Outdoor cats are solitary creatures. They don't really look for the company of other cats. But dogs that run loose (outside of their yard) seem to enjoy hanging with other dogs in the neighborhood, which is often fun to watch and admire.
Two stories come to mind.
Many years ago I was the night auditor at a large resort here in town. During the Summer nights when all the guests had retired, I would throw open the doors and let the cool fresh air in. And almost every night, somewhere around 1-2 in the morning, a "pack" of dogs would come cruising in, make a grand tour of the lobby (this was a big hotel, 160 rooms) circle around, even behind the desk and then leave, probably to continue their patrol. They paid absolutely no attention to me or anyone else, they were good natured, never barked, just did a quick reconnaissance.
I don't know if they were searching for food or deer or playmates or what.
A couple of Winters ago I was working the showroom at our factory and three dogs from the neighborhood used to hang in the parking lot, in the fields beyond, and play for hours at a time. They would leap around the snowbanks, wrestle with each other, play tug-of-war with branches, cardboard, or any other debris lying about. And then at dusk they would head their seperate ways back home. It was great fun to watch and it was obvious they were having a swell time.
In both cases there were no owners in sight but it was clear (just from the tags) that all of these dogs had homes to return to.
I think that's one of the beauties of dogs, is their ability to make their own fun with other dogs they meet in a non-territorial setting.
That's why I'm glad that some cities and towns are creating dog-friendly parks where they can gather and play. Do your dogs have their own "clubs?" Their own social life beyond your family?
Posted by Jeff Soyer at April 13, 2004 05:13 AM