Fun at the Dog Park 1/26/2010 12:40 AM By GARY WILLOUGHBY
Aiken SPCA executive director The Aiken Dog Park has proven to be very popular, in spite of opening it during a time of year when the weather never seemed to cooperate. However, it appears that our dogs don't mind a little cold weather, rain or mud when they get a chance to run around and play with new friends in a big park.
So far, around 200 people have purchased a tag for their pets to come out to our more than 2-acre dog park on Willow Run Road in Aiken, the site where our new facility will be built. The park is open to anyone regardless of where they live, and so far more than half of the memberships are from outside of Aiken City limits in places such as Graniteville, New Ellenton, Barnwell and Ridge Spring.
The splash pool has turned out to be a favorite feature of the park. Dogs are diving in the pool, chasing a tennis ball or playing with a buddy they just met. Some dive in even when part of the pool iced over during our last cold snap.
Three o'clock in the afternoon seems to be "prime time" during the week. I've counted more than 20 dogs and their owners at the park at one time. We've been very happy that so far, everyone has behaved and played nice. It is a lot of fun to watch big groups of dogs running up and down the hills, diving through the pool, all in pursuit of a ball or Frisbee. We see a lot of regular visitors that visit nearly every day.
Many Aiken SPCA alumni visit the dog park regularly. Seeing the fun they are having with their new owners while playing with all the other dogs is so rewarding, knowing the lives many of them lived in the past. Because of this, our board of directors authorized that from now on, when you adopt a dog from the Aiken SPCA, you will receive a dog park membership tag as a thank you for choosing to adopt.
Dog parks are popular all over the country for a number of reasons. First, many people live in apartments or have very small yards or no fencing and don't have a good way to get their dogs the exercise they need each day. There is nothing like running around 2 acres of land with a dozen other dogs to work off their excess energy and keep them fit and trim.
Another benefit of these parks is socialization. Many people have only one dog and love the opportunity to let their friend run around and make new acquaintances. Parks can help dogs that are a little shy or a little over rambunctious, too. The pack they play with helps to show them how to have fun and just enjoy being a dog.
Another great thing about the park is the socialization for people. At these parks, you meet other people who love animals just like you do. You can swap stories about how you chose your dog, show off tricks they can do and watch the "inner puppy," no matter how old your dog is.
It takes a certain kind of person that will happily load their muddy, soaking wet pet(s) back in their car after a visit to the park. The connection between the people at the park is nearly as much fun as the dogs have. There is constant entertainment in watching the interplay between everything from Chihuahuas to great Danes, Irish wolfhounds to Labs.
The park will also serve, in part, as a place to memorialize or honor loved ones both human and animal. Engraved bricks are available in three sizes that will be used to create pathways all around the park and eventually throughout the new shelter. For more information about these bricks or for questions about the dog park, e-mail the Aiken SPCA at spcaofaiken@yahoo.com or call us at 648-6863. Memberships are $10 per year, which helps us maintain and improve the park.
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