Robin Hood's Faire: Watching the Shows

We had a wonderful time watching the performers. We saw Robin Hood and the Royals and wonderful musicians. Dog Dad and Mom's favorite was Shakespeare Approves. While Dog Dad is not normally a huge fan of Shakespeare he even went back for the third show, we'd missed the first one.

Dog Dad can't understand why we refuse to drink water outside of the house.  Even with our own bowl, it just isn't the same.  Annie did drink some water out of a bottle cap at one point, but it does bother the parents that we fight staying hydrated.  We even refused ice cubes a kind vendor offered us.  We just don't drink outside the house unless it is rain water that Mom doesn't want us to drink outside.

Shakespeare Approves was awesome.  If he appears at a Renaissance Fair near you we suggest going to his show.

Robin Hood's Faire Waiting at the Gates

Mom finally got around to posting our visit to Robin Hood's Faire. We went to their opening weekend, which was their pet themed weekend and we had a delightful time. They've since decided to allow pets during all fair days, but we were glad to attend on the first Sunday.

We listened to the Faire greeters as we waited for the gates to open so we could enter our first Renaissance fair. We were quite interested to see what would await us.

Monday Mischief: Paws in the Park

Hi Everyone, we are back. We got lost in all the snow. Mom and Dad traveled and then we just never got back to blogging. However, this weekend we attended Save a Dog's Paws in the Park at historic Wayside Inn and it seemed to be a great time to return to the world of blogging.

We had a wonderful time at the event. It was a bit warmer than normal for May. They had plenty of water stations. Bailey drank quite a bit. Katy was pretty stubborn about drinking outside the house bowls.

This year Paws had an agility try out and Bailey had fun participating in it, especially when he discovered tons of abandoned treats inside the tunnel. He made the tunnel roll when he turned around to pick up a few he'd missed. With her black coat, Katy was feeling a bit warm and decided to opt out.

We wanted so badly to participate in the musical hula hoops game, but we arrived just after the closed the entry for the game. We had fun watching as the players had to walk around the circle and sit in a hula hoop before the music stopped. The little dogs really had the edge slipping under the bigger dogs as the music stopped and edging them out of a spot in the circle.

We were pleased to find several other Shelties at the event. We don't often meet up with other Shelties.

Treats were flowing freely at all the vendors and we didn't hesitate to use our cuteness to get as much attention as possible.

Save a Dog is trying to purchase the building they are currently in and according to an article Mom read this morning, this was one of their most successful fundraisers ever. We wish them nothing but success as they continue trying to raise the funds they need to have a permanent home for their great work.

For those of you who live in the Massachusetts area and enjoy these events the Whisker Walk is coming up Sunday, June 7th at the Lancaster Fairgrounds from 11-3. This is the biggest event of the year and we try not to miss it. You can find more information at their website here.

Welcome to Monday Mischief – The pet blog hop that wraps up the weekend! This Blog Hop is brought to you by Alfie’s Blog, Snoopy’s Dog Blog, and My Brown Newfies.

Whisker Walk 2014

The Whisker Walk was a smashing success. While it took Mom a week to get the pictures up, our enthusiasm has not been diminished. It was the hottest weather we've ever had for one of these events and Mom was concerned because we are notorious for refusing to drink unless we are home. Well it was just the first of many ways we shocked her (in a good way) during the event. Not only did we drink from our bowl that Dog Dad packed, but we even drank from the water provided on the route. That never happens.

Mom likes that they list the rules upfront. She finds it very strange that while they very clearly state that they don't want aggressive dogs there, several people insist they bring their aggressive dogs to help them become socialized. A huge pack of dogs walking in a confined area is really not the best time to be working on your dog's aggression issues. Maybe as a final exam project, but certainly not in the beginner stages.

This is where we all met up and lined up for the walk. This year they got a late start. We decided to rest up and save our energy for the walk. It was hot.

As the start time got close, we got lined up and Mom was again shocked instead of tucking in behind my tail, Katy shot off ahead and set a brutal pace for the pack.

She led for about 1 1/2 miles, and then she got distracted at the half way water stop and lost interest in leading. She got distracted by all the things there were to see and do at the water break. That was just as well as Mom and Dad were very concerned about her getting over heated. It also gave me a chance to catch up. I'm not used to Katy out pacing me like that. She usually tucks in behind my tail and checks out people from around my backside.

After the walk, the humans had lunch and we rested in a shady spot. Then we went over to the CMDART Agility tryouts. CMDART is an emergency group that works with the Red Cross setting up dog shelters when disasters occur in our area. They run this fundraiser every year as one way of raising funds for their mission. We got a great kit from them last year that helps you get your pets ready for evacuations.

We didn't get pictures because Mom and Dad both were out on the field at the same time, which doesn't happen very often. However, we both had big moments. We have never done well in the tunnel. Katy flat out has always refused and it has never been my favorite activity either. However, we both made repeated trips through the tunnels. The trainers showed Mom and Dad some new tricks to trick tempt us into performing the stunts. I even made it up and down the see saw thingy before I realized I was on it because Mom held a tempting smelly amazing treat under my nose instead of dropping it on the ground like they had tried previously. I was so intent on following the smell I didn't even realize she had me on the tippy thing.

After our amazing job at agility, we decided to try out the Tennis Ball Fetch Game. This is always one of our favorites. It is amazing how you can freeze when surrounded by so many balls to choose. Mom started tossing them and eventually we picked two. We won Kongs, a Snoopy leash and collar, and some very tasty treats. We also won a life jacket that Mom is thinking about doing a giveaway on because neither of us goes near the water.

After our wins, we went shopping and visited the various rescue/shelter booths. We had to get another picture of the Kissing Dachshund Rescue Booth for Frankie. Yes, they were here too. Those are some hard working charitable Dachshunds kissing for charity.

We had lots of fun shopping, but Mom struck out on finding Katy another fleece bed. She was hoping to replace her donut bed, with a flat fleece egg crate bed. I love the donut, but Katy likes a flat bed. She has one downstairs, but tends to sleep on the floor upstairs. Mom was hoping to find another one. Unfortunately, she found the last one at the event that was cancelled this year. That vendor hasn't been at any of the other events. Dog Dad has been experimenting with moving the bed upstairs and down, but was hoping we could just have another one to use.

We'd like to thank the Sterling Animal Shelter for hosting this event. We have so much fun at it every year and are already looking forward to seeing announcements for next year's event.

Welcome to Monday Mischief – The pet blog hop that wraps up the weekend! This Blog Hop is brought to you by Alfie’s Blog, Snoopy’s Dog Blog, and My Brown Newfies.

Whisker Walk 2014 is Coming

Whisker Walk is one of our favorite events of the year. This year the event is being held on Sunday June 8 from 11-3 at the Lancaster Fairgrounds, in Lancaster, Massachusetts. You can find all the details about the event here.

While the event is important because it raises money for so many of the local rescues and shelters, it is also just lots of fun for dogs and humans. It is fitting that it takes place at the fairgrounds because it does have the feel of a dog fair. Where else have you been that you can win a prize in a poop raffle for having a responsible pet parent scoop your poop and get a ticket for a raffle? Like tennis balls? Compete in the Tennis Ball Fetch and win a prize for you or your human. Bailey won the comfy bed he and Katy use downstairs at the event. These are just some of many exciting fun events that await you at the Whisker Walk.

This is the last of our walking fundraisers this year. Mom contacted Baypath Animal Shelter and was told they because they have a new Board of Directors they’ve opted not to run Bark in the Park at Hopkinton State Park this year. They are doing a golf tournament instead. They said they might bring it back next year. We will miss the event, but hope their new fundraiser works out for them and brings them new people who might not already be involved.

We do have some concerns with Bailey's foot. The Vet seems to think he should be up for the day. If not the walk ,perhaps just a chance to be outside and visit some of the exhibits. DH and I will decide based on how he's doing. Thankfully, unlike a child, he can't read a calendar and won't realize the date has come and gone if he’s not physically able to manage the trip. I do hope he's up to it as I've seen huge growth in Katy's social skills every time we've been at one of these events. Generally, she isn't a fan of crowds and busy places. However, there is something about these dog events that she loves.

If you are in the area, please consider coming out and supporting the Whisker Walk. Bring family and friends; it is a great event for all.

Welcome to Monday Mischief – The pet blog hop that wraps up the weekend! This Blog Hop is brought to you by Alfie’s Blog, Snoopy’s Dog Blog, and My Brown Newfies.

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Dog Friendly or Not

We have been searching for dog friendly places to take the dogs. We follow the adventures of dog bloggers and are always thrilled about the various dog friendly places they find to bring their pups.

We were excited to see a sign for a dog parade as part of a local festival we have been considering attending for a few years, but never seem to get to with our conflicting fall obligations. A festival with a dog parade must be dog friendly, right? Not so much. The parade has a limited period where the dogs are welcome and ends before the festival area. Dogs are not welcome at the festival. Therefore, if you come for the parade, do not plan on attending the festival unless you drive (or walk if you live close enough) home first with your paw friends, and return to participate in the human areas.

I was disappointed. If you are going to designate something as humans only, so be it. However, if you are going to invite dogs, make it friendly to the dogs you invite. After Katy's positive experience with the dog walk we were thinking this might be a fun activity. However, parking can be challenging in this area and driving there with the dogs, doing the walk and driving them home and coming back for the festival seems foolish. If we attend the festival, the dogs will likely not be attending. We will have to find some other options.

Looking at the Agility Course

Mom and Dad took us to a booth hosted by a group trying to raise money for emergency pet shelters. The man at the booth said animals are not allowed in human shelters during emergencies so his group provides a place for animals to go. Mom says she is going to blog about this group next week. Mom and Dad decided we should have a chance to look at the field.

Bailey treated this as if it was a doggy playground. He thought the obstacles were fun. The woman led him around the obstacles. With treats, he tried each one. I did not mind the jumps. Those were OK. However, I just could not understand the point and I did not like strangers. Mom ended up leading me around.

I was sorry to disappoint Mom, but I just did not understand why she wanted me to go through all these exercises. Dad says we might do better next year.

Bailey Wins a Bed

Mom said there would be things to do, but she never mentioned how much work it could be at this Whisker Walk. Mom took us to the Tennis Ball Fetch Booth and she was so excited. Katy was no help, so it was up to me to take on the challenge. How hard can it be to fetch one tennis ball you ask. Well I froze.

There were all these tennis balls I needed to herd and protect so they would not escape. I have never seen so many tennis balls. How was I possibly going to be able to protect them all? I actually froze. I could not possibly be expected to watch all these tennis balls. While I was trying to process how best to take care of all of them, Mom is trying to distract me by tossing tennis balls to me. She did not understand the gravity of the situation. While she is throwing balls to me, one could escape. The fencing was flimsy and not designed for tennis ball capture and retention.

Eventually I got distracted and caught a ball. Mom was so excited. There was some writing on the ball. Mom called it a number. The woman looked at the number and then at her paper and Mom got to pick out a bed for me, just because I caught a ball! Katy was still refusing to help, so I caught another ball and the lady checked that number and we got a box of treats.

Mom said I helped doggies at the Sterling Shelter by playing the game. Dad says both Katy and I will do better next year. I am not sure about that, but I love my new bed, which is big enough for Katy and me to share. Mom says she will post a picture of it when she gets one with both of us in it.

Wordless Wednesday

Before:

After:

Walking in a Pack

We are not sure why Mom and Dad decided to take us for a walk in the woods with all these other dogs, but it was so fun. There were dogs of every size and shape. Bailey and I were confused because some dogs were riding in doggy strollers. We had never seen one before, but we saw several on Sunday. Dad could never keep us in one of those things.

There was only one scary loud dog and Bailey practiced what Dad calls the Bailey pick and put himself between the other dog and me. The dog seemed surprised to find Bailey there, but moved on without incident. I followed Bailey and Dad the whole mile and there was so much to see and smell. The only bad thing was Mom fell in a pothole and twisted her ankle. That slowed me down a bit. She has to be more careful.

Dad was disappointed because we would not use his new water bottle. We were just too excited and we did not even drink from the water bowls the walk people provided. Mom said something about training us to use them in a less stressful situation. I told Bailey I think that means cookies so that is a good thing, right?

After the walk, we got free doggy frozen yogurts. Bailey ate his quickly. Katy got all nervous and only took a few licks of hers. How could she waste such a delicious frozen treat? Mom would not let me finish hers.

Whisker Walk was Wonderful

The dog's worst fears were not realized we made it to the walk and it was a wonderful event. We could not find the Buddy Dog booth to make our donation for the walk with so we donated our money to the Sterling Animal Shelter and got two Whisker Walk t-shirts. We chose Sterling since they seem to be the main sponsors of the event. Our first choice New England Sheltie Rescue being located in CT was not a likely participant for a Massachusetts event.

The dogs had a wonderful time. They will be blogging their stories about the event all week. Katy did so much better than I expected. She loved the actual walk. She had such bounce in her walk and was not at all intimidated by the huge numbers of people or other dogs. As long as she trailed Bailey, she was happy as could be during the mile walk.

Bailey and Katy discovered dog sports. I have blogged several times, about how they love to watch human sports with their Dad. Well for the first time Bailey saw humans and dogs watching doggy sports. There were flyball and agility demonstrations and Bailey and Katy were fascinated spectators. His head would jump up, as a dog would miss a tag or a gate while watching flyball, just like his Dad does when watching a play on TV. He had the same reaction to watching agility.

Katy and Bailey will be discussing their own first experience with the agility ring later on in the week. Let us just say Bailey loved it and Katy could not see the purpose. She still needs more time getting used to strangers and being comfortable with new situations before we would ever consider doing any training in this area. However, she did do a few exercises and was quite proud of her success.

The crowds were wonderful. When you bring that many dogs and humans together, it can be a challenge. We had no bad dog or human incidents. Dogs were restrained and we had no incidents of children attacking the dogs. I cannot speak for anyone but myself, but I was amazed to see what a great respectful community assembled. I hope that that spirit spreads out to more events that are not dog centered, but still have dogs and humans interacting.

We came back from Whisker Walk and did fulfill one of the dogs’ fears, the evil veggie’s are in the garden. This means no more playing in the gardens or as Katy refers to them, the sandboxes.

I will leave the dogs to tell the stories of our adventures. I will say if there is a Whisker Walk 2012, we will be back. I have no association with the group that planned this, but I want to say thank you for a wonderful day.

Full Speed Ahead to Whisker Walk

Keeps your paws and fingers crossed everyone. Mom and Dad said we are on for Sunday's Whisker Walk. We are so excited, but Sunday is still so far away and they can still get in trouble between now and then.

Dad bought us a new water bottle to try out. Bailey can be a bit tricky about drinking while traveling. Katy has never tried so she has no idea about the challenges of drinking in strange places. Katy also has a new leash for the trip that she did not get to try out at Paws in the Park.

Dad is going to do battle with the evil veggie gardens on Saturday. They could attack him and leave him unable to go on Sunday. We have watched these evil veggies at work. Well Bailey has and he says they can be very dangerous.

For anyone in the area interested in attending the event is at the Lancaster Fairgrounds in MA. The directions or address for those with GPS can be found here. Hopefully, we will be there to see some of you.

Whisker Walk 2011

Mom put the banner up on the blog for Whisker Walk as soon as she heard about the event. Many rescue groups are coming together at the Lancaster Fairgrounds in Massachusetts on Sunday, June 5, 2011. The event includes a walk and lots of family and dog related activities to raise money for local shelters.

Bailey and I are hoping Mom and Dad get better so we can go. We are even supposed to be joining some of Dad's doggless family. Mom and Dad really need to pick up the pace on this healing stuff. Dad bought Katy a new leash for Paws in the Park and she is very disappointed that she did not get to show it off. She is getting rather impatient with this sickness stuff. I want to get out and finally go to an event that is about dogs.

Mom says to tell you that the directions or the address for those who like to plug it into their GPS system are available here.

Send healing wishes our way, as Bailey and I really need to get Mom and Dad out of the house.

Save a Dog's 2011 Paws in the Park

I love the Wayside Inn area in Sudbury, Massachusetts. I have been having picnics with family and the dogs there for years. Next Sunday, May 22, Save a Dog is having their 2011 Paws in the Park event at the Longfellow Wayside Inn and you can attend with family and dogs. The event is not free. There a $10 entry fee or equivalent pledge per adult. I am not associated with Save a Dog, but I have been looking for dog friendly local events to take Katy and Bailey to and find it even better when they benefit other rescue dogs.

You can find a list of other events and vendors that will be at the event by checking out their website. If you are interested in adoption this is a great chance to learn more about Save a Dog and the dogs they have available, too.