Just a Wee Pup

Like most dogs, Coda’s favorite place is Dog Park. Unlike most dogs, Coda shows his love for the doggy Magic Kingdom by stealing, vandalizing, and defacing.

Our Dog Park is segregated. Small dogs have the front of the park, their area filled with lush grass and a spotless gazebo. From the parking lot, visitors can watch fluffy little bundles trot about in sweaters. Large dogs are forced to a side lot that hasn’t had a blade of grass in years. It’s a dirt pit where water buckets are knocked over, remnants of mud-caked tennis balls line the fence, and park officials removed the shady bench because it was “claimed” so often they grew tired of cleaning it. When Coda was small he played in the garden. The little dogs’ owners thought his smashing into friends was cute. As Coda grew (three pounds a week), his ramming quickly lost appeal and we were tossed, literally, into the dirt.

At this point Coda was only about 30 pounds and ran by kicking out his right hind leg like a palsy victim. I was asked five times if there was something wrong with Coda. Yes, but not with his leg. On Coda’s first day with the big dogs there were other Labs and several medium-sized mutts, so I felt okay about unleashing my little guy into the mayhem. I opened the gate and Coda surged forward like a linebacker. This was when I spotted Max. Max is a beautiful Great Dane. When Max is at the park he’s surrounded by people making a show of patting his head without bending over. Can you guess where Coda went first? Yes, Coda ran right past a wagging young Golden Retriever to crash into the park giant. Hello, Max.

Coda greeted Max by chewing on his leg. Standing beside the huge dog, Coda looked like a wee pup – wee being the operative word. Max stood like a gentleman while Coda tried to get his attention, then just as quietly Max lifted his leg and peed right on Coda’s head. Everyone laughed while I shook my head and said, “My husband picked out this dog.” As usual Coda was unfazed and shook off like he’d just had a bath. I think Max respected Coda’s reaction because Max then played with Coda. They’ve been great buddies ever since.

I began by saying Coda is the Dog Park Hoodlum, and he is. But every criminal came from somewhere and his baptism on that first park experience set the tone for more adventures to come. You see, Coda has lots of friends in the neighborhood and at the park. They grow so fast, and well, before we knew it Coda was running with the bad crowd. I think it’s time you meet Coda’s gang.