This is Fruitycake. When I was a stray dog living in a city, I thought that dogs weren’t allowed anywhere. I was getting chased away all of the time. So I really didn’t know where to go.

But when I was adopted, I found out that dogs are allowed at a lot of places. In fact, persons want to be with us and we add to the fun. I like feeling wanted.

But when we got to this campground in that Florida place this week, there was a sign by the beach that said no dogs. No dogs allowed. And all of those old feelings of mine came rushing back. Of not being allowed.

A beach with no dogs. And I wondered why. So Girl Person and Boy Person explained to me and Brickle that this particular beach was for birds and other wildlife.

She said that sometimes, persons don’t pick up after their dogs or follow rules. And so the sign made sense to me. It wasn’t because I wasn’t good enough to be on the beach. It just meant that there was a bigger picture to think about.

And since a beach that welcomes dogs is just a couple of miles away, we could go there. Sure. It wasn’t as convenient. But doing the right thing isn’t always the easiest thing to do.

We may take offense sometimes and take things personally. But do we see the bigger picture? Can we put ourselves on the other side? I can understand the beach with no dogs. And I can enjoy the beach with dogs and let the birds be comfortable and feel safe on their beach.

Travel has taught me that there are so many individuals like the birds and the wildlife and yes, even persons, that need to be protected.

There are some that infinge on others and take everything they think that they deserve without regard for a bigger picture. Stand out from the crowd and see how you can make the world better. Even if you have to go out of your way.

–Fruitycake The Raccoon