The Old Coot has gone to the dogs.
By Merlin Lessler
I visited the dog park at Hickories Park the
other day. I’ve been going to the main part of the park since
1986, to jog, walk, picnic, X-country ski, read and doze in my canvas
bag chair, to rest after padding from the Village in my kayak and
once a year to the Rotary Picnic. I was also there to watch my son’s
soccer games, hit golf balls and visit friends in the camp grounds.
But, never to the dog park! Hickories Park is the greatest public
asset in our town. And now, the dog park makes it even better.
The entire park was a dog park when I first
started going there. Our little cocker spaniel, Jezebel, loved to run
free when no people were around. She’d like it even better now if
she were still alive. To run free with other dogs and never fear the
arrival of the dog warden.
We don’t have a dog these days; the
circumstances of our lives at present isn’t compatible with dog
ownership. Darn it! But I found out I don’t need a dog of my own,
the people with dogs let you enjoy theirs at the dog park. Actually,
it’s not the people who allow it; it’s the dogs themselves that
roam free and stop by for a head rub. It’s so nice to sit on a
bench or walk along the path surrounded by dogs running free, chasing
each other in a game of tag, establishing the pecking order when new
arrivals come to join the pack and doing all the things dogs do when
allowed a little freedom.
No, I don’t have “a” dog these days;
Instead, I have “dozens and dozens” of dogs, thanks to the
dedicated volunteer members of ODOG, who created the dog park with a
generous donation from Adam Weitsman. It’s a wonderful memorial to
the memory of his sister, Rebecca, and her love of dogs. ODOG
volunteers also help maintain the park and keep it user and dog
friendly.
Don’t have a dog? Need a dog fix? Stop by and
get your fill. And when the ODOG organization asks for help to
sustain the place, give it some consideration. Any donation will be
greatly appreciated and will get, and keep, a lot of tails wagging
around town.
For more information about the dog park and
ODOG (Owego Dog Owners Group), to become a volunteer or to donate
financial support, you can visit their web site at –
WWW.owegodogs.com
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