First Visit to Central Bark

 

Miranda briefly played with Louise at Central Bark, Dallas, Oregon's first off-leash dog park.

Keeping everyone happy and entertained in this family, without spending massive amounts of money, is truly challenging.  Recently, I became aware that Dallas actually has a fenced, off-leash dog park, and in the interests of killing time on Memorial Day, we were going to find it and visit.  At least the dogs would be happy.

Although it wasn't hard to find, I would never have found Central Bark just by driving around.  It is tucked away in a residential neighborhood and appears to be a fairly new park.  That is judging by the size of the trees that provide zero shade next to the one picnic table.  At the far end of the park are a few very large, very old trees that provide wonderful shade.  No picnic table, though, and after having tried to pick up Louise's poop, with the park-provided mutt mitts, I didn't want to plunk down onto the grass.  While I did indeed remove the poop, residue was left behind.  I sat at the picnic table in the heat of the sun without complaint.

Our dogs were ecstatic!  There were three other dogs at the park, all belonging to one couple, and they were of the herding variety, probably border collies, but I'm not positive.  The other three dogs were ecstatic as well because they got to try to herd something beside their uncooperative owners.

Zeus is a complete nut.  Both of our dogs love other dogs, but rarely get to socialize.  Zeus's unfortunate habit of puking, peeing, or pooping in the car has discouraged us from taking him out very often.  These idiot dogs are so good-natured that they love to go to the vet.  Since they won't be summering in Pelican anymore (thank God!  I will not miss traveling with my own traveling, dysfunctional circus),they won't have their buddy Oz, a Bergamasco, to frolic with.  The dog park seems the perfect solution and it's not far from the house, so hopefully we can get to the park before Zeus's unfortunate tendencies come into play.

Zeus ran like crazy.  I think he was completely unaware that the other dogs were trying, or at least would like, to herd him.  He was just too fast and tore around the park like he was possessed.  We, in fact, suspect that he is possessed, but say nothing in fear that other owners will shy away.

 

Zeus and his freakishly large tongue try to find shade under Mick and the picnic table.

Louise was obsessed with all the smells when we arrived at the park.  She didn't really even notice the other dogs at first because her nose was pushed into the grass.  Then she must have smelled something quite inspiring because she assumed the position and took a huge crap.  I immediately had to locate the mutt mitts ( and I was relieved to find that they were what I thought they were) and clean up after Louise.  Even with the little bags, this is not a pleasant job.

Then all the dogs ran.  They ran in circles, chased tails, sniffed butts, all that good dog stuff.  Zeus ran three times more than the others because he ran circles around them.  Then they collapsed.  I had water and dishes ready.  After Zeus drank no other dog would drink out of the bowls because he gets so much spit in the water that it turns to clear slime.

The other dogs left.  We got ready to leave.  It was a short trip because our dogs aren't built for speed and can't tolerate the heat.  Plus, once the other dogs left there wasn't much point.  They have an acre of yard at home to run around when they want.  This was simply a social visit.

Sam had been good.  She had no interest in this outing at all, except that it got her out of the house for a short while.  Once she'd walked the perimeter of the park, she was done.  Promises of ice cream kept her manageable.  So to Dairy Queen we went.  Then home for our over-heated dogs to recover.

 

Louise recovers on the cool kitchen floor after her big outing.  That black mark on the carpet is where Sam opened the wood stove two years ago and a flaming log rolled into the living room.

We will return periodically to Central Bark and hope that other dog owners discover the park.  Dogs need play dates, too.