Vist to Malcolm Preserve, Carlisle MA

I took Toby to the Malcolm Preserve and it's a nice walking park. It's great for accessibility but Toby and I were a little disappointed. It's nothing against the park. It was an overcast day with snow melting so walkways gave way to muddy rivers. I'm sure, in the summer it could be a great little walkway. The trail that I found was short so after a few weeks of walking through Acton's trails, I was still eager to walk but couldn't find a fun way to keep going. It's not fair for me to pick on the park on this one experience. It was clean, well maintained and an easy walk. I'll have to make some more trips on weekend and evenings to get a better sense of the park community and how dog friendly it is.

The thing is, I'm just eager to find other fun dog friendly parks. I love Acton and I'm going to keep coming every Sunday but I'd like to find other fun places. I almost went out to Crane Beach but I couldn't drag myself that far away from home when the day isn't so nice.

Where are your favorite parks (even outside MA)?

Equal treatment for dogs

A woman from Haverhill is trying to get a law passed where the value of a family dog is more then the retail value. The story in the Eagle-Tribune goes into details.

I'm not sure being able to sue someone for any amount of money is the right answer but discussing the idea that our pets our part of our family is important. Suing is only going to help the insurance agency and could force good Vets out of business because of those increased costs of covering their butts. Look at the cost of family doctors have to do to keep in business. If vets have to absorb those costs, it's going to be us, the pet owner who ends up paying a lot more for pet care.

Dog rescue

Check out this story. It's about a dog that's given CPR. The best part of the story to me is the end where they leave a oxygen tank for the dog.

Toby in the middle

toby-in-the-middle, originally uploaded by phaird.

For the past few weeks, every time I've brought my dog, Toby, to the park, he shakes. It all started one Sunday when he could hear gun shots from a firing range off in the distance. It sounds like a hammer on wood and it's so faint, everyone I told about it didn't even notice till I said something. Today was the first day he would come to the park without fear. He always puts on a macho front but he can be a real coward sometimes.

As an adopted dog, there is always things in a dogs past that we can't plan for. This fear of the gun shots, fireworks, thunder or any other loud noise is really hard on our little guy but we do what we can to keep him comfortable until his fear passes. Then he's our happy little pooch again.

Another fun day

looking for treats, originally uploaded by phaird.

There is always a funny energy between the calm of the people and the excitement of the dogs. Being Sunday, I think most people are trying to enjoy their day off before going back to work or maybe enjoy having a late start to the day. The dogs know though that this is their big day. They day they see their best friends. They get to run without restrictions and get love from anyone they decide to stop and see. They may even get a treat or two by finding all those extra nice folks.

Some of us two legged folks huddle together. Talking about local events or commenting on the dog action. Some will break off and take a walk through the trails while others stand a bit to the side to keep an eye on their dog.

Everyone is welcoming though. It could just be the humbling fact that no matter who you are in your daily life, when you're at a dog park, everyone has to pick up their poop.

My Dream Job

Amanda Jones has my dream job. There is a cute little artical on NPR about her by Amy Costello. It's only 3 minutes so you should check it out.

for the love of dogs

What one person will go though for their dog for most of my readers ins't that surprising. We love our dogs and will do just about anything for them. They are our family. But I have to say that this one marine really went that extra mile for one dog. Check out the story and hope that more events like this happen.