The Dogs and People Of Hyde Park

 During my recent trips to London, I have been spending time photographing people in Hyde Park. My first stop is usually near the Peter Pan area because many people relax and feed birds there. After photographing people and the birds, I began visiting with people walking dogs while at the park.

I don’t live in a city environment in TX. I am used to seeing the standard U.S. dog. That stereotype is a growling barking dog pulling its owner around while on the leash. Or, the growling barking dog behind a fence making his presence known to strangers who happen to walk by the dog’s residence. I’m sure there are many well-behaved dogs in the U.S., but I am always impressed with how well-mannered the dogs are during my travels to Europe. 

The dog behavior in Europe is a stark contrast to my experience in the U.S. People bring their dogs with them to dinner or on walks through the park. I see owners remove leashes from the dogs in the parks, and the dogs don’t run off attacking other people. They stay with their owners. This always amazes me.

 In the Texas suburbs where I live, dogs are not that well mannered.

The following pictures are images of dogs with their people. The first photo is of an owner with his dog. The other images are of dogs who are being cared for by “Dog Walkers.” I forgot the company’s name, but if you look closely at one of the images, you will see the gentlemen wearing an armband. That armband demonstrates they have a license that enables them to use Hyde Park to walk clients’ dogs. As they told me, they walk dogs at the “pleasure” of the Queen while in the park.