The Ultimate Conversation Starter

Moving to a new city has not been easy for me. The combination of knowing nobody (besides my two roommates) and not having a serious job has made it almost unbearable at times. It gets lonely. And I love Ennis, but my dog can only comfort me so much. Human interaction is not only desired, it's necessary to my very survival here.

I admit: I'm not very brave. Meeting strangers doesn't come easily to me. I can go to the movies, a play, shopping, the library—all by myself. But bars? Restaurants? Not likely.

This is where the dog park has been my ultimate savior. Because what better conversation starter is there than to talk to someone about their dog? I mean, c'mon... everyone loves talking about their dogs, because it usually leads to them talking about themselves. People like that.

The important thing for me is to remember the human's name. I never have trouble remembering a dog's name. I still remember all of the puppies' names from my PetSmart Puppy Class, but never ONCE learned their owners' names. The same is true for almost every dog I've met. Sad. But I'm making a point not to be forgetful this time. So far it's paying off.

Ennis has made lots of friends, and I've definitely started good talks with people. Puppy play date, anyone?



This is Ennis and Barnaby. Seeing Barnaby at the park was a bit of a trip, and I got a tad over-excited. I love Aussies (obviously) and, well... he looks like a certain someone I also kind of like. His owner Ann was nice enough to take this and send it to me. Hopefully I'll see him again once it's sunny more.

Up top is the apple of little Ennis' eye: Holly. Her owners Tom and Nicole are really amazing, and we've agreed that our pups are pretty madly in love. Ennis is a bit of a player, with girlfriends all up the West Coast, from Malibu to Fremont to Oakland to Arcata... But Holly can hold her own.

Plymouth Pillars has some frequent visitors, and Ennis is lucky enough to see many of them regularly when the weather is good. Sarah with Harlow (um... Whippet mix?), Tony with Baxter (Burnese/Border Collie mix), Lou with Foxy and Bear (Shiba Inus), Chris with Rupert (Bassett Hound)—lots of people with precious dogs, all of whom seem just as eager to meet fellow dog lovers as I am.

In a city with nearly 45% more dogs than children, it would behoove a new Seattlite to pony up the bucks and get a pooch to help him/her mingle. Especially in Capitol Hill, where so many young people are getting their footing in the world and building up their sense of responsibility. What better way to do that—to help learn your place in this busy, complicated world—than with a warm smile and a friendly, "Wow, your dog is beautiful. Boy or girl?"

Dog Park: Plymouth Pillars

I thank my gods every day that there is a "dog park" within easy walking distance of my apartment. As most locals describe it, it's more like "a glorified dog run", but it doesn't make any difference to me. Two things matter: I can take Ennis' leash off, and he can run. Bonus point: With other dogs.

Obviously this is the point of a dog park. But when you're talking about an area of Seattle that is less than one mile NE of Pike Place Market and amidst the apartment complex mayhem of South Capitol Hill, you'll be grateful for any amount of off-leash time your dog can get, particularly if you don't have a car to drive to the 9 acres that Magnuson has to offer.

There is no grass and no dirt at Plymouth Pillars. It's kind of like an English beach: pebbles and rocks, dusty and dirty. Some larger rocks surround a little hill that the little dogs especially love. Many complain about the rocks—"They hurt my dog's feet!"—but I assure you, they're harmless. I know Ennis loves them, and he has little feet. They give when he maneuvers, and I think he enjoys that. But who knows.


Online reviews have said that no one ever comes to this park, but as someone who has been coming every single afternoon that the sun is out (which has been quite frequently lately), there is always at least one person/dog, if not a dozen or more of them. The great thing is that almost everyone is in their 20's and 30's—and everyone lives nearby. The dogs are all well-behaved for the most part, clearly excited and thankful to be running free outside of their small apartment walls. Ennis is among these happy frolickers.

The guy who maintains the park, which has gone through major transformations in the last two years, is around almost every afternoon, snapping pictures of the dogs and sometimes their owners. Yours truly and her faithful pooch were snapped several times: 1, 2, 3 and 4.

What a stud.

Between the fence and the freeway is a little hill that currently has sunflowers planted. There are sticks along the fence with a dog's name on each one. Each stick has a sunflower. So come spring, I can pick mine! It's a very nice idea, and it'll be beautiful once they all bloom. Just imagine the view from the freeway! I can't wait.

Plymouth Pillars isn't much in terms of space, or to look at, and there is the occasional drug dealer or flagrant hanging around. But there really is a sense of community with the people who bring their dogs. Not a lot of stuck up people with prissy, designer dogs, which is nice if you actually want to strike up a good conversation.

No judging each other. I like that. Kind of like being a dog.

Plymouth Pillars Park
Boren Ave. at Pike St.
Seattle, WA 98101
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