Today I took Lola to Norwood. It is technically known as Norwood Estate Off-Leash Area, but everyone I know refers to it as "that dog park at Riverside and I-35." It is the only entirely fenced-in off-leash dog park in Austin. I wasn't really nervous about taking Lola off-leash because 1) she generally stays so close to me and 2) she has become much more friendly with other dogs when we visit Auditorium Shores. Of course, I couldn't be sure -- about her behavior, or the behavior of other dogs! So this first off-leash experience was a big deal, and going to the fenced-in dog park was essential.
So, Norwood:
It's a nice little place, maybe 1.5 or 2 acres (the City of Austin link above says that it's 508 acres, but this is total bullshit). There are three or four shady seating areas around the edges, and a sunny hill (plus a totally random little bamboo forest) in the middle. Owners generally sit in the shady areas and chat or read or throw balls for their dogs, while each dog runs all over creation in an attempt to prove that he can sniff more butts than anyone else. Some of the seating areas have been planned really beautifully, with two rows of lovely big trees, and some plastic chairs and wooden picnic tables to sit at:
Here is another seating area:
Here is the sunny hill in the middle:
There are several doggie water stations, with water bowls below and gallons of water to pour into them. (There is also a three-level water fountain in the center but it doesn't work. Those things are always broken.)
Lola did wonderfully. I walked her on a leash over to a place to sit (not a chair, just a railroad tie or something in the ground). I took her off-leash and she circled me for about five minutes, staying within arm's reach, but watching all the other doggies. Of course they came over to sniff her, and she stood between my legs but didn't seem too upset. Then she explored our little corner of the park and said hi to all the dogs and people. And of course the people reached down to touch her, and she didn't run away! A little while later I walked all around the park (with a fairly frequent refrain of "Lola come!") and she followed me about ten feet behind. When I chose a spot to settle in, she would sit near me, then wander off to say hi to someone, then come back and sit near me. And then wander off again, and then come back and sit near me. She never got more than twenty feet away from me.
My dog ROCKS.
A funny thing was that Lola's reaction to a dog approaching her had nothing to do with the size of the dog. And there were some frikkin HUGE beasts out there -- including one that looked like a gigantic white labrador, I have no idea what it was but it must have been over 100 pounds -- and also some teeny-tiny under-five-pound ones (a chihuahua and a mini-pin). Some of the little ones were all frisky and she couldn't be bothered with them, and then some of the largest ones were just lovely gentle giants, and they bent down to sniff her and she sniffed right back. The only problem was with a dog that was almost exactly her size -- a really fucking ugly white bull terrier. It wanted to tussle, and it sort of half-jumped on her and possibly bit her ear (bastard!) and she barked at it. Stupid ugly bull terriers. Who buys those nasty little mean rodent things anyway?
Anyway, I think Lola enjoyed the dog park. Here is Lola:
Here is Lola making a friend (yeah, no fucking clue what kind of dog that is. It looks like Sandy from Annie, though):
Here is me and Lola. Do I need a haircut or WHAT? Sheesh.
Here is me and Lola about 2.5 seconds later. Dogs sort of converge on you at dog parks. Did I mention that I love dog parks? And that I really need a haircut?
The German Shepherd at the front is Daisy Duke. She belongs to the lovely gentleman who took my photo. Daisy is the second dog of that name -- the original Daisy had to be put down last year because of back problems :-( This Daisy is eight months old, and while she loves people, she is not really a fan of other dogs. But she didn't eat Lola, so that's all good.
The big yellow lab at back totally loved me and sat on my feet while I petted him.
The gentleman who took my photo used to do something in Sacramento that sort of sounds like Colonial Williamsburg, except all about the gold rush. He'd be in his 1850s attire in a blacksmith shop and people would come in and he'd tell them this awesome story about slaves who were sent to California during the gold rush, but they weren't allowed to mine so they started a store and laundry, and ended up owning a whole bunch of land and being really successful. He told me the story and it was really fun.
That's possibly the most awesome thing about dog parks in Austin. Everyone is friendly. Everyone loves dogs, so you have at least one topic of conversation to chat about. Everyone is happy to be outdoors, with their pets, enjoying life, and enjoying being interested in the people and animals around them. It's wonderful.
Now, in fairness, I should point out that Norwood gets some negative press. Because it's the only fenced-in dog park, it's also the dog park where people (supposedly) take aggressive or disobedient dogs. I have read a few comments online about large dogs ganging up on a small dog at Norwood. All I can say is that my own experience was overwhelmingly positive. My dog behaved, everyone else's dog behaved (grr except for stupid bull terriers which are ugly and stupid), and a good time was had by all. For the first off-leash experience, Norwood gets a solid thumbs up.
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