Hitch Is On & An Extraordinary Dog Park

Finally, six weeks after we had the new Alpine delivered to our lot in RCC in Crystal River, we have a hitch in our new truck(which we’ve had for 3 and 1/2 weeks). Yesterday, after internet and physically searching for a hitch we wanted for a reasonable price for weeks, we ended up getting our PullRite Super 5th hitch installed at Suncoast RV in Ocala. That was the exact same spot we bought the Alpine. Go figure huh ??? I really thought I could find a hitch I could live with for a lesser price elsewhere, but I couldn’t. We had to have the Dodge Ram there at 8:30am and were told it would be done in the afternoon. Earlier last week we traveled to Valrico to pick up Barbie’s Terrain so she could follow with Kozmo and we could wander around Ocala and not have to sit at Suncoast all day. We also needed to pick up the tow bar and hardware that connected the Terrain to our motorhome in Valrico, as we sold it to an rver here in RCC. After dropping the truck off at Suncoast, we set out to further desensitize Kozmo’s lack of fondness in riding in vehicles and her socialization process in society. The plan was to have her ride in the back seat of the Terrain in her doggie bed, take her with us for the day including taking her to breakfast (she loves Egg McMuffins :-)), visiting two flea markets, taking her in to explore a PetSmart store and visit a dog park in Ocala that Barbie read about online. Well, let me tell ya, the girl had a great day! Check her out in the back seat.

As I said, she enjoyed breakfast immensely. She had a sniffeningly good time walking through PetSmart and taking in the other dogs. She did manage to get some treats , toys and a new collar there. The disappointment of the day was that both flea markets had signs posted saying “NO Dogs Permitted.” Must be a thing in Marion County because in Citrus County you see the pets in flea markets all the time. Oh well…..

Finally, a definite hit was the Millenium Dog Park in Ocala. Check out the website.

Ocala's first Dog Park provides a place for dog owners to let their pets run free safely and legally without a leash. The park is on 4 and 1/2 acres and is located on the corner of South East 24th Street and South East 32nd Avenue 1/2 block off of Maricamp road (464). “No matter the size or breed, your special companion will relish the canine running area, walking path, grassy play area and water stations. There is a separate park for Large Dogs and one for Small Dogs. Small Dogs may be taken into the Large Park but no Large Dogs are allowed in the Small Dog Park. The park is fun for humans too ! Enjoy the fresh air and camaraderie with fellow dog lovers in a lovely park setting.”

The Ground Breaking Ceremony took place on September 6th, 2001.Finally on November 7th, 2003 the Millennium Dog Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony took place. Millennium Dog Park is a non-profit Park and receives NO financial assistance, the park is run completely by donations.

The summer hours are 8am-7pm and winter hours are 8am-6pm. But, you’ve gotta check out these rules for the park.

PARK RULES

NO UNNEUTURED MALES OR FEMALES IN HEAT
NO PUPPIES UNDER 6 MONTHS
NO CHOKE OR PRONG COLLARS,
BUCKLE, SNAP COLLARS OR HARNESSES ONLY
NO CHILDREN UNDER 12 YEARS
NO SMOKING OR EATING IN PARK
NO DOG TREATS,ETC.
NO AGGRESSIVE DOGS ALLOWED IN THE PARK
(Leash and remove your dog from the park at the first sign of aggression)
ALL DOGS MUST HAVE CURRENT RABIES TAG
DOG FECES MUST BE CLEANED UP BY OWNER
YOU MUST REMAIN IN THE PARK WITH YOUR DOG
IMMEDIATELY FILL IN HOLES DUG BY YOUR DOG
KEEP YOUR DOGS LEASH WITH YOU AND KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR DOG AT ALL TIMES
DOGS MUST BE LEASHED WHEN ENTERING AND LEAVING THE PARK
THERE IS A 3 DOG LIMIT PER HOUSEHOLD

Did they forget anything? Me thinks not! They even have a Memorial Wall where you may purchase a brick for $45 to remember your lost loved one.

 

 

 

Kozmo definitely enjoyed herself, plus it tired her out as well. She relaxed on the way home Barbie reported AND she spent a quiet evening after returning home. See what I mean? Check out those tried eyes.

We finally picked up the truck at about 1:40pm. We’re ready to tow finally, after having the Alpine since January 28th. We will need to take the Alpine over to Suncoast to have some slide toppers installed over the 4 slides and take care of a couple of warranty issues before we head north in 6 weeks or so.

‘Til next time…..