Paws in the Park Wayside Inn Sudbury, MA

Hi folks it is time for the annual Paws in the Park sponsored by Save a Dog this Sunday May 1 from 10-3. If you live in the Massachusetts area there is no better time to visit the beautiful historic Wayside Inn area in Sudbury and help raise money for animal shelters in the area.

Along with a beautiful short walk for you and the dogs there are also lots of fun activities for dogs, children, and adults. Our dogs love shopping there and the vendors always have something new to discover. Many local shelters have booths to raise awareness and funds for their local shelters as well.

Come out and join the fun on Sunday. For more information please visit their website here.

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.

Baypath's Bark in the Park 2012 at Hopkinton State Park

While we have lots of stories to tell you we want to get the word out about Baypath Humane Society's Bark in the Park at Hopkinton State Park in MA. We had so much fun at the Whisker Walk we are really pushing Mom to make it the extra half mile to finish the short route of the walk. She is making progress on her recovery and we are sure she can do it.

The event is being held at Hopkinton State Park on Sunday, June 17 from 10-3.

Like the Whisker Walk in addition to the walk itself there are lots of family and dog friendly events, vendors and food to be found at the event. We are excited about going to the park as we have never been. Mom is not sure what the normal rules are about dogs at Hopkinton State Park, but she plans to find out while we are there. For that day, it is open for dog business.

For those of you in the area, the information regarding Baypath's Bark in the Park event can be found here.

We hope this helps get the word out.

Whisker Walk is Sunday June 3, 2012

Mom told us she saw the announcement for the Whisker Walk in the paper Saturday and we are so excited. For those of you in the Massachusetts area the 5th Annual Whisker Walk is being held on Sunday, June 3rd from 11AM-3PM at the Lancaster Fairgrounds. You can find all the information here. Along with the walk, there is a whole fair to enjoy. This is a big fundraiser for local animal shelters in the area.

Last year we not only walked, but we had a wonderful time at the fair. Bailey won the bed you constantly see us photographed on at the dog games last year. Mom and Dad had professional pictures taken of us that now are on t-shirts and coffee mugs. It was very dog friendly event.

This was us waiting as we lined up for the walk

This is where we won the bed. We did not do so well at the agility. However, the bed more than made up for our embarrassment at the agility arena. After all, there were no prizes in agility. The ball retrieval won us a comfy TV watching bed.

We encourage all of you who will be in the Massachusetts area to come out for the Whisker Walk and support the local shelters and rescues in the area. It is a great fundraiser and lots of fun for dogs and their family members.

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

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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.