I spent an afternoon with 50 Chihuahuas in a Toronto park and it's not what I expected

On a warm, but drizzly, Sunday afternoon, Toronto's Ramsden Park was buzzing with the soft pitter-patter of tiny paws as about 50 Chihuahuas gathered for a meetup organized by Diana, the force behind the Toronto Chihuahua Club.

What started two years ago as an online group for dog moms has now turned into a full-fledged social event for humans and pups alike. Diana, inspired by her own pup Jack — a now 5-year-old, once awkward Chihuahua — realized she wasn't alone after launching what was initially just a Facebook community.

During the pandemic, many small dogs grew up in isolation, missing the chance to properly socialize. "There were so many of us with these awkward, shy, or quirky Covid fur babies," Diana said. "I thought, why not bring them together?" 

Walking into the park, I expected a chorus of yaps and a ton of chaos. Fifty Chihuahuas in one place — is there anything quiet about that? But instead of high-pitched barks, there was an almost comical level of obedience and harmony.

Diana, with her 5-year-old Chihuahua, Jack, officially started these meetups two years ago to get her dog to be more social. 

The dogs coexisted perfectly, bursting with excitement when they saw some of their fellow four-legged friends trot through the gates. Some were sassy, others were observant, and all of them were friendly.

There were a couple, though, who completely stole the show.

First on that list is 2.5-year-old Wally, wearing a gentleman-like green polo, and basking in praise every time he would obediently "sit pretty" for a treat. Shoutout to Denise, Wally's lovely hooman, who graciously repeated the trick with her pup on my insistence, so I could get the perfect photo of the little model.

Other puppers were spinning (and salivating) in hopes of treats, and another was even giving high-fives! Owners beamed as their doggo besties showed off skills that proved this pint-sized breed can offer all the companionship of their larger-breed cousins.

Wally and his owner, Denise, are showing off his "sit pretty" trick. 

Seventeen-year-old Cooper, who joined in on the party in his stroller, watchfully surveyed the scene to make sure that nothing was out of order at the event. He was attentive, ears perking at the slightest sound of excessive barking (trust me, there wasn't much, besides the odd kerfuffle over food), and would occasionally get down to roam a short distance from his owner for a pee break.

He's the oldest member of the Toronto Chihuahua Club — in terms of age — and was among the first to officially join the club back in 2023. I spent time with Cooper on the sidelines, chatting with his owner, who adopted him when the small dog was just two.

17-year-old Cooper is one of the oldest group members and has been attending the meetups since their inception. 

Cooper's calm aura made me want a Chihuahua to take home, too. (I'm a dog momma, and my 80-pound, five-year-old, apricot-coloured Labradoodle, Carter, is not going to be happy about this confession.)

Other than fostering a sense of togetherness for both the parents and their dogs, Diana mentions another very heartfelt impact the group has had on the local canine community.

She tells blogTO, "What I like about these events is that there are a lot of dogs here that are rescues, and it's a great way for them to be fostered." 

Pups also bring their gently used clothes, which they no longer wear, to give them a new home.

The last Chihuahua Meet Up of the season is happening at Ramsden Park on October 19, a Halloween-themed event where the dogs will channel their inner dark (or should I say "bark") side.

Ramsden Park, for that afternoon, felt like a tiny universe where awkwardness was not just accepted but put on a tiny pedestal and celebrated.

And although it was a fulfilling experience to have spent a couple of hours with so many Chihuahuas, I will admit that Carter got a few extra liver treats out of sheer guilt on my part…I think he smelled the betrayal all over me, too.