Paty's meeting about the dogs

I couldn't attend because people came over. Anyone know what happened at the meeting?

Should of just taken the folks with you.

Should of just taken the folks with you.

Also, she should have just taken the folks with her.

I don't have a voice on the issue yet. Roxy, my husband and I arrive on the third of January. We spent two weeks in Z last March and one of the deciding factors of spending three months there (January, February and March) was not only seeing all the pips there but actually talking to people that had pups and how laid back Z was for pet owners. I was so upset when I saw that issues around this developed once we got back home. Of course we are committed to our trip this year and know we will all have an amazing time but depending on how this issue around dogs evolves will be a deciding factor on whether we return for our next three month journey. So enquiring minds want to know...

I was one of the relatively limited number of people in attendance. I don't want to jump the gun to state exactly what happened, because I am confident that a summary will be made public by one of the organizers who has worked hard to raise the importance of the issue.

You should know, a t-shirt has been printed and is available for supporters. The slogan is "I LOVE ZIHUATANEJO, BUT I LOVE MY DOG MORE", in English and Spanish....the phrase was used by a regular who was explaining their dilemma to Paty. It seems to echo the sentiments of many.

But I can tell you that the meeting changed venues - a representative group of hoteliers, restaurateurs, Dr's, part time and full time residents spontaneously drove over to the CONAGUA conference that was occurring in Ixtapa....It seemed an appropriate time to bring the issue up with those who are determining the direction that regulations will take. There may have been some positive outcomes, like the bureaucrats who are intent on certifying Playa La Ropa as a "blue flag" beach didn't have any local representation on the committee. They now do. Paty has a broad understanding of the issues facing users of La Ropa Beach, but more importantly, I believe she genuinely wants people to experience the Zihuatanejo we love, the place we call "home". Gracias Paty, you are a passionate supporter of "rights". I just hope that this misguided focus on dogs and "blue flag certification" doesn't become the red herring for a much needed effort to correct the real issues facing our city and bay.

It would have been very difficult to take people over to Paty's when they were giving us a demonstration of healthy cooking and using my kitchen.

Thank you for the report. I wrote an email to Paty as I was unable to be there. I do appreciate the collective effort and support in allowing those of us who call Zihuatanejo home, to include our pets on our walks on the beach.

I will leave it to the organizers to provide the details of what happened at the meeting. Thanks so much to Graham and Paty for organizing this, and especially to Paty (Owner of Paty's Marimar restaurant) for her very eloquent and passionate words to the government officials. She very clearly outlined the many problems facing Playa la Ropa, and very clearly explained why responsible dog owners walking their family pets on the beach is not a problem. She also told the officials quite forcefully that responsible dog owners will continue to walk their dogs on La Ropa. Bravo for Paty!!

Do you know where I can purchase one of the t-shirts. I haven't yet brought my dog to Zihua, but would like to do so in the future.

Thank you to the 30 or so people who attended the initial meeting at Paty's Yoga Studio, especially the doctor and veterinarian, where a general outlines of the Dogs on Beaches situation were discussed.
When it was mentioned that an official meeting of interested parties was being held at the Emporio in Ixtapa 12 attendees presented themselves at that meeting and were given the opportunity to state our case for the ability to walk our dogs on Zihua beaches. The officials and civil servants listened politely, but seemed surprised that some people wanted to take their dogs on the beach. As is the way with these departments, they are passed and agenda, and just think everyone will accede to it. Paty was very forceful and determined in her explanation that there are much more important civic and beach issues than that of families walking their dogs. Paty, Claudia Kipping ( wife of the Hotel Viceroy's Manager) and the very erudite veterinarian, were invited to sit in for the remainder of the official meeting. The upshot being that Paty Montufar was invited to become a permanent member of that committee.
12 people turning up at this meeting, all wearing "I love Zihuatanejo - but I love my dog more" tee shirts, a getting the full attention of these officials was a good outcome. Having a supportive business leader on that committee was more than we could have hoped for.
We have not achieved a full back-down on the issue of permitting domestic dogs on the beach - but it was stated quite clearly to this assembly that dog owners would continue to walk their dogs on the beaches - and just politely ignore the irritating beach inspectors. Or walk your dog before 8am and after 4pm. Be sure to have you dog on a leash during the day, and carry pick-up bags always.
Above mentioned tee shirts are available from Paty's for 50 pesos (no profit).

--
Graham Felipe'

I should have mentioned the t-shirts are for sale at Paty's Marimar on La Ropa. $50. pesos.

Thanks for the update. I would've loved to have been there but I had an appointment I couldn't miss. I trust Paty to carry the torch high and proudly for the cause.

I have no intention of not walking my dog on any beach I please, and I challenge the authorities to call the police to arrest me. It would make a terrific video to share on the social media.

Will be the local version of Newsroom !!

This is great information, as Rob said, above.
We do not bring our dog to ZIH, because she is of the Newfoundland/Chesapeake Bay Retriever persuasion so the heat and humidity would just make her faint. And we're not yet down in ZIH long enough to make bringing her along worth the hassles. All the same, I'm going to Paty's straight off when we arrive to buy one of those t-shirts.

I LOVE seeing dogs on beaches!
Our Pearl just revels in the Lake Michigan surf.
It makes me miss her less when I see ZIH dogs having fun.

The shirts that Paty has made available for 50p each, are very high quality Yazbek shirts with the message "I love Zihuatanejo, but I love my dog more" in BOTH English and Spanish! We like them more because of the dual languages.
As of this morning, they were available in Small, Large and X-Large.

We took the opportunity to thank Paty for her interest and involvement in the dog issue.
We appreciated her observations that the dog issue is a city matter, and not to worry about immigration issues.
We also liked her statement that dogs should be on leashes, and bags for clean up carried.
We especially liked her reminding us that the doggie police were to be "politely" ignored. Don't harass them, don't be mean, don't start anything.

Tally Ho, right on sister power to the people!!

Just to follow up on the meeting at the Emporio.

The Veterinarian who attended on our behalf was Dr. Victor Hugo Atala Sesin who practices at Paseo de las Araucarias in Ixtapa.

The Doctora was Leticia Lopez Serna (Paty's cousin).

In attendance were:

Consejo de Cuenca de la Guerrero

Asamblea Regional de Usarios de Aguas Nacionales

Organizaciones Civiles y de la Academia

Comite de Playas Limpias de Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo

Fonatur

We were greeted graciously by
Ing. Pablo Marquez Rojas - Subdirector de Consejos de Cuenca, Gestion Social a Emegencia

Thank you to all.

--
Graham Felipe'

We also liked her statement that dogs should be on leashes, and bags for clean up carried.

We especially liked her reminding us that the doggie police were to be "politely" ignored. Don't harass them, don't be mean, don't start anything.

I think it is very important that everyone observe the leash requirement now. Those who always maintain that THEIR dog can be unleased confuse the issue now with their self entitlement.