Vet Extraordinaire

We have been very lucky - Chagall and I. When we lived in Central Mass., when I first got my boy, I found a terrific vet. Then when Chagall broke his paw as a six-month-old we were referred to a VCA animal hospital where the surgery could be performed. We stayed with that vet in Northboro until a couple of years ago.

Since moving to Belmont and then Watertown I knew I was going to have to find a closer vet. On a day when Chagall nearly impaled himself on a jagged tree branch at Beaver Brook, my hand was forced. Some dog owners who witnessed my dog's accident unanimously recommended the Kindness Animal Hospital on Linden Street in Waltham. More specifically, everyone just gushed about Dr. Susan Rosenblatt.

Everything they said is true, and more. Since performing emergency surgery on my poor pup's torn-open chest, she has been nothing but compassionate, friendly, professional and thorough. She also has the empathy of a doctor making house calls.

No matter what health crisis or questions I have directed at Dr. Rosenblatt, she has dealt with my dog and me in the most gracious, effective and efficient manner possible. Just Google Dr. Susan Rosenblatt and five-star ratings come up. She has also appeared several times on Channel 7's series "Protecting Your Pets".

Also, the vet techs and office staff couldn't be more knowledgeable and cordial. And late last year Dr. Patrick Hallisey was added as a second vet. He, too, lives up to the Kindness standard.

Big News - Off Topic

Geoffrey in my arm, originally uploaded by phaird.

Ok, you're right, this isn't my dog. It's my new boy, Geoffrey. He was born today at 7:30pm. So if I don't make it to the park for a week or two, you'll just have to forgive me. We'll all make it there soon. I made sure to bring home that little hat for Toby to sniff. He was so good and waited at home ALL DAY without an accident.

Scout getting some love

Scout getting some love, originally uploaded by phaird.

Scout is another rescue with a good story and a great happy ending. Like many owners, they don't know what happened to Scout but he did come with his share of issues. They think that he may have been hit by a car because when he was brought to the shelter, he had wiring done inside his mouth. When that was taken out he still had all kinds of issues and after removing seven teeth, he is now doing just fine.

Scout is another of so many dogs that come from down south where some people consider dogs either just an appliance that they can use for a few years but if it has problems or starts to get old, they go get another younger, cuter dog. As many of us who venture to the parks know, there are a lot of rescues out there that are great dogs and will return love ten times as much as it is given. Scout is one of those dog.

Always Welcome

We are definitely heading towards the final gasps of summer - chronologically and meteorologically. For our dogs this turned corner has brought comfort and joy. Swimming can now be just for fun and not for sheer survival in the recent sweltering heat.

Chagall and I returned to the Acton park this past weekend. There were even more new friends than last time. It took almost 15 minutes to get from the parking lot to the main gathering area by the lily pond. Chagall sniffed every inch and was greeted with great excitement by all departing canines and onlookers.

As we joined the main fray two sibling black labs zig-zagged across the field after taking a dip and emerging with a shared prize - a large branch. We were also herded by two mini Aussie Shepherds and loudly greeted by chihuahuas and Puerto Rican street dogs.

Chagall and I were warmly embraced at our new hangout. We can't get there often enough to suit either one of us. This weekend's weather does not look particularly cooperative. If we don't get there we will miss seeing Hunter, Twinkie, Maui, Bean, Scout, Nanka, Theo and all the rest of the South Acton pack.

Favorite dog parks?

I was going through the comments today and noticed someone asked about where the Acton dog park is that was in the Beacon Villager paper. I don't think she was trying to keep it hidden. It is behind the Acton fire station on School St. It's a short walk away from the S. Acton T stop. The "official time" that people go there are on Sundays at 10am.

There is also this long (but incomplete) list of dog friendly parks around MA. I've been trying to get to different parks in the area and talk to people about their parks but my time is a little limited with our first baby on the way.

If you know of a good dog park that you think I should visit, please let me know. My friend in CA told me about Point Isabel in the east bay but it's a little far for me to travel right now. What is your favorite park?

Toby at Stow's Park

Toby at Stow's Park, originally uploaded by phaird.

We took a quick trip to the Delaney Park in Stow today. It was really windy and cool. A really nice fall kinda day in the middle of the summer. There was lots of dogs with their walkers but it not any big groups of dogs playing together. Toby is a ball chaser so he didn't really get as much out of the walk as I did. He just kept waiting for me to toss the ball.

Dog Paintings

My friends at the Pepper Gallery in Boston are putting on a show of Katy Schneider's showing these great paintings from Once I Ate a Pie. These paintings are part of a larger book project which focuses on dogs. A great show to check out for both dog are art lovers alike.

From the website "As in all her work, we see Schneider's extraordinary ability to capture the immediacy of man's best friend and his surroundings in a way that offers an intimate and personal interpretation of the story being told."