Bad Boys

There are two things I've learned about Toronto and it's inhabitants since I moved here last March. (1) This is an extremely legalized and rule-driven city and (2) Torontonians like to complain A LOT. It all started a couple of weeks ago when the debate over off-leash areas in local parks popped up in the news. People have started to complain about seeing dogs not on leash in areas where they clearly should be, and also about owners not picking up after their pets. I've been guilty of having Elliott off his leash when he should be but I always pick up after him. Then a couple of Animal Control Officers showed up at the park I go to, hid in the bushes and waited until a dog strayed outside the off leash area and pounced, giving the unfortunate owner a ticket for $150. People are tense and this has forced me to notice my surroundings a bit more. Yesterday my neighbour leaned over the fence to tell me that a fellow neighbour from down the street left a nasty, unsigned letter in her mailbox, complaining about her kids playing basketball on the street. She doesn't like the noise it creates and has threatened to call the police the next time she sees/hears them since it is officially illegal to play "ball" games on our street. OK people, how ridiculous does this seem to you? I'm not saying that Nova Scotia is the most liberal of provinces, but it seems to me that the lack of ridiculous rules and police being called in to break up useless neighbourly arguments is a positive thing. Is it just me or are the people in this ever growing metropolis a tad wound up? I was out with Elliott this afternoon, talking to an elderly neighbour who calls Elliott her "favourite dog on the street". When I mentioned that he'd run in and out of a couple of neighbour's backyards on our way home after playing at the park, she said I'd probably hear some complaints from them. Doesn't anyone have anything to do around here except spy and complain about their neighbours? Where's the love?