“Grass is always greener where you water it.”
A WHOLE NEW WORLD
Sugar loved attending the block party this year. Sugar and her BFFs have attended the block party for years. However, this was the first time she was a vendor and sold her pupcakes. It was also the first time that she was on the planning committee.
Being a vendor opened a whole new world for Sugar. She looked at the block party from a different point of view. She saw the level of planning, collaborating, fundraising, and resources it takes to host a successful event. More importantly, Sugar realized how important it was to encourage dogs in the neighborhood to get out of the house and celebrate each other. Especially, in good weather.
So, that gave her an idea. She decided to set up bistro tables and chairs outside of her pupcakery for dogs to sit and enjoy their pupcakes.
JOYFUL PLAYING
While Sugar was setting up her tables in front of her pupcakery, she noticed an empty lot next to her building. The city planned to turn the lot into a recreation day center years ago. However, the project never got started. Sugar had walked pass this lot several times. But this time something was different.
Sugar noticed several puppies running, yapping, and playing in the lot. Sugar stood there for a few minutes and watched them howling, exploring, and sniffing around in the grass. She laughed as she watched one of the puppies start scratching and trying to flip over an old tire laying against the brick wall.
All Sugar could do was smile and think back to her puppyhood. Yes. She loved to bake. But Sugar also loved to play outside. She loved to run, jump, explore, and wag her little tail to no end. And seeing these puppies playing round gave Sugar another “crazy idea.”
DOWN TO BUSINESS
The dog business owners in the neighborhood host a monthly meeting. The goal of these meetings is to stay connected and to collaborate on ways to continue to nurture the neighborhood.
In fact, the funding for the block party was provided through a grant that the dog business owner association received from the city. Because of all the donations, the association still had money from the grant funds leftover. So, this meeting the dog business owners were going to discuss how to use the extra funds.
“How ‘bout we turn that empty lot into a playground?” Sugar barked. “It’s been vacant for years and the puppies already play around in it.”
Sugar thought that she was going to get some push back from the more seasoned dog business owners. Not because she thought it was a bad idea. But she wasn’t sure they’d be willing to accept new ideas from the new dog business owner on the block. Until one of the seasoned dog business owners barked, “Yes. Anything to keep them puppies out the street.”
So, Sugar and the other dog owners started mapping out a plan to get this playground open. One of the dogs had a connect with a non-profit organization that builds playgrounds for puppies. Another dog volunteered to work with the city to get the right zoning.
LITTLE SEEDS IS OPEN
This project had evolved from a “crazy” idea into a labor of love. But as Sugar’s mama used to bark, “grass is always greener where you water it.” So, the dog business owners brought the water…and the seeds to go along with it.
After several months of planning, the playground was finally finished and ready to open. The dog business owners even sponsored a small ribbon cutting for the playground. They named the playground “Little Seeds” to encourage the idea that playing is the first seed to grow your imagination.
Little Seeds is an amazing place for puppies to play. There are toy fire hydrants in the middle that spray water for them to get wet and stay cool. In the back, there’s a small urban vegetable and fruit garden for those dogs who love to dig to learn how to garden. Plus, dogs in the neighborhood can buy the produce or the dog business owners can donate it to families in need. A dog from the local farmer’s market even volunteered to teach a gardening class to the puppies and their parents once a month.
The dog business owners even came up with the idea to have a mini snack bar with grab-and-go options. Puppies can get hungry when playing. Sugar supplied the pupcakes, of course. There’s even a small obstacle course on the side of the playground inspired by that puppy Sugar saw scratching at that old tire.
Sugar was amazed at how one small and “crazy” idea could inspire such a beautiful project.
