Indoor Bark Park - Unleashed

We spent thanksgiving in Dallas this year, and heard through the grapevine that Dallas has an "indoor bark park", so we thought we would check it out.

Unleashed is billed as the nations first and only indoor, off-leash play park for dogs and owners. The facility boasts 25,000 square feet of indoor park area and 2.5 acres of exterior parks for plenty of space to frolic off leash.

We were very impressed. This was a class act the whole way through. The very first thing you notice when you walk in the door is they are actively engaged with rescues and the Dallas pet community. The have a huge bulletin board with calendars and events, parties, breed nights, training - seemed like everything.

There is also a turf drainage and flushing system that keeps the whole building smelling fresh and clean - we were very impressed that it did not smell like stinky dog.

Once inside, they have two main park areas - one for small or timid dogs, and one for large or body slammers - both in a central area.

The indoor area is huge, and surrounding the turfed area was a boutique and cafe (for people), some tables and chairs equiped with beds and leash hooks, and a boarding, daycare and grooming area.

Fees were $7.50 for the first dog, $5 for each additional dog, and members are issues an RFID collar tag that automatically recognizes your dog at the gate and charges you the daily fee just once, no matter how many times you go in or out each day.

How cool would it be if Northwest Arkansas had an indoor off leash dog park? I wonder how big the old Sportsmans Outdoors building is on Pleasant Grove?

Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament

Northwest Arkansas Animal Rescue held their first annual Texas Hold’em poker tournament November 8^th, 2008 to help raise funds for a mobile spay-neuter clinic, cover NWAAR operating costs and to protect animals. Over sixty five people came to watch and participate in Northwest Arkansas Animal Rescue’s first annual Texas Hold’em poker tournament fund raiser. Play was intense with players wanting to win the grand prize a 50” flat screen television. Players started entering the event at the Rogers-Bentonville Elk’s Lodge BPOE #2144 at one in the afternoon. Play began at two with sixty five players with Chris Peplinski of the Northwest Arkansas Poker Club overseeing play. Intense play continued until almost nine that evening. Drawings were made throughout the event for prizes ranging from gift certificates to a paint ball gun. People played at side tables entertaining themselves while waiting for the final winner to be announced.

Final play came down to the last table consisting of nine players. Onlookers watched as play slowly came down to the final grand prize winner Richard Coleman. Mr. Coleman had just lost his television and was very happy to win the 50” flat screen television.

Northwest Arkansas Animal Rescue held their first annual Texas Hold’em poker tournament November 8^th, 2008 to help raise funds for a mobile spay-neuter clinic, cover NWAAR operating costs and to protect animals. Northwest Arkansas Animal Rescue would like to extend a special thank you to Chris and Chrissy Peplinski for assisting NWAAR with organizing and holding the event. NWAAR would also like to thank all the sponsors, players and volunteers for their contributions. Just over two thousand seven hundred dollars was made during this event.

Who: Northwest Arkansas Animal Rescue
What: First Annual Poker Tournament Fund Raiser
Where: Rogers-Bentonville Elk’s Lodge BPOE #2144 located at 501 South 40th Street, Rogers
When: November 8th, 2008
Why: To help NWAAR raise funds for a mobile spay-neuter clinic, cover NWAAR operating costs and to protect animals
E-mail: spaynwa@yahoo.com
Phone: 479-439-7978
Website: www.nwa-animalrescue.blogspot.com
Founder: Mandy Keenen
Media contact: Pam Lamb