This week the dogs, Jim and I decided to go explore the Veterans Memorial Park in Tampa, FL.  Dogs are allowed providing they are on a 6 foot leash (and you're holding the other end of that leash).  It was early on a Monday morning, the only other people we saw were the maintenance crews doing the yard work (bad timing on my part).  As we wondered around, I can't help but think about 2 very different things.  The first is that this park appears to have changed quite a bit since we last visited although I probably drive by once a month.  The second is how much information is available about the various wars and people from our area that were involved in all those wars. 

A lot of beautiful artwork exists in this park - whether it is the bronze statues or the plaques done so nicely in black marble with engravings of artwork and words.  This alone was quite amazing to view.  So what does this have to do with pet or dog photography?  Not so much, but often people that are interested in dog photography are also interested in places where they can take their furry kids with them.  Hence, the purpose of this particular blog post.

Here's a few photographs of our dogs enjoying spending time with us as they check out a new spot to potentially hang out.

We started looking at the helicopters that were in the park, but decided to move along since the maintenance crews were closing in on us.   I wanted to share our dogs, Ollie and Rue, having a moment with their favorite part of this park - care to guess?

War Dogs

Ah, this bronze statue of the war dog got both Ollie and Rue's attention!  I am not sure they knew exactly what to do with it.

Dogs with War Dog statue

It doesn't smell like a dog - but it looks like a dog.  What's it doing up there? 

Eventually Rue decided to move on a bit, but Ollie - she wanted a closer look.

Dogs with War Dog statue

What exactly is this?  It was interesting to see them react so strongly to what looks like a dog but doesn't move nor smell like a dog.

We continued to wander around and look at the various exhibits. 

In Flanders Fields

We stopped at a structure that has a large bronze statue of a soldier standing on top - the dogs sounded the alert.  It must be dangerous - we must bark.  No?  They eventually figured out it wasn't moving either. By now, they have to be thinking what kind of place is this?

Here's the soldier that caused a bit of concern - all 3 girls are sitting in front (and looking at Jim).

Dogs with Flanders Field exhibit

This exhibit is for World War I Veterans - 1914 - 1918 and also contains a well known poem engraved called "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

    That mark our place; and in the sky

    The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

    Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

        In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

    The torch; be yours to hold it high.

    If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

        In Flanders fields.

This reminds me of my own grandfather who served in World War I - although he was from North Carolina and fortunately survived or I would not be here today.

Most of the park they didn't have any real interest except to smell and see what else came before them - but the last piece of military equipment drew a little attention US M1 57mm Anti Tank gun.  

Dogs with military tank gun

And that's our little road trip to visit a nearby dog-friendly park.  Leashes were left in the photographs since dogs must be on leashes in the park.

Interesting enough, and I'm sure that I gave permission somehow in the fine print of "Google" world but when I used google to find the exact name of this park after returning home, I saw this:

Address: 3602 US-301, Tampa, FL 33619

You visited today

(Oh, good when I click the little symbol this phrase shows up: Visible only to you)

Hours: 

Open ⋅ Closes 5PM

That's it for this week's pet photography blog.  For more pet photographers sharing their take on this theme, head over to visit Jemma Martin pet photographer from JM Photography based in Suffolk, UK.

If you would like to discuss or book a custom pet portrait session, send an email to [email protected] or give us a call/text Linda at 813-610-2671 in the Tampa Bay area (Hillsborough/Pinellas/Pasco/Polk counties in Florida).  We have flexible rates and packages to fit most everyone’s budget as we believe that having wonderful photographs of your pet is important to so many people.