Come Bark With Me The Conneaut Lake Bark Park Newsletter Volume 5, Issue 10 October 2013 Martin A Paws for Martin s Building Report Everything is on target for the Dog House to be completed by November 15 th. I can hardly wait to invite my canine buddies over for a play date in the Doggie Day Care program or for an overnight slumber party at the kennel. My friends and I will be able to get as dirty as we want as soon as the new laundra-mutt is complete. We can be clean and smell good year round, without making a mess in our homes. Your owners can make reservations for Thanksgiving and Christmas boarding beginning October 20 th. Keep watching the Dog House construction pictures on Facebook (go to photos, click on albums, and go to the construction pictures) and check out the website and Facebook postings in a few weeks for prices and other important information on the new facility and programs. If you want a sneak preview of the building, just call Sue and she will be glad to give you a tour. Our own Supervisor reports on the progress of the Dog House. 5K Run/Walk and Doggie Dash Two legged Bark Park volunteers and their four legged canine companions will join together to participate in the first annual 5K Run/Walk and Doggie Dash at the Bark Park on Saturday, October 12th. The event will start at the lower driveway on the Bark Park property, heading west on Foust Road, then turning right onto Brown Road and continuing north through the intersection at Sportsman Road turning around and returning to the Bark Park. The approximate distance will be 3.19 miles. The 5K runners and walkers will be officially timed during the event. Dog owners participating in the event will walk approximately 1 mile along the same course but will not be timed. Registration for participants will begin at 7:30 a.m. with the event officially starting at 8:30 a.m. Walkers will begin approximately 10-15 minutes after the runners and doggie dash participants will bring up the tail. Trophies will be awarded to the first three runners and first three walkers for both the male and female participants. All canine participants will receive a doggie dash bandanna and prizes will be awarded for the first three canines crossing the doggie dash finish line. Registration for the event is $15.00 for runners and walkers, and $20.00 if you register after October 1st or the day of the event. Registration for the Doggie Dash is $5.00. Runners and walkers will get a t-shirt for participating in the event. Doggie dash participants can purchase a t-shirt for an additional $7.00. Participants can register online at www.conneautlakebarkpark.com. For more information contact Lisa at 814-282-1756. Proceeds from the event will support the many activities and programs at the Bark Park including the therapy dogs.
Bark Park Volunteer - Debbie Myers Hi. I'm Debbie Myers I was raised in Oil City,PA, but moved to Cochranton after my husband of one year bought me a horse for Christmas. He is also responsible for my finally having a dog. I have loved dogs and horses my whole life but was never allowed to have a dog as a child. When Jim and I got married, our wedding gift to each other was a blond cocker spaniel named Gus. He was the best first dog. Since we didn't know to have dogs neutered, we then owned Gus's daughter, Ebony and his son, Alex. But I have always wanted a really big dog. So we eventually got a Boxer named Tasia. When Tasia could no longer walk due to neurological problems, we got her a wheelchair. We were then given a yellow Lab named Sadie. And of course, we continued to have other dogs, Daisy, Pickle, Sophie, Abu... After Tasia and Sophie died, I decided it was time for my REALLY big dog and we got Makepeace Legend of Geert, a Newfoundland. What an experience that was! We learned water work together, drafting together, obedience, and many other things. He opened my world to relationships with dogs. Another thing that occurred while I owned Geert was that the Bark Park opened. Many times I have wished we had had the Bark Park when I had my other dogs. After Geert died of cancer, the Penn-Ohio Newfoundland Club gave me such support and decided I would have another Newfoundland. I got calls from 2 breeders promising puppies but the breedings didn't take. And then, we met the folks at Bear N Mind Kennels. And now we have Bear N Mind's Master and Commander, or Isaac as everyone calls him. Debbie and Isaac So I'm back to learning water work, drafting, obedience and have new goals with this puppy and can spend more time at the Bark Park. Oh, and then there's that other puppy that Jim found on the burn pile looking for food, Opie. He is a pit bull/labrador mix and a goofy mix of energy, intelligence, and love. He came to us such a flea bitten, skinny mess but now he is shiny black, loves Dock Diving, and therapy work. I don't think I'll ever be without dogs again. Volunteer at the Bark Park For the past several years, dog lovers have asked me if they can volunteer at the Bark Park. Sometimes it is a person who no longer can have a dog for some reason or other, or a dog lover who misses the companionship and contact with our furry canine companions. The answer is always yes, whether cutting grass, weeding gardens, painting, or just spending some quality time playing with a dog, volunteers are an integral part to the total success of the Bark Park. The Bark Park Committee comprised of over 20 members is responsible for the majority of grunt work that makes all of her events and programs such a success. With the new building scheduled to open in November 2013, there will be more opportunities for interested dog lovers to get involved with the Bark Park. Opportunities will be available for dog walkers, playing with the dogs, or just spending some quiet time with a dog that might need some special TLC when they are staying at the extended stay kennels or even doggie day care. A volunteer class will be scheduled for the beginning of November so volunteers can become familiar with Bark park procedures, programs, etc. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at the Bark Park contact Sue at 814-382-2478.
2013 Dock Diving Season Ends with a Big Splash The Bark Park Dock Diving organization has finished their second successful year because of the hard work, dedication and commitment of Sherry Miller and of course her flying dog Mandy. This year the club had a total of 6 events generally held on Saturdays with one Sunday event. Next year s schedule will include both Saturday and Sunday events. Dock diving competition includes 3 Big Air qualifying rounds, Big Air finals, and extreme vertical. At the conclusion of the events, a picnic lunch was always held where the dock diving enthusiasts visited with each other and exchanged dog stories. We did lose a few of the competitors from last year, but our number of participants is still growing. Last year we had a total of fourteen dogs and this year we have had a total of twenty-one of which fourteen were new to the dock diving program at the park. If anyone interested in getting involved in the 2014 season and to learn more about the dock diving program contact Sherry Miller at sherry3miller@hotmail.com
United Belgian Shepherd Dog Association Visits the Bark Park Fantastic weather and a beautiful venue combined to make the 2013 United Belgian Shepherd Dog Association (UBSDA) trials at the Bark Park on September 27, 28, and 29 a perfect combination. Belgian Shepherd owners from as far away as Florida attended the three day event along with participants from New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Everyone enjoyed the national specialty trials for their favorite Belgian Shepherd. The Bark Park continues to invite other AKC and UKC dog groups to use the facility for their trials. The shows can also give a boost to the local economy as participants stay at local hotels and motels and frequent the local restaurants. If you are presently involved with a particular dog organization, suggest to them using the 65 acre facility for their next event. With the new building and the expansion of Bark Park programs, we are offering both a tax deductible donation program or an investment opportunity to anyone that may be interested in supporting the Bark Park. Interested individuals can make a tax deductible donation at any time during the year since Conneaut Lake Bark Park, Inc. is a non-profit tax exempt corporation. Another way to support the Bark Park is to be an investor in the CL Bark Park Company, Inc. This corporation is responsible for the services in the new building including the kennel, day care and laundra-mutt. Investors would realize a large return on their investment over the next 5 years. If anyone is interested in either of these programs, be sure to contact Sue at the Bark Park. Celebrate Special Events at the Bark Park Whether it is a company picnic, family reunion, or even a doggie birthday party, consider making plans to enjoy your next special occasion at the Bark Park and enjoy the beautiful countryside setting. We will work with the party organizers to make all events special and above all, participants are always welcome to bring their canine pet to the parties. Just contact the Bark Park for 2014 availability for your celebration. Bark Park Special Wish List If you have any of the following items just sitting around and taking up space, why not donate the article to the Bark Park and get credit in your tax report since the Bark Park is a 501 C-3 non-taxable corporation. Small display counter for retail store Small refrigerator Extra towels for the laundra-mutt Wire dog crates Investing in the Bark Park
Geert's Cancer Walk & Fall Festival a Success On September 14, the Conneaut Lake Bark Park sponsored the third annual Geert's Canine Cancer Walk on a beautiful sunny day. The Walk was combined with the Park's Fall Festival so there was much to do. The Penn-Ohio Newfoundland Club put on a free carting workshop with owners attending with various breeds of dogs. Therapy Dog testing was also offered and there was a good response from folks who want to do therapy work with their dogs to help others. Paws Hand Delivered Therapy Dogs, which serves Crawford County, is centered out of the Bark Park. A group of owners put on a demonstration of square dancing with your dog which can now be seen on YouTube. Pawcasso dog painting, using a water based paint on the dog's feet, created some beautiful pictures. Dock diving demonstrations occurred throughout the day. Both ticket auctions and silent auctions were available with amazing gifts available. Vendors, good food, and great people and dogs made the day fun for all. The trophy for most money collected by a single person went to Judith Wright. The trophy for most money collected by a team went to Happy Trails Animal Health Center, Franklin, PA. By the day's end, the walkers turned in their collections which totaled over $3,500 for canine cancer research. This will bring the total donations to the University of Pennsylvania (Penn), School of Veterinary Medicine, to over $13,400. The winning team from Happy Trails Veterinary Clinic Thank you to all who assisted and all who attended. We hope to see you next year. Bark Park Dog of the Month Stella is owned by Carolyn Crandall and Ken Kaczmorski and lives in Conneautville. In July 2009, I was out walking on my lunch break with a co-worker. We encountered a young man carrying a dog that he said he found In a ditch along a highway and thought it had been hit by a car. He told us he was going to take it to the Humane Society. Almost in unison, we both said, " No you're not!" This dog had a face that melted my heart. Because we work at Ainsworth Pet we knew we could take her back to work with us. She was having trouble walking so eventually we had to call someone to come and get us and take us all back to work. Once we got back we fed her and she hid under the desk and fell asleep. She seemed to be afraid of every male that came into the office, but she went home with me that night. Ken was very kind and soft spoken to her and she seemed to relax and went into the dog kennel and went to sleep. The next day the vet told me the pads on her feet were pretty raw, probably from running for many days. Otherwise she wasn't injured in any way. Ken and I were set on finding her a home because we had six cats that we rescued over the years and also just lost a dog about three weeks before and had no intention of having another dog so soon. As the days went by we couldn't find anyone to claim her or take her, so the attachment began. We fell in love with her and "Stella" became the resident dog among a harem of cats! It took Stella about a year to totally surrender her trust but today she runs to greet us at the door with a fiercely wagging tail! We recently joined the Bark Park and Stella loves to be able to run free in the enclosed areas and swim in the pond. Her tail starts to wag whenever we turn onto Foust Road.
Groovy Pooch Schedule Puppy classes, basic obedience, rally and games are just some of the training classes offered by Katara Peters and Robin Peterson from Groovy Pooch. The next scheduled classes begin on October 22 and October 23 or January 7 and January 8. For additional information or to sign-up for training contact Katara Peters at 814-763-5968. Plans for Winter Seminars Maybe you have been in attendance at the Bark Park winter seminars in the past three years and have enjoyed the wealth of knowledge that has been shared by individuals involved in many aspects of pet care. We are again in the planning stages for scheduling the 2014 winter seminar schedule. If you have a topic you would like us to consider or know of anyone that would be willing to share their expertise on a particular dog related topic, let us know so we can continue to provide programs of interest to dog lovers in the area. SO: What s Next? (RED BARN Update) by George P. Nowack With over 1,500 visitors to the RED BARN GALLERY & STUDIO since its opening on May 18, I believe that the goal of bringing the Public to the location has exceeded initial expectations. With cooperation from various local and regional publicity sources, word of the BARN and its parent location at the CONNEAUT LAKE BARK PARK, has spread far beyond the immediate region. The BARN has also fulfilled another of its underlying goals, that of serving as a location offering to the Public a variety of classes by local Artists. To date these classes have included: Carousel Carving (Beginner and Advanced), Autumn Wreath-Making, and Drop Spindle Weaving. Classes planned for the immediate future include: Christmas Door/Wall Decorations, Glass Sculpture, and Zentangle. It is with GREAT pride to note that the Carousel Carving class is not only the ONLY class of its nature to be offered throughout the United States, but has produced two graduates who will continue the purely American Heritage of producing hand-carved wooden Carousel animals. In addition, BARN has played host to several groups of visitors. Two of these groups consisted of students from a teen residential facility. Another visiting group actually served as demonstrators in the area of spinning and weaving. Moreover, not a single weekend has passed without a MINIMUM of three Artist demonstrations. Periodically, visitors have been entertained by several musicians. SO (again) what s next? Now that the goals have been met, during the off-season, I (George) plan to utilize the successes to form the basis of my applying for grant assistance to various organizations and foundations. The bottom line that these givers require is twofold: what has the applicant organization accomplished without assistance, and if assistance is provided, how can the future goals be implemented? How does the applicant organization benefit the Community? I believe the answers to these questions are obvious! It is my most sincere Hope that the RED BARN develop into even more of a regional venue to Artists, students, visitors, and that it serves as a cooperative representative of the Vision of the CONNEAUT LAKE BARK PARK. For more information on any of the activities at the Bark Park, and to be on the mailing list, send your email information or questions to: petcem23@windstream.net or keep checking the Bark Park website at www.conneautlakebarkpark.com for updates on various activities. You can also call Sue Anderson at: (814) 382-2478. Martin and all of the other dogs remind you to visit us on Facebook too. The Bark Park Newsletter is done by Carolyn & Hobbes Nowack, big fans of Sue and all of the Bark Park dogs.