March 15, 2003
A perfect Saturday: teddy, chewtoy and a sunbeam
8:30 a.m.
Dusty had a bit of a trauma at the Dog Park last night. Everything was going fine at first - she was really excited, smelling other dogs bums and playing and running (but on the leash). I thought she was doing really well.
Another small dog, showed up and they sniffed and played a little bit. Then a little pug - not the one she ususally plays with - came along. I watched the pug carefully as they sniffed and greeted one another and everything seemed fine. We walked off to play with some other dogs.
Dusty was exchanging bum-sniffs with the small dog and I was chatting with her owner. I wasn't paying much attention to the pups, actually.
A chilling scream split the air and when I looked around I realised it was Dusty. This wasn't a 'ouch' yelp, it was a 'I'm being dragged away by panthers' call for help. It was the notorious Puppy Scream I had read about in my dog books. And not only did I respond, but EVERY single dog in the park came running to her rescue.
Later on, the other dog owners told me that it was eerie. Every dog in the park froze and fell silent. The other puppies sat and didn't move while the older dogs moved carefully toward me and Dusty and the source of danger.
The small pug was in Dusty's face, barking loudly and Dusty was backed up against the fence. I reached in, scoop her up and immediately started walking to the other end of the park, my heart pounding. Dusty continued to scream, that horrible spine-chilling scream, until we got to a park bench and I was able to sit down and calm both of us. She was absolultely hysterical.
I focused on deep breathing and saying a calming "Ittttt'ssss ooooookkkkaaaayyy" over and over again. I even yawned a few times (this is supposed to be a canine calming gesture, but I think Dusty was too overwrought to notice it). I checked her over and she wasn't hurt - just frightened. Eventually, her little heart stopped pounding so wildly. She was still shaking. I put her inside my jacket and walked back to the group.
I gave her a few minutes to get her bearings, then put her back on the ground. She followed me around with her tail between her legs. We stayed for another 20 minutes or so, then went home. I wanted her to leave the park on a normal note.
I let her go to sleep in my bed last night and transferred her to the crate around midnight. After her morning potty at 6:00 a.m., we went back to sleep and I woke up with a happy puppy licking me arm ("Hey Mom! It's time to wake up!").
I'm excited about the weather. It was -6 when we went out this morning, but there was *no windchill*!!! It's already -3. The high today will be 9!!!