I can understand the initial thought that letting your dog run loose and "do their business" on or near a resting place in a cemetery may seem disrespectful, however I believe this is just the opposite. Cemeteries are often seen as a dark, dismal and sorrowful place. Personally I would never want to know that my friend, relative or my own final resting place is perceived as a such a somber environment. I would much rather know that the open area is being used to let your best canine friend run free, and also for you to enjoy a stroll through a cemetery where you may not have otherwise had the chance to appreciate.
Personally, I will occasionally bring my pups to the large fenced in cemetery on Warner Ave in Newport. If I didn't have dogs I would never have known what a beautiful place it is. The dogs are so happy while running through the paths, and while they are frolicking, I read the grave sites and wonder what the deceased lives were like. When and if they "do their business" it is picked up immediately. Don't forget, there are also many wild critters roaming around these areas too without owners to pick up after them.
If anything I think there should be more security to monitor the people who vandalize these beautiful places. To me, much more disrespectful than a happy dog running around is an overturned headstone or an empty liquor bottle thrown on their resting place.

Ms. Gaines, I agree that neither (wo)man nor beasties should be in the habit of doing anything that would disturb anyone's final resting place on earth. The monuments in all cemeteries and areas around them should be treated respectfully, even to the point of walking cautiously around gravesites. This is sacred ground and should be treated as thus. Interestingly the only hints that I've seen that a wild creature has been near a headstone at St. Columba's Cemetery (where I visit more often) are the occasional bird droppings. However, a little scrubbing by visitors removes that; the frequent rain we experience usually washes it away. Perhaps the wilder visitors instinctively hide their "business."
It's obvious that the human visitors who have recently shown abject contempt for the monuments are in dire need of enlightenment. They should be made to invest considerable time and energy into restoring those sites to some semblance of order.

As a dog and nature lover, I find the cemetary an offbeat and beautiful place to bring my dog to get exercise and, yes, "do her business" ( picked up my me, of course). When I first starting going there I, too, found it a little creepy and odd, what with the uneven ground and fallen headstones but it's been a wonderful place to see the seasons unfold. Some of the trees there are simply beautiful and its a bit of calm and nature in our noisy world. I don't know if the initial writer has been to the only dog park in Newport that offically allows dogs off leash but it is hardly "wonderful". Small, no shade or lake, little grass, windy and with view of ....the highway. Not a park I'd want to spend any length of time in enjoying the outdoors with my pet. I, also, read the headstones of these long dead souls and learn a little bit about the preciousness of life ( one family with 6 small headstones) and the history of previous transplanted Newporters, such as myself. The disrespect, I agree, comes from those who leave their beer bottles or cigarette butts or feel the need to topple headstones for fun.

If only all visitors behaved the same as those few of you have written. I am very familiar with the Warner Street cemetary and also the dog park on Connell Highway in Middletown. Having lived on Warner Street for the last almost two years, I see people there all the time. One man brings his Pit Bulls there to teach them attack training. If you folks love nature so much, we have some very beautiful places here that you can walk and meditate. I still feel if it was your mother there and you saw a dog walk up and pee on top of her grave or stone, you would get my message. Of course those who topple stones and litter with beer cans and garbage should be disciplined. I would rather see a dog there than that kind of person.

I bring both my dogs to both of the cemeteries where both of my parents are buried. I know for a fact that they would not want it any other way. I also would not care a bit if it were my grave site, I'm sure many feel the same.

Are you nuts! I have read every other post you have replied to. You are a crumudgeon and nuts. Do you have any idea what my judgement was for? I fell behind in my rent in bad times and the judgement was for the owner to collect. Now that everyone knows my business. By you posting my personal business you leave yourself open to an Invasion of Privacy lawsuit. Why don't you go choke on a baked bean sandwich and find something better to do that reply negatively to everybody's posts. Even criminals are entitled to express an opinion so here's mine, You are a piece of crap!

I wasn't even referring to you and am surprised at your response. I had no idea. Oh well. I just asked a question about one of the posters.

LOL, that is really funny. Just goes to show you that there are a lot of people who have judgements against them in court and most are very, very good and upstanding citizens who just got into a little bit of bad luck. I was the originator of the post and thought you were referring to me. I will apoligize for my harshness but don't think it is right of you to bring this persons personal business onto a public forum like this one.

Maia, things got off the subject when somebody posted on here about somebody having a court judgement against them and had no right to be expressing an opinion on here. Made no sense to me either.

Ugggg, I like the idea of being able to discuss and comment on subjects, share opinions, agree or disagree, but it all turns so gossipy from what I've seen. So discouraging.

Maia, You are really right. People use blogs for all kinds of personal attacks and a some are downright mean. It is really too bad.

I think dogs should be able allowed in cemeteries. I think we as a society have sanctioned behavior as taboo; for example, if a dog happens to urinate on a grave it is disrespectful. No, the dog is not socialized to know that "peeing" on a grave is disrespectful. They just know its outside and I have to pee. Dog walkers and their dogs should be allowed to walk in a cemetery just like anyone else.

I was was walking my dogs on leashes in a cemetery today. Not in between gravestones or anywhere near them at all. I came through a clearing and we walked about 25 yards from where an suv was parked. I am always respectful to mourners and we walked quickly away to a huge clearing in the front of the cemetery. There are very few places where I live where I can walk the dogs. I have never been approached by anyone negatively in the last 5 years of doing so. In fact, I have been approached at least a dozen times by people there but they have all been positive experiences. Anyway, my dogs sniffed, rolled, peed...stuff dogs do. No pooping. If they poop, I have bags and pick up. After awhile, we turned around and went back the way we came. As we were leaving, the same SUV pulls up about 20 yards away away and a guy yells "excuse me!" I said "yes sir?" thinking he wanted directions or something. He said "this is a cemetary, not a dog park!" I said, "hey, if they poop I pick it up" he said "not the point, have some respect." from then, I knew it was no point talking to this guy. If anyone respects the dead, it is me. I have walked this place on the paved roads for years.If I see trash, I pick it up. I see familar names on graves and say hello to them as I walk by. 2weeks ago I left flowers at a grave of a woman I didn't even know. I said "there is no law saying we can't". He said "private property" I walked off and he called me an ahole.Why can't the dead and the living coexist?

I used to walk with them on the beach, until the dogs off leash became too much. "but I live here!" was what they said. Then, I tried the parks until all the little kids kept running up to my dogs and I said "don't get too close." yet, the parents said "oh they just want to touch the doggies". So, I tried the neighborhood streets and some home owner came out and yelled at us when they pooped in the STREET in front of their house! I picked it up, but still they were mad?! I mean, it was in the street, not even their yard. So, I tried the main roads and we almost got ran over by a car that flew off behind us into a median! I guess dog walking is a bygone pastime. I thought walking with the dead was safe until today. Now, some nut job will shoot us and say it was "private property"because we were walking 400 yards from his relative's tombstone. Our society is an omnishambles.

Learn the correct spelling of cemetery before posting an article.