Mount Vernon, Ohio has a far more vibrant downtown than I anticipated. There were a few things in the area that I’ve been wanting to see so I headed north Saturday and wandered around.

One favorite spot is here next to the Mount Vernon Nazarene University Buchwald Center where there’s a fountain going to the dogs.

Literally.

This fountain features eighteen colorfully painted aluminum dogs spewing water toward a golden bone in the center. There’s also a tabby cat, an apple some ponies and two birds here.

It’s no surprise I liked the cat best.

There are benches and tables where families gathered to soak in the sun and where kids enjoyed splashes of water on a hot morning. Trees and shrubbery soften the edges, providing some shade and invite visitors to stay.

Each statue was sponsored and I was particularly inspired by the story behind naming Prince, the German Shepherd. It involves a bunch of local school kids honoring the military dogs left behind after the Vietnam War. Click here to watch the video and get the scoop! You do not want to miss this story. It’s shameful to me that these dogs who served their country were abandoned like broken equipment. It’s equally inspiring to see youngsters who used their compassion to fuel their cause.

The project was part of a downtown revitalization two years ago. It was inspired by a fountain in Toronto’s Berczy Park.

If you’re in the area, it’s worth a detour to go see it!