Welcome!
Welcome to Outings! – a weekly blog series where I (and various companions) venture out into the Pacific Northwest winter to explore local parks and trails. If you aren’t caught up with the series thus far, I really recommend starting here, because today’s installment is going to be different.
A whole lot different.
Clark Creek Pa–
Nope. We tried to visit this neighborhood park that had been on a radar for a long time. We pulled into the tiny, five-spot lot, the only car and people in sight. It was Superbowl Sunday, and pretty chilly out, so I’d hoped that our later start time – we’d slept in some – wouldn’t negatively affect us.
But, within fifty feet of our car we spotted another walker and their dog coming from the north end of the park. No big deal, I thought. We’ll just turn around and take the park from the opposite route.
Except, NOPE! Someone had just pulled into the gravel pullout at the south end of the park, and not only did they have two large dogs with them, but they immediately let those dogs OFF LEASH.
To be clear, this park is not a dog park. Dogs are expected to be kept on leash while on park grounds. That’s why we felt comfortable bringing Simon with us, because it isn’t a dog park.
You see, Simon is very dog reactive. He has lost one too many fights with larger dogs and he has chip on his shoulder the size of Alaska. If he so much as sniffs another dog in the area he loses his mind, barking and flailing and lunging towards the offending doggo.
It’s awful and embarrassing and shatters the calm of the park. I hate it, and we’ve tried a lot of different things to try and mitigate the behavior. Nothing has worked. But, usually we just remove ourselves or find a different path so we can avoid the other dogs and get on with our walk.
But with loose dogs to the south and another dog approaching us from the north, we were trapped. The only place we could go was back to the car.
But, that was fine. I had a backup park idea anyway, so we loaded up and set off for the next park on my list.
Sunnyslope Par–
NOPE!
Hahah, gotcha again!
When we arrived at this park there was only an older man with his senior pug wandering at the far north end of the park. So, we set off to walk the perimeter of the field at the south end, the man and his pug out of sight on the far side of a hill. But we made it less than half the field when an older couple arrived with their border collie.
Which they immediately let OFF LEASH!
So then we were stuck back in a wooded section (which was actually quite nice) waiting for them to move off far enough that we could beeline it back to our car – hopefully before the man and his pug crested the hill.
Again, this is not a dog park. Dogs are expected to be kept on a leash while on the grounds. And again we were forced to abort our walk because of discourteous behavior from fellow dog owners.
The Rant
Simon is not a mean dog. He does not bite. He snuggles and loves and has the energy of a much younger dog. Every dog that he’s been introduced to, he loves. BUT he was not properly socialized as a young dog and he’s had negative experiences with big dogs, including a bite wound on the peak of his shoulders when we brought him home from the Humane Society.
He’s also not an outgoing dog. He doesn’t like strangers, and feels nervous around house guests he’s not well-acquainted with. So just introducing him to a strange human AND dog at the park is not an option. I know this and work hard to avoid situations that will only set him up for failure – ruining his walk and my mood.
Part of that work is avoiding any park that offers an official off-leash dog park. 
I understand that dogs that can be off leash are usually very well behaved and have great vocal recall skills. I saw that with the border collie at Sunnyslope Park. And I’m sure that dog was friendly and would have obeyed its owner if it got too close to us.
But Simon would not. And when someone takes their dog off leash where they aren’t supposed to, they make our experience that much more stressful and possibly dangerous. You rob us of the ability to navigate the situation and ensure that everyone is safe and has a good time.
This is doubly true for the folks that let their dogs off leash on a hiking trail they aren’t supposed to. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been on the trail only to be met by a strange dog – almost always a big one – off leash and WAY ahead of their people.
I LOVE dogs. I am happy to see dogs out in nature having the tail-waggiest of times. But turning a corner and being met with a German shepherd I don’t know, in a remote location, is always nerve-wracking.
And not everyone likes dogs. Some people are straight-up scared of dogs!
So here’s the point of the rant:
Letting your dog off leash when you aren’t supposed to is RUDE AS FUCK. It says you only care about yourself and your enjoyment of the outdoors, with no consideration for those with whom you might share the space.
So please, be mindful and respectful and keep your dog on their damn leash!
That's All, Folks!
We’re planning to revisit Clark Creek City Park this weekend, so hopefully next week I can tell you all about it. In the meantime I’m focusing on writing the novel and brainstorming some blog posts and an exciting update for the newsletter.
Speaking of… Have you signed up yet?
Until next time, Blogland!
BZ
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