There is a 2-acre dog park not far from our house, so we like to take Otis and Bella there to socialize with other dogs and to let them run further than 30 feet at a time (that's how long their tie-outs are in our back yard). They absolutely have a blast when we go! I keep falling in love with all of the big dogs that come there - I told Jack we need to move to a farm so I can get an English Mastiff, a Rottweiler, and a Great Dane. Otis looks so small compared to those dogs! And they're all so gentle and sweet. Even though it's December, it was in the 60s this weekend, so we took advantage of the beautiful weather to get the doggies some exercise.
The picture above shows Otis compared to the BIG dogs, instead of just big dogs on midget legs. The white Great Dane is deaf but really smart and very, very amazingly soft.
What's cool is how well all of the dogs get along. Cesar Milan would be proud!
Bella absolutely loves having the chance to run around. I also like taking her here, because she gets as much attention here as Otis does, unlike at Petsmart where everyone immediately focuses on Otis. And, I have finally determined to my satisfaction that Bella really is part German shepherd. A full-blooded German shepherd was at the park, and he jumped as much as Bella does, and another mixed German shepherd was there, who also jumped. So, finally finally, I have determined that Bella is part Beagle and part German shepherd. I know, it's weird thing to fret about, but then I'm a weird person!
Otis likes to run, too, with big floppy ears flowing in the wind behind him!
And just look at this beautiful Mastiff! Apparently that coloring is called "brindle." I want one! :-)
But, truth be told, as much as I love watching the dogs running around and having fun with other dogs and meeting new people, this is the real reason I love taking the dogs to the dog park! The dogs get so much energy out that they just totally veg out when we get them home, which makes things very pleasant!
Otis looks kind of like a dead dog. He's just a Bassett who played too hard!
So that's our therapy for our doggies. I highly recommend a dog park to anyone who has a dog. Two thumbs up!
