Dog Park grand opening brings out canine crowd 
By SUSAN LEATHERS
Brentwood Home Page
City officials made quick work of their speeches Saturday morning as about 30 dogs and their families gathered at Tower Park to witness the ribbon being cut outside the main gate to the city’s first dog park. In fact, there are two dog parks – a 1.5-acre one for large dogs and a slightly smaller (.65 acre) one for the little ones – and both got lots of use following the 10 a.m. grand opening ceremony.

Demo, left, a short-legged corgi, has a ball Saturday, along with dad Al Galuten and sister Della. About 11 years ago, Demo had a completely different outlook on life when Galuten’s wife found him on the side of a Kentucky road, a puppy left for dead. Demo spent three days in the University of Tennessee’s veterinary neuro-intensive care unit. With care, luck and obviously a lot of love, Demo returned to his new home and has thrived ever since.

Tiberius weighs 185 pounds and is still growing. His parents are both working rescue dogs in Switzerland.  Tiberius’ imposing size, however, can be misleading. “He’ll play with a cat all day long,” says his master Archie Miller, accompanied by wife Deonna Miller. “He’s never barked at anything.”

Diogenes, or Diggy for short, gets his name from the Greek philosopher because his namesake was known for causing mischief, owner Blake Reynolds shared. Apparently the young Australian shepherd was known for similar mischief when he first joined the family.

The Brentwood City Commission authorized the $50,000 project late last year. City Parks Director Dave Bunt welcomed the crowd, and then introduced new Mayor Paul Webb who introduced the commission and park board members present. Hardly five minutes later, dogs of all ages, colors and breeds streamed into the Large Dog Park, while their more petite counterparts walked the short distance south to their very own fenced area for off-leash fun.

Deborah Hartness’ Doberman Bailey was the first dog through the Large Dog Park's two-gate entry. The two arrived 30 minutes before the celebration began but Hartness said in fact she had been waiting "several years” for the park to open. She and Bailey have been frequent visitors of the dog park in Franklin but now they plan to be regulars at Tower Park.

“This is a perfect location,” she said.

“This almost brought me to tears,” shared Susan Campbell, whose husband Randy chairs the city’s Planning Commission. “I’ve been wanting for it for 25 years.”

The Campbells were there with Shiloh, 11, a beautiful golden retriever they rescued two years ago from the Middle Tennessee Golden Rescue organization.

Truman Howell, a basset hound, sported a blue Titans bandana. A blue Brentwood Police Department one may have been more appropriate. With short legs that move fast, he designated himself Deputy Howell and spent the better part of an hour following a frisky young golden retriever who obviously had something on his mind besides playing fetch. Deputy Howell wasn't about to let any young ladies' reputations be publicly defiled on opening day. He  also kept a sharp eye out for any incorrigibles or others he could charge with disturbing the peace.

Mom Peggy Howell was a member of the city’s first Citizens Police Academy which may explain a few things. Howell said she left Truman’s sister Honey at home because she didn't think Honey could make the approximately half-mile walk to the dog park from the Tower Park parking lot. The lot is located across Heritage Drive between the Williamson County Indoor Sports Complex and the FiftyForward Martin Center. The park is accessed through a pedestrian tunnel that runs under Heritage Drive.

Ninety minutes after the ribbon was cut, Bunt declared the event a success.

“I thought it was awesome,” he said. Guests of both the human and canine variety seemed to appreciate the park and its amenities. A majority of the funding, $40,000, was used for fencing, trail expansion and water lines. The rest helped fund the shaded benches, “fire hydrants” and water fountains that serve fresh water to Jumans up high and dogs down below.

Rules of conduct for both dogs and their handlers are listed by the entrances to both dog parks, which are open sunrise to sunset. They include:

• No dogs over 25 pounds are allowed in the small dog park; small dogs may enter the Large Dog Park at their handler’s risk.
• Spiked collars and choke collars are prohibited
• All dogs must be vaccinated for rabies. Tags or other proof of current vaccination must be shown on request.
• Dogs must be leashed before entering and exiting the dog park.
• Handlers must be 16 years of age or older. Children ages 8 and under are not allowed in the dog park, and children ages 9-15 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Handlers must clean up after their dogs and properly dispose of the waste. Handlers must fill any holes dug by dogs under their control.
• There is no smoking in the dog park.