POOCH SCOOP: Let’s give thanks for our four-legged friends (PHOTOS)

Tucker’s Tales: People could learn a lot from man’s best friend, because when our beloved owner comes home, we always rush to her side wagging our tail in a flurry of excitement. Not even her own spouse shows such immense joy after his wife has only been gone an hour.

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go! Don’t miss the 5K Run with the Dogs at 9 a.m. Nov. 16. Registration forms for the 5K Wags N’ Walk with the Dogs can be picked up at Destin City Hall and at the Community Center or you can go online at www.active.com until Nov. 15. Activities and vendors will also be on site the day of the race from 7:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. The race starts and finishes at the Destin Dog Park next to the Destin City Hall Annex. Vendors can call Nancy to reserve their spot at the Pooch Fest, 850- 837-3190.

Paw Script: The $25 entry fees will benefit the Destin Dog Park for Nite Lights at the Park. The Destin Dog Park sustains itself through donations. A donation box is at the Dog Park.  Pooches N Pals can be found romping daily at the Destin Dog Park. Around 3 p.m. a locals meet and greet gathering has become a regular happening for Destinites and snowbirds. 

For A howling Good Time, visit our Dog Park. Saturday evening was a busy flurry of fun for everyone. Pooch pals, big and small were running, playing, digging, chasing and having one dawg-gone good time. And their dogs had a pawsome time too, mingling with the dozens of furry friends who showed up for a game or two of “tag-you’re-it” and a never-ending game of “go-fetch.” Other two legged folks just came to the park to relax on the benches, while others were busy enjoying the fresh air and making new friendships.   

Handicapped? At The Destin Dog Park there are reserved handicapped parking spaces with a sidewalk to access the Park. One gentleman had a motorized scooter chair and was able to navigate the entire park with his faithful 191-pound companion right by his side.

Thanksgiving Thanks                                                                                                                

Dear God,                                                                                                  

Thanks-for-giving us a companion strong enough to work, intelligent enough to lead the blind, gentle enough to play with children, courageous enough to search for explosives, and protective enough to guard our families with their very own lives. This is a unique creation whose soulful eyes can lift the spirits of the aged and the ill, while giving steadfast comfort to those in distress. But most of all, it may be the only creature on earth that remains loyal, trustworthy, keeping no account of wrongs, and loves us more than he loves himself. Thanks for taking the time to put all of these wonderful traits together to create our canine companions, whom we’ve appropriately named man’s best friend.  

P .A. Melle’, a.k.a The Destin Dog Whisperer/Pooch Scoop Reporter, is a resident of Destin, freelance writer and American Red Cross volunteer. Email mustlovedogs@cox.net to submit items to the Pooch Scoop.