Dear Editor,

The arrival of warmer weather means that we can finally open our windows to the breeze and spend time working or playing outdoors. It’s also time again to remind everyone that the sound of an incessantly barking dog can make it virtually impossible for everyone else in a neighborhood to enjoy a nice day.

The sound can carry for many streets over. If your dog is barking, please keep in mind that it might also be making it difficult for a wage earner to work from home or to work/sleep unconventional hours, or for a retired person to relax, for a stay-at-home mom to keep her sanity, or for anyone who wishes to enjoy company outdoors or sleep with the window open.

We all have dogs, and, just like cleaning up after them on walks is part of responsible dog ownership and good neighborhood etiquette, so is curtailing excessive noise (regardless of the time of year or time of day or night).

–Charlotte Smitherman, Clanton