The Dog Spot is a real treat for pets and owners
July 26th, 2008 Posted in Pets GuideA few days ago, a friend and I took my dog, Dixie, to an area on Cleveland Avenue, just past the railroad tracks.
We let her roam freely and happily under a bridge. She sniffed at grass and rocks in this strange new area. Her ears pricked every time a train rumbled by.
A two-acre dog park open from dawn to dusk each day is a pretty nice asset for any city, but a surprising number of Huntsvillians are unaware the park exists. When I found out about it, I thought it would be nice to take Dixie, who spends most of her time lying in the backyard and staring plaintively through the windows.
On arriving at the dog park, I was a little afraid of how Dixie would react to smaller dogs in an off-leash setting. But fortunately, the park is separated into two very nice play areas: one for dogs weighing less than 25 pounds, and one for bigger dogs.
The rules are posted: Dogs must have a rabies shot, owners must clean up after them, etc. Dixie sniffed around with a wagging tail, only once stopping to greet another dog, a golden retriever, somewhat indifferently. The park had several benches and a small pool full of fresh water, and the area under I-565 was a great place to get some shade.
We also peeked into the small-dog play area, which had some chew toys and a hoop for the more athletic dogs. There was even a bag of dog treats, conveniently left in a small tree. While Dixie roamed, my friend and I sat on one of the benches and watched a couple of skateboarders from afar.
A few weeks ago, dog lovers held the “Barking for Bucks” fundraiser, which raised money for the city’s second dog park. Besides prizes and free food, the fundraiser offered pet owners the opportunity to microchip their pets. Although the chip is as small as a grain of rice, it helps pets to be identified if they are lost.
According to Sheppard, pet owners are raving about the park, and it’s easy to see why. A dog park allows dogs to socialize with one another, which is a rare opportunity for pets that spend most of their time alone in the backyard.
It provides them with exercise and a place where they are allowed to roam without a leash. And for dog lovers, the park is just as cool for humans as it is for dogs. A place where you can set your dog free and chat with other dog owners is something that every city could benefit from.
Tags: ash, benefit, dog owners, dogs, few days, fresh water, grain of rice, love, Pet, pet owners, pets, toysRelated posts
Tags: ash, benefit, dog owners, dogs, few days, fresh water, grain of rice, love, Pet, pet owners, pets, toys
