OK, I am a first-time dog mom and this walking a dog at the park is something a bit foreign to me. Most of the people with dogs that I meet are very friendly and courteous, always keeping their dog on a short leash and asking if their dog can meet Gracie, asking if they can pet or hold Gracie, etc. I assumed that was the etiquette and I do the same. Gracie is just 15 weeks and has not yet started puppy school, so of course she wants to jump on and kiss everyone and everything. I try very hard to control her when we are around people and dogs who obviously don't want to be social.
So tonight, Gracie and I are walking the loop and we pass these two women yacking. One had a large dog, golden retriever type, who was very well behaved and on a short leash. The other women had what looked to be a silky terrier mix, on a very long leash. She let this little dog do anything it wanted, about 10 feet away from her. It kept barking at Gracie, chasing Gracie and distracting Gracie. I finally picked Gracie up and walked fast to get past these women who did not seem to be aware that Gracie and I were near by. So Gracie and I walk the loop twice again, and the same thing happens. The last time, Gracie's leash and the little dog's leash came very close to being tangled up. I picked up Gracie and we left. Was I wrong to feel a bit peeved at that broad with the out of control little dog?
On the positive side, a very nice man, late 30s/early 40s, was jogging around the park. He stopped and asked if he could visit with Gracie. It was like they were made for each other. After that, every time he passed us he said hello to Gracie. Too bad she wasn't wearing her t-shirt that says "mommy's single"!
