Dog days of summer: Regina residents enjoy weather with their canine companions

After dealing with smoky air and cooler temperatures, dog lovers in Regina got to experience weather a lot closer to what they’d normally expect in July on Friday.

Several residents were at Cathy Lauritsen Memorial Off-Leash Dog Park getting some fresh air for their furry companions and enjoying the summer.

The park at 2110 Forget Street is bordered by Wascana Creek.

“It is so beautiful. I like it here because they also have the creek,” said Tatyana Bear, who enjoys bringing her dog to the park for exercise.

Bear and her dog were enjoying the sun in the afternoon in 32 C temperatures.

“He loves socializing with other dogs, big and small,” she said.

Rudresh Vashi and Kosha Shah were also out spending quality time with their pooch.

“It’s nice weather and a sunny day this time of summer, Vashi said.

“I believe it’s good to have a dog walk here, around the dog park where they can move around freely.”

Cathy Lauritsen Memorial Off-Leash Dog Park is one of Regina’s five year-round off-leash dog parks. (Daniel Reech/980 CJME)

Shah said her dog enjoys interacting with all the different people and dogs he encounters at the park. She also said she appreciates the creek, even though he doesn’t like the water.

“It’s definitely a pleasant surprise that we’re able to come here on a Friday afternoon and not worry about smoke or it being cold or anything like that, and also maybe get like a really nice tan in,” Shah said.

Vashi said once their dog gets “in the zone,” it can be hard to get him to leave.

“It’s always nice to have a day like this,” said another dog owner, Ian Ireland. “Of course, with the weather having not been pleasant, it’s that much easier to enjoy. But we get eight months of snow so I would take another four months of this in between.”

Ireland said he likes to go to whichever dog park is most convenient for and that his dog is often excited to meet others.

“If I ask him if he wants to go for a big walk, he knows it’s here. If I asked him if he wants to see friends, he will start squealing and his energy levels go through the roof,” said dog owner Teresa Frentz. (Daniel Reech/980 CJME)

Teresa Frentz’s canine companion also gets excited.

“It’s been smoky and stuff the last few days, so it’s kind of nice to be able to breathe free and and let him out for a bit of a run,” she said.

“ … It’s one of his favourite (parks). If I ask him if he wants to go for a big walk, he knows it’s here. If I asked him if he wants to see friends, he will start squealing and his energy levels go through the roof.”

Regina also has four other off-leash dog parks: Ross Industrial Off-Leash Dog Park (624 Solomon Crescent), Mount Pleasant Off-Leash Dog Park (750 Winnipeg Street), Māmowimīwēyitamōwin Park Off-Leash Dog Park (3750 McKinley Avenue and Horizon Station Off-Leash Dog Park (4701 E Buckingham Drive.)