Posted on 10/14/2007 8:58:57 AM PDT by SandRat
FORT HUACHUCA — Humans like to socialize. So do dogs.
Unlike two-legged mammals who can throw a party in the back yard for neighbors or engage in more high-toned activities, the socialization of humans’ four-legged best friends is limited.
But no more.
On Saturday, a new park opened on the fort. It’s an off-leash area for dogs to run and meet the varying members of the canine species.
Until the park opened, dogs had nowhere else to run loose on post.
The Williams Field Dog Park was the brainstorm and project of the Fort Huachuca Sgt. Audie Murphy Club. It is thought to be the first off-leash facility for dogs in the Army and definitely the first one in Cochise County, said chapter president Master Sgt. Eric Schmitz.
As he spoke, purebreds — dachshunds, greyhounds, whippets, golden retrievers, schnauzers and others — mingled with the “oh my God” dogs, whose genetic makeup is only known by a higher authority.
More than 40 dogs were at the grand opening of their park.
Surprisingly, hardly any barking could be heard as one dog sniffed out another’s parentage and ran around together in loosely organized packs.
As the dogs played, their human friends socialized, too.
The dog park project began two years ago.
“It took 18 months to get the permission,” Schmitz said.
A fence around the ball field had to be repaired, with some sections new and others refurbished.
“It’s a work in progress,” Schmitz said, noting there are still some areas that have to be filled in so dogs cannot get out.
As he spoke, Precious, owned by Calvin Roach, managed to crawl under a gate.
“No, no,” Roach said as the dog successfully got out and went to him.
Two of Roach’s other dogs, Jack and Lisa, looked on from inside the main area.
The retired sergeant first class said two of the dogs are from shelters — Jack and Precious — while Lisa was less than a month old when he found her abandoned. Lisa was ill. It wasn’t until Roach got her to a veterinarian after the weekend that he found out she had parvo.
“I fed her soup,” he said.
The veterinarian said that was good because it kept the dog hydrated.
Lisa, one of the “oh my God” types, is now a decade old.
For Roach, a local dog park is a blessing. He now doesn’t have to travel once a month to Tucson “so they (his three dogs) can play with other dogs.”
Schmitz has the same feeling. He goes to Tucson on as many weekends as he can for the dogs to socialize.
It’s important for dogs to interact with others canines, he said.
Like humans, dogs are social and enjoy running and playing with each other, Schmitz said.
The post dog park is open 24 hours a day. Lights at the field are still being worked on. Users will be able to put them on, but must turn them off when they leaves.
There are signs directing people to the park, which is near the former Mountain View Colored Officers Club, a facility constructed during World War II that is in the process of being saved by efforts of the Southwest Association of Buffalo Soldiers.
Anyone who can get on the post legally can use the facility, Schmitz said.
Three contests were part of the dog park’s grand opening — one for the best dog in a Halloween costume, another for dog and owner who looked alike, and one for the fastest dog to run to its owner.
In the latter contest, Ruby ran to Allison Taylor, taking a third for human and dog.
Although the golden retriever led more than a dozen dogs in the contest, she headed to the water barrels first before going to Taylor.
“She got distracted by the other dogs and wanted to drink first,” the 15-year-old said.
More than one dog stood in the water containers, with one having his front paws in one and back paws in another as he drank out of a third one.
It was an afternoon of chasing tennis balls and Frisbees — mostly for the four-legged animals, although the two-legged mammals also played some catch.
The park will eventually include a canopy and equipment for dogs to use to keep fit. And the facility’s operations also will depend on donations.
The park has rules, such as aggressive dogs are prohibited and all animals must have a license and vaccinations.
But the No. 1 requirement on the list of rules is: “Clean up after your dog.”
Man’s best friend can only do so much.
HERALD/REVIEW senior reporter Bill Hess can be reached at 515-4615.
Matthew Bradac and his Halloween costumed pooches Peanut, left, and Monty at the newly opened Williams Field Dog Park on Fort Huachuca. (Mark Levy-Herald/Review)
A dachshund plays with a tennis ball at the dog park on Fort Huachuca. (Mark Levy-Herald/Review)
Water isn’t just for drinking as this pooch finds another way to beat the heat at Saturday’s Fort Huachuca Sgt. Audie Murphy Club’s dog park opening. (Mark Levy-Herald/Review)
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