Tag Archives: off-lead exercise

Dog park designs

If I ever win Lotto, I’d like to sponsor a major dog park development.

Dog park designs are an interesting line of work for landscape architects.  James Harrison Melnick of the University of Arizona did a review of A Successful Southwest Dog Park in 2013.

His report is still a useful document with various designs, their pros and cons, reviewed and discussed.

Chaparral Dog Park Scottsdale AZ

The Chaparral Dog Park in Scottsdale, Arizona

His report is downloadable through this link.

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand

Another date

Izzy and Bergie had a Date Night Afternoon yesterday.  It’s incredibly satisfying to have them off-lead and able to run and play even with the cold winter weather.

Bergie likes to dig holes.  Izzy seems to admire his skills, taking a front row seat to watch.

These two mean something special to one another and it is a joy to watch them play together.

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand

Help! Needham needs a dog park

Needham, Massachusetts doesn’t have a dedicated facility where dogs can run and exercise off-leash.  For a town that is home to approximately 3,000 registered dogs, it’s a real shame.

Dog park image

Thankfully, a group of dedicated owners led by Mike Verdun and Bill Paulson are hoping to change that.  They and a group of about 10 other passionate dog owners have located a suitable site, the Nike Site, next to Ridge Hill Reservation. The group is now fundraising to establish the park.

Needham Dog Park map

$25,000 is needed to establish the facility; the bulk of the money is needed for the fencing, combined with signage and a wood chip base.  Double gates will ensure that dogs are kept safe as they enter and exit the park.

‘We’ve talked to other communities in Massachusetts that already have dog park facilities,’ says Bill.  ‘We’re confident in our design.’

So far, the group has raised $3,500 – so there’s still a long way to go.  If you and your dog benefit from off-leash exercise in your community, maybe you can consider making a small donation to help the dogs of Needham be rewarded with their own dog park.

The Needham Dog Park donation form has all of the instructions you need.  And you can follow progress via the Needham Dog Lovers Facebook page.

Daisy’s birthday adventures

Today we woke up and went to the largest dog park in Christchurch, The Groynes.  Although the sun was coming up, it was also showering and we saw a lovely rainbow settle over the park:

Rainbow over dog park

Daisy loves being off-lead and able to exhibit her natural dog instincts.  She looks up to keep tabs on me often, but enjoys foraging around:

Foraging

And tonight Daisy enjoyed a slice of her birthday cake for dessert.  This cake is salmon and rice, with a lowfat cream cheese frosting, doggy choc drops and homemade chicken & parsley doggy treats:

Birthday cake

Happy Birthday, Daisy.  I love you!

The Pitty Pat Club at The Broadmoor

The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs is a high-end, pet-friendly resort that has a long history associated with animals.  Many dignitaries including US presidents, actors and actresses, and others have stayed in the luxurious surroundings.

But my preference is the resort’s Pitty Pat Club.

The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs

Pet guests are welcomed to the Broadmoor’s own unique Best Friend in Residence Program.  A $50.00 per pet per day fee is added to your room charge.  With that surcharge, your pet receives a special Broadmoor identification tag to wear throughout their stay.   There are designated outdoor pet areas with clean up packs provided. The 24-hour Pitty Pat Pet Menu offers room service including Blue Buffalo adult dog food and health bars in three flavours:  apples and yogurt, bacon, egg & cheese, or chicken liver.

You are also encouraged to take your dog off-property in a safe manner.  A map of dog exercise areas is provided.  These off-property areas include:

  • North Cheyenne Canyon – dogs allowed on leash
  • Stratton Open Place – dogs allowed on leash
  • Bear Creek Park – off leash area called the Dog Loop Trail
  • Garden of the Gods – off leash exercise allowed in designated areas

A comprehensive list of other services is also given to dog owners.  This includes information on local veterinary practices, pet stores, and groomers.  Dog sitting and walking services can also be arranged.

If Colorado is on your list of destinations, then why not indulge yourself and your dog and stay at The Broadmoor?

The animal history (and how the Pitty Pat Club got its name):

Back in 1880, the land that the resort is situated on was a dairy farm.  In the 1890s, the owners realised that they could make more money by selling parcels of land for residential and commercial development.  A casino was built that was purchased in 1916 by Spencer Penrose, an entrepreneur from Philadelphia, and he began its transformation into a resort.

Mr Penrose saw the value of promoting Colorado Springs as a tourist destination.  He built the Pikes Peak Road leading to the summit as an alternative to the Cog Railway and he established the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, which is still considered one of the finest privately owned zoos in the United States.   Hence, another strong connection to animals.

Mr Penrose’s wife was Julie and she was accompanied everywhere by a Poodle named Pitty Pat.  So, when the resort decided to offer pet-friendly accommodation, it was a natural fit to name the program after Pitty Pat!