Dog Park Idiots

So when Joe and I moved to Pennsylvania, we left behind Columbia, land of lesbians and subsequently, dog parks. And I'm super thankful for those lesbians making Columbia a wonderful place to live if you have dogs.

I remember the first summer when we were here and we told the dogs that we were going to the dog park. The dogs know the meaning of the words 'dog park'. Actually, they now even know the series of events that leads up to them going to the dog park. I get up earlier than Joe, he gets up, Joe takes a bath and then goes outside and moves the car. By then, the dogs are all rilled up to go, barking and carrying on. Its difficult to even get their leashes on.

Anyway, that summer day, we told the dogs that we were going to the dog park. They bounced around and we went to the park. Once there, we were disappointed but the dogs were visibly crushed. The dog park consisted of two grassy lots (one for large dogs, one for small) surrounded with chain link fence and multiple trees. The dogs were like, 'why did you bring us to someone's back yard? Where's the water?' They romped about and had a decent time. Mary stole a stuffed animal. We didn't go back to this park in Shippensburg. Since then, we've been going to the park in Mechanicsburg. Its no better. I'm not sure what Pennsylvania's deal is with separating out big and little dogs. Maybe because the parks are so small relative to Columbia's parks.

When we heard that Carlisle was getting a dog park, Joe and I were excited. We cruised the proposed area and wondered where it would be. This area was full of trees. Where would the dogs run? We didn't hold our breathes. Then the park openned. The information came out. For $90 and the proper forms (proof of vaccinations, proof of spaying/neutering, proof of licensing), you could have a year long membership. Initially, Joe and I considered it. We sent in our information but never went. The park wasn't open convienent hours for us. In fact, we got a call from the group wondering where we were. Joe was happy taking the dogs to Mechanicsburg. We were't paying for a park that we couldn't use all the time-in fact, it was locked when no one was there. LOCKED! (It should also be noted, that I rarely take the dogs to the park because well, I get enough dogs at work.)

It also should be noted that no matter where you go to the dog park, there will be people that freak out when dogs act like dogs. People will freak out when dogs wrestle even in good natured fun. People will freak out when a dog gets a little too agressive when chasing a ball. Sadie.

So when people come into the office and mention that they take their dogs to the dog park, I always ask where they go. Most of the time, they go to Shippensburg. But I'm always hoping for a secret dog park. Someone told me of one once, but its not fenced and our dogs (the corgis) tend to run off. The other day, I saw a limping dog. Her limping gets worse when she goes to the dog park-she frequents the Carlisle dog park. So the owners and I talk about the park for a while before we start the dog's exam. I mention something about not wanting to pay for the dog park. These people counter with you know that everyone's dog has been fixed and vaccinated. Good point. They tell me that everyone looks out for each others dogs. They tell me that the park got a fund from Alpo for a key card system so you could go whenever if you signed up. (Okay, but I'm going to let in all the riff-raff.) THEN as if what they were telling me didn't ring with the psycho over-control that Pennsylvanians are so fond of, they tell me that there are no balls or toys in the park. No one plays with them unless the dogs are known to do well together playing ball. Umm...that's why we go to the park-to have a large fenced area to throw the ball and play fetch. Seriously, no balls? Anyway, this park sounds like a dictatorship.

Needless to say, we won't be paying $90 to join the Carlisle Dog Park anytime soon. Even if we did, I have a feeling that they aren't going to like Sadie (23 pounds) playing with dogs over 30 pounds. (And, even more, I have a feeling that she's going to get kicked out for being rough.) Our dogs ARE bad dogs.