Staff pick: Education reporter recommendation is for the dogs

There’s a place in Vero Beach that literally is for the dogs. Since I adopted my new puppy, Paco, it’s a place that has become our new favorite place whenever I have a free afternoon.

Dog parks were something I avoided with my Jack Russell terrier, Rocky. He didn’t like other dogs, and wasn’t one to play nice with them. We lost Rocky, 13, in July, which was devastating to our family. In February, we adopted 8-month-old Chihuahua mix Paco from the Humane Society of Vero Beach/Indian River County. Paco has a lot of energy, so we decided to take him to the Vero Beach Dog Park.

The dog park is divided into three sections: for big dogs, small dogs less than 30 pounds and for senior/quiet dogs. We’ve only been to the small-dog section. Unsure of what to expect, we hesitated at the gate. But the dog park is filled with friendly regulars who encouraged us not only to enter, but also to let Paco off his leash. Within moments, he was surrounded by what we laughingly refer to as the “welcoming committee” of little dogs ready to play.

Now, Paco loves the dog park. It’s a place where he can make friends easily and run at top speed, usually being chased by another dog. He gets a little vocal sometimes when he is looking for someone new to chase him.

Q: What do you do there?

Paco runs. And tries to get other dogs to chase him. The dog owners sit and talk, or walk around with their dogs. I try to keep a visual on Paco at all times, and intervene if he gets a little too excited. As a puppy, he doesn’t understand why some of the older dogs don’t want to chase him all the time. I like talking with the other dog owners about their dogs and listening to their stories.

Everyone is welcome, even those without dogs. Random dogs come up to us for petting and attention, and then run off again. It’s a friendly place, and within a few minutes, I feel myself relaxing and laughing as I watch the dogs play. Dogs are expected to be nonaggressive, and any dog that becomes aggressive is supposed to be removed immediately. That rule is what kept me away with Rocky. He wasn’t aggressive, but I knew he didn’t like interacting with other dogs. Paco is very social, and has all his shots.

Q: What is the cost?

There is no cost, but donations are encouraged. The dog park is maintained/operated by volunteers and it receives no money from the city, county or other government entity.

Colleen Wixon has lived in Indian River County for almost 30 years. She covers education in Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie counties.

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