Summer of 2011 brought many things to my life. I was made aware that I wasn't the only woman in Oakley's life. Sky is his main girl! He has brought out a side in her that we didn't know was there. She has become silly, playful, relaxed, a bit of an instigator and a mom. Watching both my dogs bloom with the summer flowers into beautiful animals gives me a sense of pride. Yet I wanted more. So like most things I do in my life, I jumped in feet first! My babies, sorry Cesar Milan I do realize they are not human, yet I do refer to them as such. Sky, Oakley and I have been using the Dog Park in Oshkosh on a regular basis. The Dog Park was in need of help and not thinking of anything other than the what my dogs would like, I took on role of President of Friends of Winnebago County Dog Parks, Inc. We became a 501 (c) 3, which entails lots of paperwork. We are starting to raise funds not only for the current Best Friends Dog Park, in Winnebago County Community Park AKA Oshkosh Dog Park, we are also adding an additional Dog Park, in northern Winnebago County! HOW EXCITING!! Another place for our beloved best friends to run, play and enjoy the outdoors with us humans off leash! The search for land is challenging as finding a "good . As well as an end of the summer swim at the Beach.
Summer turned to winter. As the dog park group is growing more my time is limited. As you can see by the lack of posting in my blog. Biting cold winds and water turned into ice leave its effects on the grounds of the dog park. The trees no longer hold their leaves, the wild grasses dead and drooped. Yet, the memories of warmer days. Walking around the park I hear people say, "wow this is icy" or "conditions aren't good out here" or "man there is a lot of standing water". I want to thank each of of those people. The change into winter had started to take its affects on me, wondering why we didn't get more done at the dog park. I had been looking at all we haven't gotten done yet. Thank you those people who don't know where we have come from. Today as I stood at the dog park, admiring the frozen water on the ground, admiring the lime-screened path that lead us to the back section without getting our feet wet, smiling as I passed the new boxes that hold extra bags for the park users to clean up after their pets, I realize we DID accomplish a lot last year. I smiled as I recalled the "lakes" that were present in the front and back of the park. Then them freezing becoming skating rinks, where people and dogs would slip and slide and fall. I remember laughing at the fact we needed hip waders to advance around some areas of the park with my pockets jammed full of the latest plastic grocery bags, not knowing how many I would need that day. Of course having an extra for anyone who needed it. Perspective. Thank you for Colleen and Mary Jo for all of your hard work, sweat and tears starting the Best Friends Dog Park. I now understand.
With that, the sharp winter winds are only temporary. Winter will turn to spring and then summer. We will continue to make the dog park better.
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