I enjoy watching almost all sports occasionally, but I’m not a real fan of any Chicago sports teams. I really don’t care for baseball at all. So it’s no surprise that once again I missed the White Sox Dog Days on Wednesday, May 20. I’ve always thought I might like to go once, just so one of my dogs can walk on the field. And I have always had at least one South Side or south suburban born dog, so I suppose they would not have objected too strenuously to being dressed in Sox garb. Well, maybe a bandana or cap at least. Axel was born in the south suburbs and Freya in the northwest suburbs, so there would actually be a cute Sox-Cubs rivalry dress-up thing we could do there if they’d put up with clothing.
Maybe next year!
I want to take a second to look back to another Sox Dog Day, though: the one ten years ago when they almost banned Rottweilers and Pit Bulls from attending. It was one of many times I’ve seen the power of the Internet at work. The listmembers of Rottie-L, a Rottweiler e-mail discussion list, went into action at the urging of one of the Chicago area listmembers. Hundreds of emails and faxes went to the promotions manager of the White Sox. Rottweiler and Pit Bull people were also lucky to have radio host Steve Dale’s support. When he found out that the Sox were planning to discriminate against these breeds, he informed them he would not be participating should they go that route. The Chicago Veterinary Medical Association also pulled their support of the event. Ultimately, the Sox admitted their error, and the event has been open to all breeds ever since. As it should be. It really is the responsibility of dog owners to determine whether their dog, of any breed, is well trained and of suitable temperament to attend and enjoy a large group event like Dog Days.
(NaBloPoMo | May ‘09: 22 of 31 | 75% Challenge: 118 of 274)