This past Thanksgiving we drove to Denver like we did two years ago for Christmas. Murphy was the first one out the door and to the car when we asked, “Want to go to Grandma Dorothy’s house again?”
Boy did he! Not only does his Grandma Dorothy live literally on the edge of Cherry Creek State Park (which means a park walk everyday, a couple times a day), but she lives five minutes from the best dog park Murph’s ever been to.
It’s also part of Cherry Creek State Park and it’s just off Parker Road. I don’t know what the official name of it is. All I know is the same thing Murph does: it’s off leash, there are miles of trails, and there’s a creek.
Back in 2005 the weather cooperated so we could take Murph to the dog park three times during the 10 days we were there. This past trip we had one extremely nice day of 70 degree weather. We were smart to take advantage that day, because it was the last warm day.
Of course we could have done like other dog owners do and bundled up, but then Grandma Dorothy wouldn’t have been able to go. She only weighs 80 pounds. Cold cuts right through her no matter how bundled she is. And she so loves seeing her grandpup happy and romping.
And romp he did. He knew where he was the second we pulled to a stop in the parking lot. He was wiggling and squiggling to get out and run free.
He had a lot of pent up energy after spending 17 plus hours cooped up in the car the day before. Except for the pits stops and few times he sat up to take in the scenery, he slept the whole way. To say he was full of energy would be an understatement.
He was like a dog in a biscuit store as he trail blazed all the paths that led to the best feature of the park: the creek at the back.
I failed to remember to bring my camera along, but his expression when he realized what was on the other side of the ridge is etched in my memory. He literally leapt for joy…right off the embankment and into the creek.
Wayne, my mom and I all had a good laugh at the big splash followed by a crazy wild dog racing back up the embankment to do it all over again. He spent the rest of the time wading merrily in the creek while we walked on drier ground above.
He’s been to dog parks in Jacksonville and Nashville and they’re all fine. Nice enclosures where dogs can safely be off leash together. He’s even got to run free at the beach while we stroll along.
But he’s not much of an ocean dog. He’s a creek critter. He absolutely loves being in creeks. Here he tries to get in the creek at Concord Park all the time. But he has to be on leash and his range is limited.
Not so at the dog park in Cherry Creek State Park. He can roam from one side to the other and stay in it as long as possible. Or he can go explore another trail if he gets bored. There’s so much to do there and all off leash!
That’s why it’s his top pick for best dog park ever.
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