As my furry little friends and I passed through the first gate, at a pitch only dogs could hear sirened Willy Wonka's melodious 'Pure Imagination'. "Come with me and you'll be..." accompanied by two excited pups dancing from one paw to the other when not making it as difficult for me to stand on either of my own feet as possible. I clumsily fumbled at the third gate. "We'll begin with a spin..." the mutts sped off before I called them back to take their leashes off.
"If you want to view paradise..." and are a dog "...simply look around and do it..." at the Holdfast Dog Centre. This is a doggy Disneyland filled with pooch pleasures such as a sandbit, luscious lawn, paddling pools, tunnels, a doggy playground, toys, water sources, shade and numerous things that need a good sniffing.
We bipeds are taken care of too and whilst my Italian Greyhound said ciao to some birds who dared to be in his vicinity, I played "Words with Friends" on my phone sat at a table under the shade sails.
The dog park is accessible to casual visitors 24 hours a day, when the premises aren't being used for training and day care. Doggy day care is available Tuesday to Friday, but each day is set for certain dogs. It's brilliant for people with one dog to allow for socialisation, and to keep them entertained during the day when you're at work.
My brother, his girlfriend and their two fur-children learnt the whys and wherefores of behaviour here and their certificates of completion proudly adorn their notice board. Jetty and Scrum are beautifully behaved thanks to HDC's efforts.
For small-medium dogs the centre hs more than enough room for a good run, but if you've bigger dogs itching for a run, or you would like to run with your dog, the la crosse oval next to the centre is a local favourite for doing just that. Within the whole Brighton Sports Complex, and in the Dog Centre, it is expected (and illegal not to) clean up after your dog, but plastic bags and appropriate disposal is abundant.
If nothing but the best will do for your canine companion, visit the Holdfast Dog Centre. "Living there you'll be free, if you truly wish to be." read more