Dog parks are the new slasher movies
May 13, 2009 – 12:41 pmToday I took Bella to the dog park for the first time.
I don’t know if the rest of the world is this way, but in Seattle you can’t just let your dog run around any-old-where. For example dogs are definitely banned at all Seattle beaches (I know! Lame!) and you get a big fat fine for bringing your furry friend to a play area or athletic field even on a leash. Unless your furry friend is your husband in which case it’s still probably best to leave him at home. I mean, has he had his rabies shot?
The answer to all these rules and restrictions is the dog park. And, fortunately, Seattle has lots of them. Fully fenced areas with trees and mud and benches; these verdant vistas are perfect for an afternoon romp with your best friend.
“I’m taking Bella to the dog park for the first time,” I tell my sister, “Any tips?”
She laughs. “Oh she is going to get SO dirty!”
great
“But she’ll love it,” she adds quickly. ”Take off her leash right away when you get there. You don’t want to be one of those people who leaves their dog on a leash because they’re all nervous and protective.”
“Ok…”
“And don’t bring any food in. Like people food. Like…”
“A hamburger?”
“Right. Like a hamburger.”
I’m pretty sure I’m not THAT stupid to bring a hamburger to a dog park, but then again you never know.
I thank my sister for the advice and escort Bella to the car.
“You are going to LOVE this place,” I tell her, driving with one hand on the steering wheel while the other is patting her head. ”But here’s the thing, you HAVE to come when I call you. Even if you really don’t want to. Mm-kay?”
Bella looks at me with adoring eyes.
We pull up to the dog park and Bella and I hop out of the car. She’s madly straining at her leash as we make our way to the double-gate.
We step inside and I promptly let her off her leash.
We have entered the park at the base of a hill and the barking sounds are all coming from the top of the hill. I look around and see a couple of rotting tennis balls. The ground is covered in a mucky mulch.
I should’ve worn different shoes.
Bella is glued to my side as we start up the hill. At the top three large dogs are watching our ascent. Bella eyes them nervously and then tucks her tail between her legs.
“It’s going to be ok,” I assure her. But the truth is I’m starting to worry. The biggest dog is looking at Bella like she’s a hamburger. A fluffy white hypoallergenic hamburger.
As we get closer, the big mean-looking dog gives a threatening growl. Bella and I look nervously at each other.
I should’ve brought a gun or at least one of those zapper things.
“Zach!” a portly man ambles over and cuffs the dog on the head. “Zach, behave!” The dog wanders off and the man turns to me. ”Well who do we have here?”
“This is Bella.” I say. ”This is her first time at a dog park.”
“Well hello, Bella,” says the man. Now I can see that he’s got an industrial-sized spray bottle hooked into his belt and a roll of plastic bags in his hand. He’s wearing tall rubber boots over stained khaki pants. He is a dog park regular.
I sit nervously on the only available bench and Bella stays right beside me. I wonder how long I have to wait before I can leave without anyone noticing. I wonder how there can be so many dogs and so few people.
“Dog walkers.” The man says gesturing around us, “this is prime time for dog walkers.”
Just then a massive animal- probably a cross between a boxer and a bull– mounts a smallish lab who pees and yips and OH MERCY MOTHER MY EYES! I hold my hand over Bella’s eyes and clutch her to my chest as I race down the hill and away from that awful and very bad place.
I can hear slasher movie music in the background and I halfway expect the half-dog-half-demon-bull to chase us but miraculously we escape to the minivan unscathed.
A take a gasping breath of air and Bella and I look at each other in horrified amazement.
We survived… this time.
***
Now get your furry tail on over to Nickelodeon’s Parent Pick awards and vote for Absolutely Bananas as Seattle’s best local blog. Woof.
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By Kerrie on May 13, 2009 | Reply
OK, well that meanie was all bull. I’ve got three boxers and they’re all happy-go-lucky whimps.
Kerries last blog post..The Case of Too Much Wicker: Part I in the No More Somedays Series
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By Wendy on May 13, 2009 | Reply
welcome to the world of dog parks! some are WAY better than others!! if you haven’t, you should try Marymoor or that one on E 65th, not so much muck and more space for walking.
Wendys last blog post..
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By Stacy (mama-om) on May 13, 2009 | Reply
Hm…. not that different than a kid park, eh? :)
The freakiest thing (to me) about dog parks is that no one asks you your name — only your dog’s name.
I wrote a story called Dog Park, actually, a long time ago. It wasn’t about Dog Parks, but the story begins in one, where I had recently been with my sister.
Good luck in this new phase of your life, navigating the dog parks of Seattle!
Stacy (mama-om)s last blog post..Family Pillar: "An Open Heart"
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By Midwest Mommy on May 13, 2009 | Reply
How cute is it that she wouldn’t leave your side. Now where was your camera for all of this, lol?
Midwest Mommys last blog post..There were no chemicals used in the altering of this hair!
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By the planet of janet on May 15, 2009 | Reply
dog parks are scary scary places.
the planet of janets last blog post..Richard Gere wasn’t even there!
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By scarlett on May 19, 2009 | Reply
Jen, I told you to come with me your first time. Shame on you! I know which park you went to. That one is awful. I didn’t go there even when I lived right by it. Come over to my ‘hood. We’ve got the good one.
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By Dog Signs on Oct 27, 2009 | Reply
That sounds quite scary! I often walk my Dogue de Bordeaux but many dog owners are intimidated by him so wont let him play with their dog, even though he is only 6 months old and is soft as a brush.
I wish they had dog parks in the UK! :(
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