After her dog Faith died this past April, Katrina Parker of Hiram began pondering a heaven for canines. Given the little black cockapoo’s sweet disposition and obsession for sweets, Parker’s mother suggested maybe dogs go to a place called Sweetland. Using that idea as a guide, Parker entered a national contest to win a $500,000 renovation to a dog park in Faith’s memory. Her submission, which incorporates everything from a sundae-shaped fountain to a donut-like hoop for dogs to jump through, is among the dozen finalists selected from hundreds of entries to the Beneful Dream Dog Park contest. Now through Wednesday, Nov. 7, the public has an opportunity to weigh in. To view the entries, go to beneful.com/Dream-Dog-Park/Finalists-2012/. Parker hopes you’ll vote for hers.
Q: Do you enter contests often?
A: I don’t think I have ever joined a contest in my life. I was trying to think of a way to honor my dog’s memory. I thought about doing a pet rescue. I was Googling that topic when the ad popped up for the Beneful Dream Dog Park contest. I entered on a whim and a few weeks later learned I was a finalist.
Q: How did that make you feel?
A: I always knew my dog was great. Now everybody else knows it, too.
Q: What was so great about Faith?
A: She wasn’t one for playing fetch or with chew toys. She was a cuddler. She was so loving and gentle, all 17 years of her life.
Q: Have you always been a dog person?
A: I love all animals, dogs in particular. Small, furry dogs are where my heart is. I have had four dogs, all of them furballs.
Q: You live in Paulding County. Should you win, would the money go to renovate a dog park there?
A: To my knowledge we don’t have a dog park in Paulding; it would be great if we did. But there is one at Deer Lick Park in Douglas County. It has good bones, no pun intended.
Q: What do you mean by that?
A: It could use a little sprucing up, but it has existing trees and a lot of room to grow.
Q: Did Faith go to dog parks?
A: She didn’t. I have the one dog now, Heaven. I know he is lonely now that Faith is gone. This would be great for his social skills.
Q: Can you talk about your idea?
A: Faith had a craving for anything sweet. Between her sweet tooth and her sweet personality, I came up with Sweetland.
Q: What does it look like?
A: There’s an agility course. Small dogs jump through frosted donuts, wiggle through ice cream cones, and climb a tower of cupcakes. There’s a large-dog section with bone-shaped hurdles and a fire hydrant fountain.
Q: What about the two-legged animals?
A: There’s a path of wood chips where pet owners can walk or jog and there are plenty of shaded benches. It is a place to go enjoy your dog and exercise and meet people and form memories.
Q: Does the contestant with the most online votes win?
A: It is not based solely on public vote. There is an algorithm that takes into account creativity, feasibility, and some other things. The public vote is important.
Q: What if you don’t win?
A: The finalists get free dog food for a year. I know a family that is struggling financially and could really use that. If I win, I get the food plus $10,000. I will donate the food, plus cover that family’s vet bills.
Q: So do you believe dogs go to Heaven?
A. The Bible doesn’t appear to support that theory, so it’s important we cherish the time we have with our pets and make their lives as healthy and happy as possible.
The Sunday conversation is edited for length and clarity. Writer Ann Hardie can be reached by e-mail at ann.hardie@ymail.com.
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