To a canine living in a loving condo home in the city, a dog park is the Serengeti or Yellowstone. Here they are free to roam unencumbered by leash and sidewalk. There's wildness and game there as they scout and frolic with fleet footed paws and glistening furry manes.The Magpie prompt this week of a pristine walk in nature with an obtrusive arrow pointed to the right, signals a dog park for Finn, my daughter's Yorkshire terrier who lives in the midst of Toronto high rises. It's the only destination that really matters where horizons stretch into adventure.
The ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) believes that dog parks are beneficial to both dogs and their guardians. "They promote responsible pet ownership and the enforcement of dog-control laws; give dogs a place to exercise safely, thus reducing barking and other problem behaviors; provide seniors and disabled owners with an accessible place to exercise their companions; and provide an area for community-building and socializing."
The number of community dog parks is growing with close to 1,100 in North America alone.
The owners, family, and friends of these dogs have almost as much fun there as their pets.
