NEWS

Off leash canine fun

By JOHN HOWELL
Posted 1/18/23

There’s nothing like a new arrival to cause a stir at the dog park.

Even before the newcomer gets out of a car and long before it arrives at the double gated entry, dogs off leash in the …

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NEWS

Off leash canine fun

Posted

There’s nothing like a new arrival to cause a stir at the dog park.

Even before the newcomer gets out of a car and long before it arrives at the double gated entry, dogs off leash in the park pause in chasing one another. Once they confirm there’s a dog, it’s a rush to the gate.

Callie, a Cane Corso, didn’t know what to make of the reception party Saturday afternoon. Her greeters were a mix of breeds and mutts. Callie stayed beside Stephanie Whittick and the rest of the family from Cranston, her docked tail between her legs. Stephanie opened the gate into the fenced park and nudged her in. A black shepherd was the first to go into sniffing mode. Callie obliged. Then it was her turn. That lasted maybe 15 seconds before she shot off into the middle of the park with the shepherd and the rest of the pack in dusty pursuit. She led them back to the family that watched in amusement and then off again.

The family had planned to walk the beach at City Park and then spotted the dog park, deciding to check it out.

Stephanie said they did their research before deciding they wanted a Cane Corso.

“They’re family oriented and protective of the family,” Stephanie said. They got Callie from a New Jersey kennel.

After several more chases, the pack settled down, tongues lolling. Stephanie figured it was time to give Callie a rest. For the moment, she decided, Callie had had enough of the dog park and they packed into the car heading for the beach.

Chip Hinkson of West Warwick was also ready to leave the park. He and his boxer and Dalmatian are park regulars. He estimates he has been visiting the dog park three to four times a week for six years if not longer. Nova and Dottie know the routine, waiting for him to open the escape hatch gate, anxious to sniff the environs the area beyond the park.

Hinkson has visited the Richmond dog park that he described as “nothing but a cow pasture.” The Warwick park has a bench and plastic chairs. There is a dispenser of plastic bags for owners to pick up after their pets. The park is divided, offering separate romping areas for small and larger dogs.

Pointing out the aging chain-link fencing and a water faucet that didn’t work (possibly shut off for the winter), Hinkson thought the park could use some attention. He was perturbed that after the park was closed in September of 2019 because one of the visiting dogs tested positive for parvo that it reopened a couple of weeks later.

He questioned what measures had been taken to ensure the park was safe for dogs. He didn’t get any answers and said according to his research, the parvo virus can live up to a year. He said there didn’t appear to have been any effort to disinfect the park after the incident.

The park is large enough for owners to throw a ball for their dog to retrieve and to watch canine antics from the shade of nearby pines. As users of the park point out, the park gives their dog the chance to socialize and just as important burn off energy with the prospect of a good night’s sleep.

dogs, park

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