It’s dog park time!

Jennifer Vanderau

(7/2022) At least I’m pretty sure that’s what dad said before he headed out to the laundry room.

I mean "let’s go to the dog park" doesn’t sound anything like "it’s time for your vet appointment," right? I couldn’t have messed those two up, could I?

Dad’s got my harness and leash and my special dog park water bowl! Yes! Dog park it is!

I love sticking my head out the window on the way there. Dad makes sure it’s only open so far so I won’t fall out or anything.

You would not believe the smells that are on the air. I’m guessing you’re a human, so it’s gotta be tough for you to realize what all is out in the world to be sniffed. At least from my conversations with my dog park friends, I understand humans don’t have as strong a sense of smell as we do.

I can smell people, other dogs and even emotions in the air. And the stuff you all eat? I can smell each, individual ingredient. Do you know what’s in those hamburgers? Probably not. But, back to the dog park day.

The car ride to the dog park is a sensory explosion in smells, that’s for sure.

As we approach the park, I hear my friends barking and I can’t help but answer in kind. Before we even see each other, we’re busy filling each other in on what’s been happening in our lives.

Because the humidity has been pretty low today, the park is really full and I start to jump around in the back seat as dad pulls into a parking space.

"Okay, okay," he tells me in that tone I know holds a smile. "Hang on. We’ll get there."

Dad leashes me up and I’m bouncing all around. I just can’t help it! So many of my friends are here! It’s so exciting!

There’s Rocky and Bella and Charlie! And wow! Even Sanders! I haven’t seen him in forever.

And oh my word, my heart almost stops when I spot Olivia. We’ve had this on-again, off-again thing for a while now and she’s an Irish Setter with this amazing red hair and whew. I’m hoping maybe we could make something work long-term, but I don’t want to jump the gun here. Charlie told me to play it cool, so I’m trying, but man, she’s pretty.

Thank heavens dad gave me a bath two nights ago. I think I’m looking pretty good.

I drag dad over to the gate and all my friends come up to meet me. I hear dad’s human friends yell out a greeting, too.

Once I’m inside, it’s a free for all. I make sure to say hi to everyone, even the people.

Olivia is kind of acting like she might want to be on-again and I try to control my racing heart as I make it look like I’m good with whatever. Charlie tells me not looking desperate is the key. I mean how do you do that when you actually are a little desperate? She’s just so cool and pretty.

I give her a little shrug and tell her we’ll talk later, but my heart’s skipping pretty crazy in my chest.

I catch up with my friends and Sanders tells us all about what he’s been up to – he’s been healing from a torn ACL that he thinks he got from a romp in his back yard and wow. He’s been on a lot of cage rest. That would have driven me crazy! No wonder he was so happy to see us.

I don’t think I’d have the patience to stay still that long. Dad calls me his jumping bean Labrador. I do have a lot of energy, but I just get so excited about stuff. Everything in life really is pretty amazing, if you just take the time to appreciate it. You know? Dad just laughs at me when I hop up and down about stuff. It’s okay. I’ve seen him get pretty excited over those car shows he goes to.

As the sun dips lower in the sky and we all hop around, playing with canine and human alike, I realize we are so lucky to have this dog park behind the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter.

***

Hey you all. It’s Jen. I just wanted to let you know that a few nights ago, I took a seat on one of the picnic tables behind the shelter before going home. The commotion from behind me pulled my attention to the dog park behind the shelter, a combined effort between CVAS, the borough of Chambersburg and Greene Township

What I saw was a relatively large group of people and dogs under the trees, standing in the waning sunlight and everyone – I could tell even from a distance – was just…happy.

Dogs were running around each other, tails wagging. I’m telling you, there wasn’t a single tail that wasn’t up and waving. Some of the pups were weaving between dog and dog and then human and human.

It was a physical representation of joy and it soothed my soul just to watch it. If you ever get a chance, stop by our dog park behind the shelter.

I have a feeling you’ll be very glad you did.

***

Jennifer Vanderau is the Publications and Promotions Consultant for the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter and can be reached at cvascomm@cvas-pets.org. The shelter accepts both monetary and pet supply donations. For more information, call the shelter at 717-263-5791 or visit the website www.cvas-pets.org. CVAS also operates a thrift store in Chambersburg, Pa. Help support the animals at the shelter by donating to or shopping at the store.