When the boyfriend suggested taking Mr. N to Shakespeare in the Park, I was a little apprehensive. It’s a long time for him to be sitting still (+2 hours) and there are a lot of dogs in that park. But I thought we could try it and leave early if need be.
Mr. N and I walked over to the park so he would get some exercise beforehand while the boyfriend drove over with supplies. While the boyfriend set up, I let Mr. N run around in the off-leash area to work off some energy.
We settled in to watch the play armed with a bag of treats . Had I known what was involved, I might have left him at home. There was frequent whistle blowing from the prompter, the actors yelled a good deal to be heard over the sound of traffic and the cast frequently wandered through the area where the audience was sitting.
Also there were various improv segments throughout the play including interpretive dance, act like you’re in a silent film, and zombie soccer players. Mr. N does not approve of zombies. He let out a small bark when the zombies were lurching around and shoving each other. The boyfriend says if we get invaded by zombies, we’ll be dead because Mr. N will bark at them.
We could hear dogs barking from somewhere else in the park at some point and the prompter told several of the cast members to bark back then encouraged the audience to join in. Thankfully, Mr. N did not chime in.
They also threw food around several times during the show (including a hot dog!). That part I wasn’t worried about with Mr. N but I know several dogs who would have joined the cast about then.
There were two other dogs in the audience and one (the one sitting two rows behind us) left at intermission but there were dogs passing by frequently down the path about fifty feet from us as an added distraction.
The first half, he was a little restless. He wanted to go sniff people and wander around and we had to remind him to settle. By the second half, he sprawled out on the blanket and ignored all and sundry.
We were in the first row and after the performance, the prompter came over to tell us how well-behaved Mr. N was during the performance. He gave her a high five and danced and she thought he was adorable.
I always value the compliments about his behavior and/or training more highly than the ones about his appearance. Because really aside from brushing him and taking him to the groomer, he was born that way but we work on his behavior all the time!
I was pleasantly surprised at how good Mr. N was overall. It’s always nice when your dogs surprise you (in a good way!).
June 30, 2014 7:26 am
I don't approve of zombies either Mr. N.
June 30, 2014 8:49 pm
Who does?
June 30, 2014 11:49 am
Great job Mr. N. Bailey loves outdoor concerts. We've never had the opportunity to try an outdoor theater performance with him. He loves laying down on his blanket and listening to the music. He also loves the attention he gets during the break. Katy is OK with the music, but not as thrilled with all the people that approach and want to pet her, so she usually stays home.
June 30, 2014 12:20 pm
wow zombies and a hot dog and you were able to stay relatively calm Mr N you are pretty amazing
retro rover
June 30, 2014 1:26 pm
I bet that was fun. Torrey would have been the same way. She will settle down once she figures everything out.
June 30, 2014 3:43 pm
Mr. Ni is just so cultured! I'm guessing Barley's opinion of a play is probably similar to her opinion of books–she thinks her time's much better spent on the move. I'm impressed he stayed calm with the hot dog and barking. Barley definitely would have joined the cast for a hot dog–if she hadn't already decided she was tired of not being the center of attention and joined earlier!
June 30, 2014 3:44 pm
Oops. Silly typos. I meant Mr. N not Ni . . .
June 30, 2014 8:49 pm
I'm pretty sure Mr. N thinks he should have been in the cast. He loves being the center of attention!
June 30, 2014 3:57 pm
Wow Mr. N you are such a cultured and classy pup!
February 25, 2017 6:10 pm
Kilo the Pug would have gone for the food and the zombies, as you can imagine. Well done Mr N- great control.
June 30, 2014 7:48 pm
Looks so well behaved indeed!! And what a fun event to attend. And shh – don't alert those zombies 🙂
July 1, 2014 12:15 am
Mr. N is just the cutest little thing EVER. Much cuter than zombies or hot dogs, for sure. Sounds like it was a fun time!
http://www.dogtreatweb.com
July 1, 2014 12:55 am
How sophisticated Mr. N seems, relaxing and enjoying theater in the park! My dog would NEVER be that well-behaved!
July 1, 2014 1:21 am
Wow, that's a lot of stuff to put up with! Good job, Mr. N! But… zombies in Shakespeare? That must be one of his plays I haven't seen yet! 🙂
July 2, 2014 6:52 pm
That sounds like quite the performance! I think it is very impressive that Mr. N did so well, with so much going on.
Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets
February 24, 2017 3:41 pm
Good for you, Mr N! We're very impressed.
February 24, 2017 7:03 pm
Mr N has a much better social life than I do, and how cultured!! He did so well with all the noise and hustle and bustle no wonder you're so proud.
February 24, 2017 7:18 pm
Mr. N is a very sophisticated dog! Nelly might be able to sit through a performance, but Theo would have stormed the stage if there was food on it!
February 24, 2017 10:15 pm
Great job, Mr. N! Sounds like a fun time, that's a long time to be on your best behavior! 😉
February 25, 2017 12:39 pm
What a good boy Mr N – no wonder your mom is so proud of you. Love that you high-fived the performers too, nice touch!
February 25, 2017 9:05 pm
Holy Hanna, what a fiasco! Kudos to Mr. N for taking it all in stride and doing so great amidst so many crazy distractions. Terrific.
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
February 26, 2017 5:37 am
Mr. N is a really well behaved dog if you ask me. It's great that he was willing to endure as much of the show as he did. The other dogs there had to be a bit restless too. I can't blame Mr. N for hating zombies. There is just something not right about the undead! LOL
-Purrs from your friends at http://www.PlayfulKitty.net
February 26, 2017 6:13 pm
Mr. N. you were really good and your parents are so proud of you. Layla would have wandered around checking who has the best blanket to sleep on and then gone to sleep. I have taken her to a movie in the park but everyone had their dogs with them so it was different.
February 26, 2017 7:04 pm
Well done Mr N, I bet many dogs would not stick it out with patience but you did good! We kove Shakespeare in the Park events but we realise they CAN be busy. It must have helped that you exercised him before the show so that when he did realise it was ok to relax, he did so.
I reckon a LOT of this is down to the training and care you give Mr N.
February 26, 2017 10:38 pm
Sounds like a fun adventure! I can relate to the good surprises about a pet's behavior. I always love to be pleasantly surprised when I take my two adventure cats out on a new type of adventure and they do well. Glad you guys had fun!
February 26, 2017 11:01 pm
Great job, Mr. N! What I want to know is did he do his own interpretive dance? LOL. And I don't like zombies either!
February 26, 2017 11:23 pm
That's awesome you got some high-fives! You are such a good boy and work so hard. Great job little man.
February 27, 2017 7:53 am
Great job pal! Sounds like it was fun too!
February 27, 2017 10:02 am
This sounds like such a fun event! Way to go Mr.N!!! BTW, love the new site!!! 🙂