The old dog, in this case, would be me.
For years, Winslow Park, aka the dog park, has been in our rotation of “destination” walks, but, to be perfectly honest, I’ve never looked forward to going there. Sure, all my dog-owner friends rave about it: Dogs everywhere! Great for socializing! Jake/Molly/Spanky loves frolicking in the off-leash area! Trouble is, Ricky and I never get to the off-leash area, because it’s a bit of a walk from the parking lot, and Ricky, always a reluctant walker, finds way too much of interest in and around the lot itself: delectable trash cans . . . cars to try to climb into . . . old, left-behind turds. If we even get within spitting distance of the drinking fountain, I consider it a victory.
Recently, on one of those rare occasions when we did make it to the
fountain, I noticed a couple park their car in the corner of the Westport Playhouse lot, and walk their black Lab into the park from there. I’ve often wondered, why would people park in the Playhouse lot to walk their dogs, when the dog park has its own lot? And then it hit me! Eureka! Because the Playhouse lot is immediately adjacent to the off-leash area! It’s right next to the main attraction! When you get out of your car . . . you’re there! No long walk. No distractions. Boom! Instant dog party!
I’m really, really glad I figured this out. And to think, it only took me 9 years . . .
LOOK FOR A NEW BEAGLE MAN POST EVERY THURSDAY. OR PRETTY CLOSE TO THURSDAY. COULD BE WEDNESDAY. OR FRIDAY. LET’S NOT GET TOO OBSESSIVE HERE . . . 
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Huh! I guess it must have been GPS that got you too and from California twice with no reports of being lost. Too bad Google MAP doesn’t have Winslow Park’s fountain on it.