I am so grateful to live in the area of Nashville with the best Dog Park.
No, I’m not being weirdly competitive. I’ve been to all of them and ours is the best. Granted, it’s the newest one, but our city outdid itself with our huge property and walking track…for dogs.
With that said, I admit I was never taught “Dog Park Etiquette.”
Which names do you learn first? The dog’s or the human’s?
Do you speak to the humans every time you pass on the walking loop? Is a nod enough?
How do we know?
When are you enough socially?
The truth is I’m learning. I don’t know yet. But, what I’m ready to admit to you is that I have an ongoing narration of the dogs’ lives at the park.
For example, when a dog approaches me with a happy face and wagging tail, I say, “Oh, isn’t it a good day to be a dog!” (Yes, I use an exclamation mark.)
When a dog gets confused and starts following me instead of its owner, I say, “You don’t have to be smart when you’re pretty.” Then I pet its head.
When a dog is too overwhelmed to say hello to me, I say, “Too much. I get it. I have social anxiety, too.”
Today at the dog park, I got cracked up with myself. Humiliated, actually. WHO DOES THIS?!?!?!
As it turns out, we all do.
Okay, maybe not with dogs at Nashville’s finest dog park, but we do it with each other.
How many times do we see someone in a random spot and decide who they are? I know I decide all kinds of things about people in traffic. (I used to, at least, says the ‘evolved’ life coach. 😉 )
How many times do we decide who someone is based on what they’re wearing? (Leggings are not called ‘pants’ because they’re big fat NOT.)
And, the bigger question is how many times do we choose the kindest question?
I’m obviously doing that at the dog park. I’ve already decided that the hounds are doing their best.
How would our questions change as people if we decide in advance that everyone is doing their best at that specific moment?
Heaven knows I’ve needed grace myself. You?
What would my world be like if I extended the same grace I ask for to others?
Just wondering…