We were invited to a picnic/party over Labor Day weekend. I asked ahead of time and had permission to bring Kozmo. We knew there was going to be a fenced in yard. I wasn't sure what to expect of the party or Kozmo. I kept telling myself as long as he didn't knock over the food table or poop in a non designated poop area I thought we would be fine.
Just to make sure, Kozmo would have everything he needed in case the party wasn't dog friendly or he got too stressed I took his crate. I also had lots of treats and a trusty rawhide bone. I knew there would be kids at this party because the invitations mentioned a batting cage and water slide. I had no idea just how many kids would be there. I forgot the little detail about the host being a junior high football coach so the entire team was there in addition to kids ranging in age from toddler to teen.
I kept Kozmo on his leash and decided the best place for us was a spot in the yard in between the food and playing kids. These kids had more energy than Kozmo and kept running by. Kozmo acted like he wanted to run and play with the kids. I know he wanted to help catch the football. I wasn't ready to trust him off leash. Some of these kids were small and I didn't want to set Kozmo up for failure and knock a kid down. I kept giving him treats and praise and he did a good job of laying down to focus on his bone and didn't try to chase the kids.
From where we were sitting Kozmo had a great view of the water slide. He was fascinated watching the kids. Several kids came up and asked if they could pet my dog. Kozmo loved the attention and behaved perfectly. Then this little girl came back to pet Kozmo for the third time. She finally worked up the nerve to ask me if she could walk my dog. The overprotective part of me didn't want to trust her or Kozmo. But, I remember being that little girl at parties and really wanting to walk a dog. Heck, I was that little girl up until last summer always asking if I could walk someone's dog. 
I told Kozmo to be a good boy and handed the leash to this little girl. Her smile was a bright as her hot pink bathing suit. Here are two photos of Kozmo playing with his new friends.
We spent about four hours at this party and Kozmo was a good boy the entire time. He let every new person approach him and pet him. He even laid down and showed his belly to some people, who of course, rubbed his belly.
I was amazed at how many people commented on Kozmo's good behavior. At least 6 people said to us, "my dog would never behave like that". People asked me how I got my dog to be so good. My standard answer is "a lot of hard work". I'm certainly no dog expert but one of the things I've learned is that good dogs just don't come our of a box. If you want a dog who can go to parties then you have to work really hard to socialize and train your dog.
I was so proud of Kozmo and I loved telling people he was a shelter dog. Any dog can be a good dog if you are willing to make the commitment. I got in the car to go home with a big smile. My goal for next Labor Day is to have Kozmo be off leash at the party.
When Kozmo wasn't getting lots of attention or playing with little girls he just lay at my feet happily chewing his bone. I am so proud of Kozzy!
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