Did You Know I Love Dogs? And Dog Parks!

I love wondering what they're smelling when they sniff a spot for a long time. Their noses are supposedly a million times more sensitive than ours. I think, if they could talk, they'd tell us that Midas was just at this spot. Where is Midas today? Hmm!

Tanner and his Husky friend greet the white lab that just arrived. It's such fun making new friends, and helping your dog to learn to socialize is one of the best reasons to take him to the park. What's better than lots of friends for a pup to learn to enjoy them.

I love playing fetch with Tanner. He'll fetch a stick, a Frisbee, a ball, or even an orange. One day I used an orange off the tree in the park to play fetch. Tanner didn't seem to mind at all.

Oliver makes it his mission to greet all the humans in the park with a kiss. His are gentle and sweet, sort of like a kitten. Tanner has that same mission. He, unfortunately, likes to do his on a "run by jumping kiss" kind of motion. Sort of the dog kiss version of a "drive by shooting". Cesar Millan wouldn't approve, but I'm working on it. Tanner is almost three years old, and I am beginning to see signs of maturity setting in, but not yet in his enthusiasm for socialization. There seems to be no end in sight for my party animal's talent for working a party.

I love German Shepherds whose owners always provide fresh water at the dog park. Tanner has a bad habit of washing the fetch ball in the bucket, and standing in it while he drinks. I guess this is a habit that comes from fetch in the swimming pool. Aren't all his toys supposed to get a dunk before we play again?

I love watching Tanner greet a new Rottweiler friend. Just like Marley, Tanner's motto is "So many genitals, so little time!"

I love watching Oliver drink from the water fountain at the dog park. Sometimes Tanner gives himself a shower, using the top sprayer, but I haven't managed to catch a photo of that humorous episode yet. I'll keep trying.

That's enough for today. Clearly, we enjoy our dog park visits. If you have dog park photos you would like to share, I'll be happy to post them here on the blog. I'll crop out humans, so there won't be any legal issues. My son, the attorney, doesn't seem to have time for any more clients, so I have to stay out of trouble.
If you're thinking of venturing out to your local dog park for the first time, I encourage you to read my posts with helpful tips on dog parking:

• Child Safety at the Dog Park


• Green Family Fun: Let's Visit the Dog Park, Part I


• Green Family Fun: Let's Visit the Dog Park, Part II


• Green Family Fun: Let's Visit the Dog Park, Part III

There are also some great books out that would be helpful, like the one that follows. It really helps to know what you're getting yourself into.

And one more thing. In an effort to spread the word about diminishing funding for dog park upkeep, I have a website where you can learn how to help care for your dog park, while your dog enjoys playing there. I hope you'll stop in to visit Adopt a Dog Park to see how you can do your part, without adding extra work to your day. Your dog will thank you for it.