New television show promotes 'pet-iquette'

It looks like doggie heaven.

At the Desert Breeze Dog Park on Spring Mountain Road and Durango Drive, all dogs, regardless of breed, can romp around in one big group.

They well outnumber their best friends, the humans who dutifully throw balls and Frisbees for them.

And the vivacious Dalmatian Harley, like a canine St. Peter, greets newcomers at the gate.

Luckily Harley's owner, Ann Herrington, is here to see that this paradise is not lost.

"We are here today to promote dog park etiquette, which is critical in a place like this due to the sheer number of dogs," she said.

In fact, Herrington hopes to reach more than just park-goers with her words of pet wisdom. She has arrived with a film crew to begin a new TV program that will encourage responsible pet ownership.

Herrington and Harley will co-host "Animal Avenue," a half-hour weekly show committed to nurturing the human/animal bond, and she thinks the dog park is an ideal place to start filming.

"The dogs here are in their element. But the owners still need to act responsibly. We have had a few incidents where unsupervised dogs have bit or been bitten. Some owners will just drop off their pets and go shopping."

"And some still won't clean up after their dogs with the baggies."

But dog park etiquette is only the beginning for "Animal Avenue."

One of the show's major objectives will be to get animals adopted from local animal shelters. Each week the show's "Adoption Alley" segment will show a live parade of animals currently up for adoption, Herrington said.

"And we plan to get real confrontational on this show at times, interviewing individuals trying to dispose of their pets at the shelter. We want to let them know that what they are doing is statistically tantamount to a death sentence, as their pet will most likely be euthanized."

"Animal Avenue" will feature a live interview of special guests, focusing on topics that affect animals in the community. Viewers will be invited to call in with questions.

"Through the show's different segments, we will try to construct a roadmap to responsible pet ownership," Herrington said. "Our 'Vet Circle' segment will feature experts on pet health, with information about nutrition, immunization, and micro-chipping.

" 'Kids Korner" will feature our kid reporter Zackary Mills. He'll interview kids and talk to their pets.

" 'And 'Memory Lane' will be hosted by our senior reporter Rick White. He will meet with seniors in our community to talk about the effects pets have in their lives."

"We want people to realize that the responsibility of pet ownership is a lot of hard work, but it's well worth it," said Ann Lake, Media Partners for Pets Director of Cat Fostering.

And so say the smiles on the faces -- both human and canine -- at the dog park.

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