Playing by the Rules...

With spring in the air, the dog park has become part of our weekend routine! Lexi and I love our walks but this condo living dog needs some time leash free, to run, to frolic, to chase, to roll, to enjoy being a dog. We do play by our own rules, these are by no means official, merely lessons learned through our dog park days.

1 - Wardrobe - Anything that looks better dirty than clean! I am VERY lucky to be happily married and don't need to use the dog park as a singles hang out and bring out my BEST "old clothes" outfit that is really much nicer than dog park standards...in the end it will be covered in the delightful slobber and dirt mixer. RULE: Wear old clothes, not "old" clothes


2 - Schedule for a bath - On the note of dirt Lexi always drops to the ground and rolls back and forth in the best mud puddle she can find! I cringe at the first roll and then just let it go, she is so happy to be covered in the stinky mixer...many owners, run and flail to avoid the dog's dive into the mud pool but I sit back, watch, laugh and listen to the other owner's gasps at Lexi's mud puddle tricks. RULE: Let dogs be dogs, even if that includes some mud

3 - Avoid the pack - There have been plenty of horror stories about dogs getting attacked and harmed at the dog park. But it is easy to avoid, if you pay attention. We avoid any packs...Lexi tends to think she is "tougher" than she is so we always avoid the team huddle. That doesn't mean she doesn't play with others, but we try to minimize the number of tails involved at one time. RULE: Dogs need space too

 4 - Not just for dogs - Every dog owner has their own routine once in the fenced space, some use this opportunity to chat with friends, perch on the bench at the picnic table, but others, including myself, prefer to play. The goal is for Lexi to frolic with her friends and exert a level of energy I could never manage on my own...but I still run around with her, play fetch (which include me throwing a stick, Lexi races after it, plops down and begin to gnaw on the stick)...we enjoy the day, the outdoors, the time together. RULE: You can get a workout too

5 - Take your time - Some days we enjoy the park to it fullest and other days the minutes seem to drag...bringing a friend helps pass the time...but no matter what we always stay for at least 60 minutes.This allows Lexi to truly enjoy her time outside in the sun. RULE: Hour minimum

Coming up next....from DRAB TO FAB! Ok, so I don't typically use the word fab, but I felt the need to make an exception since it is the best way to describe my morning with Lindsey Regan Thorne Be Pretty and her extremely talented eye for fashion. More to come...