I just returned from Willard Beach today with my dog, Henry. Henry is a valued member of our family. He is a small, part-Spaniel stray found on the streets of Portland and saved by the Westbrook Animal Refuge League, which allowed my husband and me to adopt him. He’s given us much happiness.

The beach had many, many dogs today and I can’t help but wonder if the article in The Current reminded readers that dogs are allowed on the beach this time of year. I remember when I lived in Falmouth, and an article was written about Mackworth Island, how crowded it became in the days that followed.

I go to the beach with Henry about three to four times a week. He loves it. But, alas, some “beachfront owners” do not like the dogs on the beach. Why?

The dogs run and play with each other.

The people walk, run and visit with each other.

There is no snow to maneuver around.

There is little ice when you go at mid or low tide.

It is the most beautiful place to get exercise and fresh air.

It is the most beautiful place to get peace and comfort.

It is a safe place for people to get exercise in the winter. This has

been a very hard winter for walking and other outside activities. I do not ski anymore, and I never did like skating. So, walking or running are the two exercises I find most beneficial to me. With the ice and snow on the side roads, greenbelt and sidewalks, the beach is the perfect place.

Yes, I live in South Portland. Yes, there are people there from

surrounding communities. What is wrong with that? People who walk the beach in the morning pick up the trash left behind from whomever came the night before and ate, drank or sometimes engaged in unpleasant and/or unsafe activities.

The beachfront owners somehow cannot see the value to sharing their resources. They blame the sea grass (which they built their homes upon) or the safety of the children, (most of whom love the dogs and love to watch them play).

What is the problem? One unidentified resident said she was worried about the number of dogs running off-leash on the beach. What is her worry? It’s not like they do not have owners nearby. The dogs run, play and go home happy. There are too many other things to worry about. Save your worry.

Devon Gray wants the dogs off the beach after 9 a.m. all year? Why? Does she know how wonderful it is to walk the beach at 3 on a sunny winter day? I have only seen one incident where dogs were noisy and thay was when a person dressed in a wetsuit and goggles emerged from the water. Some dogs must have thought he was a creature from the black lagoon. It was the funniest thing I ever saw.

I personally do not see what the people are complaining about. Can we get some specifics? Or, better yet, let’s share our beautiful resources with others and be thankful that we can.

Judy Cunningham

South Portland