Natalie Sullivan, a Sweat Mountain dog park lover and Northeast Cobb resident for 15 years, normally visits the park with her dog Dolce in the afternoons, but was out and about early this week.

“I’m usually part of the evening crowd here at the park," said Sullivan. “but being recently laid off, I decided to bring Dolce out to see what the mornings are like here. It’s been very nice and relaxing so far.”

Sullivan, a former pharmaceutical salesperson, had been searching the want ads when she decided to take a break and enjoy playtime with Dolce, a Besenji breed of dog, which is one of the most ancient lineages known to man.

“Basenjis are the dogs you see in Egyptian hieroglyphs. They can hunt by sight and smell, and were so highly prized by the African people, they would hide them from any outsiders. They were only brought to the U.S. in the past 80 years or so," Sullivan said.

Hailing originally from Maryland, Sullivan and her husband moved to the Northeast Cobb area when her husband was relocated due to work. Since that move, Sullivan has embraced life here whole hardily.

“I remember when we fist came to the south,” said Sullivan. "And the first time a stranger said hello to me. I was shocked. You don’t get that friendliness up north. The people here are so kind and genuine, and are so willing to help each other. It’s a whole different atmosphere that really shows what southern hospitality is all about.”

Aside from the southern hospitality and friendly neighbors, Sullivan is also grateful for the Sweat Mountain dog park, citing that in Maryland and New Jersey (where her husband is from) there are very few, if any, dog parks around.

Sullivan summed it all up when she quipped, “We never want to move back north again.”

Be sure to visit the leash-free dog park to spend time outdoors in a friendly environment. Who knows, you could be our next Sweat Mountain Dog Park “citizen of the week."