Unleashed
With summer right around the corner, we’re trying to implement a new routine in which we actually wake up before work and take Sid to Prospect Park for the off-leash dog hours. The blog F’d in Park Slope had a really funny post about the off-leash hours, equating it to Spring Break in Miami Beach, but for dogs. It’s a very apt description.
We’d taken Sid to the park in the morning but never to the long meadow area where the off-leash party takes place. This weekend we decided it was about time. On Saturday of all days, we somehow managed to get up early (for us!) and hurried him over to the off-leash area just before 9am – when the off-leash time ends. We ran into about a half-dozen other pug regulars and we all had a wonderful time – but of course we forgot to bring the camera…We’re really not morning people.
So, on Monday, we made sure to bring along the camera in order to document pugs in the wild.
We didn’t bump into any of the pug friends from Saturday, but instead were greeted by two new non-pug friends. Well, truth be told, one was a half-pug, but Sid took an immediate shine to the tiny jack russel mix named Zoey.
Zoey was already running around in giant loops like a maniac when we arrived and Sid quickly took to her tail. As far as pugs go, Sid is actually quite athletic and managed to keep up with her pretty well. Eventually she abruptly skidded to a stop and flipped onto her back. Sid wasn’t sure what to do.
Zoey started coyly tossing herself from side-to-side and, after a moment’s hesitation, Sid actually started playing. I know this may seem like normal dog behaviour, but Sid is typically the third wheel at the dog park. He’ll find two dogs having a great time and unsucccessfully attempt to butt in. This time a dog was actually playing with him!
It wasn’t long before Zoey’s brother, Elliot, got into the action – though he seemed content to sniff from the sidelines.
While it was clear that our pug buddy enjoyed himself at the park, Sid had no problem leaving when it was time to go. His new dog friends are at the park, but home is where the treats are.
Tags: mayhem, Prospect Park, Sid
May 10th, 2011 at 1:11 pm
I think that getting up early on Saturday for no reason other than the enjoyment of your Sid makes you official parents now. Or maybe Pug-rents.
May 11th, 2011 at 9:55 am
“Pug-rents”…I like that, Mia! We just need to get him some glasses to make him look more related to us.
May 11th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
They say with enough time spent together everyone starts looking like each other. Someone recently said that I’m starting to look like my pugs. Not sure if they meant that in a good way but since I love them and think they are cute I’ll take that as a compliment.