The Nearest Park or Bust

Her owners would brag that Jordan practically house-trained herself. Adopted from a local refuge at 5 months of age, Jordan readily adapted to her new owners’ long work hours, earning their trust by staying out of mischief and never, ever soiling in the house.

Jordan seated next to her beagle buddy Lulu.

In exchange for being awesome, the owners would walk Jordan to a large park three blocks from home. Almost every day they would meet with neighbors and friends to catch-up and decompress while their dogs played. Jordan loved these outings and soon developed the habit of holding it in until she reached the park. No one seemed to mind.

After two years of regular park attendance, the arrival of a new baby brought bliss, anxiety, and sleep-deprivation. During those early days, visiting family and friends were on hand to walk Jordan around the block a few times a day. Unfortunately, Jordan continued to hold out for a walk to the park and when she stretched the wait over 24 hours, the dog’s distress was impossible to ignore. The owners felt Jordan was being hard-headed and maybe, possibly would relent. But until that happy day, neighbors and friends were enlisted to take Jordan to the park when they couldn’t, an arrangement that worked until someone failed to show up, pushing Jordan into day 2. She couldn’t hold it and rather promptly became un-house-trained.

Salvation from guilt and soiled carpets arrived with the opening of a dog day care one block from Jordan’s house. That’s where I got to know this sweet-tempered, friendly, outgoing dog. From day one she had no difficulty eliminating because, like the park, Jordan was on-leash only during the commute.