Strolling Prospect Avenue in no way resembles the days when Sauk Indians humped back and forth on what was then their trail linking northern Wisconsin to Illinois. These days traffic pounds north on the one-way. You can count on it pounding between 3pm and 5pm, M-Fri., when people are released from their cubicles. A block west is Farwell with a clump of colorful condos, Mr. Shoe and Green Gallery East, a strip of beauty parlors, a place to have your eyes checked and your car gassed. Around 7:30 a.m., the traffic starts to pound south, carrying hopefuls back to their workday cubicles. The frightfully fit ride bicycles.
The trash trucks, those managers of waste, crash around frequently, but what would we consummate consumers do without them? They’re no worse (just different) than the bells calling the neighborhood faithful to worship, or the wail of sirens or the thrum of bands wafting tunes from a nearby fest. Most folks are up early girding themselves for work, but I stay in bed listening to the elevator descending to the inner lobby, the route out to potty Fido and/or Fluffy. The truly dedicated head for the workout room; others go for a run with a stop at Starbucks on the confusing corner where Farwell crosses Brady.
I note here, that where I live, Fido or Fluffy must weigh less than 65 lbs. and when not in the owner’s unit, must be in a carrier or on a leash not to exceed 6 feet. Come on now, who’s measuring and weighing? If you’re a dog, you better not be a wolf hybrid, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Pit Bull or a rugged Rottweiler. Regardless of what you weigh, insurance concerns will keep you out. Dogs don’t always live a dogs’ life.
Here’s another: no more than two pets (birds, cats, dogs and fish) per unit. Thankfully, there’s no need to count the fish; they’re counted by “aquarium.” If you are a ferret, mouse, rabbit, reptile or snake, or other exotic species, Get Lost! The Board can evict you for “cause,” whatever that means in lawyer terms. Another condo development allows two pets but only one dog, and it prohibits Akitas, Chow Chows, and the rare Perro de Presa Canario mutt to its list. The male Canarios weigh a miniumum of 100 lbs. and belong in the pit bull category. I’d hate to share an elevator with one wouldn’t you? No way would a 6ft. leash be enough between me and a Canario.
Highland Woods in Madison (www.hwcondo.org) allows two pets but they can’t be kept for breeding, and if you’re thinking livestock, poultry, rabbits or “other animals,” you’re out of luck. What in the world is an “other” animal?
If you’re looking for a fountain for doggie to sip from, decorative ones are everywhere up and down and around Prospect Avenue. Oases of cool, on a good day a few Fidos even get a dip courtesy of their owners, and frankly, I don’t have a problem, though others may have concerns about a homeless chap stripping off his shirt and washing it in a fountain. It must be tough being “on the street,” but don’t you think keeping clean is part and parcel of human dignity? However, I would advise my fellow Homo-sapiens to NOT drink the water.
The night view up here is glorious too….
