Chapter 1: “Why do you want a pit bull?”

When my beloved orange tabby, Steven, passed away last July, I decided to adopt a dog; not just any dog – a pit bull or a pit bull mix. “Pitties” have always been my favorite... Read More

Jasmine Blue's Tails of the Dog Park

Chapter 2: Do you love me yet?

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

I first met Blue at her foster home in Hayward. On a warm Saturday late in July of 2006, a friend and I settled into the big backyard of Friends of the Fairmont Animal Shelter volu... Read More

Jasmine Blue's Tails of the Dog Park

Chapter 3: Cur wars at Dog Walker Ranch

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

When I was a kid – the last time I had a dog – exercising your dog meant playing in the backyard or a walk in the park. After adopting Jasmine, I found out that things had chan... Read More

Jasmine Blue's Tails of the Dog Park

Chapter 4: Where are Fido, Rover and Spot?

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

Saturday morning in the dog park is sort of like Saturday morning at the playground – the parents get together, sip coffee and talk about the antics of their kids. Being a new do... Read More

Jasmine Blue's Tails of the Dog Park

Chapter 5: A few of our favorite things …

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

It goes without saying that a spoiled pit bull gets extra spoiled this time of year, but when it comes to gift ideas for Jasmine Blue, she and I have very different tastes. I favor... Read More

Jasmine Blue's Tails of the Dog Park

Chapter 6: Attack of the five-foot-two stage mother

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

Shortly after adopting Jasmine, we started working on the 2007 April cover story, “Where to shop, stay, play and dine with your dog.” In her first six months with me, Jazzy sta... Read More

Jasmine Blue's Tails of the Dog Park

Chapter 7: Jazzy’s anatomy

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

It was after a trip to Fort Funston that I first noticed Jasmine Blue favoring her right hind leg. My friend Johnny and his dog, Abe, had come to visit for the weekend. Abe and Jas... Read More

Jasmine Blue's Tails of the Dog Park

Chapter 8: The bionic pit bull

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

The great thing about being a dog is that you have no idea what’s coming five minutes from now, never mind the next day. When I dropped Jasmine Blue off at Dr. Sams’ clinic in ... Read More

Jasmine Blue's Tails of the Dog Park

Chapter 9: A Glen of Imaal terrier in the woodpile…

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

“She’s pit bull and what?” the woman walking her golden retriever asked as Jasmine Blue and I passed by in Buena Vista Park. I get this question nearly every time we’re out... Read More

Jasmine Blue's Tails of the Dog Park

Chapter 10: A true-blue ObamaMama Cramerican

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

When we bought my dad’s house on Buena Vista Avenue last June, we inherited a gourmet kitchen. The previous owner, an executive with Nike Sports, made several million dollars a y... Read More

Jasmine Blue's Tails of the Dog Park

Chapter 11: An incredibly sensitive dog

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

When Jasmine Blue’s new trainer came to the house, the first thing he did was lie on the floor next to her – a moment she seized for a bath of kisses. Some people like it, some... Read More

Jasmine Blue's Tails of the Dog Park

Chapter 12: Gotta getta doodle!

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

When I adopted Jasmine Blue in September 2006, I had been on a long hiatus from dog ownership. My last canine companion, a pit bull mix named Chipper, had passed away when I was in... Read More

Jasmine Blue's Tails of the Dog Park

Chapter 13: Every dog has its day

The good news stories about pit bulls that you never hear

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

Stories of pit bull heroism abound – you just never hear them. The mainstream media loves to report bad news about pit bulls. They also like to misinform. As a journalist and pro... Read More

Jasmine Blue's Tails of the Dog Park

Chapter 14: Best places to dine with your dog

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

Here are the dog-friendly places – and a few almost entirely dog-friendly streets – where Jazzy and I like to eat, along with the dishes that particularly please our picky pala... Read More

Jasmine Blue's Tails of the Dog Park

Chapter 15: Presidential Puppygate

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

“A lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me.” – Barack Obama on adopting a dog at his first press conference, Nov. 7, 2008 As soon as Barack Obama made the public promise to... Read More

Jasmine Blue’s Tails of the Dog Park