The file of ยdog parkย photos I have taken is thick. I shot most of these photos during three or four different multi-hour trips to local dog parks with the generic intention of having a good supply of ยstockย images for future use.
This month, I spent an hour or two looking through the file for pictures to accompany trainer Mardi Richmondยs article on dog park play. Specifically, I was looking for clear examples of canine bullying and appeasing; dogs who were looking for fights, and dogs who wanted to avoid them. After my first pass through the stack of some 400 photos, I had two stacks: shots of dogs playing especially nicely, and dogs who were showing some indication that their intent was less than nice.
When I examined the two stacks more closely, to my amusement, several canine characters showed up half a dozen times in one stack or the other ย consistently exhibiting exaggerated gestures that clearly indicated their play personalities.
I hadnยt consciously followed any one dog when taking these pictures, but in attempting to shoot dog-dog interaction, I had unwittingly focused on certain charismatic dogs. The standouts in the ยnice playย stack included a big Shepherd-cross play-bowing in front of several different playmates, and a young Lab who appeared in every frame either licking his nose, standing still with his head averted and tail low, or lying down submissively.
The ยnot-niceย stack had at least a dozen different shots of a female Boxer-mix standing assertively over half a dozen different victims. Interestingly, I had no images of her playing with other dogs, only shots of her bullying other dogs.
I hope that Richmondยs article on dog park play and my accompanying photos will help you recognize the dogs who would make fun, healthy playmates for your dog, and those who should perhaps be avoided for your dogยs emotional and physical well-being.
Speaking of health, CJ Puotinenยs great article on pasture-fed meat sure has me reevaluating my diet, not to mention that of my dogs. The more I learn about milk, eggs, meat, poultry, and even fish that comes from ยfactory farms,ย the more I am tempted to move to the country and grow my own. At the very least, Iยm buying organic pasture-fed beef for all the consumers in my household from now on.
If I wasnยt determined to do so before, I am now, after reading that the Canadian cow who had been determined (in May) to have ยmad cow diseaseย had ended up in dry dog food in the U.S. in February or March. Dependence on multinational companies for our food supply is getting more perilousall the time.
-Nancy Kerns
