Sunday at the park

After doing some yard work this morning, Gracie and I headed to the dog park to catch up on the Sunday action. Since it wasn't raining, I was expecting there to be a lot of people. There were. Cars once again lined up along the road and in the field. Happily a few cars were pulling out of the lot as I arrived so Gracie and I had a good spot.

Gracie's pal (and erstwhile boyfriend) Quinn was trying to get someone, anyone, to play tug with him and his rope toy. Meanwhile, Quinn's human companion Robirda was collecting signatures to present to the city requesting a larger parking area. After signing the petition, Gracie and I wandered toward the trail loop.

While the dogs were busy playing in the field, a group of humans were busy spreading barkdust on the trail loop. Gracie dashed over to her favorite mound of barkdust to supervise the action. She checked in with each laborer and expressed her own form of appreciation for their efforts. As I walked by, I also thanked them for making park nice.

In the three years since I've been regularly attending the dog park, I've noticed a growing sense of community among the dog owners. People are taking a more active interest in caring for and improving the park area. As far as I know there is no formal leader, no hired figure directing the action, no one person calling the shots. Instead, it seems like each person is looking into his or her own heart and offering a piece of him/herself for the betterment of the community.

Once again, I've learned another valuable lesson at the dog park.

Perspective - It's a good thing

My friend Steve has recently reminded me that a even a bad day at the dog park beats a good day at work.

I am also grateful for the other devoted dog park fans who spend their time at the park spreading barkdust on the trails and encouraing good stewardship of the area.

The sun is shining - and I am happy.

The sun is shining - I should be happy

What a great weekend. The weather gods have teased us with spring-like weather. It's been cool, but perfect for long walks at the park. I should be happy, but...

This kind of weather brings many people to the off leash dog park at Minto. The parking lot is frequently full to overflowing. Dogs bound around the park woofing "free at last! free at last!"

Along with the good weather, though, I'm reminded of my pet peeves (pardon the pun) about the dog park - or, more fairly, about the people at the dog park. Here's a list, in no particular order:


1. Pick up after your dog. The signs say to do it. Others provide the example to do it. There are free poop bags everywhere. So why can't you pick up after your dog?

2. Put the full bag in the garbage can. Yes, I suppose if you own a 200 pound animal, it could be quite a burden to pack a bag of dog poop around the park. Happily, the city of Salem has placed numerous garbage cans at either end of the park for your convenience. If you've gone to the trouble to scoop the poop, please take the extra step of depositing it in the garbage can.



3. Attend to your dog. The park is not a free day care center where you can drop off your dog and then sit in your car unaware. Your dog wants to spend time with you too. So go with him on the walk.

4. Socialize your dog. If this is Fido's first trip (or even second or third), help him adjust to all the new sights and smells. If you're not sure how he'll interact with other dogs, take him off on his own for a while until he can get his bearings. Introduce him to one dog at a time. Stay away for the larger packs of dogs near the parking lot if your not sure how he'll respond. Ease him in to the fun at the park. You'll both have a better time.

5. Parking is for dog park users. Nothing makes me "grrrrr" more than seeing a runner or bike rider use the gravel parking lot as a starting off point for their adventure. Their are two other larger parking lots in the park. Use them.

6. While on the topic of the runners and bike riders, Minto-Brown has miles of paved and barked trails for runners and riders. Why must you use the trail in the off leash area? You are there without a dog and then fuss when a dog chases after you. (See Pet Peeve #7)

7. Small children running through the park. Nothing engages a dogs prey drive like a small critter (animal or human) dashing in front of them. Keep an eye on your kids. If you're going to let them run pell mell through the dog area, make sure they know what to do when a dog wants to join in the play. (Screaming is probably not a good option.)

My most profound observation about life at the dog park is simply this: the dogs behave better than the humans. They play without reservation and when they are done, they go their separate ways, no hurt feelings, no gamesmanship. Lets all resolve to watch our dogs at the park and see if we can't learn to be better humans. And, please...pick up the poop!

Find me

"Don't always keep your dog on a leash if you want him to be attached to you."
-- A. Willametz

Gracie and I have a game we play at home called "Find Me." I hide some where in the house and call out to Gracie to find me. She completes a methodical room by room search until she locates me. When she finds me, she wags her tail and bangs her body into my legs. I hug her neck and thank her for finding me.

I thought this was just one of the many quirky games I make up to entertain both me and Gracie until I read a section in Tamar Geller's book The Loved Dog entitled "Love and Connection." The premise of this section is that dogs need to feel connected to their owners. Geller writes: "It is not enough just to exercise your dog, give her some food and then put her away like a toy until you feel like taking her out again. They need to know that even with some physical distance, you are still there for them, always connected."

When I first starting taking Gracie to the dog park, I was nervous letting her off the leash. As a young dog, she was unpredictable about coming when called. But as I expressed confidence in her, she gained confidence and now "finds me" often in the park. This was best exhibited last November following my foot surgery. My sister and I took Gracie to the dog park. I sat at one of the picnic tables while my sister walked the trail. Gracie was torn between her two people. I told her to go play, but she would only get so far down the path before she would run back to check on me. Finally, she connected enough with my sister to stay with her on the backside of the trail. As a fine mist began to fall, I hobbled back to the car. As Gracie rounded the corner she looked toward the picnic table for where she thought I would be. I was gone. From the car I could see panic set in. She stood on her tip toes looking for me. I got back out of the car as quickly as I could, and called for her. Her forward-pitched ears caught the sound and she came running toward me as fast as she could run.

I hugged her neck. "Yea!" I said, "You found me!"

A Grace-Full Life

By Friday last week, both Gracie and my cat, Mungo, were on my last nerve. I attributed this to the rainy weather keeping us cooped up indoors - or at the very least, encased in waterproof nylon to venture outdoors. So it was with some amount of joy that I dropped Gracie off at her West Salem farm for the weekend, while I made my annual pilgramage to Cannon Beach for the Dayspring Women's Retreat. Unfortunately, as I dropped her off with her pal Heidi, Gracie let out a series of seal-like barking coughs. I paused in mid-delivery of her. "I think her throat is a bit scratchy. Sometimes she coughs like this." I left her behind at the farm and headed to the coast. All day Saturday I expected a call to come fetch my Camille. Happily, no call came.

I missed Gracie (and Mungo, too) while I was gone. As much as I wanted a break from the daily demands both dog and cat place on me, I so enjoy those grace-fill moments. Of recent, it occurs when I'm sitting on the couch, Gracie is stretched out beside me and Mungo is asleep on the cushion behind my head.

The title speaks to a day, a week, a month, a life full of Gracie and full of God's grace. Two things I most decidedly need to be happy and content.

At Last!

A dry day in Salem. After what seems like weeks of rain and/or snow, small patches of blue sky peeked through the gray clouds. I had almost forgotten how great it was to be at the dog park in dry weather.

For the most part, I don't think the dogs really mind the weather. But the human companions seem in better spirits. Gracie saw some pals she hadn't seen for a while - Quinn and Honeydew. She played with some new dogs as well. For the most part, she seemed content to carry her tennis ball and sniff the occasional clump of grass.

If you ever need a "pick-me-up," head to the dog park on a weekend. Watch the dogs leap from their cars and run across the field. Look how they are happy to see everyone.

I know this summer I'll be complaining about the hot, dry weather. But for today, it was a special treat to not have to wear full rain gear and carry an umbrella.