
From Shelley
I just read an interesting article on the Pros and Cons of Dog Parks in the Whole Dog Journal. There is a new dog park open in Andalusia, the Estep Community Dog Park, and Trixie and I visit weekly. It is still relatively new and the same dogs are there at the time we visit, so everyone has pretty much learned to get along. There are some rules that you need to follow for your safety and the safety of your fur friend. If you haven’t visited a dog park yet, make sure you are familiar with the rules of your particular park before you go. This article will provide a general rule of thumb for things to watch out for. Read over the comments in the Whole Dog Journal article also. There are many people that don’t like dog parks and feel they are dangerous. After I read them, I almost didn’t want to take my dog to the park anymore, but we have not had the issues that they are having. Probably because everyone is following the rules.
Rules
There is a list of rules to be followed at our dog park. Everywhere you go and everything you do has rules. Rules are for everyone’s safety. Follow them and make life simpler. Your owner needs to have your vaccinations verified and fill out a registration form with the Humane Society that is next door. Once your paperwork is approved, you get the code for the gate and you can play. The general public can’t just walk in and start to play with me or give me treats that may be bad for me. Little kids aren’t allowed either. I weigh 76 pounds and when I get to chasing or running after a ball, I could really hurt a little one if I ran into them. Ask Shelley. I’ve accidentally run into her a few times. No phones except for a few cute photos. No talking on the phone; pay attention to your dog and the dogs around you. No food or drinks for dogs or humans. Dogs have allergies just like humans do. You don’t want to cause an allergic reaction. Two people at our dog park forgot about treats they had in their pockets when they arrived. The dogs found the secret stash pretty quickly. No one has a good time or plays when all the dogs are chasing down the human with treats in their pockets. Well, the dogs probably have a good time!
It is hard to see in the photos, but the Enterprise Dog Park isn’t very large and there are no locks on the gates.


From Trixie
There is a new dog park across the street from the Andalusia Area Humane Society on Pearl Street. Shelley takes me there almost weekly. I love it! I get to play with the “society” dogs and others that visit. We have a chance to learn how to get along with each other. It isn’t all natural. Yes, we have an order to our packs, but sometimes we just don’t know where we fit and we have to find out. Or maybe our social skills aren’t as polished as they should be. I don’t have a playmate at home, except for my human friends. They play with me a lot, but they can’t run as fast as I can, and I love to chase. When I am at the dog park, there is usually a friend or two that I can chase. And sometimes they chase me!

Estep Community Dog Park

Our dog park doesn’t have creeks and woods like some others, but then again, I don’t like mosquitoes and snakes that would be in them. I can get those at home. (I’ve already been bitten by a rattlesnake!) I am happy just for a place to run and play that is safe and where I can visit my friends. By the way, some of my friends are available for adoption. Stop in and ask about Tipper, Molly Brown, Cheese, Ben, Bruce Wayne, Tater and Maggie. There is also a cute, little puppy and two kittens. It is always changing, so stop by often.
Here’s the link to the article published in the January 2018 issue by the Whole Dog Journal. There are many other articles you can read without a subscription and you can sign up to receive a tip of the week. Of course, you can also sign up for a subscription and read all of the archives. The magazines are not filled with ads, so there are no distractions, just lots of good information.
Comment below, if you have visited a dog park and let me know where (I might want to visit). What was your experience? Or, if your dog park doesn’t have rules, contact me and I will share our list with you to get you started in creating a safe place for your fur friend to play.
UPDATE 2/2018: Since this was published, my friends Tipper and Cheese found their new furever home.
Hi, I’m Trixie! I love treats, sleeping, chewing up my toys and I especially like chasing small critters that enter my yard. (Don’t worry, my mom makes sure that I don’t catch any of them.) I was rescued when someone dumped me in the driveway, expecting 10 little puppies. Though my mom had dogs as a kid, she realized there was a lot she didn’t know.
We decided to create this website to help you with issues that you may not be aware of and to share information about the best foods, toys, treats, and places to explore with your fur friend. You’ll learn all about raising your dog to be happy and healthy and we will have some fun along the way!
If you want to find out how my mom makes money from home so she can spend more time with me, just click here.
P.S. This site may contain affiliate links, but know that I only recommend products that I believe in. Since this is a for-profit business, you should assume that any website I refer you to, I may earn money either directly or from an affiliate relationship.