STORM2K

By Anna M. Tinsley, Star-Telegram Staff Writer

FORT WORTH, Texas - A vacant slice of land at Gateway Park could soon become a haven for dogs. Put some fences up near the softball complex and release the hounds. The area could become the city's first dog park, part of a growing nationwide trend to give them a place to play, without their leashes, and commune with other dogs. "I think we're way behind on this," said City Councilwoman Becky Haskin, who heads the council's Government and Neighborhood Relations Committee. "We should create a dog park through a pilot program, then explore putting more in regional parks."

My one and only experience with a dog park was awful! First off, there was little grass - holes everywhere from digging. Picnic tables with owners casually sitting at, reading the paper. Well, I have a people oriented dog - Golden Retriever. She kept going up to the owners, not other dogs! Then people started whispering there as a pit bull in the area. And owner's started grabbing their dogs. My daughter fell in a 3 foot deep hole. She got thoroughly muddy, it had recently rained. We all decided right then to head home. Our dog is panting from all the excitement. My daughter is wiping mud off of her with what kleenex's we could find in the car. Our dog is shedding like crazy, hair is flying thru the air in my car, and we all said - never again!

Good idea but a dog park is certainly no walk in the park, IMO. My husband said if all our dog just wants to do is to meet people, we can go to any park for that!

Mary

PS - now I realize some pit bulls can be trained to be gentle dogs but we didn't want to take any chances. When my daughter fell in the deep hole a little dog nearby wanted to help her, and fell in too. On one hand we're laughing so hard, we had tears in our eyes, on the other we're saying let's get the heck out of this place. Hubby said on the way home - great idea you had there Mary!

another great idea. I trust they already have plenty of parks for the PEOPLE that live in this community.

Don't get me wrong...I like dogs, but it is not my responsibility along with all my neighbors to support programs such as these with my hard earned money. If you are so concerned about your dogs freedom to frolick and play, then do it on your own private propertty!@!%^$&