Hi,
Good news. We have found a new go-to park for the dogs, Parque da Carapinheira (6932+R8 Montemor-o-Velho, Portugal). We have passed by the park numerous times without really noticing it, but this week we stopped and it works great. It is on the way to our grocery stores, so we can really put it to use. Previously, the dogs didn’t have anywhere to stop and walk around before having to sit in the car and wait for Chris to finish shopping. But now they do, and they seem pleased. It is not a dog park, but it is better than nothing.
When we lived in Custóias, there was a little exercise park near the house. We would always stop at that exercise park to keep the dogs’ hearts from exploding. They were always so excited to be in the car that they had to stop and run around before we truly got on the road. This new park is also an exercise park (not that you will find me on any of the exercise machines) with slides and swings and other stuff for children, along with seats and benches, a pool, and a pattern to walk.
Believe it or not, Chris managed to walk The Pattern and make it to the center without dying. Hurrah! I’m sure Opal and Onyx helped him, but he insists that he did it all on his own.
Regardless, we now have a park to stop at before getting too far from the house. I’m sure the dogs are relieved, as they had grown used to stopping for a short walk around in Custóias and have been missing this ritual. Sorry we took so long, little ones!
We have also taken to stopping in a warehouse district when the rain makes the ground at the park too muddy. Onyx loves playing fetch, but she doesn’t love avoiding mud puddles. So, we have found a closed road at the warehouse district near our house` (which I assume will be opened in the future when new warehouses are built there) so Chris can throw the ball and Onyx can run after it without splashing mud all over us. It’s a win-win.
Nola