Amanda in Southport!

I'm still so excited! Amanda and I Had a great time in New York, and finished off the weekend with a nice morning walk at Sasco Beach. (JJ left the shot before I could get the camera going!)

Dog Parade!

I was in New York with Amanda that Saturday - but the dog parade looked like fun! This is Southport! They started at the Pequot Library, and walked toward Southport Center. This is my daily walk (minus the costumes and firetruck!)

The Great Pumpkin!

Skipper in his pumpkin costume - he's not so sure about this....

Sunset at Sasco - nice!

What can I say? Beautiful sunset tonight!!

Objects in mirror are smaller than they appear!

Skipper - at the rocket launch Sunday. He's hanging out in the car, admiring his leaner-self.

My walk with JJ tonight!

This is Jennings Beach - just as you come onto the beach from the parking lot at Benson Marina. This is the only beach that is off-leash in Fairfield. It was so beautiful tonight! JJ had a nice time. He likes this "waliking without Skipper" thing! Skipper was so exhausted from swimming, he didn't care that we left him. He was still on his bed when we got back!

Skipper lost 4lbs!

Skipper is a mere shadow of his former self! He's down about 4 lbs! Last weight was 54.0 - down from 58.5! Top is about 3 weeks ago - bottom is today!

We're going for our swim therapy today, so he'll get weighed again. Just wanted to show a recent picture from this morning. He's noticeably smaller. I'm so excited! (Skipper is too - it's just no showing on his face).

Veggie-Balls - my recipe!

Ok - not much to write about, so here's my recipe for Trader-Joe's veggie balls I'm making for the dogs. This is suppose to make them feel full?

2-pkgs shredded broccoli
1-pkg shredded carrots
1/2-pkg spinach leaves
1 medium sweet potato (chopped into 6 pieces)
1-pkg green beans
2-apples

Put all the veggies (not the apples) in a pot of boiling water for about 5 min. Pour off water and rinse with cool water.

Spoon into a food processor, cut up the apples and put a few chunks with each batch.
Chop it up! Mix until blended into small pieces (too small to pick out and spit on the floor!)

Put all batches into a bowl, mix together.

Scoop with Ice Cream scoop into balls for freezing on a sheet
(they don't hold together well - so freezing makes it easier to handle!)

I put a thawed ball into each dog's bowl with their dry food, add warm water and mix! Makes a veggie gravy.
Skipper has lost 4 lbs so far by reducing his dry food and adding the veggies!
What we do for our dogs!

Sasco morning walk with JJ! (sans skipper)

Skipper is on the new weight-loss regime! We go for our usual ride to Southport in the morning (Skipper with head out the window, warning all dogs to stay off his road). We stop somewhere, both get a short walk on leash in front of the car. Skipper gets back in the car, and JJ & I go for a walk!

Skipper looks dejected, but gets over it quickly when JJ & I come back. There's a big reunion, then we get on with the day. I think he'll get used to staying. JJ is getting more exercise than ever! I forgot how much Skipper had been holding us back. JJ & I walked on Sasco beach this morning at sunrise. It was low tide, and JJ ran off leash. He had a ball. (Skipper was parked behind the jetty, out of view!)

We've had 2 swims so far at PAWS with Skipper. He did 12 laps yesterday! He weiged in at 54.0 lbs! He's lost 2.5 lbs already!

Skipper at the PHAT farm today!

1st Day Back at the Beach!! OCT 1st is finally here!

The dogs had a good run at Sasco beach this morning. It's good to be back! No dogs allowed from April 1 to Oct 1. I saw footprints (dog and man) already in the sand, so we weren't the first this morning. We had the beach to ourselves though. It was only 45 degrees though - burrr!

Skipper went to get a haircut this morning. I wanted him to look good tomorrow (and hopefully, less fur so they can tell what's fat and what's fluff!)

Wish me luck at the fat farm tomorrow! (Skipper thinks he's - PHAT, not fat! ha ha!)

Westport Country Playhouse!

Here's our new favorite walk in the morning. Winslow park in Westport. It's behind the Westport Country Playhouse. Parking lot is empty in the morning, and it's a nice walk through trails in the woods! There's always a few dogs to greet us like old friends.

The Playhouse is Joanne Woodward's project. She's restored this and managed to get some great directors, playwrites and actors here over the years. They have a great restaurant behind here called "The Dressing Room" - all local food! Paul Newman would come in and hang out - he's not coming by too often any more (so sad). They're working on restoring a small house as you drive in. Skipper hangs his head out the window and barks at the workers every morning.

Skipper & JJ - in Essex!

We rode the Essex dinner train saturday night - skpper & JJ spent the day there! I bought them bandannas in the gift shop. They were a hit with the kids getting off the steam train, just before our train left! They had to stay in the car - but had fun walking around most of the day.

Fall is Coming!

I'm finally getting used to the fact that it's fall. I don't know what happened to summer! I'm ready for it thought - I like the colors so far!

JJ at Southport Harbor

We had a nice walk Tuesday night before dinner! Very low tide, so there was beach to run on! JJ like the view from the fishing dock.

Skipp & JJ at the Rocket Launch!

Skipper & JJ At the Rocket Lauch this weekend - Hurley, NY. We had a ball! It's at Gill's Farm in upstate NY, in a pumpkin patch! They boys came home exhausted!

2 more weeks!

In 2 more weeks, we can return to the beach! I can't wait. My favorite place to walk with Skipper & JJ.

Skipper's New Floor!

Skipper likes the new floor in the garage - it's just his color! He's been on it before the cars (and would rather leave the cars outside!) He has trouble getting traction on the slick surface though - so he needs to work on his brakes!

Hark - I hear the cannon roar!

Skipper has developed a shear terror of cannons. Pequot Yacht Club, where we walk every day, has cannon. They send someone out at 8am, and 8pm to fire it (I have no idea why). We were next to it one night when they fired it. Skipper jumped 3 feet in the air, and has never been the same!

If we try to walk in the evening around 8 - he somehow knows what time it is (and he's usually right!) He can hear that damn cannon no matter where we are in Fairfield! Tonight we walked a little late, close to 8! I took him to another part of Southport, far away from the Cannon. When I opened the car - he was in the back shaking! He was terrified. I closed the door, and we just went for a long ride... away from the cannon.

Skipper Swims!

I took SKipper for his swim therapy today! He did really well! He looked like a beaver. He was a little nervous at first, but then started swimming around the pool like a pro. He was so cute. Torri was his teacher - he gave her lots of kisses. She said he did really well, that many dogs panic at first, but he was calm and had fun!

Skipper - taking it easy...

Skipper, JJ, Ike and lots of other dogs were at Myanis River Park sunday - we had a ball! They ran and ran, then swam and swam. They were exhausted when we got home.

Monday, Skipper was paying the price. He was hobbling around on his front leg (which has given him trouble since he was a puppy).

We're taking it easy this week. We went to Pequot Library lawn in Southport last night for an easy walk. He saw Jagger (His favorite dog in the world!) That made his day. This is a library that was built in 1889. I love this old building!

Thunderstorms at 4am

Skipper woke me up at 4am, terrified of the thunderstorm. He would run a lap around the kitchen squeeling like a pig. I got the treats and would stop him - make him sit, then give him a treat if he was quiet. He did this a few times! Then he ran a lap, ran to the treats and sat down! He thought he was getting a treat for running and squeeling, then sitting. After that, I went to bed. Trying to train him at 4am isn't a good idea!

My Dog Park Picks - Fairfield Connecticut!

I think I've tried most dog parks in my area. Here are my picks for the best!:

#1 - Spencer's Run! Waveny Park, New Canaan, CT
(Best, safe, friendly environment) Only in New Canaan would they build a park this nice. Large 1.5 acre enclosed grassy area. Nice owners, and good natured dogs. Some of the big boys get a little careless as they run together, but who doesn't like to watch a great game of dog-chase! Benches to rest for those too tired to mingle. Great spot! www.spencersrun.org

#2 - Winslow Dog Park, Westport, CT (Rte 136 & Post Road)
This is a great spot for dogs to play. several areas surrounded by trees make quite and safe play areas. Nice dogs and people! Nice paths through wooded area to walk. Stream in back wooded area for a quick dip!

#3 - Mianus River Park, Stamford/Greenwich line, CT (photo at left!)
I go with my friend and her dog occasionally (not nearly enough!) This is a wonderful walk through the woods. Paths run along a nice creek/river, with lots of pools for a swim! - (Merrit Pkwy South, to Den Rd, Left on Bangall rd, Left on Riverbank Rd, Left on Westover rd - just after Fort Stamford Park - left on Merriebrook ln. Park at end of street! Enjoy!!)


#4 - Taylor's Farm, Near Calf Pasture Beach, Norwalk CT
(Best large, open area for off-leash) Only fenced on 3 sides, but lots of room to run! Groups congregate and disperse, so you get nice variety of people and dogs.

#5 - Southport Harbor Park. - Ok, not a dog park - but a wonderful spot! Little beach for dogs to play also! This is where I walk every morning. It's heaven. Frm I-95, exit 19 (southport) - drive to harbor on any side road. Park at "Perry Park" next to Pequot Yacht Club. Walk south down to end of street (past Ye Yacht Yard) - small open park with dock! In summer, a nice residence leaves a small jar of Milk Bones and bowl of water on a rock - my dog's favorite part of their walk.

#6 - October to April only - Sasco Beach, Southport, CT. This was a cold March morning, and stormy! The waves were amazing. Skipper just sat and took it all in. I usually pick up an oyster shell and write on it when I get home. It's my beach diary! "Great walk today with skipper, saw a swan..." - love to read those and remember the walks I've had!

Just my opinion! - so many great walks around Fairfield.
I'll add more later!
mary, skipper & jj

Skipper finds a ball!

Skipper found a ball this morning.
Unfortunately, it had a boat tied to it.
If he could just reach a little further!

Welcome!

Here's my new blog - chronicling my walks with Skipper & JJ.

We have the best walks in the morning.

Come with us!