ROCKY HILL - Summer has arrived and we all want to get the perfect beach body. This time of the year is also a great opportunity to help our furry friends get back into shape after a long winter of kibble and naps. Here’s a look at a few dog-friendly places in our community where Fido can meet up with his friends for a howling good time.

        A dog park is a great place to allow our portly pooches to work off the extra weight. These parks give your dog the freedom they crave and you’re treated to a dog and pony show--minus the pony.

       There are three hound-havens in the vicinity that allow for a safe and tail-wagging experience. 

       Rocky Hill Dog Park, located in the back of Elm Ridge Park, is the Taj Mahal for you and your canine companion. The well-manicured, 1.5-acre park is a green oasis, offering separate fenced areas for big and small dogs. There is a foyer leading up to the play area, allowing you to unleash your beast before he or she enters that puppy playground.           

       Wethersfield Dog Park offers a lot of the same amenities. The one-acre park is located inside Mill Woods Park on Prospect Street and is most outdoorsy, offering the best shade of any of the local parks. There are also separate areas for timid dogs. For more adventurous dogs, the park is also equipped with many side trails for leash walking.

       Cromwell Dog Park is a hidden gem on the outskirts of the city. It located off of Coles Road and is the smallest of the three parks, but makes up for its lack of size with the abundance of greenery that surrounds it. It is also the least busy and most quiet of the parks, offering tranquility for your dog to practice their downward self.

       All three parks are equipped with bowwow water fountains and plenty of trees to keep our fur-covered friends hydrated and shaded during the dog days of summer. Picnic tables and benches are also available for owners to take a load off as their four-legged friends frolic about. There are also plenty of parking spaces for visitors to leave their vehicles during the park’s dusk-to-dawn hours.

       Does all of this sound too good to be true? Well, it’s not and the best part is that these convenient parks can be enjoyed for the amount of your dog’s gross monthly income. Yep, that’s right--they’re free! Poop bags included. 

       However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind before trekking your precious pup to play land.

       Your dog must have a current license issued by the town that you live in and a current rabies vaccination is required to prevent a Cujo situation. Speaking of aggressive dogs, they are not allowed--nor are dogs in heat. Doggies can roam free inside the park, but leashes are required outside of the fenced area. A complete list of rules is located at the entrances of each of the parks.   

       The fenced parks are a great way for your pooch to interact with his or her own kind, but there are plenty of other places to explore if your dog is more of an introvert. 

       The town of Newington has the best sidewalks and offers a variety of pleasant streets that are perfect for a leisurely stroll. There are several side trails in many of Newington’s neighborhoods that can also be accessed. Be aware that squirrels are plentiful in certain sections of the town and will often taunt your companion with sudden, quick movements. It can be frustrating, but it’s best to ignore these nut-gatherers.   

       The Dividend Pond Trails in Rocky Hill is the place to visit if you and your barky brethren are looking for more of a challenge. The entrance is conveniently located off of Old Forge Road and features a variety of trails that wind through the woods and around the pond. A majestic waterfall is located at the center, offering fresh drinking water for your thirsty pooch.   

       Please note that every town requires that your dog is on a leash at all times and asks that all waste is removed to maintain the cleanliness of the neighborhoods and trails.

       It’s also tick season, so it is best to give your dog the once-over upon completion of your adventure. If you do find a tick, it’s best to burn it. Just remember that you should first remove the worthless creature from the dog.

       Playing in the park and sniffing the wilderness can be exhausting, so don’t forget to reward man’s best friend with a treat on your way home. Praline’s Ice Cream in Rocky Hill offers decadent dairy desserts for dogs of all sizes. It’s a perfect concoction of dog-friendly soft served, mixed with kibble and crowned with a milk bone.

       Wethersfield’s Main Street Creamery also offers a similar bowl of yumminess. It’s a reminder that it may be a dog-eat-dog world, but dogs love to eat ice cream, too. 

       Does all of this sound fun, but you’re without a furry friend? Well, it’s never too late to experience the wonderful world of dog ownership. The Connecticut Humane Society has an adoption center in our backyard, located at 701 Russell Rd. in Newington. The center is currently adopting out animals of all shapes and sizes with nearly 20 canines ready for a loving home and a happy human.     

       Now that you have the information needed to help your dog regain their figure, it’s time to go out and enjoy all the dog-friendly places our community has to offer. This way the next time someone asks who let the dogs out? You can proudly say, â€�"I did.”