Trelawnyd Church has a shiny new notice on the gates...Now I am the first one to argue all dogs should be well behaved and under their owners control at all times but I think this decision is heavy handed especially as the old churchyard cemetary is overseen by flintshire county council. Interestingly on the council website it is stated that dogs are " always welcome in cemeteries as long as they are on a lead"I understand that the sign was put up by the church council after village elder Islwyn was accidentally head butted by a local Labrador
So I for one will be enjoying the old graveyard with old Winnie in tow for a good while longer
Oh, look at you and Winnie being rebels right underneath the Verboten sign!
ReplyDeleteOh Winnie, how beautiful and stoic you look.
ReplyDeleteSandra
x
She's stoic but fading just a little...her age is starting to show
DeleteI thought Is Will in the previous heading was good because of Islwyn
ReplyDeleteHo ho
DeleteI, for one, would not challenge Winnie when she's wearing that expression.
ReplyDeleteOnly if you are a workman
DeleteWinnie poor sweetheart you keep standing there to show how awful this sign is.
ReplyDeletecheers, parsnip
You tell’em Winnie . . .
ReplyDeleteStand proud . . . happy we have picture evidence . . .
When I got home after visiting my sisters ( it was also my twin sister's birthday) Winnie and Mary came with me into the churchyard
DeleteRebel WITH a cause!!
ReplyDeleteDon't mess with me sister
DeleteSome years ago, when he was still little, I'd take the Angel to the local park, just round the corner from where we lived, and into the municipal graveyard. When I say graveyard, it was also part cemetery including a patch for the Jewish departed. Whilst the Angel was riding his trike I'd pay tribute to individual graves, or rather making up stories about their lives. One day the vicar crossed our path. Oh dear. He smiled at both the Angel and me: The dead will be glad of the company, he said.
ReplyDeleteU
I love this graveyard. The rabbits, the grass, the broken sundial
DeleteThe laburnum ..
It's part of the cottage
One of the Churches in our village has a bowl of water at the door for dogs.I have been to a Church service for animals whilst on holiday-it was lovely in the Churchyard.I think whover felt the need to erect the notice is wrong.A dog poo sign or dogs on lead sign perhaps-but no ban on dogs x
ReplyDeleteI think it's a knee jerk reaction , and I aim to get it removed
DeleteI walk my dog in the cemetery every day. It’s peaceful and cool. Sometimes his friend the goldendoodle comes and they have a good run. We’re not stopping.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can get it removed. And am confident you will.
ReplyDeleteIt's not possible to out law accidents and nobody should even try
ReplyDeleteHere's to wishing y'all a swift, peaceful resolution. I'm surprised that whoever came up with the sign didn't stop to ask if this action would offend people and turn away potential supporters from a declining church population.
ReplyDeletePets are family. And if people feel like their families aren't being welcomed, they will not want to be a part of such a hostile community.
Love the foto. Civil disobedience!
Winnie, you go girl!
ReplyDeleteIt's a pity she dog owners are so irresponsible about training and confining their animals, and thus give every dog a bad name.
ReplyDeleteOur cemetery is a frequent dog walking place, and lots of the dogs are off lead.
We have a public Green Belt, through lovely native bush, that is "Dogs On Leads" and often I see dogs not leashed. Although unlikely, the dog may find a Kiwi out during the day and of course they would chase and kill it - thus the rule. I walk our Goldie in there frequently, but the thought of injuring a Kiwi, or scaring someone timid makes keeping her on her lead a No Brainer.
I hope you can get the cemetery rule reversed. "Pick up your poo" certainly, but no dogs is a but OTT.
My goodness, but Winnie is a gorgeous girl!
ReplyDeleteIt is a shame that some bad owners ruin things for everyone. If they would just pick up the poop and keep their dogs on a lead, everyone could visit without incident.
Oh, civil disobedience! Maybe you will be named in a sermon.
ReplyDeleteI read her expression as "Go ahead punk, make my day!"
ReplyDeleteNo one likes a head butt from a dog.
ReplyDeleteDon't let the moaning minnies win!
ReplyDeleteI’m a rebel too John! I giggled, yea!! Gabs
ReplyDeleteSend Winnie to the bishop to argue her case. Beautiful old girl she will win.
ReplyDeleteBuy Winnie a fur ruff, the sign doesn't say anything about lions.
ReplyDeleteI like this!
DeleteThe sign looks very much out of place there.
ReplyDeleteGreetings Maria x
I would have thought the church would have more empathy with folk who wish to take their dogs in the churchyard - you are a chap who I know is pooh-bag responsible - ignore the notice.
ReplyDeleteIf the Council's own website says that dogs are allowed, I don't see that they have a leg to stand on. Bit of a knee jerk reaction, it seems. Anyway, who could deny the lovely Winnie access?!
ReplyDeleteI walk through our Churchyard with Dillon regularly as it leads to a pretty lane. I do make sure he doesn't pee on the graves though !
ReplyDeleteDogs should always be welcome in church yards. I've lost count of the amount of times I see elderly folk with their canine companion visiting the grave of a loved one. Or younger folk paying their respects as they walk peaceably through.
ReplyDeleteCarry on your peaceful protest, I'll be surprised if you get challenged.
Heinous lawbreaker! This blogpost will be used in evidence when your case is brought before the church council. No doubt Chris will be sitting on the discipline panel along with Islwyn, Charlotte Church and St Bernadette of Lourdes.
ReplyDeleteTraditionally dogs have never been allowed in churchyards. I suppose because nobody wants their relative's grave to be pissed on - or worse. I always assumed that they had gates on them to keep the animals out. I can understand it.
ReplyDeleteWe regularly walk my dog around the grounds and cemetery of Stirling Castle. On one of the Open Doors days last year the very old and very beautiful Holy Rude Church was open. As we stood outside debating who would hold the dog first and who would go in for a look, the lady on the desk came out and said dogs are most welcome to come in too as they are God's creatures too. I'm not a Christian but was so pleased at this all welcoming approach to such an ancient historic building. And the dog behaved beautifully (for once!!!)
ReplyDeleteHope your sign comes down ASAP!
Dogs are welcome in Norwich Cathedral, actually inside the cathedral, on leads of course.
ReplyDeleteI like dogs, I like anything with two legs or four, that cannot answer back. But living on the cut I now find Labradors the biggest nuisance amongst dogs in general. They are always wet from jumping in the cut, they are always friendly and share their wetness. They often come aboard uninvited if they smell food
ReplyDeleteI told my kids never ever bury me in any cemetery that doesn't allow dogs on the grounds. Not my kind of crowd.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, are we going to have a legal crisis between the church and the city council? And, you're going to lead poor Winnie into the mix? How will she feel about having to testify in a court of law?
ReplyDeleteSilly rule, one adorable old bulldog.
ReplyDeleteHow many heartbreaking stories have we read about dogs who lie on their masters grave, as heartbroken as any human .
ReplyDeleteI think you should take all the dogs with you on the next walk ... IN the graveyard. Someones knickers are a bit twisted, they have to lighten up ...
We visit our cemetery regularly..such a beautiful peaceful place. We often see walkers, cyclists, mommies pushing strollers, little ones running about...strange I don't recall seeing any dog walkers but there is no sign forbidding it. Too bad that one unfortunate incident should ruin it for everyone in your village.
ReplyDeleteI think I would challenge it at a meeting first - perhaps citing the Council rule and just see what the response is. It might also be a good idea to have some other dog owners along for support.
ReplyDeleteBut I would also try to find out if it was only this one "accident" that caused this reaction. Perhaps there have been other incidents or dogs off leash that sort of thing and this was the final straw?
I am not a dog owner so I speak from another perspective. I have seen dogs being walked through some of our huge cemetaries here but all have been leashed, and I have no problem with that. I'm not sure it would be as appropriate in smaller graveyards where there are limited or no pathways between graves and it might seem disrespectful to people.
Unfortunately not all dog owners are responsible - I live near to a few large parks and the rules are very clear - all dogs must be leashed except in the designated off-leash areas - which are very large and are fenced. But there are always those who feel that these rules don't apply to them and I do have an issue with that. I walk with the use of a cane and don't want a big, strange dog - friendly though it may be - bounding up to me and either tripping me up or knocking me over - it's happened. I also don't think that people out with young children should have to worry about it either when they are in a location that is clearly marked for their use and not for dogs.
I want everyone to be able to use some of these beautiful outdoor areas but I do think that rules are there for a reason.
In this case I hope that you are able to discuss matters with those concerned and come to an amicable solution.
I am not sure this is going to be read, let alone digested. There are other more important things going on as far as I can make out. Dogs in churchyards? Civil matter, unless it involves the Catholic Church.
DeleteOf course there are...
DeleteGood for you, challenging this rather dubious prohibition. I'll be interested to see how they intend to enforce it!
ReplyDeleteI've emailed the vicar to have it amended or removed
DeleteWe have the same posted rule here in the local cemetery, and everyone ignores it.
ReplyDelete