Pet Party Line is a column written by Beth Byrd and is featured weekly in The Citizen News, one of our local newspapers.

"Are Pets Social? Experiences in a Dog Park in Washington, DC"

Q: Are pets as social as people are?

A: Absolutely! Walking your dog is not only good exercise but helps your pet to be more well-adjusted and comfortable around other dogs.

A good example -- I lived for many years in the heart of metropolitan Washington, DC six blocks from the U. S. Capitol. We had a neighborhood park named after Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox and it was located off of South Carolina Avenue! Each day before and after work, I’d take my dog, Harry Byrd, for his walk. There, I would chat with other pet owners and our dogs would have a glorious time running free in a fenced in area. You slowly learned most of the other dogs’ names and all about each breed. We truly had every size, shape and type of dog you could imagine - about 80 total in and out of the park during a week. It became embarrassing after a while not to know or be able to remember the “owner’s names” so a group of us compiled the Capitol Hill Doggie Directory with the main listing by the PET’S NAME.

Our group of pet owners included a great cross section of the city (blue collar, political types, State Dept., journalists, media, scientists, artists, etc.); and, through our mutual love of animals, we developed a wonderful network of friends. All of our dogs would get so excited with tails “a wagging” when told they were going to “the park”. Rain, snow or sunshine, you would always spot an old friend or enjoy meeting new one. Like humans, every now and then, a couple of pups would get into a scuffle and you’d learn how to handle it Our animals were always on leash to and from the park and we all carried our “poop bags.”

We also volunteered certain weekends to help with the park beautification. From our canine network, we organized a book club, a neighborhood watch group, exercise groups and each Christmas we held a huge black tie Christmas party. Two owners met in the park and now are married! As pet lovers, we all shared each other’s problems, joys and sorrows. Every now and then I will see someone on TV and immediately identify him as “Fido’s” dad or mom. Not long ago one of the contestants on Jeopardy was the lady who used to “dog sit” for a bunch of us! It was such a wonderful experience and, after many years, I still keep in touch with my Marion Park friends.

Our local pet “social event of the season” will be the”3rd Annual Paws in the Park” which will be held on Saturday, April 29th. Mark your calendars now for a fun day!