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Asbury Park Press

By Cheryl Miller

Now smaller dogs don't have to feel small anymore.

Thanks to a new upgrade to the already existing Off Leash Dog Area in Thompson Park in Middletown, dogs 35 pounds and under can now strut their stuff without the hindrance of a leash or a larger dog blocking their path.

Lexi Loox Loux couldn't be happier about it.

The teacup poodle has the quarter acre of space all to herself, and lets loose with a whole lot of energy and attitude. Her owner, Heather Colella, one of the Friends of the Park who helped to fund the addition, says her dog, whom she rescued as an orphan five years ago, loves it.

"The major benefit is that she doesn't get bowled over by the big dogs when she is chasing her ball. She likes the big dogs, but they can get rough," Colella says.

And that's why the upgrade was initiated, because "small dogs and their owners were not comfortable with the larger dogs," says Laura Kirkpatrick, public information officer for the Monmouth County Park System. "So far, it's been very successful.

"It's exercise for the dogs — it gives them the opportunity to run off-leash in a responsible place," says Kirkpatrick.

It's the only off-leash dog area that the Monmouth County Park System has, so that people like Tom Corcoran have to travel from Freehold so his German shepherd Comet can get some exercise.

Nancy Dockray and Joe Patane are new to the area; she's from North Jersey, and he's from Manhattan, and they are pretty sure their dog thinks he went to "doggie heaven." Any off-leash areas farther north are only a fraction of the size of this one, Patane says.

The original Off Leash Dog Area, now called the All Dog Area, was opened in October 1999, and is 1 1/4-acres, and, as part of the upgrade, will get agility equipment, benches that can be purchased for approximately $500 and a people/dog water fountain on the walkway outside.

The new Small Dog Area, which has been open since Memorial Day, has a concrete patio and fencing, which separates it from the larger canine area. A new concrete walkway to the parking lot adjoins both areas.

Funding came in part from proceeds from the Friends of the Park's annual fundraiser "Strut Your Mutt," Garden State Veterinary Specialists in Tinton Falls and the Monmouth County Park System, says Christina Miller, a full-time staff member of Friends of the Park.

According to parks system literature, both off leash dog areas are open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 1 1/2 hours before dusk, the same as park hours.

Children younger than 8 years of age are not permitted within the off-leash dog area; children 8 years of age and older must be closely supervised by an adult.

People cannot bring more than two dogs at a time and they must carry a leash for each dog and remain with their dogs at all times. Each dog must wear a collar displaying all licenses and have current vaccinations.

Puppies less than 4 months old are prohibited from using the area, and all dogs older than 6 months must be spayed or neutered.

All pet owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs.

The most important thing about both the All Dog and Small Dog Areas is that they allows owners of dogs large and small the opportunity to socialize with each other.

Carrie and Sarah Pennington and their friend Nicole Saakov admire Lexi Loox Loux as the Penningtons' Siberian husky runs around in the All Dog Area. "We come here every day," says Carrie, "we love the dog park. We all go for a bike ride and then we come here."