Frustration, Joy, Despair; All in One Day

La Mirada~A friend, we'll call him MP, recently told me, "Tony, you have to write a La Mirada book someday."

Well, add another chapter.

An opinion piece, me? I don't do these any more, but I absolutely feel compelled in this instance.

Finally after over two weeks, I am able to write this story. As I said, over two weeks has passed now, and this year's 3rd of July event is now fading into distant memory for most.

Not so fast.

This 3rd of July started unlike any other. The annual event, which is kind of a watered-down, politically-correct version of the popular Regional Park shows of the 70's, is a very well attended event and is a lot of fun for everyone.

Well, this year, me in my infinite wisdom, thought it would be cool to park my full-size van along "motor home row" and enjoy the festivities. After all, I would be there most of the day, so why not? Those of us who have lived in La Mirada for dozens and dozens of years-we know the routine.

Now, personally I've been humiliated before, so I know what it feels like. I'm kind of used to it, but the iron-fist developments that were about to take place, even surprised La Mirada's #1 fan.

To make a short story as short as possible: Got up early to get good spot; some kind of misunderstanding about red curbs; 'no-parking' signs were covered up; recent years procedures were changed. You get the picture. Despite my best intentions and early morning rising-not only did I not get a good spot, I was given a $45 ticket from the city-not the sheriff.  I know LM is not getting any street-sweeping parking violation revenue for July, but c'mon, give me a break.

In fact, give us all a break. Oh wait, too late.

Here is how it stacks up. I don't think anyone got up that morning intentionally to violate parking restrictions, so obviously there was some kind of misunderstanding about the parking this year. Some rules were changed, the no parking area was increased, and perhaps curb that wasn't red last year was painted red this year. Ok. Whatever the reason, there was clearly a misunderstanding between the residents and the city. No big deal, just ask everyone to move, right?

Wrong.

Why threaten to tow? Why the heavy handed approach? Why give residents/customers a citation on Independence Day; and ruin their fun? In the patriotic sense of things, couldn't the city just simply ask the residents to move?

And moreover, I'm a member of the city's NEAT committee; I'm part of the La Mirada family. So now I can personally attest, we don't play any favorites in this town. At least that's one less thing to worry about.

Oh, the day got off to a great start all right, but little did I know, the worst had yet to come.

I worked the Kiwanis of La Mirada booth during the middle of the day; helping the club barbeque and prepare tri-tip sandwiches to be sold to the crowd. It was the most pleasant part of my day. What a line we had around 6 p.m. What a blast!

I had some interesting thoughts and observations throughout the day, but one that kept bothering me was the fact that many people had brought their dogs to this event.

People, I know dogs love parks, but this is simply an event you cannot bring your dogs to. During the day maybe, but still, there were way too many people to have your dog there, even during the day. And I had to wonder how many of those people were going to bring their dogs home for the evening. This worried me.

As a general rule dogs don't like fireworks. This is common knowledge. Sure, there are some exceptions, but for the most part they dislike fireworks and loud noises. In fact special precautions must be taken for your dog during the 4th of July, even at your own home. Guess what? You can't have both. You can't own a dog and go see the fireworks show. Someone needs to monitor the dog at home. It's a simple as that.

This bothered me all day after seeing dog after dog nervously looking around at the overwhelming crowd.

After finishing up at the booth I wandered over to the family's blanket to relax and watch the fireworks show. Fireworks really don't do much for me, but it's that family, quality factor thing.

At 9:07 p.m. the lights went out in the park and the show was about to begun. Just as the first projectile exploded, a little black dog went frantically racing by our blanket; leash still attached. You could barely see him because of his color and because of the darkness of the night.

I heard people laughing and it sickened me. This dog was obviously traumatized and bolted from its owners grasp. How did this happen? Who would be so irresponsible to let this happen? My worst fear was coming true.

Our blanket was located behind one of the softball diamonds, with our backs to the parking lot and Foster Road. The dog ran towards the lot and Foster Road. It was running so fast in the dark, and I immediately gave chase. I ran as fast as I could. I just wanted to get to the dog and let him/her know, it was ok.

The dog took off down Foster as I lost sight of it. As I kept running, I was passing people who were walking toward the park, they kept saying, "He went that way! He went that way!', as they pointed in the opposite direction of which they were walking. I was running as fast as I could. I kept thinking, "You know, there are 20,000 people here right now, and I'm not going to let this dog down."

Fireworks were exploding in the air behind me as I ran, illuminating the street in front of me. The same fireworks that give joy to so many, were also the same fireworks about to contribute to a dogs death. It was a surreal and unsettling feeling- unfolding- inside me.

As I got closer to La Mirada Blvd., the look on the face of the last people I encountered, told me what I needed to know.

That little dog ran so fast, was so terrified, and it was hit by a car as it tried to run across La Mirada Blvd, and died. Another 15 feet and the dog would have found the solitude of Biola University.

There was a sheriff working traffic control at the intersection and he told me he tried to stop traffic for the dog but it happened so quickly. He consoled me, and then I stood there leaning against the brick wall, motionless, grieving for about 15 minutes.

Why did this have to happen? Why did the last two minutes of this dog's life have to be filled with terror? Why him/her? Why do these things happen that bring us such despair?

I was distraught, devastated, and numb. I was buried with grief for the dog and disappointment in myself for not being able to save him.

I was affected for days.

I found out days later that the dog belonged to a teacher at La Mirada High School. And days later, I learned I had actually met the dog a couple of times at the baseball field. This didn't make things better. What a small world.

I heard they were very upset, and I'm sure they were, but education is the key here.

There has to be something we can do to prevent this from happening again, and use this as a life lesson.

I am imploring that Mayor Susan Tripp and the rest of the La Mirada City Council and staff to please, please include animal advisories at all 3rd of July fireworks shows from this point forward. And perhaps advise neighboring homes of the hazards to dogs and other pets.

I realize the City Council has already discussed the 3rd of July event at a recent study session, but I am asking that the event discussion and review be revisited, with the dog issue being the topic.

I know you can't tell people NOT to bring their dogs, but I think stragetically placed advisories on signage during the event and literature leading up to the event, will help prevent this from happening again. These simple steps will help people who don't necessarily know, about the dangers fireworks pose to dogs and other pets and animals at these type of events.

I hope we can use this tragedy-one that I will never forget-as a learning tool, to prevent animal suffering in the future.

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