The Stehr Well: Sutherlin Dog Park

It's not easy living in an apartment, especially if you're Klaus. Gone are the days (for now) of opening the back door and letting him run out to the backyard to take care of business or play. We have to put his harness and leash on, carry him down the stairs and walk him out to the patch of grass and bushes next to our building. This is a pain, I'll admit, and I look forward to the day when we can get back to having a fenced yard for him.

One evening, Griffin and I had taken Klaus for a walk and we decided to check out the dog park. It's close to our apartment, but I had the idea in my head that a dog park meant no leashes and the dogs run free. I envisioned Klaus running and running never to be caught or being mauled by a large angry dog. As we got closer I got more and more excited. The Sutherlin Dog Park has two VERY large fenced areas, one for smaller dogs under 30 pounds and the other for large dogs. That first time we went, no one else was there. This was a good chance to experiment with Klaus to see how he'd do. HE LOVED IT! To be off his leash and run, run, run put him in doggy heaven! The park even has water for the dogs to drink and balls to play with.

Since that first time we have been back for several visits. After Fir Point, we let him go into the area with a couple other dogs, and he did well. (When Klaus stayed with Clyde, he played with Clyde and Emily's dogs.)