Tired Dogs Are Good Dogs and the Townhouse Blues

Dave and I live in a townhouse. That means no fenced yard for dog romping. But we can't skimp on exercising them.

I've learned that exercise is important for their health as well as their temperment. They love being outside. And when tired from physical activity, our dogs are less likely to get into trouble. (Zoe in particular is prone to mischief. She has gnawed her way through more shoes, throw pillows, computer bags and plants than I can count.)

So, we've cobbled together a plan to keep them in shape. It's a challenge: our area sports few large, fenced public areas that allow dogs. So we:

1. Take them to Echo Lake Dog Park in Mountainside, NJ, on Saturday and Sunday mornings. It's about 20 minutes from our home. This is usually Dave's job, and he enjoys it. He hangs out and yaps with a cadre of dog owners.)
2. Play fetch at the tennis courts in town twice a week. The trick is to go early in the morning, so we don't interfere with tennis players.
3. Play fetch in the back area of a soccer field near our home. This is a tad illegal: the signs prohibit dogs. We go at 6 a.m., speak softly because it's near a senior condo development, and limit our visits to once a week.
4. Treat them to extra-long walks through the Passaic River Park. It's wooded, and a branch of the Passaic River winds through it. I make this a part of the morning routine twice a week.

In addition, we (or our dog walkers) walk them on leash three times a day.

Sometimes Dave and I peruse the real estate ads and seriously consider buying a single family home with a big yard! Someday, perhaps ...