Okay, let's get planning!!! Here's some info we've been discussing in other threads:

!!Southbury Off-Leash Area Southbury, CT
Rte 67 at Pomperaug River; open daylight hours
benches, trees, parking, water
comments: approximately 12 acres with large meadws, some woodlands and about 1000 feet of frontage on the Pomperaug River.

I'm also going to throw my own dog park in here, because it's nice:

Ridgefield Bark Park Ridgefield, CT
Fully fenced, separate small dog area, running water, poopbags, double entry gate. Benches, picnic table, great place with nice people and nice dogs. Terrific place for greyhounds! Driving_Directions: At the end of Governor Street in Ridgefield (past the Police Station...go to the end, make a right and a quick left into the parking lot. You can't miss it!).

If anyone else knows of a good place, feel free to post it so we can compare!

As for me, the only time I positively can't make it is the week of August 14-21 when we'll be in Cape Cod, UNLESS of course it's held within reasonable driving distance of Cape Cod.

I'm gone the week before that Aug 7th-14th.

Should we try the end of August or early Sept.???


BTW- these two places are on the Western side of CT - so not far for NY people.

What about August 29th? Sunday near the end of August?

I can do that.

I won't know if/when I'll be able to attend until the last minute because of my work schedule.

The girls are being spayed July 27th so the end of August works for us, too.

I like the idea of both parks, but prefer to go somewhere that they can swim, too. Lisa, does Ridgefield have water to swim in?

A place with a shorter walk (I know I tried to kill you all didn't I...hope you weren't mad!:D)...will let me probably bring Jack, too.

Originally posted by HeatherA
BTW- these two places are on the Western side of CT - so not far for NY people.
But still too far for us FL people. ;)

Hope you guys have fun again. Looks like this last one went real well, despite the salt water drips. :eek:

Ridgefield doesn't have a body of water at the dog park, but somebody generally brings a kiddie pool in. If we did decide to do it there, maybe we could pick up a couple of pools. I know Grip would prefer to actually swim (rather than just paw and splash). Maybe a couple of us locals could scout out Southbury ahead of time? If you read this Heather, let's set a date. I think we're the closest.

There is no walk whatsoever from the car to the dog park in Ridgefield, and ample places to picnic under big old shady trees, plus benches galore and picnic tables inside the park itself..

End of August is sounding good.

Spaying your girls on my birthday, GusJack! That'll give me something else to think about besides how old I'm getting!!!

Mia is getting spayed July 27th also, so end of August is best here.

Zencat - are you working during the week? I am not, so during the week is better for me - we have plans the next two weekends - and than vacation - but even a friday evening or other evening. Let me know what is good for you. I am pretty open during the week (except this week, lots of appts).

Southbury is out of the car and into the park - the water is across the field and down a short path (reallly it is about .25 miles or less)

Its dog Utopia.

Jeez, sounds like we need to have a lab spaying party, huh, Sarah?!!!

Southbury sounds great...we might be able to plan a real picnic and have ppl sign up to bring some food...as long as we get an idea of what ppl can't have (ZenCat/Lisa = no whole wheat flour :D)

I think Southbury sounds great too. Lisa and Heather, when you girls check it out, let us know how it is so we can make a final decision as to location.

What do you all think of August 29th?

I'm scared for Mia's surgury next week. With Frankie, she had it done while she was younger, I think 6 months. But since Mia is new to us, and she's a year and three months, I don't know what to expect. Do you guys think it will be more painful for her since she is older? I can't stand the thought of her in pain...I'm getting butterflies in my stomach :(

I worry too because I have both girls to watch, but it is easier having them done at the same time. Gusty got spayed right before she came to our home, she was 7 yrs old, and was perfectly fine. I think Mia will be fine, we are the ones who will really worry.

Thanks for the support, Kris. I know you all understand the freaked out feeling.

Mickey gets the snip in the middle of August, so we'll tentatively say 'yes'. We'll have to see how he's feeling, though he had so much fun with the furbabies he met, that I'm sure he'd love to give it a shot!

This is my first time with male neutering, so I don't know what to expect. I feel a little bad about it, actually, the poor little boy doesn't even know what's ahead.

I work part time but it's very flexible, so anytime during the day is good for me. A Friday night would be heck though, Route 7 through Ridgefield and 84 are a parking lot starting at around 3:30 pm. Pick a day/time that's good for you, Heather, and we'll come!

Can't believe you've all got spay-dates on my birthday!! I don't care if it *is* the thing to do, I ent getting spayed too! I will be thinking of all three of your girls on that day, believe me! Thanks for remembering my affliction. GusJack ;) There are plenty of other things I can eat though!!

Okay, I'm off to the vet with Grip and his cough now.

Zencat - How about next Tuesday or Thursday at around 1 or 2??? Would either work for you? Maybe we can scope the weather on Monday and pick or not??

The end of August sounds good, provided it is not a weekend I am working. Zeke will be back from his 3 weeks in Taiwain on the 21st. We are waiting until Zeke gets back to get Toby snipped so that will probably be some time in September.

Originally posted by ZenCat


Okay, I'm off to the vet with Grip and his cough now.

Too much salt water???

Sounds perfect, Heather. We'll talk Monday and decide whether Tuesday or Thursday is best. I'll PM you my number. We can take photos to post here!

Zen, how did it go at the vet?

GusJack: Vet thinks it's kennel cough :( since he had that huffing going on last week which she thought was allergies since it really didn't sound anything like kennel cough. But he was up coughing all night and she thinks it's better they both do the antibiotics since Drum starting huffing this morning. I told her about the party and the amount of time he spent in the water but she still thinks it's kennel cough.

And how guilty do I feel now, having exposed everyone to it???? All I can hope is that because of the salt water and the fact that Grip hardly mingled at all there was very little chance of it spreading.

Originally posted by ZenCat
GusJack: Vet thinks it's kennel cough :( since he had that huffing going on last week which she thought was allergies since it really didn't sound anything like kennel cough. But he was up coughing all night and she thinks it's better they both do the antibiotics since Drum starting huffing this morning. I told her about the party and the amount of time he spent in the water but she still thinks it's kennel cough.

And how guilty do I feel now, having exposed everyone to it???? All I can hope is that because of the salt water and the fact that Grip hardly mingled at all there was very little chance of it spreading.

I will boil the bumper tonight!!! :D just kidding...no one was "kissing" so we don't have to worry. I'll just keep an eye out.

I am on hold for this pending Mia's re-scheduled spaying appointment.

Yeah, if you need more details, check the thread in the General Chat board :(

Just got off the phone with the vet. The re-schedule date is for August 27, picking her up August 28th. Looks like Labfest 2 is a no-go here :frown: :frown: :cry2: :cry2:

Originally posted by SarahandMark
Just got off the phone with the vet. The re-schedule date is for August 27, picking her up August 28th. Looks like Labfest 2 is a no-go here :frown: :frown: :cry2: :cry2:

There will be more, don't worry. A nice winter gathering could be cool as well...for those who like snow.

Well, Mickey has an ear-infection of some type, so we may be putting off his neuter for a little bit. I saw him pawing at his ear, and I can't believe how yucky it was. He just had his ears cleaned by me on Monday, and although is right ear is perfect, his left is inflamed and oogy.

Tomorrow to the vet, :( my favorite. Ugh.

I'll know then when we'll be out of commission, maybe it'll still work out for us to be able to go.

Reminder to both Heather & myself to talk tomorrow (Monday) about getting together to scope out Southbury Dog Park this week!!!

Zen and Heather, did you guys talk? So how's it looking? I'm living vicariously through this post, since we can't come due to surgury :(

Why oh why did I say August 29th! I wish it were in September instead :( :( :(

Ya, know - it does not have to be set in stone. Maybe we should post a couple of dates to see what works best for people. What do you think? We would love to see Mia again!

That would be so SO SO SO SO GREAT

Heather, thanks :) :) :)

Maybe if it doesn't work, we'll just have to plan a Labrapalooza 3 sooner than expected!

I am QUITE happy to postpone if it means S&M and GusJack can make it!!!! GusJack, did your girls go in yesterday?? How did it go???

Shall we scrap Aug 29th and aim for Sept? Those of us who are close can always have FestEttes and check out suitable meeting places! The Advance Guard!

(Heather and I had a weather delay for Southbury Dog Park. Trying for next week)

Mia and I would be so honored if it was moved! I'm sure Kris would be pretty psyched too.

Did you all feel me kiss my monitor just now!? :D

We missed the last one! Definitely want to make this one. We can make it during the week of 8/23 but are on vaca the week of 8/29.

The pics from the last event were great. Looked like a lot of fun.

Let me know! We live in NJ (Hudson Cty).

Originally posted by ZenCat
I am QUITE happy to postpone if it means S&M and GusJack can make it!!!! GusJack, did your girls go in yesterday?? How did it go???



We are pretty flexible with dates.
Yes Lisa the girls went in on Tuesday...thread in general chat on them and after surgery pics in lab photo gallery. They did great, both have ear infections now (go figure) and are home on the mend.

Kisses to the girls GusJack! Hope they're bouncing around again soon!

We can make either of the dates, Mickey's neuter has been post-poned while we work out his ear issue. I just didn't feel good about him going under anesthesia while he's in the middle of fighting some other issue.

Interesting that they've got ear infections too! I know Mickey didn't hassle them as much as he did the others, but it makes you wonder. I hope we weren't the source, but if so, we're very sorry!!!!
:eek:

Hopefully Heather and I won't get rained out for our Southbury Dog Park Re-Con mission this coming week! Anybody who'd like to attempt a Macarena-style Anti Rain dance... please feel free!