I’m once again going to be a big “law and order” guy. Back in the day when I was a lawyer, I just about had to be an upstanding law and order citizen. I must admit I’ve slipped a little and now and then drive just a little bit above the posted speed limit. But now I vow to be a better follower of the law, rules and regulations, in addition to being a little bit nicer and more considerate of others.

What prompted this change of heart, you ask? Well, the Christmas season might have had a bit to do with it, but what really tipped the scale was a walk in the Redmond Cemetery the other day. And the viewing of dog owners exercising their canine buddies.

One couple had a three-legged dog and walked it around the paved drive in the middle of the cemetery. So far, so good. But then another guy with his dog also on a leash decided it was time to do away with the leash and let the dog run after a ball he threw for the dog to chase wherever that ball might land. It’s a sight we’ve seen several times before.

The sign at the entry to the cemetery is clear: Dogs are allowed, but only if on a leash. When reminded of that fact, Mr. Dog Owner first pleaded no knowledge of the sign or the rule about dogs only on leash in our fair city. When told that this was a cemetery, not a dog park, he asked where the nearest one was. Told that it was in the Dry Canyon near Sam Johnson Park, Mr. Dog Owner commented on how that was quite a distance to go to exercise his dog. And he apologized if letting his dog run offended us.

Well, picky, picky, you might say. But let me finish. The cemetery is part of the area of Deschutes County and the city of Redmond that is subject to the dogs-must-be-on-a-leash law. And it is a rather sacred place where loved ones are buried and the plots in which they are buried are actually deeded to the loved one left behind. So it is like a dog running on your private property while in violation of a law. Not to mention it is offensive to me to have dogs running on my loved one’s grave and on the graves of fallen servicemen and servicewomen, pioneers, the former governor of our fair state and city founders.

I like dogs, and I like freedom to move about this great city. But I also believe I should obey laws and be considerate of private property rights of others.

All the excuses in the world do not make a wrong OK. Using common sense and respecting the law is the right thing to do.

— Miles Hutchins is a retired Redmond resident who grew up in Central Oregon. milesredmond@gmail.com