The happiest place on earth?

We have a big, energetic dog who likes to chase things. We also have yard that is limited in how much room there is to chase things. Fortunately we have a dog park not far from our house. We’ve begun taking Sam there now and then, and a few times I’ve been able to go along.

This weekend we went at a time we don’t usually go and found it a little crowded. But we were already there, and we needed to wear our dog out a little, so we stayed. Previously the other dogs have shown no interest in chasing a ball that wasn’t theirs, but this time was different. There were at least two different dogs who love chasing balls as much as our Sam, and they were both faster than him.

Sam didn’t care. He just loved the thrill of the chase. If someone else got it, that was fine, so long as they brought it back for another throw. I think we ultimately went home with a different ball than we’d brought, but that was not much of a concern. Dogs–well, at least most dogs–seem to know how to share.

We went again the next day and found it even more crowded. Big dogs, little dogs, young dogs, old dogs, purebreds, mutts. There was a trio of dogs that were the welcoming committee, blocking the gate to enter in their excitement to welcome newcomers. There were half a dozen dogs that circled around the park at random, checking out people and dogs and generally looking for entertainment. Pockets of dogs and people clustered here and there, some just watching everyone else, some just playing with their owners. Every so often a ball would go flying and a stampede of dogs would go hurtling after it.

The most fitting description was “Joyful chaos.” The only common denominator was that nearly every tail was wagging and every mouth was hanging open with tongues hanging out. Most every dog looked like they were having the absolute time of their life. Occasionally a play fight would break out, but otherwise dogs could bump one another, trip over one another, or jump on each other, but no one minded. They were all just focused on having fun, and could be incredibly patient in their pursuit of that fun.

You’re probably thinking I’m leading up to a moral about how people should learn to be more like dogs. If you’re thinking that, then I don’t need to. I mainly just wanted to try and describe a place I find particularly fun to hang out. Not everyone would, of course. Some people would find that a suitable definition of hell. But for me, a dog lover, there are few things more contagiously happy than a happy dog. Having a whole park full of them seems like, if not heaven, at least an awfully fun place to be.

Sam (right) and his new friend Bubba. They both love chasing balls. Bubba is pretty darn fast for a little guy.