Longboat resident's idea deserves a spot at the park

You have to hate it when you drive around looking for an available parking space close to your destination, only to park a million miles away.

Now do it with three kids in the car, one of them with a disability, and all you want to do is take them to the park for some exercise, socialization and air.

It has to be tough, personally, I don't know what it's like. I did have one "kid" who had a surgically repaired leg. But when she ran around the park, you would never know she had a leg with a plate and a bunch of screws in it.

One of Longboat resident Debi Nettlow's kids does have a disability and when she goes to Bayfront Park to give the kids exercise, she finds herself having to park in the overflow lot many times. 

That's tough on Lola's legs. Lola can't walk a great distance and for her to get to the actual park, well, Debi would have to carry her. Carrying 55 pounds can be quite heavy when you may have to walk several hundred feet.

So now you're thinking ... "That's an outrage. How can they not have parking for those children?"

Well, here's the thing, the scenario I describe above could very well be that of a human child with a disability and their parent taking them to the park.

But Lola doesn't have two legs, she has three, and at one time, she had four.

By now, you know Lola is a dog.

Courtesy image

During snowbird season, Longboat's Bayfront Park has a shortage of parking spots by its dog park, especially with the pickleball courts nearby. But we're not stepping into that "kitchen," let's just put that on the back burner for now.

Debi presented to the Longboat Town Commission what I think, and many other dog enthusiasts will consider an absolutely wonderful idea. 

A designated parking spot, next to the regular designated accessible parking spots for parents who have disabled dogs.

Now you're thinking, "sure, but there are so few dogs who have disabilities, would it actually be used?"

Well, no doubt. Here's the thing, I mentioned my dog — Mauldi — who as a puppy, had a broken leg in a Fort Myers pet store for more than a month before we got her and noticed a persistent limp.

Mauldi's leg was surgically repaired, but after the surgery, she needed rehab and the best way to do that was exercise. 

So if a veterinarian could sign off with a temporary permit for dogs after surgery for, say, six weeks, it ratchets up the usage. There are many dogs who have to struggle with surgery and the "cone of shame." Our own executive editor, Kat Wingert's pooch had leg surgery this week.

Lola's injury is permanent, as are many other dogs, there are companies that specialize in dog carts and prosthetics like Orthopets in Bend, Oregon and K-9 Carts, just down the street in Englewood. 

So there is a demand.

Lola lost her leg when she was a stray in Tampa, she was hit by a car. A Tampa police officer rescued her and she would end up at Satchel's Last Resort and Pet Sanctuary, just off Clark Road, a couple miles east of I-75.

And that's where Debi and Lola met.

"I do some fundraising for Satchel's, Debi said. "It took about five days of bringing her treats, and slowly she would warm up. Then I had her meet my other two dogs. It took time."

Debi has had Lola for about five years, and she's hitting the age of 9, so she is getting up there. So the need to be close to THE spot built for pups to have a little fun is paramount.

So when she presented her idea to the town of Longboat Key Commission, it was not entirely met with a "what? Are you serious?" look from commissioners and Mayor Ken Schneier. In fact, it was the opposite.

"We have everything to decide on like a $32 million subaqueous loan, to other things," Schneier said. "But we try to accommodate people in situations like that."

Schneier can sympathize with Debi and Lola's plight. He had a Yorkshire Terrier that needed back surgery and his pal laid in bed for three weeks. But when ready, the Yorkie needed exercise and rehab too. 

The dog parks are the best place to socialize, and get back in the swing of things.

With a little bit of discussion near the end of the Feb. 3 meeting, the commssioners came up with a bit of a plan, then it was changed, changed again before settling on a solution.

So the outcome is the town of Longboat Key will designate a "drop-off" spot for dogs with a disability next to the blue disabled parking spots. Debi can drop off Lola, and put her in the park while she finds a freed-up spot.

It's a start, and that's something Debi is thankful for. 

If other dog parents get on board, it can lead to an awareness and advocate for our four-legged family members.

"This is progress, and this is making a difference not for Lola but other dogs," Debi says. I'm very happy."

It's not the ultimate goal of having designated spots, but who knows, if Longboat is the first town to do it, maybe other cities will add spots.

We even have a name for them.

"Lola's Lots."