by Melissa Tolson

Created on: April 29, 2008

Stitch is an "only" dog. He has been since we adopted him at 12 weeks. He is a great lover of people, but has not been socialized with other dogs. Hence, my apprehension at taking him to the dog park. Would he behave properly (stupid question, he is, after all, a Terrier). Would the other dogs like him or rebuff him? And how would I, as his mom, deal with those dogs if they were mean to my baby? On a beautiful spring day last week I decided to find out.

Stitch was so excited about going for a ride, as he always is. As we neared the park, he started whining and running back and forth, window to window. Was he sensing the fun he was about to have? As it turned out, when we got out of the car, Stitch decided to do his business right there in the parking lot. Maybe he wasn't excited after all. Was this episode a predictor of doggy park behavior? He couldn't even use the proper bathroom. My heart began to sink.

Luckily for us there were only a few dogs in the 25 lbs and under area. I fibbed a tiny bit, as Stitch is a tad, uh, overweight. Maybe he's just big boned. At least that's what I tell my family when they rudely call him fat. Judgmental bunch they are. But I digress. Still on leash, Stitch and I did a few laps around the park. I tried to show him the fun fire hydrants and agility training stations. Not interested. The other dogs were off leash, sniffing butts and having a grand time. Should I do it? Should I chance letting him off leash and see where it goes? (If you haven't already guessed, I'm a bit of an overprotective mom). With a deep breath and a silent prayer, I unhooked his collar and said, "go play". Do you know what Stitch did? To my embarrassment, he started running up to all of the PEOPLE, jumping on them and sniffing them. Not to the other dogs where I thought he should be. And, big shocker here, when he was done with the people he came back to me and jumped into my lap on the bench.

"Stitch, come on, you need to play with the other dogs", I urged. He simply harrumphed, as if I was silly to expect him to play with dogs. I called my husband, practically in tears, over our socially inept dog. "He doesn't even know he's a dog", I moaned, "and he isn't well trained enough not to jump on people!" My husband, as always, laughed at my dog woes and said Stitch would get the hang of it. So I pushed him off of my lap and tried to send him out once again. This time, he sat at my feet with a hangdog expression (pardon the pun) as if to say, "what's the problem here lady?"

With my own hangdog expression, I releashed him and we made our way back to the car. As I looked in the rearview mirror I noticed the big doggie grin on his face. So maybe he isn't the social butterfly I had hoped for, but at least he had fun. Better luck next time. And yes, there will be a next time.

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