Dog walking is one of Ballito’s joys

One of the best things about living in Ballito is being able to take your dogs for a walk on the promenade or on the beach. One of my little dogs greatest joys is to go scrabbling over the rocks looking in the pools and searching for crabs. My Great Dane loves to strut her stuff on the promenade. It is relaxing and fun for both myself and my dogs.
I find it disturbing that Mr Vorster (No reason for dogs to be on the beaches, Courier, April 3) refers to dogs as pollutants. These are our loving animal companions! Despite how he obviously feels about dogs and I’m quite sure he doesn’t have any of his own, there are very many people in Ballito who love dogs. Having only been living in Ballito for six months I have found the community to be amazing and caring. Most everybody is happy to give your dog a pat and say hello which the dogs absolutely love. Children are always happy to come running up and give my dogs a cuddle.
Despite there obviously been a few dog walkers who might not pick up after their pooches there are also those of us who without fail always have a “poo packet” just in case.
And let’s be honest – why live near a beach if you don’t enjoy it? Being able to sit and watch the waves crashing on the shore, feel the sand under your feet and being able to do this with my dogs who are inextricably part of my family is balm for my heart.
This is a beautiful place filled with beautiful people and it is to be shared with our human and animal companions.
TRACY HERBST
Ballito