DAPHNE, Ala. — Panting and playing at the dog park behind Trione Sports Complex on Whispering Pines Road puts dogs and owners in social bliss.

Adults chatted in the shade at picnic tables and home lawn chairs Friday while Thomas Audet, 5, played with shaggy and newly found friends.

He, with help from his mother, brought their miniature schnauzer, Einstein, to enjoy some summer fun.

“We come here often so that Einstein can have a chance to play with other dogs,” Waynonda Knight said. “It gives him a chance to socialize with other dogs.”

Thomas kept his furry friend by his side while giving equal attention to other dogs visiting the park.

He spent some time relaxing with Duke, a 2-year-old German shepherd. He squatted beside the panting black and tan pooch as Duke lay in the dirt after some rambunctious romping.

As the child settled and began talking to Duke’s owner, Ed Bikin, Duke landed a big kiss on Thomas’ cheek.

“Eww, he licked me,” Thomas said with a laugh as he wiped slobber with his shirt’s arm.

Bikin said he comes to the park because Duke gets to play — and he gets to chat with fellow animal lovers.

He said the same crowd comes each evening around 6 p.m.

“He gets to socialize with other animals — that’s the No. 1 (reason) to come here,” he said. “You meet the same people here all the time; it’s a camaraderie — you get to be friends.”

“No one knows anybody’s names, but they all know the dog’s names,” he said.

Being a long-time dog fan, Bikin enjoys seeing other pets at the park.

“There’s all breeds and they’re all fun to be with; they all get along,” he said.

Duke towered over the other dogs, but that seemed to make no difference.

“The little dogs like to pick on Duke,” he said. “The littler they are, the more they pick.

“It’s good for him to keep meeting others and keep socializing.”

The park features a large dog area and a small dog area. Small dogs — under 25 pounds — are allowed in the big dogs’ area but big dogs are not allowed in the small dogs’ area, according to the rules of the park.

“It’s a safety for the smaller dogs,” David McKelroy, Daphne Recreation Department director, said. “If there was an aggressive dog or just one playing rough, you can take your smaller dog and separate him from the larger dogs.”

The park has fences and water fountains — the latter, at people and dog heights.

For more information, call the Daphne Recreation Department at 621-3703.