Safe spaces for furry friends

If we think we, humans, are the only ones having a difficult time being cooped up at home, think again.

Put yourselves in the shoes—or paws—of your pets. Imagine being deprived of wide, open spaces to play and run around on for more than half a year already. Many of our pets—dogs, especially—are raring to go out, enjoy a whiff of fresh air and exercise their legs until they drop (and you’ll have to carry them home, like old times).

While it is a given that we can’t simply go and take our pets out during these times, there are establishments which are not only pet-friendly, but are built with features that our beloved pets can truly have a blast with.

Beau’s Dream Dog Park

Beau’s Dream Dog Park at Buchanan Park

Pennsylvania, US

Located in the city of Lancaster in Pennsylvania, Beau’s Dream Dog Park is the park of every dog’s dream. It has areas for both small and large breed dogs, Splash Pads, a Doxie Tunnel at the small breed area and a Tree of Dreams—a “tree” that launches tennis balls—at the large breed side. The dog park got a major upgrade, thanks to Lancaster resident Angela and her dog Beau. The pair won a contest sponsored by a dog food brand, the price of which is an enhancement of the contestants’ local dog park.

Paws 4 Fun Park

Paws 4 Fun Park

Nebraska, US

With over 12,000 square feet of indoor dog park space, all pets are promised lots of space and fun at Paws 4 Fun Park. It consists of two parks for large breed dogs and another two for small breeds. All four are installed with drainage systems, anti-microbial and anti-bacterial turf designed especially for dogs. Of course, playground equipment such as tunnels and toys are aplenty.

Tired humans can relax at the lounge areas which come with a complimentary cup of coffee and free WiFi while their dogs play with the Paws 4 Fun staff.

This indoor dog park in Lincoln, Nebraska, isn’t just for running around and playing fetch. It also has indoor and outdoor pools and offers services such as doggie daycare, dog and cat boarding, and grooming.

Dogwood Play Park

Dogwood Play Park

Washington, US

Here’s a hangout that humans will frequent. Located in Seattle, Dogwood Play Park is an indoor and outdoor off-leash park for dogs and a bar for the pet parents. The Play Park has an expansive indoor and outdoor area, which makes playtime and relaxation enjoyable for both two-legged and four-legged patrons, whether it’s winter or summer.

Hachi Park at Circulo Verde

Hachi Park

Circulo Verde

Any dog lover out there knows Hachiko, Japan’s legendary dog and probably the most fondly-remembered pet. Right at Circulo Verde in Pasig is Hachi Park, an off-leash dog park named after the remarkably loyal Akita, where your fur baby can freely run around to his or her heart’s content.

The spacious Hachi Park allows you and your pet to get your daily dose of sunshine while still maintaining physical distancing. Here, you and your dog can enjoy a bit of the outdoors after being cooped up for so long due to the long-standing quarantines in the metro. Water basins and waste bins are installed throughout the park so pet parents have no excuse to not clean up responsibly after their pooches.

SM Aura Premier’s Paw Park

Paw Park

SM Aura Premier

What has always been among the metro’s more accommodating malls when it comes to pets became even pet-friendlier. SM Aura recently opened Paw Park, a pet agility park, at the Skypark. It features 11 agility obstacles: Double Hoop Jump, Adjustable Tire Jump, Tube Tunnel, Agility See Saw, Weave Poles, A-Frame, Dog Walk Ramp, Agility Walk, Pause Table, Wall Jump and Adjustable Dog Hurdle. Paw Park also has the basic amenities for dogs and their humans including a water fountain, benches and waste bins.

Use of the Paw Park is free, all you need to do is register online. Everyone is, of course, required to observe proper dog park etiquette and follow the safety rules which are all posted at the Paw Park entrance, on SM Aura Premier’s website and attached with the digital Paw Park Pass.

Sources: Circulo Verde’s Facebook page, SM Aura Premier’s Facebook page, Beau’s Dream Dog Park at Buchanan Park’s Facebook page, Paws4funpark.com, and Dogwoodseattle.com