Rumble at the Dog Park

Sadie has energy to burn so I've been taking her to the northside dog park most days for a good run. She loves to chase and be chased by her new friends which so far have included a basset hound (who has cartwheeled trying to keep up with her), a young beagle, a couple of labs and goldens, a rotti, a young boxer and even her brother who came to reunite with her one day.

She has a lovely time socializing and expending some of that pent-up energy. She usually goes home tired and happy until this past Monday night. Thankfully it was toward the end of our romp that a black mixed breed sauntered in with her owner. You know how your neck bristles before trouble? This dog entered with ears perked forward, head high, darting looks with a pack-leader trot that clearly stated she was looking for a rumble. Her owner finds a seat on a bench across the park. I watch as her dog prances around scouting out the territory. She growls at a few of the dogs as she tours the place and at one point, her owner calls out to her in a half-hearted attempt to correct the behaviour while not leaving her bench.

Sadie is still happily greeting fellow park pets, when Miss Attitude spots her and begins to chase her full-tilt in an agressive and obviously not a playful manner. She catches something on Sadie who then stops running and crouches down fearfully and this dog is on her... Sadie begins yelping but manages to get away before I can reach her. The other dog's owner is standing up now, but calling out in the same easy level tone for her dog to "please" stop. Sadie reaches me and hides behind my legs while I quickly clip the leash on and start walking her to the gate keeping myself between her and the growling tormentor.

I reach the gate when this woman walks up to me and asks if Sadie is okay. I say, "I think so, but she's traumatized and I think it's time to go home!" The woman replies, " Oh (insert dog's name here), she does that from time to time." I didn't turn around.

Why would anyone bring an animal to socialize at a dog park that they cannot trust not to attack? I don't get it. She quite obviously had no control.

I had a meeting last night so I couldn't take Sadie back, but tonight I will find out if she will timidly resort to sitting on the bench again (like she did when I first introduced her) because of the incident. Hopefully not!

I don't blame the animal, I blame the owner, and often they never cease to amaze me!