Dog Park at the HR Port

USA1169 · Since 04 Aug 2010 14 Posts Hood River

A big part of the problem is there is no designated dog park, or dog area in the parks/sites we have on Port/City property. As a dog owner and a tax-payer I am more than a little bent about this. Give dogs a spot of their own where they can run around and swim in the river. At the Port the windsurfers have three spots of their own if you count the Hook, the kiters have three now with the Marina, the kids have the beach and the playground.... how about a slice for dogs and their owners?

Kids should not be on the sandbar with kites, neither should dogs. Both are dangerous and stupid situations. Kids have a nice new park with a sand beach to go to during a hot day, the dogs and their owners on the other hand get the short end of the stick.

Fence off some lawn and a bit of water access and give it to the dog owners. Then if they show up at the Event Site and let their dogs roam when it is busy you can tell them to go use their part of the park. Same thing the windsurfers would say to us if we pump up on their lawn.

Before that happens the few dog owners out there that just let their dogs roam while they are out on the water please get a clue and stop..... It is dangerous for the dog and for the kiters. Not to mention cruel at times... the other day there was a nice mutt curled up shivering under my kite canopy trying to hid from the wind out on the sandbar! And you are ruining it for the rest of us dog owners who are responsible. A well trained dog that listens to voice commands with an owners paying attention is not a problem until dogs without owners around show up.

Let's get a dog park built! How about topsoil and grass on that gravel area just east of the Sandbar Cafe and the old paddlewheel dock? Aside from launching SUP's and other small craft when the water is high enough to get out the channel it is a left over piece with water access for dogs to swim and cool off.

Thanks for considering this!

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

great idea. I think that kiters should remember that the sand bar was mostly used as a dog park untill the kites came. Since we took their land we should give them some back.

K4L · Since 19 Jan 2009 483 Posts Obsessed

I am afraid that the majority of dogs I see running free are not wind enthusiasts leaving their friends to roam while cruising but usually owners are found nearby smiling gleefully as the dogs enjoy their freedom. In fact I cant remember the last time I saw a "responsible" dog owner anywhere at the waterfront with a leashed dog.

Next time I am just going to collar the mutts myself and call animal control!

mikeinhoodriver · Since 23 Apr 2009 439 Posts down wind somewhere Obsessed

I agree

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

the world is the dog park, just pay attention to your dog. Dogs pee and poop all the time , then you lay your gear on it and rub it all over you ,your gear and your family. Twisted Evil

Someone should take some of those lites that make fecal matter ect glow and shine it around at the dog park and your gear and your car after putting your stuff in it.. Shocked

malk415 · Since 10 Dec 2009 4 Posts Kook

Folks..

Now I can see a dog park in a big city that has no open ground. In Hood River there are miles and miles of shoreline where you can take a dog, let him run free sniffing and peeing on bushes, chasing rabbits, bobbing for fish or whatever he enjoys with no intrusion to or by other people. So why take him to the event site where he may ruin a $1500 kite? Take the dog to a fun place for him and then take the family to the event site.

Dogs are sorta like kids there are some places you do not take them and leave them home with a sitter. Do you take your kids and dog to your 10th wedding anniversary at the fanciest restaurant in town? I doubt it. Maybe to your 25th when the kids are grown but by then the dog is dead.

Beginning to think they go to the event site more for the owner than the dog. Look at me I have a cool dog with a bandanna and sunglasses. You probably have pictures of him doing cute things too.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1865 Posts XTreme Poster

<<Dogs are sorta like kids there are some places you do not take them and leave them home with a sitter.>>

Yep--well said.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

more fun than the event site (tho the event site is Twisted Evil

)

malk415 · Since 10 Dec 2009 4 Posts Kook

When your kids want to have some fun.. Do you take them to the pool hall because you like it or chuckee cheese because they like it?

I am sure that after running and playing in some other spot for 3 hours your dog would be happy to stay at home in the shade and rest while you go to the event site...

Had a dachshund that loved to go out in the country and investigate animal burrows because dachshunds were bred to hunt badgers not ride around on the dash of a motorhome as a trophy or be drug around in a park on a leash.