Border collies really need the chance to work off steam, which is why the temporary closing of the local dog park was such awful news.

 

It came without warning last week: the park, which just opened this summer, grew so popular that by mid-November the grass was nearly trampled to death. The whole place needs a major break, so the gates are locked until spring.

 

I understand that. But when Great Falls starts to thaw out in the next few days, as it always does, my border collie Jillie and husky mix Chachi are going to wonder why we’ve stopped going to that awesome place where they get to run their legs off, sniff the hind ends of countless other dogs and generally enjoy all things canine.

I think that, and then I remember how much better my dogs have it, in countless ways. In a puppy mill, the question of the day isn’t where a dog will get to go for a walk but whether she will be fed that day, whether her water will freeze over and whether her tender paws can withstand the piercing feel of the criss-crossing wires she’s forced to stand on day in and day out.

 

Until the dog park opens up again, my two will survive just fine.