Mr. Claus leashed up Peanut and headed out toward the dog park down the hill a couple streets.
When he arrived there were already a handful of dogs with their owners, who were standing in a group at the far end next to a low stone wall that encircled the section of the park where they let the dogs play. They were looking through a break in the trees down to San Francisco across the bay with the setting sun in the background. Their dogs were running after one another in a large circle and obviously having a great time.
No one else showed up at this part of the park at this time of day because it was common knowledge that this time window belonged to the dogs. Technically speaking it was a normal park where dog owners were required to have their dogs on leashes. None of the dogs were on leashes, but the owners were very aware of where their dogs were and kept them in this part of the park. They were also very careful to pick up their dogs- not wanting to rock the boat more than they were already doing. They definitely didn’t want to end up on the wrong end of a rant on Nextdoor.
When he passed the break in the stone wall that was the only entrance to this section of the park, Mr. Claus unleashed Peanut and she ran off to the other dogs.
Mr. Claus strolled over to the group and said, “It’s a wonderful view, isn’t it?”
Suzie Q’s owner answered, “You never get tired of this.”
“Ain’t that the truth,” answered Mr. Claus.
Mr. Claus felt his phone buzz in his pocket and looked at it. It was a text message from William, who was probably wondering where he was. He didn’t bother looking at the message and put the phone back in his jacket.
He looked up as Jolene and her mom entered the park.
Oh no, not that prissy woman and her damn black beast of a doodle, thought Mr. Claus.
Veronica took off Jolene’s leash and made her wait five seconds before releasing her to go play with the other dogs in the park.
Show off, thought Mr. Claus.
“Hey, newbie, you keep that freaky beast of a dog away from my Jolene,” yelled Veronica directly to Mr. Claus.
Mr. Claus just shook his head.
“And keep that damn phone in your pocket. I just want a peaceful time with my dog without having it plastered all over the internet,” said Veronica very pointedly.
Mr. Claus looked at her and said, “Or what?”
“Hey, hey, let’s keep this civil. We want the dogs to get along. We should do our best to do the same,” said Ollie’s dad in a tone that made it clear that he was accustomed to having people listen to his opinion.
“Shut up, you gentrified hippie. This is isn’t the physics department and it is between me and him,” said Veronica.
“I’ll post what I want- when I want,” said Mr. Claus.
He took his phone out and waited until Jolene and Peanut were close to one another. He demonstratively pushed the button on his phone.
“Put it away, old man,” sneered Veronica.
Mr. Claus laughed and tapped on his phone.
“You didn’t,” said Veronica.
“I did,” answered Mr. Claus and walked over to pick up Peanut.
“You’ll regret this,” said Veronica.
Mr. Claus leashed up Peanut and turned to Veronica, “How about we take a picture of you sweetheart and post that?”
He snapped a picture of her with the sun setting over San Francisco in the background and left the park.
