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It finally happened. My dog Libby got to run around outside, off-leash. On our neighborhood walks, it always breaks my heart this pint-size Yorkie can’t go off on her own since… well, she can’t be trusted and would end up in the next county. Instead, she tugs (and tugs and tugs), performing a slow-motion gallop, wanting to zoom around like her canine ancestors. I always felt bad that I couldn’t let her go…until now.

The other day, I discovered a tiny woodsy dog park, tucked away behind our town’s middle school. The area’s the size of a large backyard and bordered with a split-rail fence and chicken wire.

On Libby’s inaugural visit, I was disappointed no other dogs were there, but figured that it might be best. Libby doesn’t always play well with others. She can learn the ropes of the place solo.

We entered the gate, closed it behind us, and I took off her leash. She looked back at me, as if I’d made this huge, but awesome mistake. Then, she made a beeline for the park’s edges, snuffling around for a Yorkie-sized hole in the chicken wire. Oh God, I thought, just my luck she’ll find the one escape route and disappear forever. Thank God, the builders were thorough.

Like all our outings, Libby always seems more interested in what’s under the ground than above it. Her breed is from Yorkshire, England (hence the name Yorkie) and was designed to go down little holes hunting for mice, badgers, and rabbits.

Soon she caught on that she could have the run of the place. It felt good to trot ahead, calling, “C’mon Libby!” With a big smile, she galloped about, doing several laps, before slowing and sniffing again.

The designers wisely put in lots of benches, although Libby wanted me to escort her around on this maiden voyage. Of course, she had to leave her “mark” everywhere and seemed to gravitate to the muddiest, ickiest edges.

After half an hour of running, smelling, and lolling in mud, Libby seemed to have had her fill. At seven-years old, I notice she’s slowing down, without the relentlessly fast stamina she had as a pup. And though this was hardly the fields of England, this little park was big enough for Libby to get a feel for the “open road.” No doubt, she’ll be back.

That afternoon we got home and she immediately got a “sink bath,” a quick spraying off, especially those dirty paws.

After an early dinner of leftover chicken, Libby took a nap beside me while I read. I touched her soft black and white fur while she snoozed, glad I could give this little dog a good life. I wondered if she dreamt of mud and chicken wire.

 

Do you ever bring your pet to a dog park? Comments are welcome and if you liked this, please share.

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Comments(18)

  1. I don’t have a dog, but would definitely take one to a dog park.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      River, They’re great!

  2. How nice for Libby that you found a place for her to run around! She sounds like a sweetie.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Susan, Libby is a sweetie. It’s so nice to let her have a good run.

  3. FREEDOM!!!
    We’ve taken Pandy to several dog parks. She loves them! The openness. The smells! We have a good one only a block away. But sadly, despite her size, she is often the target of the older, more aggressive dogs. Then we have to pack up Her Cringiness and haul her back home. Occasionally, when another pup is there, they have a marvelous time!
    I can just picture Libby reverting to her exploring-the-world Yorkiness!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Diane, We have a rule that aggressive dogs aren’t allowed, but sometimes there’s a line between “aggressive” and “over-friendly.” Sometimes it’s hard to know the difference. Sorry your adorable Pandy sometimes comes upon the toughs in the neighborhood.

    • Leslie

    • 3 years ago

    There are two dog parks in my town and we’ve visited them both. The problem is the parks are split up for small dogs on one side and large dogs on the other side. My Indigo (a smallish pit bull) doesn’t seem to fit on either side of these parks. Parks like these would probably work out well for Libby!
    So now Indigo goes to “doggie daycare” once a week, where she runs/plays with a pack of approximately 20 dogs of all sizes and breeds. It’s the most amazing thing to watch all these dogs hanging out and playing together (with my girl right in the middle!).

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Leslie, Libby does the same! She loves running with the pack, a side of her I’ve never seen. Doggie daycare sounds wonderful. I’m sure Libby would love that too.

  4. When I had dogs, we didn’t need a dog park because we had a large fenced-in yard for our dog. Or at my mother’s house, a clothesline dog run. Our dog was actually connected to the clothesline and could run back and forth along it and as far out on each side as the leash would go. It worked amazingly well.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Jennifer, Sounds good and another excellent use for clotheslines, besides the wonderful smell of fresh clothes.

  5. I have a dog who doesn’t always play with others too so I avoided dog parks. She’s on her last legs now but finally has a yard to walk around in. Dogs love their freedom. I bought a stroller for her so I can walk off-leash and get some exercise. LOL

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Rebecca, Sounds like you have a good situation with your back yard. Indeed, dogs do love their freedom.

  6. I take my dog across the street to the college where there is a grassy area. She loves it!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Janie, Sounds like dog heaven!

  7. We have a wonderful dog run at a state park a few miles away. I love taking Fiona there and letting her run with the big dogs. I need to do it more though.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Lauren, Love the name Fiona!

  8. My senior dogs are reactive, and they only get rabies shots at this age, not other vax, so dog parks are not in their lives. But they wouldn’t enjoy .

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Carol, Now I’m hearing mixed reviews about dog parks. The funny thing is I think Libby enjoys just the walks with the two of us, instead us massive socializing with other canines.

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