As a dog owner in the city, the dog park is a part of life. This not only includes the dogs that you encounter, but also the people that accompany them. The subculture that this creates is at the very least fascinating. Dog owners, or "dog guardians" as we call ourselves in California, flock to the park in the morning and then again around the end of the work day. The same people and same dogs arrive like clockwork. Discussions ensue and sooner or later, gossip is the most popular topic of conversation.

I have been on the receiving end of this phenomenon. And it never ceases to amaze me at how bold these people can be when spreading the rumors. I had someone gossip about me while I was standing not ten feet away.

Lately, nearly all of the gossip at the dog park has been about one woman. The first time I heard someone call her a drunk, I brushed it off as just another mean rumor. So when I was walking through the park an hour after I saw her at a very successful doggy happy hour, I was shocked to see her completely obliterated. After only an hour since seeing her, there was dried red wine all over her face and all down the front of her shirt. She was not only slurring her speech, but she was speaking in baby talk. She plopped herself down on the grass and collapsed. Myself and another woman lifted her to her feet and supported her while walking to her building's door. We then had to help her up the stairs to her 3rd floor apartment. She continued to speak like a child, saying things that I don't even feel comfortable repeating. When we got her inside her apartment and coaxed her puppy inside before closing the door, we decided it was as far as we should go. Staying and taking care of her would have only gotten us involved in something that we didn't need to be part of. I have never actually seen anyone this messed up by alcohol.

The next day, the thoughts of this event gave me a stomach ache. I'm the last person to want to contribute to gossip, but now it seems like she's been in this situation several times and continues to involve every person at the dog park. At this point, the gossip seems to have evolved into matter of concern.

I have yet to see her sober since that night. No one has seen her sober since that night. My fellow dog guardians have only seen her out at the park in a drunken stupor, either crying or accusing others of hating her for no reason. I've been hoping to encounter her sober so that I can tell her how badly she needs help. Some of us have even talked about grabbing her cell phone next time we see her and calling her Mom. How can you help someone who doesn't want to be helped??? It's heartbreaking.  ¶ 10:31 AM