Bark Til Dark Dog Park

SAM
The Bark Til Dark dog park saved my life and the life of my dog Sam, my five year old female black lab.

Recently divorced, Sam and I found ourselves living in an apartment. What a life changing event! Sam was raised in a house with her own back yard. I had never lived in an apartment. We were both sick at heart. I took Sam for leash walks, but she needed more. She needed to run free.

We were introduced to the dog park by a dear concerned friend. “Just try the park. Let Sam run and play with other dogs. Get out there and walk. It will be good for both of you.”

At first, I declined but I knew that if Sam and I didn’t escape from “apartment living” our health would continue to go downhill. So we decided to try the park.

Our new beginning began on a cool crisp March day in 2008. Missi, the owner and an avid animal lover, welcomed us with open arms. The change in both of us was immediate. Sam began running and playing and as I walked I was able to find peace and contentment with each new day spent at the park. The park became our home away from home three or four times a week.

The pond opened and Sam realized she loved the water. She now prefers swimming to running. When it is time to go home, Sam sees me getting her leash and she runs in the opposite direction. She is in no hurry to go home.

The dog park has been a highlight in our lives. I truly believe that the dog park saved our lives.

A big thank you to Missi and Tammy for their dedication to the dog park.

MAGGIE
The Best Thing I’ve Ever Done For My Dog.

Maggie is my 10 month old German Shepherd puppy – and the love of my life. I brought her home at 10 weeks old and she was the most amazing, adorable little fuzz ball. I work from home so potty training and basic commands were a snap. I was truly thinking “this dog thing is WAY easier than I remembered”… although maybe my poor cat Kyra would disagree.

Maggie just had one annoying little flaw... She wouldn’t let me work. I’d bought her every toy the toy stores had to offer. She had the softest bed, the best chew toys, the cutest stuffed animals, kongs with treats, bones, balls, bully sticks… you name it, that spoiled little puppy had it. But it didn’t matter. The second I would turn to my computer to begin working, she would begin sighing, then it escalated to whining, which graduated to barking and ended with her jumping on my back, grabbing my ponytail in her mouth and YANKING. Apparently, I was supposed to spend every waking moment entertaining the puppy! I know exercise is an important part of a dog’s life, so in the middle of winter, we would bundle up and head out for a brisk walk around the neighborhood. 45 to 60 minutes a day. Then we would spend an hour in the house playing ball, none of which helped. The ponytail was still in danger and Maggie was only getting bigger.

We began working on obedience training thinking I could train it out of her (NOT) and our trainer suggested that she would benefit from spending some time at a dog park. I was skeptical, but at this point, willing to try anything. And whaddya know… it worked. It’s the most amazing thing, but Maggie sleeps quietly with me in the office or plays outside, or chews her bones, balls or bully sticks while I work in peace. But when 6:30 rolls around, I had better be up and ready to go because she is not messing around. It starts with whining, then escalates to… well you get the drift.

She LOVES Bark Til Dark. She has her favorite friends to wrestle with, balls to chase, her swimming and splashes, and she’s determined that Ellie will play with her some day. She sleeps better, eats better and is better behaved all around (except maybe when she’s at the park). As for me, I’m getting out of the house, spending time outdoors, and I get to stand around and tell silly stories about the silly stuff my dog has done lately – and nobody rolls their eyes at me (I don’t think). And after our time at the park, she comes home and lets me work some more – lucky me. It truly is the best thing I’ve ever done for her – and me.

Chester
I adopted a two-year old Boston Terrier a little over a year ago. I had never had a dog before, EVER, in my life, but I thought I could handle taking care of one. How hard can it be??? OY! The people who gave Chester up said he was hyper. Hyper is not exactly the correct word. "High strung" is more accurate. It did not take long due to my lack of understanding of dog behavior and his anxiety about suddenly living in a new home for him to display very anti-social behavior. I went to a dog trainer and this helped. But, I think what has really helped has been Bark Til Dark Dog Park. The park has been great for both me and Chester. Members have been extremely kind and patient as Chester acclimated to the park and other people’s dogs. Moreover, members have given me tons of useful advice on how to handle Chester and they have also helped me feel calmer as a doggy parent. Chester now jumps into people’s laps. He loves Missi, the park owner. He plays with the big dogs in a playful manner rather than overbearing. Best of all, an hour at the park completely exhausts him so when we get home he is ready to go to sleep. Missi is very creative organizing various social events for all of us to mix and mingle. The camraderie at the dog park I think is special because since we pay to be members, we consistently show up with our dogs to get our money’s worth. As a result, Chester has a circle of doggy friends that he is used to and this makes me feel safe and secure when he is playing with them. One of Chester’s favorite moments was when we had an OSU vs. U of M tug toy game. Chester also loves the agility center and the pond.

I am very grateful that such a park exists near where I live. I moved here from LA and as far as I know a private dog park that is reasonably priced is non-existent so I feel very lucky. Chester does too.

CHINO
My story starts in the summer of 2006 when I was rescued from a box in a rainy and wet driveway. I wasn¢t very big and my mom was doing her best to take care of me and all of my brothers and sisters, but she wasn't in great shape either. Thank goodness that a nice lady came and adopted my two sisters, Annie and Avery. She saw how the rest of us were living and couldn't leave us like that, so a couple of days later, she came and took all of us home with her! Since we were growing so big, she couldn't keep us all at her house, so she sent an email to her friends and family and told them about all of the puppies and their parents who were living in the backyard and who needed to go to new homes.

A couple of days later, my mom and dad came to look at the puppies and luckily they fell in love with me!!! They were trying to choose a little boy puppy from the group. Somehow, they knew that my name was Chino - so when they called it out, I ran right toward them! Mom scooped me up and gave me lots of love and cuddling. She said that she was looking for a puppy, JUST LIKE ME with big feet and floppy ears.

They took me home to their apartment and made sure that I was healthy and had a nice warm place to sleep. They fed me yummy food and gave me lots of treats and lots of toys. With all of this food, I started growing like a weed! My legs got so long that I could jump up on the furniture and onto the bed. I had lots of energy and it was fun to run around the apartment. Sometimes it was cramped and I had to make tight turns. They let me run up and down the steps, chasing my toys. It was a fun summer, we took walks, went swimming, played outside and played chase.

In January, mom and dad realized that I needed some more exercise and some more room to run without my leash on because I was getting so fast. One day, they came home from work and we took a long ride. Mom told me that we were going to the park. When I got there, I was so excited to meet Missi and to explore the park. It was really icy, but Missi threw the ball for me and I had a good time. It was too cold to stay out there for too long - but mom and dad decided to sign me up and bring me back another day, when it was a little bit warmer. All winter, we came on the weekends so that we could run and play. Mom and dad said that it was good for me to be tired out, so I wouldn't get into trouble when I was home alone and do things like eat her shoes or shred papers.

Once it got a little bit warmer - Missi took down the fence that was blocking off the back corner of the park. I was so excited to see a huge puddle to play in. I jumped right in and started swimming. This was my first time swimming and I was really good at it. I started to bring the tennis ball for dad to throw in for me. He threw it farther and farther, but I kept bringing it back. Sometimes I made him chase me before I'd let him have it back. Its funny to watch him run in the mud. Mom laughs at me and throws the ball too - she can't throw it as far, so I just run out of the water and jump on her so she knows that I love her too. I leave muddy footprints on her pants so the other dogs know that she's my mom. I don't think my parents are allowed to swim in the big puddle, so sometimes when I get out - I shake some of the puddle onto them so they can have fun too.

I love the park so much that mom and dad said that I could have my first birthday party at the park! All of my brothers and sisters came too! It was so fun to see all of them. I was surprised to see that I look just like my dad. His new parents named him Tyson. It was fun to chase them and to swim with them. Annie and Avery's mom brought us a special cake. I ate a lot, but would rather have had the chicken salad sandwiches that mom and dad got to enjoy. The weather was beautiful and we played all day. It was a great summer and fall and I was always excited to go to the park. Sometimes I like to play with the other dogs and sometimes I would rather play with mom and dad. They seem happy either way. The only bad part is that after I have a good time and I'm ready to go, they point the green hose at me and spray me with water. I don't like this very much because it washes all of the good smells off that I worked so hard on all day!!!

In addition to the big puddle and all of the space to run - there is an obstacle course too!!! Mom and dad took me in there and I jumped up on top of the pointy wooden thing and ran down the other side. Mom told me what I good boy I was and gave me lots of pets, so I did it over and over again. She was so excited each time. There are also plastic bars that I can jump over. I let dad demonstrate first, and then I did it. He gave me a toy so I kept jumping higher and higher. Mom gave me a big hug each time I did it. I was very proud of myself. I'm so glad that they signed me up for another year at the dog park. To celebrate, mom bought me a new outfit - a matching leash and collar! I'm so excited to get it all muddy and wet this year when I run through the puddles in the spring.

PARKER
Hi ! My name is Parker. I was dropped off at a city park when I was 5 weeks old. It was a cold February morning about 15 degrees. I didn’t understand why someone would leave me all by myself. I was cold and scared. Suddenly I saw a jogger running on a path. She looked nice. I decided that I would just follow her. I jumped on her legs to let her know I was coming. She bent down and carried me 2 miles to her home. I cuddled up in her arms and though this is living. I was not a very good puppy. I had so much energy. I did not know what to do with it. I ate two couches, two computers, three pairs of glasses, part of a bedpost, tore a down- spout off the side of the house, dug holes in the deck and loved taking Berber carpet and pulling on those threads. My mom was not happy with me. She took me one day to a big park where lots of dogs were running around. She took off my leash and away I flew. I was free to run and run and run. Gosh it was terrific. I get to go there when my mom goes to work. She drops me off early and picks me up late in the afternoon. I get to play with my friends, Ellie Bellie, Max and Chase to just name a few. When I get home, I am exhausted. I just want to eat and go to bed.

My mom says the best thing about Doggy Day Care is that I do not chew anything around the house anymore. I use up all my energy at the park playing with my friends and having a great time. Doggy Day Care has made me a better dog. Ask your mom or dad if you can come on out and play with me. It is the most fun on earth.

MASTI
My pug mix Masti (which means mischief in Hindi) and I joined the dog park in March of 2007 when she was 8 months old. We looked at other dog parks but decided that Bark Til Dark was right for us after seeing how much the owner Missi loves dogs. I am animal crazy so I was so happy to see that Missi was too. Masti has always been a social dog but she hadn't been around a variety of dogs up until then. Now she plays with the tiniest of chihuahuas and the largest of great danes. She enjoys the park so much that when she even sees her green waterproof collar (especially for the park) her little tail wags like crazy. Sometimes I drop her off for daycare when I'm busy but I don't want to leave her at home. She absolutely loves it and Tammy is very good about letting the dogs have adequate play and rest time. When I pick her up from daycare she is usually exhausted which is nice for me. Not only is the dog park great for Masti but It's been a nice retreat for me. I've met so many fellow dog lovers and in the summer there is nothing more relaxing then coming to the dog park and playing with your dog by the pond.

JIM
Dear Missi, I thought that the dog park was a wonderful place to go and have your dog run and jump and play etc. etc.. There should be more dog parks around...... :-) They are a wonderful thing for the community and for people to take their dogs and just relax while they have fun...... We enjoy the dog park so much that we bring Jim everyday except for Sundays. Jim comes home and sleeps for a couple of hours after he comes home from the dog park. The pond is a nice place for the dogs to come and swim and cool off. Well the dog park is a wonderful place. That is the best word that I can think of to describe it. Best Wishes, Zach Sattler and his Grandpa and Jim the dog and his Grandma

FIG
My first visit to the park was during a Mingle with the Mutts adoption event. I was brought to the park to see if anyone would foster me. I had been surrendered by my owner to the humane society. I was going to be put to sleep because I was so afraid. While at the park that first day I was so scared I was wrapped in a towel because I was so nervous that I would go to the bathroom all the time. A nice woman named Amy took me for awhile and carried me around the park in the towel. She tried putting me down, but I was too afraid to move. Amy decided to become my foster mother. She took me home with her two other dogs. I was very nervous and afraid to be in another new place. I sat on her lap and shook and shook. Amy took care of me and loved me, being very gentle and very quiet. After a few days I began to feel more relaxed. I walked around some and even ate some food.

We went back to the park. I saw all the dogs running and playing. I realized what a fun place it was. I was able to run and play like never before. I wasn’t as afraid as I had been. I started playing with all kinds of dogs, even ones much bigger than me (I only weigh 10 pounds). My foster mom became so attached to me and me to her that I have been adopted into her family. We go to the park a lot. I get so excited when we get there. Everyone greets me with a loud “FIGGY!” when I come in the door. I’m no longer the shy and scared dog I was on that first day. People can’t believe how different I am from that first day. One of my favorite things to do at the park is sit on people's laps. I'm so little I fit perfectly just about anywhere. Amy does come and get me sometimes to make me get my exercise. Missi's (my second mom) lap is my favorite. I also love chasing Cosmo, the great dane. I don't get in the water, but I do get messy from running with the bigs guys; I get run over sometimes. I also love to roll in smelly things. I get lots of baths because I stink so much! I am so thankful to the park and to my new mom for loving me and saving me.

ELVIS
Long Live The Knig, By Elvis Avery

Well, there you are! I’ve been waiting for you to sit down for a few minutes so I can regale you with my tale (or is it “tail?”) of how I came to be ruler my family and became a member of a quite exclusive club of sorts…I’m much more a “King” than my namesake implies!

No too long ago, I was born into what was probably a pretty prestigious, royal even, family. But for some reason, my original “subjects” decided I wasn’t fit to rule and I found myself up for adoption at the Franklin County Animal Shelter. Why someone would pay big bucks for me and then just dump me off is a mystery…but what they really don’t know is I orchestrated the whole thing. See, I have every one of those human types fooled…they all think I’m none too bright, but in actuality, I’m a Genius…well, some may say Evil Genius, but Genius none the less. Machiavelli, eat your heart out!

Not convinced…let me prove you wrong!

I had Dad pegged from the moment he walked into the room. What a big ‘ol hunk of extra soft-hearted mush he is! One look at me, and it was all over. Oh, he tries to say he wasn’t sure about me with my pushed in nose, but I could see right through that ruse. And then he tried to convince me that maybe Mom wouldn’t think I was cute – Ha! I had her wrapped around my little body within moments. They all melt when I turn on the charm! It’s no use denying it…you’re all hooked too! But back to the story…

The first few months as ruler of my new kingdom were a bit strained, I must admit. See, Mom and Dad and this big oaf they call Melody thought they all ran the show. They had trouble seeing my natural leadership abilities (probably because they’re not the brightest bulbs on the Christmas Tree, if you know what I mean) and they actually thought they could enforce “rules” on the King. Oh, little people, know your place! We found a happy medium that requires me to act a bit the court jester at times, but if it keeps the commoners entertained and happy, I suppose it’s worth it.

Almost a year ago, Dad was instructed to find me someplace where I could stretch my legs, short as they are, and where I could be admired by more of my serfs. The few people who did pay homage to me in my palace were fine, but I needed more contact with my subjects. After all, everyone should be able to bask in my presence, not just a select few. Through sheer determination (and my incredible psychic powers) I willed him to search the Internet for a suitable extension for my dominion… Bark Til Dark Dog Park.

A slice of heaven on earth, I tell you! I can run, play, and interact with all my subjects (canine and human) at my pleasure. Of course, I am at the mercy of my courtiers to get me there, but I know if I ever got out, I could get there on my own if necessary. But what a pain in the Royal Tuckus that would be to walk all that way. Much better to take the
chariot, I say. Anyway, when you come to pay your respects, you’ll know it’s me because I’m the only Japanese Chin in the place. “Chin” means“cat-like” in Chinese where I was the exclusive property of the nobility, but my ancestors had those humans fooled too. We migrated to Japan (of our own free-will of course) and again became rulers of an ever-expanding empire. Commodore Perry was presented with my
great-great-great-great-great grandparents and the rest is dynastic history. Not sure of how many “greats” that should be, but you get the idea.

It has been a long road to global domination, but well worth it I assure you. Now, could a clown or a King whose “dumb as a rock” be able to accomplish all that? Never, I tell you! My plan to win the hearts and minds of every human on the face of the earth is practically on schedule. Oops, maybe I’m letting too much of my plan out…not that you can do anything about it, you helpless creatures.

Well, I’d better get back to my ruling. Please feel free to roam about my realm and I may grace you with my presence at my pleasure. All are welcome (current shots and certain physical alterations a must, please) to become part of the pack. As long as you remember who the real “King” is…

MELODY
A Dog Park Story, By Melody Avery

Greetings! My name is Melody and this is how I got my people to get off their lazy butts and I got them some much needed socializing…

My story actually began in a the Franklin County Dog Shelter where I was pulled off the streets – hungry, tired, frightened and in need of a home to call my own. My “Mom” came into the room where there were a bunch of us
all yelping and barking to get her attention, but once I saw her, I knew she was a softie. There were several people passing by my cage, but I didn’t like the look of them and waited for her to approach. I did my best wiggle and tried to look hopeful and mournful at the same time. I guess it did the trick because the next thing I knew, she had me in the car and I was on my way home to meet my Dad.

At first I wasn’t too sure of the guy, but eventually I came around. I vaguely remember some other man who wasn’t too nice to me and I was kind of afraid they were all like that, but I found out differently soon enough. The bath they gave me that first day wasn’t my idea of a good time, but the food was great and the bed was soft and they bought me toys and played with me, so I figured I’d stick around. My favorite thing was when Dad would take me to a place with a big field where I could run and sniff things and have a lot of fun chasing these funny looking dogs that could fly. Sometimes I could see them passing by the house and wished they’d stop to play with me too; they never did. Then they got me a really fun toy to play with they called Elvis. Now they call him my brother. I’m not entirely sure what that means, but he gets food and can sleep on the bed too. He’s fun most of the time so I’ll let him share my Mom and Dad for the moment anyway.

Dad would get really excited when I’d teach him tricks, so we worked on several things we could do together. I taught him how to move his hands when I did things like sit or lie down and he thought it was wonderful. When I got him to do what I wanted, I’d praise him by letting him pet me and kiss me; he’s funny that way. One of the things I liked best was when we’d all get in the car and they’d chauffeur me places. I’d look out the windows and Elvis would claim the ledge in the back window so he could be seen by all the other dogs and their people. He’s a bit of a show off and everyone thinks he’s cute. But between you and me, he’s dumb as a rock so it’s good that he’s cute. I can get him into trouble anytime I want…that’s another fun game we play.

About a year ago, we had to stop going to the field places because of something called a leash law. All I know is I can run a lot faster than either Mom or Dad and they have a bunch of trouble keeping up with me. Occasionally, I’d have the urge to just run and run and run, but they seemed to get angry when I did that on my own. But if Elvis did the same thing, they’d send me out to find him…it was a bit confusing, but at least I knew which side my bread was buttered on (yummy, I LOVE peanut butter….oops, off the subject there) and knew I couldn’t ask for a better
place to live so I’d always come back.

One day, Dad was on the Internet which is some machine that takes away time from our training, but he seems to like it so I let him use it occasionally. He found this website called Bark Til Dark Dog Park and called my Mom right away. They both stared at the machine for a while and I could tell they were excited, even if they don’t have tails and don’t wiggle like normal dogs, and soon we were in the car again. That was when I found my heaven.

There’s a HUGE field to run in and this great big bathtub where they don’t use that smelly old shampoo stuff and a couple trees to lay under when you’re really hot and need to rest. Mom and Dad let me off that leash and
I’m off like the wind until I can get them to run or walk around with me. They really need the exercise you know, and I knew this would be a great way to get them out of the house. It takes some prodding, but I eventually got Mom to do some upper body work by throwing a ball or one of the other toys available that we all share. I’d have to bring it back to her to make her do it again and again – I think they’re called reps – but I don’t mind. Even Elvis tags along and we have lots of room to run and play without getting into trouble for jumping on the furniture.

But the absolute best thing is there’s a gigantic pack of dogs to befriend. So many butts to smell…so many new friends to make!! And they run a lot faster than Mom or Dad so we make up our own games while those funny
looking Two Legged Dogs stand around and bark at each other. It’s so easy, all you have to do is go into the play bow and you’re off and running. Missi, the Two-Legged Dog Pack Leader, is really nice and always has a scratch behind the ears or a kiss on the nose when we come in and she makes sure it’s safe for all of us. We all have to have our shots; they aren’t pleasant when we get them, but they keep us from getting sick or getting each other sick, so I guess it’s worth it. And we all have to be…umm…well…”fixed” so there’s no money-business, if you get my drift. And most importantly, Missi keeps rest of the pack in line so no one tries to run the show – anyone gets too rough and they’re outta there!

Someday, I’ll get Mom and Dad to work on that agility stuff since the equipment is there, but I’m in no hurry. You can’t rush people you know, you need to be patient with them. Summer is my favorite time there, but luckily they’re open all year round so I can run in the snow, chase the leaves and smell the new grass when it’s coming up in Spring. And I hear they’re putting in a new building this year…that’ll be nice to have somewhere to go if it starts raining or gets too cold. Sometimes the fire they have isn’t quite enough to keep the Hairless Dogs comfortable and they all don’t fit in the reception area.

I think my favorite activities are those for us “members” where we do special things together. I remember last year playing some games with Mom during a picnic and showing off some of her tricks. We even had wieners (they call them hot dogs sometimes, but we know it’s not really dog) and other goodies. There’ve been times where we had our picture taken, dressed up in costumes and even get to run around when it’s dark. I don’t think anyone went too far from their Two-Legged Dogs, but I think I heard one of the brave ones took a swim in the moonlight…

Well, that’s my story so far – I may just write some more of my adventures and keep you posted on all the things going on at Bark Til Dark Dog Park. Until then….remember to wiggle whenever your loved ones come home – they
really seem to love that!

CAPTAIN

Hi, I’m Captain, and I think the Bark Til Dark Dog Park is REALLY the happiest place on earth! My mom and dad rescued me from the Union County Humane Society in November. I was all skin and bones but boy, has that changed with a few months of love and goodies! I sort of resemble a large black bratwurst now, but thanks to running all five acres at the dog park, it’s all turning to muscle! I love to come here! My Aunt Missi says I’m the “social director” because I love everybody, and I want everyone to run and play together…and boy can I run! I look kinda like a short black boxer, but those legs can go like pistons! Of course, nobody really knows where the speckled nose and chest, or the curly piggy tail came from. Momma says I’m a Rare Norwegian Point-a-Box! (…don’t tell Petland, I’ll be worth thousands!) What I really am is a priceless, joyful gift from God, just ask my mom! And I’m so thankful for all the fun and friends I have at Bark Til Dark. P.S. It’s my Momma’s favorite place too…she told me so.

LILY AND OLIVER'S MOM

The dog park has been a great place for me and my dogs. I have met many people who are dog people just like me. The park has become a place I look forward to going to every day. I do my walking there, while my dogs run and play. The "Yappy Hours" are a blast. All the "dog people" get together with their dogs at the end of their long week to relax, eat, drink, and visit. If you want a place to bring your dog to play and exercise, that is also a fun place for you, Bark til Dark Dog Park is for you! Hope to see you there!

BOGEY
Woof! Woof! I'm Bogey. I was waiting for my new home at the Delaware County Humane Society. In May of 2005 I found my new home, and I am what my owners call a Heinz 57 mix with the best qualities of all the breeds of dogs!! I am black and tan and one year old. My owners were cat people before they decided to have me join the family. I don't think they realized how much energy I have compared the 8-year old cat at home. To tell you the truth the walks they gave me were just not very exciting after you have a taste of Bark Til Dark. I joined the dog park in July of 2005. I was kind of shy when I first joined, but now I run and play with most all of the members that come to the park. I can run free, hop around, and chase the other dogs, but my favorite thing is to be chased. And, toys WOW there are so many! My favorite toy is the one any of my dog friend's happens to be playing with at the time. My owners and I have a deal if I get to go to the dog park, I will sleep and be calm in the house when we return--almost catlike. It has been working out great! I give Missi's Bark Til Dark Dog Park a 5-paw rating! (p.s. Bogey is known as the "Homecoming Queen" of the park because every dog loves her!! ~missi)

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LILY
My grandma won a membership to the park and gave it to my mom. It is the best gift I've ever gotten. I go to the park almost every day with my mom and my brother, Oliver. It is such a blast! I usually ride in the way back of the car, but when we reach the dog park I am SO excited I jump over the seats to get to the front. I have made so many great friends at the park. We run and play and chase each other. I especially love playing with Oliver, my brother. We bark and wrestle a lot; people might think we're fighting, but we're not. I'm not much of a water dog, so I don't swim in the pond, but I will dip my feet in. My mom calls me her "little princess".

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OLIVER
I'm known at the dog park as the little dog that thinks he's a big dog, and also as the dog that gets the dirtiest. I have a blast chasing after all the big dogs. Since I'm little I'm pretty fast. It's great to run and tumble with the bog boys! I'm a Westie, so I'm white. I LOVE the pond! When it's not frozen it's the first place I go to when I get to the park. At first I would just wade in the mud along the edge. But now I have learned to swim! I will sometimes even fetch a toy! My favorite thing to do after swimming is getting out of the pond and rolling all around in the dirt and mud. That's when I become the dirtiest dog at the park. Mom doesn't mind when I'm no longer white, she knows how much fun I'm having. I just have to be hosed down before going home.

ANNIE
Our Annie just loves the park. She is a Border Collie/Lab mix, but our backyard is very small. So we knew we would need to find someplace where Annie could run, run and run some more.

BarkTilDark fills the bill and then some. Annie loves the 5+ acres, and the pond is just the right size for that cooling off time. As for the owner (and 'friend' seems more appropriate!), Missi is the best. We had visited some other parks, and besides the fact that they had a very short open season, they also seemed much more interested in our dues than our dog! But when we visited BarkTilDark, and met Missi, Keith (her husband), and some other staff, we knew we had found a place that cared about the dogs first and foremost. In the months since we joined, that feeling has only grown.

There are closer dog parks when measured in miles, but none come close to being as warm, enjoyable, and relaxing for both owner and companion as BarkTilDark. Thanks Missi! - Mike, Judi, and Annie Prasse

COSMO
This is Cosmo Blue Peirsol here and I'm here to tell you about Bark til Dark Dog Park. It's my most favorite place to go - and believe me I've been to a lot of places. I can run and play and swim - yes swim - then go home and crash. Even though I may APPEAR to be a big bully I really just love to play with everyone - even my Aunt Missi. Boy I can't remember life before the park - I'm so spoiled by going out almost everyday that on the days that my parents don't plan on taking me I have to sort of remind them by following them around and whine a little. What can I say I'm a growing boy and I need my exercise!!!!!!

JACK
Hi My Name is Jack and I am addicted to the dog park, Yes it is true. I am a two year Welsh Pembroke Corgi that Janet (my person) rescued from a life of being tied up outside and barking. Since I have come to the dog park I have improved my social skills and am working on becoming a much better party guest. OK, I still don't exactly come when I am called... but we are working on it. I love to blow off steam at the dog park by running with my dog friends (call it doggie NASCAR). I get so tired that Janet has to lift me into the car. Janet loves meeting new friends at the dog park too. She loves the parties and the yappy hours. She has learned about better ways to take care of me. She has also had a ton of fun - watching me swim (OK, wade....)

Janet and I agree that the dogpark is our favorite place!

MALLORY
Hi, I'm Mallory. I am what my dad calls a triple S. Some Sorta Spaniel, sometimes he calls me a Sprittany. Truth be told all I know is I am as active as they come. He has spent many a waking hour trying to figure out how to package and sell all the energy I have. Then he could buy me all the Greenies and rope bones I could ever need. Before the park I only had a small fenced in backyard to run in. It was ok for a little awhile but I can only chase so many moles and squirrels before I get bored and move onto my parents toes. I am lucky enough to come to the park almost everyday. I get to play with all my close friends, Annie teaches me the finer points of bird chasing (she swears someday she will get one). I have been trying to get Abby the Beagle to chase me, someday I think she will and when she does we will have a great time. My cousin Sadie comes up often, I think she is actually a giant squirrel and man her tail is fuzzy. We could chase each other around the park for hours if our parents would let us. My other cousins Maggie and Gabby come up also. Maggie has lost so much weight from running around the park she looks and feels healthier than ever. Gabby is fourteen and a half and she has a new spring in her step when she comes. With all the space in the park we can run as fast as possible and chase each other around and around. I can't get enough of it, I even taught myself how to swim this summer. Now my dad has a sore shoulder because I make him throw my favorite stick in so I can swim out to it. When I get home I fall asleep on mom's lap and dream about what I am going to do here tomorrow.

ANNIE
Hi, Mom calls me Annie! Being a Brittany, I have energy to burn! Although butterflies and moths are exciting, bees and ants are tasty, and rabbits and squirrels are a thrill, I am forever fascinated by birds.

After her work, my Mom says, “Annie, do you want to go swimming?” I dash out to the car. I bounce up and down! “Yes, and I want to chase birds, too!” Oh, I can hardly wait!! Mom drives me to the Bark till Dark Park. From the parking lot, I drag her all the way in through the little house (humans are so s-l-o-w!). “Ca’mon, ca’mon!!” Finally off leash, I sprint out the door to greet my friends. Cody, and Bosco are here, and my best friend, Mallory. The little black puppy, Bailey, who always teases the “Big Dogs” and runs circles around them is here. The older dogs scold him when he rushes directly at them playing “chicken” and he swerves off at the last second. Hey, Barkley is here and so is Kosar the German Shorthair Pointer. Sometimes we chase birds together. I trot off past the black labs and the golden retrievers who jump into the pond fetching water toys thrown in by their moms and dads. I trot past Paisa splashing in the pond seeing how fast he can run in water. I see a bird over there and I gallop over to catch it!! Darn! He got away. But I’ll just get the one across the pond. I swim as fast as I can, I sneak up on him. Darn! He got away, too. Well, heck, I’ll just go for another swim! Dripping wet, I see another bird!! Although it’s acres away, I’ll just run over there and try to catch her. It flies away. After patrolling the whole perimeter of the park and searching for birds in the tall grass area, I go swimming again!! Finally, paw-printed Mom says, “Annie, it’s time to go home.” Often, I am not ready to go and I am sad, but “Hey! I can come again — I just know I’ll catch a bird tomorrow!”

ABBY
Abby, our shy beagle girl, gives four "paws up" to Bark Til Dark Dog Park! This sweet rescue dog has come a long way in her year with Judy and me at our home, but in just a month of visits to the dog park, we've seen practically another year of positive change. Abby is no longer afraid of people, eagerly greets other dogs (even big noisy packs of them), and has learned that the wide open spaces at Bark 'til Dark are fun to explore! Even at home she's become more friendly with new people....this, from a dog that was a research beagle terrified of grass when led from her cage a year and a half ago, didn't understand treats or toys, and until just a week ago, would follow me around at the park wondering what to do. Judy and I (and especially Abby) recommend Bark til Dark to all dogs for the opportunities to swim, chase, and socialize off-leash.

CUBBY AND CATIE
My name is Cubby and I love the Bark Til Dark Dog Park! I need to come to the park often so I can get my "sillies shaken out". I have so much energy! I love to run with all the dogs, play ball, swim, and run through the agility tunnel. My mom loves it when I play so hard that I go home and sleep all night long. My sister, Catie, loves the park, too! I'll let her tell you her story. . . . Hi, I'm Catie and I am so happy my mom brings us to the park. I don't know how to play ball or with any toys but I sure do love to run and swim. I love all my friends at the dog park. Missi, the owner, is always nice to us and she even lets us kiss her. . . . Hi, I'm Catie and Cubby's mom. Cubby and Catie are so happy when they are at the dog park - I swear they have smiles on their faces! If I say the words 'dog park', they get so excited. Thank you, Missi, for creating the dog park!!

DRAVEN
Hi! My name is Draven Lee Evans, a.k.a. The Dravenator! I am a Dalmatian Mix and I am spoiled rotten. My original owners didn’t want their dogs (my mom and dad) to have puppies, but they did. My mother’s first litter didn’t survive because their humans didn’t want to give them their shots and they got sick. So I was never able to meet my older brothers and sisters. When I was born my human Mommy Sara met me and fell in love with me! She begged and begged her parents to let her have me but they didn’t want me because they already had 2 cats and a 10 year old Tea Cup Poodle! After a few months of begging Sara was over at my house visiting me and her mom picked her up. So Sara, as sneaky as she is, took me to meet her mommy, Bobbie, and knew once I met her she fell in love. Well I still wasn’t going home with them just yet! They had to convince Sara’s dad, Dave. Well 2 months later, on a stormy, raining Delaware, Ohio Day they broke down and came and picked me up! When I went to my new home I met my new sisters and didn’t really get along with them at first. I went pee pee and poo poo everywhere in the house (mostly I pooped in Grandma Bobbies and Grandpa Dave’s room) I was very spoiled from the first day at that house on Union St! My mommy, Sara, would take every one of her checks she got from delivering papers and would walk me up to the new pet store on Sandusky Street. I made many friends there, including Nala the Shar Pei and Kara from the Strand, and Sheri from Pet Stuff and Many Others. But the real fun didn’t begin until my family found out about Bark Til Dark Dog Park and decided one day to make an adventure up 23 to this wonderfully fabulous park. I’ve been a member for almost 2 years now and I still get so excited when one of my family members say Dog Park or puts on their “gear” to trek out in the 6 acre wonderland I call my second home. I’m not a big swimmer but I love to wade in the pond and follow my Missi around and make every new human who enters the dog park while I am there pet me. I LOVE BARK TIL DARK!