ohmidog!

Winston-Salem — the town of my birth, and the place Ace and I are temporarily hanging — took two giant steps toward dog friendliness this week.

First, yesterday, the Forsyth County Commissioners passed an anti- tethering measure, which, while not all it could be, and while not going into effect for two years, will forbid tethering dogs in a manner that harms them.

And tomorrow, Winston-Salem’s minor league baseball team, the Dash, will open its gates to dogs for the first time.

Of course, Ace and I will be there.

It was back in July that I bemoaned the lack of dog friendly games at the local minor league park — a void which forced Ace and me (that’s him at the game, above) to go see the  Greensboro Grasshoppers, a team with a long and dog-friendly tradition.

But a few weeks ago, as the season neared an end, Dash officials decided to let dogs into their new ballpark for the first time.

Winston Salem’s minor league team, when it was known as the Warthogs and based in its old stadium, had dog-friendly days now and then. But for the Dash, which opened its new stadium last year, it’s a doggie debut.

Tickets are $15 and reservations are recommended. Proof of vaccination is required. Dogs will be restricted to the lawn behind left field.

The Dash will be playing the Salem Red Sox, and the event, called ”Pups in the Park,” will benefit the Forsyth County Humane Society. A portion of proceeds will also go to a planned Dog Park at Tanglewood.

The Humane Society’s Regional Outreach Vehicle for Education and Rescue will be at the ballpark Wednesday, along with some adoptable pets.

The event is also sponsored by Carolina Pet Place, a local boarding, bathing and grooming facility for pets.

Tickets can be reserved by calling Sarah Baumann in the Winston-Salem Dash ticket office at 336-714-6878.