One of the reasons I fell in love with Whidbey Island, in addition to environmentalists, Democrats, folk dancers, lots of musicians, etc, was that almost every vehicle had 1 or more dog passengers. There are several off-leash parks and an off-leash beach where we can enjoy Puget Sound as we meet other dogs and owners, dogs and humans making new friends and enjoying the natural world. We try to always be aware that not everyone loves dogs like we do so dogless people, although welcome. are given respectful distances. Solitary walkers or sitters are given their meditative space. Irresponsible dog owners are rare, but they do exist. Just like lots of other ways in which humans are irresponsible to one another.