Toby in grass at Delaney park

Toby in grass at Delaney park, originally uploaded by phaird.

For the past few weeks I've been going to Delaney park in Stow. It's a big beautiful park that is great to go to walk your dog. I went to the park years ago but wasn't really happy about it because it people didn't clean up and it didn't have any community of dog people that I could find.
Soon after that, there was a big blow out with neighbors and dog owners so the leash rules got serious and people got mean.
Now I'm going there because I wanted to give Toby a break from the Acton park to give him someplace new that he won't be overwhelmed by all the other dogs.
It worked out okay till the Yankee Golden Retriever Club group decided to have an event there. I really wanted to watch because they were showing their dogs how to retrieve. It was great except for the guns. Toby was NOT happy. I didn't go back the following week to change things up and keep Toby guessing. I really want to go back though because there are some beautiful places to shoot.

Pano of dog park

Pano of dog park, originally uploaded by phaird.

Wow, It's been a while since I posted about the dog park. Sorry about that. I've been hit or miss the past few weeks and have been so busy. All this nice weather has gotten me out shooting clients and other family events.

It's also brought out the gun club and Toby has not been happy. I take him for leashed walks up into the hills to get his energy out. He's gettin old so he gets tired faster but can still outlast me. It helps him calm down a bit but we don't get to stay long.

Next Sunday is mothers day so it might be a short day at the park for me as I get my kids to do all those nice things for their mom, Toby included.

Puppy and the last snow

Acton Dog Park-130324-04.jpg, originally uploaded by phaird.

I'm so looking forward to April and seeing all the green back on the trees again.
This is another pic of the Golden Retriever puppy that was at the park. He's such a friendly little guy. He went up to everyone and wanted to play with all the dogs. Even my grumpy old guy was good about it so that says something.

And they call it, puppy love

Acton Dog Park-130324-11.jpg, originally uploaded by phaird.

Sunday was all about the golden puppy. This little guy was taking everyone on. Especially the submissive other golden. They were having such a good time. I think this is a different golden puppy at the park. I wrote earlier of another Golden Retriever puppy that has been coming to the park but this little guy came with someone new (from what I could tell).
I'm guessing when they meet it's going to be a huge puppy love fest of jumping and playing. Can't wait!

Spring in New England

Acton Dog Park-130324-15.jpg, originally uploaded by phaird.

Yep, the calendar says it's spring but I'm not son convinced. Last week the park was a huge mud pit but it snowed a few days ago and now everything is covered up again. I don't mind too much but I think we might miss spring all together and one day, I'll wake up and it will be a hot sticky summer.
I'm glad I made it back to the park though. I've been out for a few weeks because of other engagements. Some photo related and others not.
This Sunday started out unique though. I was walking in with Tika and her owner when I noticed that Tika was caring something in her mouth. It was a turkey leg. No, it wasn't a bone or a cooked leg. It was just a leg and foot with tendons falling off. YUK! We're not sure where she found it but it really begged the question, where is the rest of the turkey? We didn't try to find out.
I'm guessing soon we'll be back to the mud fest and lots of dogs will be getting a bath when they get home. At least I hope so.

Waverly Oaks

chagall rolling in grass, originally uploaded by phaird.

Waverly Oaks was the first un-official dog park I use to bring toby when we lived in Watertown. It's a great big park with everything a park should have. Open areas, running water, Lots of trees and small nature walk as well as a paved path around the whole thing. What is better then that?
This is Chagall who is the dog of one of the great regulars who come to this park. Chagall was the king of the park at that time. He would stand around and let people know he was in charge. He wouldn't do much but he would let everyone know. A real sweetheart. It's amazing that it's been almost 6 years since We went there. I've been back a few times because Toby does really love that park but it's now very much out of the way to get there. Maybe this summer, on a slow weekend, I'll make that trip again.

Stoddard Neck Park

Neil with Jack, originally uploaded by phaird.

This is Neil with his dog Jack back in 2009 when I went to this unique park, Stoddard Park. It's a perfect little park because it's surrounded by water on three sides. It has a easy access from a parking lot and there is little chance of your dog running out into the street. It's a beautiful little space and if I lived near by, I'd be going all the time.