Nat, Pyxi and I had a play date this morning with my friend Lori and her two collies at the Islamorada Dog Park.   This isn't much different than parents taking their children to meet friends at a playground -- except that kids don't usually slurp water from the same bowls.

My pups have come a long way in their socialization with people.  Pyxi isn't nearly as skittish as she used to be.  Nat is always the first to go offer himself up for petting and his paw for shaking.  However, other than mutual sniffing sometimes when we meet up with other dogs while walking on the Seven Mile Bridge, they haven't had an opportunity to play with other canines.

I was curious how they'd react.  We opened the gate to a large fenced in grassy area and I unhooked their leashes from their collars.  Lori's collies -- 4 year old Calypso and 10 year old Kata -- are very gentle, non-in-your-face dogs.  They sniffed, but didn't push the issue.  Like youngsters on the first day of school, Nat and Pyxi hung back, very close to me, just looking around the open expanse.

I walked forward, calling them with me and they followed.  So far, so good.  Then two large rambunctious labradors galloped across the field to play.  Nat stood his ground.  Pyxi ran away, back to the fence.

The Labs people called them back.  Nat, by this point had decided to explore the surroundings -- such an intrepid guy.  Unwilling to reinforce Pyxi's fear, I walked a little further away and called for her to join me. 

Both of my pups ran over.

Lori and I decided not to force any interactions, but to let the dogs work things out in their own time.  Pyxi stuck pretty close to me, but watched while her brother ventured out to sniff the trees, the grounds, the toys scattered around on the ground.  Gradually her confidence grew.  Finally, when Calypso came over, she showed very little concern and bounced off to find Nat.

The Labs left, but there was still a Pappilon in the park.  Pyxi ran over to investigate, but the Pap barked and growled and my little girl swiftly retreated.  Never fear.  A half an hour later the two were chasing each other in play.

It wasn't easy for Lori and me to get our four together for a single picture.  If two sat nice, a third would walk out of the shot.  All four remained still, but two looked away.  Finally, success (sort of)!

I didn't realize until I downloaded the images that, at some point, one of the dogs left a nose smudge on the lense.  Sorry, Kata!

About a half an hour before we left, Pyxi found her spunk.  She let the other, bigger dogs know that she had first dibs on my attention.  I'd watch her sneak up for a "stealth sniff" of the collies.  Nat and Calypso ran off and Pyxi decided to run after them -- until they turned around.  Then she'd jam on the breaks and invite them to chase her back.

It was a gorgeous day with a cool breeze, but all that play makes a dog thirsty.  The dog park has several big bowls and a hose available for its guests.

After a long, refreshing drink, we called it a day.

All in all, the first play date went very well, and we'll plan more in the future.  My town's discussing installing a dog park, too.  A closer location would definitely mean Nat and Pyxi could make more new friends more often.