Who is the park for?

Hey park lovers.  Just came across this article from the ASPCA site about if a dog park is the right place to bring your dog.

http://www.aspca.org/Pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-articles/dog-parks

What do you think?  Most readers who read my blog bring their dog to the park.  Most get along and have a good time.  I've been really concerned that I might not be right to bring Toby, my dog, to the Acton park anymore.  I think he likes going to parks and can be social but he has a history at this park and not always a happy one because he can hear the gun club or thunder storms in the past.  Now, every time we go to the park, me associates those noises with the Acton park.

I love coming to the park and enjoy all the park friends I've made so much of me going to the park is for me and I hope Toby enjoys it too.  But it really shouldn't be about me. It should be Toby's time to enjoy the park and get some energy.  I'm going to explore some other parks and see if I can help Toby enjoy our Sunday play time and get some new shots of some other fun parks in the area.

If you've got some recommendations of parks, close to Maynard, please let me know.

Let it Snow!

Tika coming to greet me, originally uploaded by phaird.

This sunday was a real snow day and I was super excited to get to the park. The previous week was the blizzard and didn't leave my house so I was glad when I could go out to the park and take pictures with fresh snow on the ground.
To make Toby happy, I wrapped him in his Thundershirt so he would stay a little warmer and not get too overwhelmed. We weren't there very long but I got to take some fun photos and see the few hard core pet owners who showed up despite the storm.
Weekend storms seem to be the norm this winter. The forecast for this weekend also has a chance of snow and I hope to get out again and shoot. I love the photos I got and It's always fun to see the puppies who have been showing up.

Toby needed the walk

Acton Dog Park-130203-04.jpg, originally uploaded by phaird.

Well, Toby is at it again. He's shaking and being too aggressive at the dog park on Sunday's. I'm thinking I should find a new park to go to and that makes me so sad.
I love going to the Great Hills Park, seeing all the dogs, and the great people I've gotten to know over the years.
For Toby, it's where thunderstorms happen and gun shots can be heard so every dog that runs around him, while he is nervous, is a threat. He gets aggressive and knows just where to bite on the jaw. He can be good but I'm at my wits end on what to do. That is why I haven't been coming or even writing the past few weeks.
Sunday, we came early and decided that instead of hanging out around the field, we went for a walk in the woods. There was a dusting of snow and everything was so quiet. It was beautiful and calm and Toby really needed that. He needed to just calm down, get some energy out, do his business and try to mark every tree and rock he walked by. After about 1/2 hour, we walked back down into the park and he was a bit better. Still nervous but not too bad. He kept walking toward the car but then would come back to get me and then do it again. I want to make it a fun experience for him so that when he goes to the park, he will know that is where he can have fun and play. I love my time with Toby and hope he can enjoy it too.