Summer Vacay! What Do You Plan For Your Pups!

[Bailey's Mom]

Ah, Summer....the Lazy, Crazy Days, except I work all summer, so, it makes it hard to plan outings that Bailey can enjoy (or where she is allowed.) We do have two beaches in driving distance on two separate Great Lakes that will allow dogs, and we are going to take advantage of that, especially Ipperwash because the sand bars go out so far that Bailey won't be as afraid. She freaks if her head goes under. And water, as delightful as it can be for drinking or wading in, well, Bailey is suspicious of it. She suspects these are all large bathtubs made to look like fun.

We don't camp...no room service. A few of the hotels around have dog friendly accommodations, which I appreciate. But what we could really go for is monthly dog parties. We have Bark-in-the-Park, which was on the 11th. Bailey had a ball with her best friend Kaleb. Both of them took advantage of a shallow cool stream running through the property to lay down and cool down, but neither of them went swimming or dock diving.

In August there is Pawlooza which is an absolute must...rain or shine (even heat) we'll be there with bells on. But, after that....nothing for the poor pups to enjoy. I wish there were monthly Dog Parties, May through to September, one a month where our dogs can go to a fair-like atmosphere and enjoy events and fun geared to their likes and dislikes Wouldn't that be great?

I think someone should start a dog event for July called "Howl-a-Baloo!"

Does anyone have any ideas for what to call May and September's Events? What is life without whimsy?

 

[DennasMom]

This one's over for this year... but maybe for next?
The Muddy Mutt event is in May 2018
http://www.muddymuttevent.com/

 

[TWW]

The big puppy will be going with me to West Virginia, in September to visit friends and family.

 

[Bailey's Mom]

DennasMom, I just love the link you sent us! We do need more things like this for our pups to do. All winter long they are basically cooped up in the house with us and they need to cut loose when the weather gets better.

We have a lot of hiking trails around here, but dogs are generally excluded from the organized walks. Perhaps we could get an organized planned walk through north London along the Medway Creek...Horsehead Canyon etc., Lots of reasonably shallow water and good terrain with lots of ups and downs. Maybe not Muddy Mutt enough, but certainly Wet Mutt enough to enjoy.

I think I'm going to try and get something started here for May next year or even this fall. Our Pups Need To Play, and Splash, and Dash and Have a Great Time.
Bailey is always happily exhausted after dog festivals, I just wish there were more in our area to enjoy.

 

[Nik]

We have a bark in the park in our area too. And they have a monthly Doga (dog yoga) class in a nearby park. But, that is about it.

In our area we tend to get out more with the dogs fall - early spring. In the summer it starts to get too hot to take them out for long at a time unless we take a road trip to the coast where it is cooler. But local walks are tough for them in this weather (over 100 degrees right now).

 

[Bailey's Mom]

It's hot here, too! August was traditionally the hottest month, but now we've had weird April hot-hot-hot weather and then cold rainy May weather and now psychiatric June weather.... I'm exhausted and so is Bailey. Walks are relegated to early am or late pm to keep her out of the bad heat of the day. And when it isn't boiling it is raining (raining to the point that it gets so cold that I put a light winter coat on the bear it all.) And then I sweat and boil and cool down and sleep with blankets. Anybody see a cycle of events in this? Yeah, Global warning!

But back to the pups....I really think there should be monthly events, even if we have to hold them in covered arenas with air conditioning. Hey, we've got lots of soccer arenas. Why not? Bailey really enjoyed the agility field at The Bark In The Park, it wouldn't be hard to set up for dog events where there is air conditioning and lots of parking. I'm thinking the Agricultural/Sports Complex in the fair district in town. YES! Now, where are the backers...? Sponsors, where are you?

 

[Sheila Braund]

Ah, Summer....the Lazy, Crazy Days, except I work all summer, so, it makes it hard to plan outings that Bailey can enjoy (or where she is allowed.) We do have two beaches in driving distance on two separate Great Lakes that will allow dogs, and we are going to take advantage of that, especially Ipperwash because the sand bars go out so far that Bailey won't be as afraid. She freaks if her head goes under. And water, as delightful as it can be for drinking or wading in, well, Bailey is suspicious of it. She suspects these are all large bathtubs made to look like fun.

We don't camp...no room service. A few of the hotels around have dog friendly accommodations, which I appreciate. But what we could really go for is monthly dog parties. We have Bark-in-the-Park, which was on the 11th. Bailey had a ball with her best friend Kaleb. Both of them took advantage of a shallow cool stream running through the property to lay down and cool down, but neither of them went swimming or dock diving.

In August there is Pawlooza which is an absolute must...rain or shine (even heat) we'll be there with bells on. But, after that....nothing for the poor pups to enjoy. I wish there were monthly Dog Parties, May through to September, one a month where our dogs can go to a fair-like atmosphere and enjoy events and fun geared to their likes and dislikes Wouldn't that be great?

I think someone should start a dog event for July called "Howl-a-Baloo!"

Does anyone have any ideas for what to call May and September's Events? What is life without whimsy?

Hi Bailey, you're not to far away from me..... I'm just outside of Burford. What we do is we have a " family of Mastiff owners " we all puppy sit each other's babies. We also visit each other for play dates and bonfire almost every weekend. We have almost 3 acres here where to dogs are free to play..... Come to think about it I should pick up a pool for them. I think a doggie even monthly would be awesome

 

[Nik]

I would love to do monthly events here also but I don't even know any other local mastiff owners. I have one friend with a lovely large breed dog (German Shepherd) but she is always so crazy busy with her work schedule that even coordinating to visit just her and I is difficult.

However, if you have a good group going in your area you could always contact the local pet stores and food stores if you wanted to do a formal monthly event. See if anyone would be willing to sponsor. I'm guessing - dog training, pet stores, rescue groups etc. That is who sponsors our once a year dog event. You can do like they do at our local art/wine festivals and allow them to set up booths to promote their business and fund the event that way. You would have to coordinate with the venue or the city to see what the rules etc are.

 

[Jakesmum]

No summer vacation for us this year. It's been too hot here to take Jake out for a walk too or let him run around too much. We have been trying to get him out to my mom's acreage more often on the weekends where it's a little cooler and he can have free run of some of the property. I just found out about a couple of dog friendly patio's in the city so I might see about taking him to one of those for lunch one day check out what it's all about.

 

[Pastor Dave]

Joyce and I are taking a Caravan Bus Tour of the New England states, leaving Mr. Chev and Coal-man with the kennel...last vacation when Chev was younger, someone here told me that "it would be hard on me than it would be on my dogs." That proved to be true..anyway, the dogs get to go on their daily playtime walk with me 6 days a week which keeps them slim and trim, ready for nonsense. But when we get home, as someone once said, "A tired dog is a happy dog." That, too, is so true. The two dogs lounge around the rest of the day with just moments of biting face and being playful. That morning walk is closest to a vacation for the dogs. Have a great day, all !!