A cat the color of gold sand comes up to me and mews. I stroke her striped back, looking into eyes that match her fur. She rubs against my hand a few times before settling down in the middle of the sidewalk. Chuckling softly, I leave her. There will be no cats where I am going.

Tucked between the railroad tracks, The Starlander Coffee House, and Victorian cottages with identical heights but different colors, Savannah Dog Park is enclosed by a fence greener than any grass in the area. Teddy Bear, a large Chow mix with the coloring of a German Shepherd, greets me at the entrance. I sit on the deck beside his mom, a kind, elderly woman in a red sweater with a cup of Starlander coffee.

“I’m here all the time," she says. "We’re here twice a day since I can’t walk him anymore.”

I watch Teddy Bear roam the grounds while another dog, Winston, runs around and I wonder how my puppy will do at the park. Despite the sound of construction across the street and the busyness of the block, the park is peaceful. A woman with glasses opens the gate, followed by a shy-looking dog.

“Here comes Lucky Lou, Teddy Bear. Here comes Flossy.”

Teddy Bear’s mom names one dog after the other as they stroll or bound into the park with their people, greeting familiar faces with canine kisses and human hellos. Though not as eye-catching as Forsyth Park, the grounds and tree-shaded deck of Savannah Dog Park have something special that I haven’t encountered anywhere else in the city. A tight knit community of local dogs and local people who see each other on a daily basis surrounds me, and welcomes me with open arms. By the time I leave I know the name of every dog there, but not the names of their people.

The day after my first visit I become a member. Standing by a purple kiddy pool while Navi, my Designer Golden Labrador pup, rolls around in the water, jumps out, and rolls in the dirt. He can’t keep up with the bigger dogs, who race back and forth across the park in a pack, but in less than a year he'll be one of the big boys.

While visitors are welcome, memberships are required and are available for as little as $25.00 per year to locals and students willing to offer a mere four hours of volunteer service. The park is kept up mostly by its members and closes on Sunday mornings when maintenance is needed (a great time to volunteer). All dogs must wear rabies tags when in the park. The gate is locked at dusk.

Opened only a few years ago after years of effort by dog lovers, this is the only dog park in Savannah. There are other places where dogs are welcome in this pet-friendly city, including popular spots such as Bonaventure Cemetery, spacious Forsyth Park, and Fort Pulaski. Just remember to keep your dog leashed when not at the Savannah Dog Park-it's the law! Besides, you don’t want your dog to suddenly dash across a street in front of an oncoming vehicle.

photos by Camille Waller

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