Since arriving in San Diego in 1968, Balboa Park has always been at the top of my list for walking, museum visits, theater and special events and festivals. And it has stood out as a place to take my best friends — my dogs — through the years.
It was July 4 weekend in 2001, and my husband and I were walking our dog, Squirt, through the park near the International Cottages when we noticed that Friends of County Animal Shelters was having an adoption event.
We were still mourning the loss of our dog, Ladyjane, who had passed six months earlier, and we'd begun discussing another possible adoption. We figured it couldn't hurt to look, and we no sooner got close to the first dog being offered when we just knew he was the one! We immediately took our next fur kid, Roscoe, home and thus began 12 years with one of the best dogs we've ever had. From that time on, whenever we would walk past the grassy area where the adoption event was held, we would have to mention that special spot — "Roscoe's Adoption Place!" He loved Balboa Park's dog parks, joined us for organ concerts and, most of all, he loved to wade in the fountain by the (Reuben H.) Fleet theater.
We lost our beautiful boy Oct. 25, 2013, but I can still feel his energy when I walk past the patch of grass under a tree where he lay in wait for his future forever home!
KPBS is collecting your Balboa Park memories as the city marks the 100th anniversary of Balboa Park's 1915 Panama-California Exposition.
Share yours here: Tell us about your Balboa Park memory
