Proponents of dog parks also report their share of incoming crank calls. Supporters say the dog parks are healthy for animals and people. Dogs that play with other dogs are less likely to be aggressive, and pet owners have no reason to let their animals go free elsewhere. As she and others chat, the whole ragged pack zips this way and that, the sound of jangling tags and fevered yips rising in a cloud of dust. Their two-legged handlers, the seasoned ones anyway, know to bend at the knees to keep from getting bowled over.
Neighbors can meet on a daily basis and stay in touch with what's going on.
Groups such as ArlingtonDogs Inc. hold potlucks, field trips, fundraisers and charity events, including Helping Hounds for the Holidays. It's not just about the dogs. It's about the sense of community that these areas build. But in both Alexandria and Arlington, there is a perception that the balance of power is swinging to pet owners, especially as the demographics shift toward communities populated by singles. Parents in the Alexandria Soccer Association are still irritated at giving up the soccer field at Chinquapin Park one day last month for the 6th Annual Doggie Bone Hunt and Spring Parade, an event featuring Easter egg-like hunts and dogs in Easter bonnets.