The Weekend at Cosmo in Review

May 27, 2009 -

I know dog parks. I've sampled so many across the country, including California's Dog Beach, which I dream of taking Ollie and Honey Pie to. When I bought my first home, I searched the area within a one-mile radius of my favorite (at that time) dog park here in Arizona and landed within walking distance. I was thrilled and so are the dogs since our home is what folks fondly refer to as a patio home, we don't actually have a backyard to call our own. But no mind we three enjoy nothing more than an early-evening walk to the dog park where there's open space enough to throw, catch, return and repeat to The Pack's collective heart's content.

On the weekends though, when I have a little more free time, I try to switch things up for the dogs by taking them on a short hike. The heat of late has still been oppressive though (yes, even in September) and I couldn't bear dragging everyone out of the comforts of air conditioning to climb a mountain (even a small one). So last weekend, I loaded up The Pack, our latest foster dog, Squirt, plus my sister and her dogs and we headed out to Gilbert, a Phoenix suburb about 45 minutes from where we live. Our destination: Cosmo Dog Park.

I'd read about Cosmo Dog Park once in Dog Fancy in 2007 the magazine named Cosmo best all around dog park and since then, it's lived in my mind as a mythical locale I'd always meant to get to. Cosmo was cited as the best due to its 4-acre expanse which, the magazine noted, features a man-made swimming area with a dock for jumping, a dog beach, and exercise equipment complete with climbing obstacles and tubes.

Even the drinking fountains have flair one is shaped like a fire hydrant, and sits in the middle of a small wading pool so dogs can splash around as they quench their thirst, Dog Fancy continued. Park planners also threw dog owners a bone: Four covered patios with benches and tables provide relaxing spots to escape the hot desert sun.

Finally, the time had come for me (and The Pack) to see such greatness for ourselves. And see it we did the dogs showed no fear and waded right in to the water to cool off. Squirt and my sister's dog Sammy were the most brave soaring off the dock, through the air and then elegantly belly flopping into the water before racing to reach the multitude of tennis balls floating around various parts of the lake. Honey Pie was content to lay in a shallowest area and observe the fun while Bear and Ollie took turns chasing each other around the agility equipment.

I appreciated that Cosmo had plenty of places to take rests in the shade and a lot of clean, available water to keep so many fun-loving dogs thirsts quenched. There were mutt mitts available for cleaning up poop as needed and from the looks of it, all of the park goers and pups we ran into were having a great time.

That's all just a really long way of saying I rate Cosmo Dog Park pretty high among the dog parks I've visited and I'm adding it to my list of regular weekend destinations despite the drive (we had that much fun). If you're ever in the area (or just within driving distance), drop by Cosmo with your own pack and check it out this Dog Park Connoisseur promises you'll have fun, fun, fun. --Cat