Just checking who's comming!

August 1st Malden Park Windsor ON (6 minutes from the Ambassador Bridge, I timed it!)

MI residents - respond now, to be eligible for toll pre-paid!

So far,

Christine J and baby Cinder (Hubby and Matthew too?)
Coaken and Sienna (wifey and sweet little girl too?)
luvmydog2much w/ Rhys and Owe'n (maybe a few very furry labs AKA huskies, too)

YOUR NAME COULD BE HERE!

:clap:

We're official now... the first INTERNATIONAL LabFest!

I hope that many of our Michigan and Ontario members can make it. Matthew will be coming too... not sure about my hubby.

Now, if I could just get Cinder to mind her manners around new people... :rolleyes: We'll be working on that over these next few weeks.

Don't worry, Rhys and Owe'n have promised to be on their respective best behaviours...Which means Owe will only hump Cinder for a little while. :rolleyes:

Can't wait to meet Matthew! Make sure he brings his frisbee throwing arm!

LOL... that would be a first for Cinder! I can't wait to see the look on her face!

BTW... I PM'd John and Jeannie to ask that they put a sticky on this thread. Should we/I post something in general chat to get the Michigan/Ontario members to look here? I like the link you put in your signature... I think I'll mention it in mine too.

I might be coming. We would come by boat and stay at the Windsor Yacht Club. What kind of documentation is needed to brings dogs into Canada?

When we brought sienna home from the breeder in MI all they wanted was to see the immunization records (rabies and so on) this link might be helpful.

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/heasan/import/dogse.shtml

Thanks for the link, Coaken. That's good info... I'll make sure to have a copy of Cinder's rabies certificate with me.

International . . . how absolutely appropriate for a Lab Chat Board event! :tup: You guys are gonna have a great time! Be sure to post plenty of pics! :D

Hey Christine J!
Did you clean out your mailbox yet???

Trying to PM you ! LOL ! :D

Ooops... yes, I just did! I only had 6 messages though... not sure why it was "full"!

Anyway, PM whenever you want! ;)

2labowner...the yacht club is quite a ways from the park for Lab Fest, if you need a land ride, let me know...

Melissa - Thank you.

We are on vacation that week and I am not sure if Opal is going with us. We are thinking about letting her spend 2 weeks with her trainer to get her more prepared for her first hunt test taking place on August 8th. Butchie if he is still with us would go to my parents house. So I will let you know what we decide. I would love to meet you all.

How cool! I know you guys will have a wonderful time! Take LOTS of pictures!

So our west coasters have Fested, and us east coasters are preparing, and you guys getting ready to Fest international...

It's only a matter of time before we ALL get together in one big beautiful LAB WOODSTOCK!!!

Okay, we just got back from vacation and got my message from Christine J...the date is open in my calendar and I would like to come. I don't know yet about dh and the girls (Abbey, 7 and Alyssa 4 1/2).

What time? Are there more details (grilling pits, etc.)?

Originally posted by luvmydog2much
Just checking who's comming!

August 1st Malden Park Windsor ON (6 minutes from the Ambassador Bridge, I timed it!)

I don't suppose that there will be any lab fests in the mid to mid south US. If so I would like to attend. Canada is a bit far from here and we will not be able to attend.:cry2:

Originally posted by Edpall3
I don't suppose that there will be any lab fests in the mid to mid south US. If so I would like to attend. Canada is a bit far from here and we will not be able to attend.:cry2:

Canada is too far away?! I'm in the same PROVINCE and it's too far away :rolleyes:

I can't wait to one day attend a lab fest with all of you!! Once I graduate (5.5mts to go) and get a car I should be able to at least TRY and go (roadtrip!!).

Hope everyone has fun!

I am still reading about the get together and still totally bummed that I won't be up there in time -- I will be flying into CT the 23rd of July.

Bartley's Mom

What time wil the festivities begin and how long will it last? Kendal and I might try and head back early from Goderich to catch it.:)

We don't have a time set yet... I'm not sure how far Coaken has to drive but I think the rest of us are within an hour. What do you all think about 1 pm? Something like 1 - 5? Feel free to suggest something else... I'm open the whole day myself.

Would that be late enough for you to join us Kleb? We'd love to meet you and Kendal too.

I believe this is where we stand... please confirm!

Definite:

Luvmydog2much (Melissa) + Rhys & Owe
Christine J, Matthew (age 5 1/2) + Cinder
Coaken (not sure of wife & 6 y.o. daughter) + Sienna
Riley's Mom (Jennifer) (not sure of hubby, Abbey, 7 & Alyssa, 4 1/2) + Riley

Maybe:

Kleb + Kendal
2 lab owner, spouse + Opal (?)
Remy's Mom + Remy

It would be great if all of the kids came... 3 girls from 4 1/2 to 7 plus Matthew. :rolleyes: Well, he's used to being in the minority!

Melissa... can you tell us more about the park? Are there grills? Where do you think we should meet, etc.? Did you get there to check it out?

I'm leaving tomorrow morning for a week-long vacation. I'm going to try to check in sometime during the week. Let's get the details worked out so we can have a great LabFest like they are enjoying (right now!) in CT!

I work August 1st until 10:00am, so if we could maybe about 2:00pm or later, so that I can sleep for at least two hours...that would be great. (17 hour shift the night before). I won't be cranky though if I don't sleep. I just get really Happy...

I went to the park the other day with my nephews. Stupid idea. 3 3 year olds who are potty training. I swear I am going back, and will take pics and post a description.

Christine, If Matthew wants, I can bring Jordan, my 6 year old nephew, that way he has someone to play with...other than the dogs. Jordan would love to go I am sure.

Let me know what we need, if we need stuff for Barbeque...cause no meat can be brought over the border, I would be more than happy to pick it up. I can get beverages too, its just easier that way.

I think 2:00 sounds just fine... that's too bad you'll have to work til 10:00 am that day! What a trooper!

Sure, bring Jordan! Matthew loves to meet other kids and they're still at the age where they make friends automatically.

You did what? Three 3 year olds in the middle of potty training?? That's just insane!

Thanks for offering to get meat to BBQ... I hadn't thought about not being able to bring it across the border! I don't know about anyone else, but I'm personally inclined to keep it simple and just bring a few snacks, drinks, and dog stuff. Since we're talking mid-late afternoon, I don't think I'll need to grill anything. But do let us know if grills are available for anyone else who might want them.

Do you realize August 1st is just two weeks away? Sheesh... where is the summer going?

Okay, I phoned Jordan, and he said...and I do quote 'I'll be there with bells on'. The kid is a nut.

I just assumed people wanted food, cause everyone is asking about grills. I have to admit though, Rhys is a begger, although he has never got any loot...so I would hate to have him mooching anyways.

And is it just me or does summer seem so much shorter than winter...not fair!

Can ANY food be brought across the border? I'm just wondering about snacks and drinks, particularly with kids (although i'm sure adults will snack too).

I can tell you hubby and girls are planning on tagging along, so they would LOVE to have more kids to play with!

We're looking forward to it!

http://www.citywindsor.ca/000350.asp?parks=malden


Not a bad link. As for the food items coming into Canada, it really depends on what the agent has stuck in his/her craw at the moment:). If you are bring snacks Fruits and Veggies are Usually not a problem. But it depends on the officer at the time.

Wow, this seems like a big park. Is there a designated meeting spot?

Originally posted by luvmydog2much
And is it just me or does summer seem so much shorter than winter...not fair!

Come on down to South Texas. We have a couple of winter days and the rest is summer. :D Just kidding, but we do have a longer summer, seems like from mid April or early May through October. Enjoy the Lab fest.

Kendal and I should be able to make it. I may even decide not to head to Goderich for the weekend (anything to avoid the traffic through Grand Bend).
I'm just a little worried about Kendal's behavior, he's a little head strong to say the least.:D

Well, if there every was the perfect group to bring him around, it's this one!!

Good point! I got him when he was about 2 1/2 years old and he had spent most of the last 1 1/2 years tied up outside or in a horse stall. The people that I got him from knew they weren't being fair to him, but didn't want to take him to the Humane Society. When Bruno died, they asked if I was interested and I was. Just needed to get through my grieving over Bruno first. He has brought joy back into my life and helped me stop crying over Bruno, so much (still miss the big lug a lot).
Now Kendal has the best of both worlds. The people who had him before, run a gas station near me and he sees them everyday when we go for a walk.

Sounds like it worked out great for both of you.. Another happy ending.:D

Malden Park pictures, as promised for the last century!

Finally went out to "THE LABFEST SPOT' tonight. Argh squiters. A must on your list of LabFest goodies...squiter repellent. Hail, DEET. My MIL was a trooper though, she was bored so she came along. (And all this time I thought she hated me!)

OKAY, so we didn't take the full tour of the park, cause thats just dumb, its huge. But I did get the good stuff. H 2O !!! I didn't let Rhyser off leash, cause he was way too involved with this border collie thing that was jogging with its owner, and I guess she was pretty hot...

Got some frisbee in, and more importantly, I decided this. We will all meet up here.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d938b3127cceb2dabcc1a5190000001610
Cause it is right when you pull in.

Then we will all walk, like this
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d938b3127cceb2dab32564520000001610
Up the path together and find a place, cause if we don't wait for everyone, we will all get lost. There are paths everywhere!

And there are also lots of fields...like this.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d938b3127cceb2dac83c24ee0000001610

On coaken's link, it says that there are 3 ponds, I only found two. Then the squiters mauled me. Here is a pond:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d938b3127cceb2dac96264280000001610

Here is another pond:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d938b3127cceb2dac9ede5970000001610

The boys checking the place out...don't try this at home...carrying on a remotely intellegent conversation with the MIL, walking 2 dogs, taking pictures, swatting squiters...Could have easily turned ugly.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d938b3127cceb2dac21324c40000001610

How I ended up with both dogs...RHYS WAIT UP! - Owe'n
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d938b3127cceb2dac1f664b80000001610

I met this lady and 'Paige' and told her to come to Lab Fest...I think that I am one of those people who make it scarry to be online...
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d938b3127cceb2dabdae64de0000001610

Picnic Area...
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d938b3127cceb2dab348e50f0000001610

:floor

That was too perfect Luvmydog2much!!!! A very thorough post :D Now I want to be there even MORE. I could "borrow" my parents car and call in sick for a few days...
Or...Maybe I'll just have to edit myself in once you all post pictures....:p:

So did that "Paige" lady say she'd come? Or did you frighten her? ;)

I wanted to let you know that Opal and I won't be attending. To be honest our whole vacation is up in the air. Butchie is not doing well and we have decided to stay at home until he goes to the rainbow bridge. Opal is going to stay with her trainer and this way I can stay very close to Butchie. I will let everyone know when he passes.

Everyone have a great time and hopefully Opal and I will make the next one.

I am sorry to hear Butchie.

Originally posted by 2 lab owner
I wanted to let you know that Opal and I won't be attending. To be honest our whole vacation is up in the air. Butchie is not doing well and we have decided to stay at home until he goes to the rainbow bridge. Opal is going to stay with her trainer and this way I can stay very close to Butchie. I will let everyone know when he passes.


Our hearts will all be with Butchie until then...God speed little man.

Thanks for the invite, but we have guests coming for the weekend. Wish you would have known sooner. We would have love to attend. With that many Labs in one spot, its bound to be an international butt-tucking contest. But we will keep on the lookout for some great pictures. I just know everyone will have a great time. Thanks again!

YAY!!!

I moved to Illinois last year, but still have family and friends in metro detroit... and wouldn't you know, I'll be in Michigan for that weekend for something on Saturday night... so I am going to be able to make it on Sunday, the 1st!!! WOOHOO!!!

So I'm excited to bring Lily to meet Cinder and the rest of her lab buddies!! Count us in!

Just have to figure out how the heck to get there, from the bridge... I've been to windsor before, but not in a long while... is it easy to get directions to the park from the bridge??

See you guys next weekend!!

OMG! I was so excited to see that Holly might be able to attend, and then couldn't...but can it be true? Lily?

Okay, directions from the bridge, and this is as scientific as it gets here people...

1. Show ID at the bridge, please bring two pieces, one photo and one just id...such as A driver's license and a birth certificate.

2. Drive away from those evil customs people.

3. Stay to the RIGHT hand lane on Huron Church...the bridge just turns into HURON CHURCH. Keep driving in the RIGHT HAND lane, until...

4. You see a KFC...as in Fried Chicken. Then pay attention. You are looking for MALDEN RD. There is a light at MALDEN RD. There is a Howard Johnson on the corner, opposite where you have to turn. Turn RIGHT onto MALDEN Rd.

5. Keep driving. Don't be deceived. There is another park on Malden Rd. It is quite small. You are looking for MALDEN PARK. There is a big huge sign.

Total driving time: 4 minutes in good traffic. Thats it.

Owe'n says...'Hiya Lily...How you doin'?' Wink. Wink.

Originally posted by hoochifyd

So I'm excited to bring Lily to meet Cinder and the rest of her lab buddies!! Count us in!



Yay!! That is SO great! I'm so glad you can come too Carrie... It will be wonderful for Cinder and Lily to meet.

And Kleb... yay for you deciding to come. I don't blame you for wanting to avoid Grand Bend during the weekend.

2 Lab Owner... I'm so sorry to hear about Butchie. I'll say a prayer for him and hope that his life ends peacefully when the time comes. Take care and enjoy every precious moment with him.

Monique... sorry you won't be able to make it this time. I have a feeling that we'll do this again... maybe in the early fall (??)

And YOU Melissa... what a stitch you are! I can't WAIT to meet YOU! Thanks for the directions and photo story of how our day will proceed. The park looks beautiful. It sounds like meeting at the entrance makes sense... I assume that there is only one entrance (wouldn't want some of us to go to the wrong one. :rolleyes: ) What is the rule there about dogs off leash? Am I correct in assuming that there is not a specific enclosed area for the dogs...???

Here is the current list:

Luvmydog2much (Melissa), nephew Jordan (age 6) + Rhys & Owe
Christine J, Matthew (age 5 1/2) + Cinder
Coaken (not sure of wife & 6 y.o. daughter) + Sienna
Riley's Mom (Jennifer), hubby, Abbey (age 7) & Alyssa (age 4 1/2) + Riley
Kleb + Kendal
Hoochifyd (Carrie) + Lily


Maybe:
Remy's Mom (Margaret) + Remy

Don't forget... we're meeting at 2:00 p.m. (THIS Saturday!) If everyone would like to PM or e-mail me with their cell phone number, I'll make up a list so we can stay in contact if anyone is missing, lost, etc.

I'm going to try to make up name tags... I believe I need "real" first names for the following:

Coaken (If your wife and daughter are coming, let me know their names too.)
Riley's DADDY
Kleb

Saturday will be here before you know it... *fingers crossed* for good weather!

I guess my brain was still on vacation when I posted that last message. :bang: DUH! Here is the correct date and time:


SUNDAY, AUGUST 1ST AT 2:00 PM


Hmmm... perhaps I should have listed "a lady and Paige" as maybe's also? ;)

Ha! Christine you are a nut! 'Lady' and Paige were frightened...well maybe not so much Paige, cause I had treats...but 'Lady', I can honestly say, I don't think she'll be there!

Yes, this SUNDAY I will be there at 2:00pm. It is the only entrance off of Malden Rd. So unless you take Matchette...you can only get in one way.

Off to PM you a cell #...

Um, Christine,

You are full again. DO somethin' bout that would ya!

;)

OK, I don't get it... I have absolutely ZERO messages in my inbox(!)

Off to the Q & A forum to ask Burtman "why?"

Never mind, it worked!

Add another doggie!

I will have a foster, Patches, a Lab/dalmation mix. But don't fall in love all, she has a new home!

Hopes she is a good girl!

P.S. I don't knnow if I can bring Jordan and 3 dogs...on only a few hours of sleep! We'll see!

Sorry, we can't make it :( I don't have a car, and my roomie forgot that she has all this stuff going on this sunday, so we can't come :( Have lots of fun though, and take tons of pics!! :D

OKAY, Patches is a no show. She is going to go with her new family earlier than thought, and I will only have her for two days...

Can everyone email me their name, do'gs name, names of everyone coming, children, man in the moon and phone number, cell if you have it...

luvmydog2much@aol.com

Melissa, I just sent you an e-mail with the most of the info you are looking for. (Including the cell #'s everyone has already given me.)

After I hear from Coaken & Kleb and a final RSVP from Remy's Mom (as well as anyone else who can join us!), I planned to finalize the list and distribute it to everyone attending.

It's getting close! :bounce:

Ok Dan (me), Karen (better half), Brittany (6) and of coarse Sienna.:D

If y'all decide to hold a lab fest closer to Texas let me know. I sure would like to attend. Hope all goes well with your shindig.

OMG the date is almost here...we should have new pics to see after the weekend! Yeah! Have an awesome time.

Originally posted by GusJack
OMG the date is almost here...we should have new pics to see after the weekend! Yeah! Have an awesome time.

Gusjack,
How did you ever get them to leave that tempting remote alone. :D

Originally posted by Edpall3
Gusjack,
How did you ever get them to leave that tempting remote alone. :D

In this case they were too tired...usually I have it put up...anything Kasey can chew she will. We had it one day..and poof...we didn't know it came with teeth marks :D

That sounds like Shadow. If she can see it, it belongs to her. No matter what.

OK I pm'd you Christine J....... looks very promising that Remy & I should be able to make it on Sunday!

I hope he doesn't embarrass me too much :rolleyes: LOL !

This should be a GRAND time, looking forward to meeting everyone!

eta: We plan on being there at 2pm so if for some reason we are not there, carry on without us.

Sorry for double post .....too late to modify my last one ! :rolleyes:

Anyways, does anybody know the price to admission to the park? And if they take American money???

We are meeting at 2pm? Correct??

Also, if I'm understanding correctly, we will need:

a) birth cert.
b) driver's license
c) rabies certificate
d) of course, snacks, soda etc...

Am I missing anything ????

I just PM'd you back...

:clap: I'm glad that we're likely to see you Sunday.

The only thing I can think of to add to your list is mosquito repellant... Melissa says they're pretty voracious.

Not sure about the cost of admission... Melissa, is there one?

Yea... it's almost time for OUR LabFest!

OK, here is my disclaimer / apology in advance. I'm working really hard with Cinder but she's still TERRIBLE about jumping up on people and acting generally obnoxious around new dogs. We had several long conversations with neighbors and their dogs outside last night and she did end up laying down nicely... that is, until someone would pay attention to her again. :rolleyes: I know she's still a baby, but even at 45 pounds, she's a force! And I've NEVER had her off leash in an unfenced area yet... her recall is nil just yet. She may spend her afternoon on the retractable.

I can't wait to meet those who are coming... and share pictures with the rest of you!

I am so excited!!!

I was wondering about the off-leash thing...are we allowed to have them off leash at this park? We do not own a retractable, but I will get one before then if necessary.

Originally posted by Riley's Mom
I am so excited!!!

I was wondering about the off-leash thing...are we allowed to have them off leash at this park? We do not own a retractable, but I will get one before then if necessary.

Oh, Melissa...??? :D

Oh Christine J .... I'm sure Cinder is no where as embarassing as Remy, he'll probably be humping other dogs, barking and carrying on like a clown in general, just to embarrass MOM :rolleyes:

LOL ! this should be very entertaining to say the least.

I don't believe there is an admission fee for the park. At least I've never paid one :2cents:
Can't wait until Sunday, and yes all above disclaimers and all those that follow apply to Sienna as well:cool:

OH MY, only two days left!

There is no addmission to the park.

All appologies for Owe'ns rough play, and humping, practice screaming "Owe'n no humping!' before you get there. He is in super hump mode this week, seems to me. Rhys won't care about much. He is an old man, at three. As long as someone, somewhere, somehow is going to throw his frisbee, he will be comtent and not care one ounce! Seems we are all appologizing, so here's the new rule...NO APPOLOGIZING, cause everyone's little beasts will not have a clue what is going on, this is not normal for them. If you expect the worst, they will suprise you!

Here's the thing with the off leash part. Your dogs will not leave you, cause mine won't. Amazing how this owrks, but they generally stay together. Owe'n's recall is 110%. Rhys on the other hand can be a stubborn little mule, but he comes eventually.

There is no designated off leash spot. But the park is huge. There is lots of secluded areas, that I am sure that no one will know or care if they are off leash. Everydog that I met the other day, with the exception of Paige, was off leash. The only problem might be, that the ponds that I found are right near the entrance to the park, maybe swim first, play, swim later? Rhys and Owe'n weren't sick from the water, I think that that is a good sign...

I have extra retractables, and three 20 ft leashes, so if anyone needs one, I will bring them.

Ah, yes, mosquito repellant. Anything else we need?

Getting so EXCITED! Oh yeah, Jordan says 'Are they all going to look like Rhysie or Cinder?' He has never seen a chocolate!

I'm sure Kendal will be an absolute angel.... yeah right. He's gotten over most of his humping fixation (my throw/thrown out pillows have had a rest!!) since getting fixed. Recall nil and excitable, yikes. He may spend a lot of time on his retractable to.:D

LOL luvmydog2much !

I agree, NO APOLOGIZING. As I'm sure all our little beasts will act up in one way or another.

Although I might have to take you up on offer to borrow retractable or 20 ft leash. :)

Can't wait to see everyone and their respective furbabies! This is gonna be a hoot. :D

KELB, I love your new signature pic of Kendal! He's so beautiful!

Just checked the weather, Sunday, hot and sticky, 29 degrees (thats like 92 or so for my American friends!) so I will bring my sunblock! Like I said, let me know if there is anything else, because it is best to minimize whatever you are bringing accross the border!

Will bring extra leashes and such...Melissa

Let's see if I got this right...

Melissa and Jordan
Christine and Matthew
Dan, Wife and Brittany
Riley's Mom, Riley's Dad and Abbey and Alyssa
Remy's Mom
Carrie
Kendal's Mom

Remy's Mom...is there anyone coming with you (human??)

And Remy, Riley , Rhys, Owe'n, Cinder, Lily, Sienna and Kendal...

Someone please help...I think I have lost my mind........:confused:

I think you've got it Melissa. I'm e-mailing you the current (final) version of our list.

If anyone else attending wants a copy of this list with names (real & screen), cell #'s, hometowns, dogs' names & ages, etc., send me an e-mail I'll attach it to a reply.

Can't wait to meet everyone tomorrow! :bounce:

Off to bed, see you in a few hours!

Don't know if I can sleep!

Hope you all have a great time!!! Can't wait to see the pictures :)

I started a new thread to get the pictures going...

Great time!! Hot weather!! Come take a look...

http://www.lab-retriever.net/board/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17700

(There will be more to come from Melissa, Christine and Faye I'm sure.)