Confessions from the Dog Park: My First Psuedo-Experience

I'm sitting at a local dog park nestled in the middle of a quaint part of the historical district. My goal was to bring the laptop, my last remaining Siberian Husky, snacks and Internet connection here to work and when I got done or when the dog got restless, let him out and stretch his legs for a bit. Sitting here for the last hour has given me insight.

More and more dog owners keep showing up. Big breeds and little breeds and there seems to be twice as many owners as there are dogs. You'd think the owners would keep their dogs behaving themselves, not fighting or being dominant with strange dogs. Alas, that is not the case. I'm nervous about even taking my dog into the park. It's my first time you know, bringing my dog to a dog park. Give your dog more exercise. Great, I walk my dogs on a regular basis anyway, like a responsible owner should, still I thought I would try out this "dog park" experience.

I suppose its OK to be a bit nervous your first time. What's the culture of the owners really like? Is there a greeting period at the gate before the new dog is allowed to just run loose? Are the other owners just as careful to be responsible with their dogs? Can they be trusted?

A pack of Corgis just arrived. Are all of these dogs up to date on their vaccinations? Ah...the corgi owners are not happy that the other dog owners have not picked up after their dogs. Good. Trust me, people, there is no one on city staff that has the job of just picking up the dog poo you leave behind while walking your dog!

It's starting to get a a little cold now sitting here in the truck, but its OK. It gives me a test run of what "living in a truck" or "living in a van" might be like if I had a big dog to contend with besides myself. I could see how a rhythm develops. All of this is pure procrastination, however. I "should" be out there but know I'm perfectly fine not being out there with my dog. The dominant dog is trying to bully one of the corgis.

I told myself I would wait it out a bit longer until the park thinned out, yet it seems just as that happens, other dogs and their owners show up. I could wait until my battery died on the laptop. Another car pulls in. Now the dogs are barking. I don't know if this a good idea or not. The owners seem to be tense at wondering how the other owners will keep track of their dogs. Perhaps I will skip this venture of a dog park or perhaps I will go find another one to visit.

Sometimes waiting to actually do something while you consider the consequences is really the best protection you can exercise.