To think the ramp into the dog pond was a fucking stupid place to have a picnic?

[CatThiefKeith]

Just that really. Went to a local country park today, dh, dd (3) the dog and I.

Big country park, some of which is designated as off lead area for dogs, and has a large pond, clearly signposted as "Dog Pond" with a large wooden ramp going into it so dogs can get out easily.

We arrived at the pond, let the dog off and she bounded straight in, then swam across the pond to get out, which is when I noticed 4 women having a picnic on it.

Predictably the dog got out and shook herself, at which point one of the women started yelling that I should keep my dog on a fucking lead!

I smiled sweetly and called the dog back but really? Is it me or would one of the several designated picnic areas have been a much better choice ?

I hope her fucking sandwiches got wet.

YANBU.

You are also a saint for not pointing out the sign in a very patronising manner

There were four of them, and the one yelling at me definitely had a local accent so I would imagine so.

This reminds me of the time I had to 'talk down' an immensely cross friend of mine who was fulminating about the presence of horses when she was talking her Dc on a country walk. Along a clearly marked bridle path.

Though to be fair, she had only just arrived in UK. [Clutching at straws emoticon] perhaps these picnickers we're similarly unaware?

Don't wish to seem smug, but my dog would have apologised, explained politely and then suggested they find another place to picnic. And then come back to me raising his eyebrow to express his despair over the idiocies of big monkeys.

At least the dog didn't stop to cock a leg over the picnic!

Oh and YY to the fear of white clothes (and bare legs!!)

That's happened to me twice Wolfie, dogs pissing on my rucksack when it's been sitting next to the picnic blanket :(

Beautifully put BeerTricks. There were plenty of nervous children in the off lead area too.

Why oh why, if your child is afraid if dogs, would you not keep to the other areas, the dog bit is a tiny fraction of the park!

YANBU fucking numpties

This sounds a wonderful place. Do you think your dog knew really? Ours runs after us to shake on us.

I would love to think she knew, however she knows the pond well, so knew where the ramp was and just did what she always does , with the added bonus of sandwiches.

BeerTricks - the dog probably ate the memo!

Seriously though, we'll be spending the summer avoiding beaches and parks, Ffs, just let us have one little corner of the country park free of white linen trousers and dog fearing children!

I'd presume they didn't realise what it was. Yes, I know you said there is a sign, but I've never heard of anything like that. I opened this thread simply to find out what 'dog pond' was a typo for

If you google images Shorne Country Park Dog Swimming there are pictures of the dog pond, and of the ramp.

Could this be the first ever dog thread on MN where the anti-dog brigade don't have a leg to stand on???

These women sound like some of the people who come to my local park. It's a lovely park with lots of fenced in dog free grass and walk ways with a children's play area, a cafe and a pond with geese.

Where do people take their picnics? To the small open dog walking part of course. The bit where the grass is so rub away as to be almost non existent in the summer and a mud bath in the winter. Oh and of course it's covered in dog poo because a lot of people don't bother to pick up after their dogs.

And then they sit there and tut and moan when the dogs eat their sandwiches; not my dog of course. Seen many a dog hurtling across the park with a sandwich in its mouth. One dog was seen running across the park with someone's roast chicken on one particularly momentous day apparently, or so local legend goes.

Yep, my dog would have been straight into the sandwich bag. They won't be sitting there again, I wish I'd seen it.

I guess they didn't read the signs.

I frequently visit the park and while I knew about the dog pond, I didn't know there was a special off-lead area. I've seen dogs off the lead all over the park (doesn't bother me).

Have you ever seen the dog-cart people there? They have big dogs harnessed up to very decorative wooden carts and sort of parade round one of the car parks.

That image of your dog having a good shake made me

I would have had trouble keeping a straight face for long enough to call the dog back. And YANBU. She's an idiot.

Shorne woods is fab, never seen the dog pond though, how great is that. And the woman was being completely unreasonable. Oh well, she'll know for next time!

Oh ffs some people are so entitled. An entire park and they have to hog the one area the poor dogs can run free and then have the nerve to blame you?

I bet they lean up against no smoking signs having a fag to :o

Well serves them
Bloody right!! sounds a lovely place hope your dog had a nice time :)

:o

miaow

Love the idea of a dog pond! YWNBU.

I sometimes used to walk with someone walking a flat coated retriever. He used to dive for sticks (actually head under a foot of water) so got quite wet. He didn't bother shaking and could be from the stream / pond to a picnic rug (the middle of it, preferably with a person on both sides and picnic in the middle) in a twinkle of an eye!