40% of American families include a dog but there are few organizations that speak on their behalf. The result in San Mateo County, California has been that families with dogs are banned from using the lush parks and trails that this beautiful West Coast County possesses. Don't bring your dog to the beach.....legally. Be sure to pay your taxes, but don't expect much in return.

Over the past decade, more than a couple dozen dog owners groups have emerged from Chrissy Field in San Francisco to the Palo Alto People for Unleashed Pet Space to the Capitola Dog Owners' Group. The issues they address are not just those of the dogs, they are family issues: time, space and access to public parks and facilities for the entire family. See a partial list of Bay Area groups at http://www.menlodogowners.org/bay-area-dog-groups.html

Local governments in California best be prepared to address the issues of these dog owning soccer moms and dads with young, extended families that include their pets. Politicians have made the mistake of overlooking these very same people before.