Autzen Dog Park via River Path, Eugene

Oftentimes the dog walk is simply a utilitarian exercise in tiring him out as much as possible. Toward that end, I hitched up Jones to his purple harness, climbed onto my Cape Cod Roadmaster, and ran him down the bike path to the DP Lounge. In these troubled times, there are still many things to be grateful for, and near the top of my list is the fact that a spacious and lovely dog park is a mere three miles from my house. A short 15-minute bike ride. He goes a little nuts with the bike; he barks at it when we first start, then he settles into a focused sprint that screens out all his usual distractions: the delicious smell of cat poop, boys on skateboards, his fear of the dog that lives down the street. I am also grateful when my guy is not the most annoying dog at the dog park. Thanks, Tucker the beagle! But if I am ever on a sinking ship and need someone to sound the alarm to get help from miles away, I’ll know who to ask.

Cat poop consumed: no

 

Autzen Dog Park, Eugene

Was Mother Hubbard a busy career gal, trying to keep fit and doing her best to stay in touch with her friends? Should we really fault her if once in a while a kelp forest takes root in the upstairs toilet or the hydrangea wilts and fades for lack of water? She probably has some creative projects to work on, maybe a love interest. She’s pretty good about walking the dog since she knows how restless he can be at night if he doesn’t get enough exercise. She pays all her bills on time. So she spent the weekend going to potlucks and painting the kitchen. Who has time for the grocery store? So the cupboard is bare, should that define her–this inability to focus on the culinary needs of her small household? We’re told the poor dog had none, but dogs are pretty resourceful even when we try to make them dependent on us. I think it’s clear whose bias shows in this telling of DOG (Dog Owner Guilt). P.S. Jones and I both enjoyed a nutritious and well-balanced dinner today, if a bit late.

Cat poop consumed: no

 

Autzen Dog Park, Eugene

There are some dogs that burst into the dog park with the unleashed (ahem, so to speak) exuberance of the recently paroled. They bound and gambol, greeting every other dog with a hey!buddy!c’mon!let’s!run! Jones is self-possessed and not given to these large emotional displays. Although he is an astute observer and willing butt-smeller, he is selective when it comes to deeper play engagement. The truth is, we’re more alike in this respect than I really like to acknowledge. What’s the big deal? Go play jeez get involved, but he circles on the periphery, smelling stuff, admiring the buttery glow on the grass in the setting sun, occasionally making eye contact, weaving through the other dog owners posed like an album cover-standing apart in the same area and all gazing in a different direction, but mostly content to do his own thing even in a setting designed for social interaction.

Cat poop consumed: no