breaking its leash, but they act like it's no big deal and even questioned its ability to get loose. We held off contacting authorities about the dogs barking constantly at all hours and the one dog standing in our driveway barking and growling at me as I tried to pull in. We wanted to be good neighbors and we tried to talk to the owners to keep it between us. But when the dog started threatening us directly, trying to get at us, pulling through the bushes that divide our properties and coming onto our driveway, and even viciously growling at us, that's when I called the authorities. It was unfortunate that it took until it broke its chain (for the 3rd or 4th time) and tried to get at my daughter and mother-in-law, for them to come out and attempt to enforce the law. I do understand that there are rules and protocol they must follow.

Oh and did I mention that the dog ran up and down the neighborhood, threatening anyone who was outside in their own yards. I've never encountered anything quite like it. And the owners? Even though their trucks are usually in the yard (not driveway) and their doors and windows are wide open, they are never anywhere to be seen. We've yelled, put notes on the door and talked to them directly. Seems like a visit from the dog warden was the only thing that got the situation to change.

I'm not looking to condemn an entire breed and I don't believe most cases of craziness are incurable. I think animals mostly get a really bad reputation due to the actions - or inaction - of us humans. We demand way more from our pets than they are often able to give. We think they are more-or-less human and can understand us. Then we get mad when they don't. We think we're doing a righteous thing when we rescue a cute animal from a bad situation, then we don't do anything to rehabilitate it - and we wonder why it's not thankful and happy and well-adjusted. We tie them up and we keep them in cages or basements. We don't let them run out their energy and give them jobs that reflect their breeds and personalities. Then we wonder why they tear up our houses or can't be around people. Sometimes, I think people believe dogs are just as happy sitting around a house watching TV and growing fat just like their owners. But most often, they are not. And they try to tell us in the only ways they know how. We just tend to ignore the signs.

And that's one of the most fascinating hypocrisies to me. If most humans really do think our animals are just like us, why would we treat them this way? I mean, would you want to be kept indoors all day, locked in a cage, put on a leash in the yard for hours on end with little to no attention or affection? If you were abused your entire life, how trusting would you be?

So I'm happy to say that my daughter is fine and we have a big, dopey dog, so she's not afraid of dogs due to this situation. My husband and I, on the other hand, are a little more leery about people and pups, and we recently started reconsidering our decision to stay in our Akron neighborhood. We are now actively looking at homes, some of which are in Akron. We love our city and even our neighborhood, and we really wanted to stay. However, we're no longer under the illusion that our neighborhood is improving, and that's a real shame.

There are some good things that came out of this. I now know my rights and responsibilities better when it comes to my own dog, as well as others. I got to know my local dog warden. My awesome friends at the Humane Society were a big comfort and helpful throughout. I even appreciate my dog a little more.

The Blight at the End of the Tunnel

I can't figure out why the City of Akron does nothing about some of its most obviously blighted areas. Not that I think that government can solve all problems, but surely the City could at least find a way to knock down some buildings and plant some grass if private entities aren't willing to rehab the spaces or sell them to someone that will. I understand there's more to it than that. But why? It's not like it's a big secret where the worst problems areas are located. If you pay attention for a few minutes, it's pretty obvious. Wouldn't green space be preferable to rotting, boarded up old buildings that aren't likely to sell in any real estate market? Buildings that are prime targets for criminal activity? Buildings that do nothing to improve property values?

I've looked online for signs that positive change is on the horizon in my neighborhood. I've read of vague plans, heard talk of potential, and seen nothing meaningful happen over the last decade. A beautiful new school recently rose amidst blighted buildings. Young trees are planted along busy thoroughfares. We have a great library, parks and community services. Some families, businesses and organizations invest in their properties in the hope that their neighbors will take the hint. Yet, the same major eyesores continue to exist - everyone knows where they are - and nothing seems to move anyone with real power or money to do anything more than necessary.


The sad thing is that it wouldn't take much time or money to reap immediate rewards. A few strategically placed bulldozers and some grass seed would go a long way to making significant improvements. I'm not usually one to advocate for demolishing old buildings. I'm a proponent of rehab and recycling where possible. But I also know that not everything can be saved. Sometimes you just have to cut your losses and wipe the slate clean. I'd love to see a practical neighborhood redevelopment plan that brings private and public interests together to address the biggest problem areas in a way that encourages business and community investment. But knocking down a few buildings isn't a bad place to start.

With a little bit of effort by local leaders, new and established businesses might then be able to envision opportunity where they now see poverty. Young professionals and families might look twice at this urban neighborhood and decide that they can call it home - a place perfectly situated between downtown Akron and the Cascade Valley MetroPark (north and south). This is the potential we envisioned when we bought our home in North Hill. But now our optimism is starting to fade, and for the first time we are starting to open our minds to the possibility of somewhere other than Akron.

If the Akron truly wants to remain relevant to the people that want to call it home, it would be worth the time to make some meaningful efforts in its core neighborhoods. Most of us don't expect much more than a sign of progress. If even this is too much to ask, then the City shouldn't be surprised if people continue to leave.

And the Winner Is...(Not Us)

At a recent Akron Film contest that we entered (but didn't win), I was pleasantly (sort of) surprised to go up against so many good independent films. In past contests, relatively few well-produced short films have been sprinkled among a collection of average and lackluster films, several of which probably shouldn't have even been made. But this year was quite different, and the talent pool made drowning a little easier, for me at least.

I really don't like to lose (who does). But I'm proud to have encountered so many young, enthusiastic, talented, independent filmmakers right here in my community. I figure if I'm going to lose, I'd much rather lose to someone who deserves it than to lose to a stacked deck. Not that our film was bad. It was good; and in past years, it would have won. This time, we took a risk, did things a little different, and the gamble just didn't pay off. (Sounds familiar.) But that's life. We'll compete again. We always do.

It's important to keep getting back up, pushing the boundaries, challenging the status quo. If you don't play the game, you have no chance of winning. So don't count the Screamingreens out yet. We're just getting started.

All Good Things...

After committing to posting more regularly, I went completely the other way and posted nothing at all for about the last month and a half. It's been a strange, but not unpleasant, couple of years. A lot has transpired in little time, none of which is interesting to more than a handful of people, so I won't bore you with unnecessary drama. It's only worth mentioning to understand that it has all led to the crossroad at which I'm now standing. Most of us come to many of these throughout life and not all of them are unpleasant. It's just that the paths at this particular crossroad are a bit strange and unexpected. I've probably been more fortunate than most that I have a few minutes to stop and consider each path before choosing one and barrel down it. That doesn't happen often, and I'm still not sure which direction I'll end up traveling. All I know is that no matter which path I choose, I am committed to taking my voice with me - and hopefully the voices of others. So I'm refocusing VocalLocals to dedicate less effort to me and my content and more effort to:

• encouraging constructive dialogue about the local people, places, things and ideas that don't get discussed as much or as honestly as they deserve.
• helping local citizens organize around issues that are as important to me as they are to them.
• helping community members document the stories of the Akron community for current and future generations.
• encouraging action that stimulates pride and investment in Akron and in my North Hill neighborhood.

It's important that others participate. Come together to share ideas - similar and different. Organize around shared interests. Take action to create positive change. It won't work without all of you. Thanks for your time. I look forward to talking with you.

Jo.

Snow Days

I'm not much of a winter weather person. I appreciate winter, but prefer to admire it through a window from under a warm blanket while sipping hot cocoa. Fortunately, there are days like today to make me find joy in a season I respect, but rarely regard as enjoyable. Blue, Zoey and I went to Boston Mills ski resort in Boston Heights, a small community north of Akron, to scout locations and meet a friend of ours about doing a video about three generations that ski. It was a great time, even though neither Zoey nor I were dressed properly.

I shot and edited this quick little video of Zoey on my iPod while we were waiting for Blue to get some great shots of the slopes. Zoey helped me forget about the cold for a little while and reflect on the simple joys of being outside in the snow and just wanting to play, play, play until our fingers, toes and noses were about to freeze off. Chasing her everywhere helped, too.

Here's to winter in Northeast Ohio. You never really know what you're going to get each year, but there's truly nothing like it. It's part of who we are and at least it gives us something to talk about.