DOGGIE

Apparently there are no dog parks in Mexico. I learned this on a recent Sunday afternoon excursion to the Washington Square dog park with my 3-year-old shiba inu and current beau de Monterrey, Mexico. Monterrey, Mexico resembles Houston or San Antonio and up until recently was the most secure, in terms of safety, city in Latin America. Regardless, there are no friendly dog parks. Nada. So this doggy day was an eye-opening experience for dude, who made observations that frequent dog park visitors are either comfortably accustomed to or all together overlook.

“It smells bad in here,” he informed me upon entering. Um, thanks for stating the obvious. “Why is everyone in here pretending to be so nice to each other?” he asked. Because we all have dogs. Duh. And the topping on the cake, “Some of these people and their dogs are weird.” Well, true.

“Have you never been to a dog park?’ I asked nonchalantly pointing out his aversion to the obvious. He then informed me that the dogs in Mexico don’t play well, a.k.a. attack, other dogs. Mexican mutts can be happy as clams in the safety of their own home but turn Cujo upon exit. Yep, even the Chihuahuas. And rumor has it, these Chihuahuas do not quieren taco bell, which got me thinking about Gotham’s finest four-legged creatures and how, like New Yorkers, they are a step ahead of all the rest.

Like our children, New York’s mutts are exposed to more and at an ealier age. They are never more than a 15 minute walk from a dog park, surrounded by the trendiest doggy boutiques and video cammed at day care. These pups sport doggy vintage couture collars like it’s their job, gear up in trendy rain slickers and bundle in fur-hooded coats in snow. Things that other dogs consider luxuries: jackets, snowboots, Sunday brunch, our dogs enjoy daily. The necessary walks make for fitter, trimmer pups who walk brilliantly on their leash, calmly past birds and know to stop and wait for the light. Mia, my shiba inu, purposefully avoids walking over grates and manhole covers and passes other dogs without a second glance if instructed to heal. Mia waits patiently in dressing rooms and loves the biscuts from the Kiehl’s counter in Bloomingdales.

Conversely, New York dog owners are a savvy bunch. Their responsibilities are greater because their dogs must be well-trained and behave. They know to ask before letting their dog run up to yours. They follow the rules of the dog park and pick up after their pooches. Our dogs have to know how to interact with a wide variety of people and dogs. They are trained to easily adapt and  do so with style and tude.

While the dude’s observations were correct, he failed to notice one most important aspect of the dog park: It’s in New York City, where 8 million people working 50 hour weeks still have the ability to produce the creme de la pooches.

As April approaches you might find yourself seeing orange as you and your pooch stroll through the concrete jungle past the Empire State Building giving off a bright orange light.  No, there is nothing wrong with your vision; April marks the beginning of the ASPCA’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals month.  It’s only fitting that their signature color, orange was selected to represent this month.

On April 7th, you can show your support and join in on a celebration, Go Orange for Animals, in Union Square Park from 4-8pm with an all out event featuring pet adoptions, live music, refreshments and of course a variety of pet friendly activities.

Now, I’m guessing most of you are the over achiever type (like myself) who can’t fathom attending an event without having your pooch (and yourself) in full gear to show your support.  I have taken the liberty of finding some fashion forward orange options for fido at local dog boutiques.

Wagwear in the East Village makes it easy for your dog to lead the way with the bright orange nylon Metropolitan Leash ($34.00) and collar ($18.00) set.

Peace loving pups can show support with the orange sunshine “Summer of Love” tank found at Trixie + Peanut on East 20th Street.

Or if you have a preppy protester pooch on your hands, Canine Styles on the Upper East Side has an orange polo tennis dress ($38.00) that will definitely make a statement.

-Lindsey