We are very fortunate to live on the out skirts of the city, close to a wonderful off leash dog park, the Kilcona Dog Park. It lies adjacent to the Harbour View Golf Course and offers over ten kilometers of trails. I have known about this park for years and used to visit it occasionally with my old girl, Tiki.
Once she was gone and Coco was my only dog bud, the visits were less. Most of the dogs that visit the park are big guys and Coco initially was quite a timid fellow.
Then Sadie came into our lives with all of her boundless energy and her need to run. I decided to give the dog park another try.
And am I ever glad I did.
Both Sadie and Coco LOVE this place, and so do I. There are bountiful beautiful trails to walk and many, many dogs to romp and play with. So far all of our experiences have been positive ones.
It is amazing and just so much fun to see and meet the various sorts and sizes of dogs. Such a happy lot they are.. all open mouthed with tongues hanging out, rollicking all about the park.
Simple pure joy is reflected in their eyes as they eagerly run up to meet the newest arrival and their newest best friend.
The happiness is contagious and laughter is often heard from the small groupings of owners. Conversations start easy with the dogs being the perfect catalyst for verbal exchange. It kind of reminds me of when my children were young and how very quickly one became acquainted with, and often friends to, the parents of our children’s friends.
Simple pleasures, simple joys. I think we can learn much from our dogs.
Great idea. Every community should have one.
What a great place. I’m always amazed at how easy it is to meet other dog owners and establish a bond when we have these amazing little creatures with us. We don’t sniff each other, but we have a good time.
Looks great. Bear would definately approve, we will have to make a date.
Sadie just looks so happy. She must know that she is blessed to have you for a mom. Dog parks are great, aren’t they We have one here in town although it is not as big as that one.
That’s a beautiful place for the dogs…and their people!
I need to take Dixie there too. It seems that her puppy energy is increasing! You’re right about people and their dogs. We often find ourselves chatting with other dog owners on our walks in the neighbourhood.
Looks like a great place for noses to explore. Jolly for people too. Wish cats liked walks.
This is a fabulous place to take your dogs! They look so happy and these are great pics with such rich green grass.
I was touched by your Tiki story and by how she was such a little trouper. I used to take that same insulin but now take Lantus. I thank Banting and Best for working on those dogs. Good thing you had nurse’s training!
How wonderful to have a place like the dog park for you all to have an enjoyable time.
I don’t think there’s anything that makes me smile bigger than a bunch of dogs happily romping out in the open.
Colleen I would be there every chance I could! What a nice place. I see Sadie likes the water like my own pups. And how sweet that Coco has made friends big and small! Splendid photography, as always.
Such a happy place.
We used to take Angel and Jackie to the dog park where we live, but Jackie is so tiny, and there are so many dogs that are so much larger than she, that we just decided it was too risky. There is a smaller, enclosed area for the smaller breed of dogs at the park, but it is really nothing more than a large dog run, and it doesn’t have a lot of nice grass in it, either. Recently one of the women that works for me told me her young Chihuahua puppy contracted Parvo, and they believe he got it at a different park. They were able to save the little guy, but it was touch and go there for a while. She said her daughter, who owns the dog, swore the puppy was up on his shots, who really knows for sure.
I know the daughter personally, and I can tell you his owner now understands very well that the health of her dog is precious, and she has a whole new understanding of preventative care.
By the way, I am not knocking dog parks in the least. I think they are a great way of socializing your dog, and great way of providing them with exercise. I think it’s great that Coco and Sadie get to go. I would take Jackie and Angel if I could find a better one in our area, but for now they stay on a leash. :)
How adorable! Max loves other dogs but I am never sure how they will react to his sniffing. He once had a tiny little Yorkie attack him when he was trying to make friends. His eyesight is very poor now, and though his ear infection is clearing up, his fifth nerve palsy hasn’t yet! How wonderful that Sadie and Coco have a great place to go and socialize!