A drooling delight: cold canines take refuge in city's first indoor dog park

As temperatures plunge in Edmonton, even residents of the canine variety are feeling the chill.

Alberta's messy winters can leave even the hardiest of hounds whimpering for the warmth of indoors.

Gabriel Tay is giving Edmonton pooches a winter oasis with the city's first indoor dog park.

Located south of Whyte Avenue on 104th Street, Lucky Donkey Dog Park provides ample room for dogs to exercise and mingle.

It comes complete with a carpet of bright green Astroturf, an obstacle course of ramps and tires, and a few bright red fire hydrants, enough to make any dog drool.

With sub-zero temperatures continuing to cast a chill over the city, the pet centre has been inundated with packs of new pups.

 "It has been crazy," Tay said in an interview with CBC Radio's Edmonton AM.

"Generally we were expecting 40 new dogs a week on top of our regulars and they've been coming in in the hundreds.

"It's way more than I was expecting or kind of prepared for but it's been good. It's been really good."  

Tay says the facility was inspired by her pet chihuahua, Donkey, a rescue with behavioural issues. Tay adopted him in 2010, but making him the well-behaved pet he is today was no easy task.

He needed hours of training and plenty of exercise, no matter what the weather.

 "Donkey had some serious issues and still has some issues but they've tapered down quite a bit and he's my baby now,  but back then, he needed a home and  it was either take him or see him euthanized.

"And at that young of an age I knew I could work on him quite a bit, and I did. I quite literally put blood sweat and tears into my dog, but it worked out really well for me."

"He's so adorable. I love my dog."

But Donkey wasn't built for the cold, and he would often shake and shiver when temperatures plunged below zero.

Tay needed an indoor space to let her excitable friend burn off some steam, but there was no indoor facilities anywhere in Edmonton.

"There was nothing out there available. Nothing in Canada I could find. Even when I was opening it I couldn't find anything to model myself against."

After some research, and a search for an appropriate space, Tay opened the park in April. Owners can use the park for $15 per day or purchase unlimited access for $130 per month. The space is also available for private event rentals.

Tay says the park is perfect for any dog, from stout pit bulls to miniature poodles, 

Staff make sure the dogs are well monitored, and have created a separate play area for pint-sized or apprehensive animals who may struggle with socializing.

"It's a badge of honour to make sure the dogs are having fun and if they're not, it's like a hit to the pride. We want to make sure they're having a good time," Tay said. 

"We want them to leave with their tongues as far out as they possibly can be, and just crawling out the door."