Whisker Walk 2018

For those of you in the New England Area it is time again to think about this year's Whisker Walk Sunday June 3 from 10-3 at the Bolton Fairgrounds in Lancaster, MA. This event is hosted by the Sterling Shelter and is attended by many local shelters/rescues and there are many vendors and activities for the family. Come out and support your local rescues and shelters and have some fun. The walk is only part of the fun. There is much to see, do, shop, and eat.

You can read more about the event here.

Whisker Walk 2016 is coming June 5 in Massachusetts

After having crossed the line first at the Paws in the Park walk, Katy and her handler are in training for the longer Whisker Walk. Not that there is actually a race, but Katy has wanted to finish first for years now. This could be the year.

For those of you in the New England area come out and join us for the Sterling Shelter's annual Whisker Walk fund raiser at the Bolton Fairgrounds in Lancaster on Sunday June 5, 2016 from 11AM-3PM. While Katy is determined to be at the head of the walk, Bailey and Mom will be strolling through the many vendors that populate the fairgrounds. It is a very kid and dog friendly event with plenty for everyone to see and do.

It is a great chance to connect with many local shelters and rescues and to help them raise funds for their groups. I am hopeful they will still have the dog fetch game as Bailey has brought home some great prizes over the years.

You can read more about the event 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.

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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Wordless Wednesday:Whisker Walk

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.

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.