As Fiona, an Irish terrier, runs around at the dog park, Patrick Hyland talks to other dog owners. “It’s a great place to meet other people and chat. We get a very nice, diverse mix of people here,” Hyland said. “Everyone gets along fairly well.” Photo by Carlyn Kranking
Reston — The Baron Cameron Dog Park is a place where many Reston dog owners spend their days. For Patrick Hyland, the dog park is more than just a place for his dog: It’s where he met his cat.
“Myself and a friend of mine were [at the park] one June evening around four years ago, chatting, and both of us turned to each other at the same time and said, ‘Do you hear a cat?’” Hyland said.
He turned around and saw a kitten hanging onto the chain link fence around the park’s perimeter. Immediately, he decided to take the kitten home.
“I didn’t think twice about it. I just picked him up ... and I ended up adopting him,” Hyland said. “I called him Baron after the Baron Cameron Dog Park.”