For a few days in late June, I found my local dog population doubled while Kim was at Dauphin Island. I figured if we couldn't have fun on the beach too, we'd find the next best thing over in Memphis.

It had been almost nine months since we last visited the dog park. The fields were exactly as I remembered them, but both the temperature and the water level were quite a bit higher.

After a few requisite 'before you get all muddy' photographs, Denali and Ally immediately began crazily running through the tall grass at full speed.

The grass was so high I could only keep sporatic track of Ally.

It didn't take long before both dogs were ready to cool off in the water. Lucky for them; I was already burning up and had no such option.

More portrait pictures, now that the beasts had expended all that energy accumulated during the four hour drive.

Both dogs enjoyed the water more than they had during their earlier visit. Ally swam quite a bit close to shore. While Denali still wouldn't get in over her head, she played in the shallows with enthusiasm. Mine is certainly not a water dog, but we're making progress.

After getting good and wet, we left the pond area and hiked across the fields. Denali explored like usual; taking off into the woods and doing who knows what. Ally was better about staying close to me.

Eventually we returned to the ponds, and met up with Ramses the Saluki. We met this dog the last time we were here.

Ally and Ramses gave each other a good workout.

Ally tried her best to catch Ramses, but she was most definitely outclassed.

After a few hours at the park, I collected the dogs and drove downtown. This is the pavillion near the Pyramid.

The flowers and fountains looked good; Memphis has an attractive convention center.