Dogs are good people
It's a dog's life. If you happen to luck into an owner that treats you with all the kindness and consideration that any member of the family might receive. But then it's not that much of a stretch to care about dogs because they so willingly reciprocate. Dogs make good chums because they take friendship seriously. Unlike chickens or cats, they always come when you call; get delirious when you arrive home after a long day at work (not always the reaction of others who inhabitants said abode); are happy to hunker down on your lap, rest a snout on your foot, or sleep by your side; and grin when you walk into the room, thumping a tail, if so equipped, on the floor. Some wiggle and squirm with such pure joy that they leave droplets of pee across the linoleum.
Their loyalty is unwavering. They never hold a grudge. Truth be told, dogs are simply good people.
And because they're such good buds, so nifty to hang out with, owners take them out and about, often to the park. In Ashland that would be the city Dog Park, a rock's throw from the intersection of Nevada and Helman Streets, down a narrow road.
Maintained by the city's Parks and Recreation Department, this two acre, grass-covered parallelogram, enclosed by a silver cyclone fence, is set aside specifically for dogs and their owners. In that order. There's lots of space to run around, chase balls, a small area dedicated to bowls of water, wading pools and for the owners there's a smattering of chairs and recliners, plus a roofed, three-sided enclosure if the wind is chilly. There's even a separate, smaller area for pups, or dogs that can't rough house with the regulars.
Owners and dogs — some who look uncannily like one another — show up all day long (the park is open from 6 am to sunset). Once inside the fence, having gone through two gates, the dogs are unleashed and allowed to run, sniff endlessly, and get frisky with abandon. Like their owners, they come in all shapes and sizes. If they have to take a time out to leave a deposit on the grass, the rules say that the owner is responsible for finding a park provided shovel and plastic bag and then depositing said scat in a nearby garbage can.
Meanwhile the owners, many who have become friends, huddle in small groups and chat the time away, or go off and play chase the ball with their pooch. Clearly this isn't just a spiffy social hour for the dogs. Owners have been running into other owners for years.
"This is where it's happening," said Annette Baker, there with her husband, Henry, and their two Australian Shepherds, Nonny and Roxy. "Henry comes almost every day, for some twenty minutes. The Dog Park is where the good folks are, they're earthy, tolerant, and kindred spirits. People will even scoop up poop for others, such as the elderly."
Don Robertson, Director of Parks and Recreation, said that the Dog Park requires a fair amount of maintenance because of its high use. "We often have to clear off sections of grass for over seeding. But we never close the park." Keeping the folks and dogs happy is a balancing act, said Robertson. "Some want more wood chips, others don't, saying that their dogs eat the wood chips. What's so surprising is how well the dogs play together. We rarely get complaints about dogs not getting along. But then, one of the rules is that owners must be there with their dogs at all times. They can't drop them off."
Patricia Davidson has been coming to the park for 12 years, bringing her two aging Basset Hounds, Millie and Angie, for their daily outing. "My dogs are into people not dogs," she said, "so they go around to old friends and say hello."
Getting ready to open the second gate was Bill Davies, Henry, his Brittany Spaniel, standing snout to fence, eager to get to it. "This is a beautiful setting," said Davies, "and it's a social thing for the owners. People get acquainted. Good for us and good for the dogs."
Spending quality time at the Dog Park is part of a weekly routine for Jan Anderson and her Yellow Lab, Rosie. Rosie is still more pup than adult dog, so a good romp in the company of other dogs, is perfect. "Rosie and I go to the Dog Park three times a week. It gives her the opportunity to play, run and socialize with a lot of different dogs. I like the socializing part, too," said Anderson.
Nice place the Dog Park. For dogs and dog lovers, this is where it's happening.
