Arriving at the dog park late one spring evening, you bring your pup through the double gates and unhook her lead. As soon as the clip is released, she scampers off like a shot, kicking up dust in her path as she weaves through the trees, barking her introduction to the other dog sniffing around in the grass at the far end. You gather the leash in your hand, taking a seat on the slatted bench across from the entrance.
I toss a tennis ball to my dog and let her return it, scratching her head when she drops it and then launching it back into the grass, watching the dogs chase and tumble through the gravel. Your dog pounces on it as it bounces and guards it, growling when mine comes near. I leave the dogs to play and rinse my hands by the spigot for the large metal bowls filled with water for the animals. I stride over to you with a smile and take a seat on the bench next to you.