Dog Park Diet

The Dog Park in Globe has Dog Owners singin’ it’s praises.  With leash laws and limited options for letting dogs be dogs, the park provides a good solution for responsible dog owners who want to want to have happy, healthy pets.

By: Darin Lowery

We were lucky- very lucky – to get an appointment with local veterinarian Doc Eubank in the first week I moved to Globe. His office is extremely busy, and they weren’t taking any new patients. My Border Collie’s paw was bleeding big-time; my Yelow Lab’s throat had a three inch gash. Although the backyard chain link fence was probably to blame, I didn’t rule out extraterrestials.

In a panic- I don’t like blood (hell, I don’t like ketchup)- I called the vet’s office, and when they said, so sorry, we’re not accepting new patients, I did what any red-blooded American man would do. I cried.

“Pleasepleaseplease give me an appointment. You can have my car- you can have my house, just please take a look at my dogs!” Impressed with my masculine and dispassionate request, they agreed to see us. Velma and Sandee were treated and released in half an hour, and all injuries healed quickly.

In for vaccinations three years later, Doc pulled me side and said, your Border Collie is as big as a locomotive- you’ve got to take that weight off. I was appalled, seemingly seeing her for the first time. But how, I asked, could this’ve happened?

“Do you live alone?” he asked. I nodded. “Are you the only one who feeds her?” Yes, I whispered. And then it hit me.

I hiccupped, “Are you saying I did this?” You mean, the extra fifteen pounds is my doing?” He looked at me like I was from a different dimension.

Velma, the Border Collie, is a happy dog, and she is happiest while sitting. She belies the truism of the breed, which is LET ME CHASE THAT 747. Sandee, on the other hand, is happy just being blonde.

In the beginning, our exercise regimen consisted of me dragging the one and pushing the other up the street. All roads in Globe go up- even the downhill ones. And then we found the Dog Park.

I opened the gate there and heard angels singing. Rainbows unfurled across the sky, and Velma actually ran after a Min-Pin on the third visit. This was such an event that twelve people pointed at her, each chanting, “Look at her move!” Saying I was proud would be an understatement. After the paramedics made me promise to start breathing, I gave Velma a huge hug. And a little diet biscuit, to ward off hunger pangs.

Since that day, we pile into the Ford and go to the Park whenever we can. My dogs have new pals, and so do I. While the canines cavort, we humans chat about “weight-y” issues like politics, relationships, and how to get get dog vomit out of a wool rug.

‘Sarge’ was the first object of Velma’s affection – he shows up with Richard and Debbie, in a blue sweater since the weather cooled. ‘Rex’ is a sleek Weimaraner who drags in Katherine and Barbara. ‘Pullo’ with Eric and Cheryl, ‘Drifter’ with Lisa and Eileen, ‘Rascal’ with Peter and Ginger- the list goes on. Different groups meet at different times, and the goal is always exercise and laughter.

The Dog Park is located to the east of the Noftsger Hill B&B, on an old baseball diamond. It is completely fenced in, and waste bags are provided for dog droppings. There’s even a water faucet so nobody gets overheated. Folks take their dogs there at any time, though the Park isn’t lit at night. There’s plenty of parking.

Velma has lost twelve pounds since our first visit. She looks great and, I believe, feels better. She certainly moves more quickly- not as gracefully as some, but certainly with more confidence. That girl’s got herself a waistline now.

We’d like to know if you have used the Dog Park in Globe and what you think about it. Please leave a comment and take the poll.