Comments on: A “Tail” Of Four Dog Parks, Part I: Shaggy Pines

By: Samantha

Samantha — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 01:39:22 +0000

I live in Grand Rapids, MI and know that Shaggy Pines does even more than reported in this article! They have a service where they will travel to local vet offices where dogs are being boarded and pick the dogs up for a romp in the park (for a fee, of course). There are self-serve bathing stations that can be used at the park after a day of play (for another fee, of course). There’s also a sand hill for digging (no extra fee). And in the winter, the snow is plowed off the trails (plus some dogs live for snow!) so year round membership can really be year round. The one catch? You have to be a millionaire to afford a membership!!!

By: Jean

Jean — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 17:05:26 +0000

I see all sorts of pet foods sold. I boil boneless skinless chicken legs, carrots, peas in chicken stock (gluten free from Trader Joe’s) and add 2 tbs. SOLID GOLD BUFFALO DOG FOOD. My picky toy poodles scarf it down.

By: Jean

Jean — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 16:58:34 +0000

I go to Volunteer Park here in Seattle and the people are snooty but I just want to play with my poodles because they are great fun and we have a good time. When you got toys you must stay allert. I have suffered attacks on my small pets. If my poodles meet some friends I watch their play and not the owners. I am not snooty just responsible small pet owner. I will grab dogs that are being abused by other dogs and do not care with the owners think!

By: kaefamily

kaefamily — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 14:59:31 +0000

here in Pasadena, CA there is a small public park that also offers two sections separating big dogs and small ones. Of course, we have our shares of dog owners who are too busy finding a date than interacting with their dogs AND owners who think the place is a training camp for their bullying/fighting dogs! Good thing we have cell phone with camera so we can report inconsiderate owners to appropriate park authorities.

By: EmilyS

EmilyS — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 14:15:38 +0000

Shaggy Pines.. you mean the dog owners are actually more interested in watching their dogs than interacting with people? What a concept! I’d love to go to a dogpark where people actually paid attention to what their dogs were doing (in order to forestall problems). In my opinion, that’s the biggest source of problems, well other than people being absolutely clueless about dogs in general and their dogs in particular… like the guy who let his 12 week Lab puppy be bullied by some big adult dogs because “she has to learn to stand up for herself”. He sneered at my suggestion that what a baby dog needs is to play with nice adult dogs. (not to mention she was too young to be in a public park anyway)

By: Rufus and Rufus

Rufus and Rufus — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 13:25:04 +0000

WOW. The dog park in Michigan sounds GREAT!!!!!! Too bad at least half of the year is too cold to enjoy it!