The dog log is carved with the names of beloved pets.

I started taking Charlie to the dog park this past winter on the recomendation of a friend. I wasn’t all that impressed. The idea of 11 acres totally fenced in and safe for dogs is a great one but the area itself was not particularly attractive compared to other places I walk the dog.

Now that Spring has sprung, it’s beautiful! The park is a former nursery and everything is in bloom and leafed out. An added bonus is the amazing variety of birds I hear and see. The terrain goes from cleared areas to grass to very dense underbrush, ideal habitats for many birds. My favorite time of day to walk is early evening. Very satisfying for both Charlie and me.

credit EH Patch

Syo Defenceman is the son of Afleet Alex, who was the winner of Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes in 2005, and was well on his way to becoming a phenomenal racehorse himself when a track injury afforded him a far different future.

Syo entered the rehabilitation center of Amaryllis Farm as a 3-year-old stallion in August of 2010 with a fractured foot. “Keeping a baby racehorse entertained for five months of stall rest is a feat in itself, but we managed with the help of our senior steeds,” said Amaryllis founder Christine Distefano.

Syo was gelded in late December and has spent the last four months in a physical therapy program of turnout and rest with a strong and gentle senior gelding showing him how non-racehorses live. “He may never be able to be ridden without pain,” Distefano said. “We will not know for some time yet. Spring of 2012 should tell.”

In the meantime, he is without support and seeking a highly professional human friend who is strong and confident, gentle and savvy who may be interested in adopting him in the future as a lifetime partner.  To learn more about Syo or the dozens of other refugees at Amaryllis, visit the website at www.amaryllisfarm.com, email christine@amaryllisfarm.com or call 631-537-7335.

What a cute idea! Makes me wish I was a knitter.

In recognition of Spay Day USA 2011, ARF will be hosting a
FREE or Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic for cats and dogs
February 24-26, 2011.

Eligibility requirements are as follows:

• Applicants must be a resident of East Hampton, Southampton or Shelter Island Towns. (Proof of residency required.)
• Show proof of financial need.

A special deal is being offered for Pit Bulls.

All Pit Bulls will be spayed or neutered FREE of charge. Owners must be a resident of one of the three towns, but proof of finacial hardship does not need to be demonstrated.

All eligible cats will receive a FREE microchip.

For additional information or if you would like to apply for a free or low cost spay/neuter for your cat or dog contact michele@arfhamptons.org or call 631-537-0400 x207. Appointments must be made in advance.

In conjunction with Spay Day 2011, The Humane Society of the United States is holding an online photo contest to provide an opportunity for people to celebrate their animals and help ARF raise criticial funds for spay/neuter. Make sure to select the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons as your beneficiary.

Click here for more details or to enter now!

Tyson’s Mom passed away last year and Hunny was rescued from a kill shelter . Find out more about them and see their photos at www.dogresqr.petfinder.com. 

Choose a Valentine heart for your Facebook page and Home Again will donate 25 cents to the Petfinder.com Foundation. Go to Home Again’s Facebook page to choose your heart.

That question popped into my head this morning while I was kneeling on the floor in front of Charlie, my Golden Retriever, massaging aloe into his chapped feet! Too much running on ice and snow, I guess. Maybe I should get him doggie boots?

The following was submitted 1/16/11 by Lisa Ryan of East Hampton

Yesterday, I went with Taylor to Linda’s to take Charlee and Ms Tay for an afternoon walk across the various properties. Upon letting Charlee out, the two of them dash around to the back and scare some geese who were resting on the lawn. Suddenly I notice a goose who is injured (looks like a broken wing
probably from a gun shot) struggling to walk onto the ice to safety in
the water quite a distance away. Taylor grabs the goose and brings it
to me and I get her to drop it and I leash her and DRAG her away. The
goose is playing dead and suddenly gets up and once again waddles onto
the ice and finally makes it to the water, I take Taylor still leashed
and Charlee onto the next property and then decide that all is well and
release Tay. She bolts back to Linda’s onto the ice and leaps into the
water after the goose. She ‘s almost in the middle of Hook Pond. For
five minutes Charlee and I watch Taylor swimming around in circles with
all the geese swimming around her! I’m panicking because I just may
watch Taylor drown, and decide to run back to the house with Charlee
and call 911. I tell the officer what’s happened and where I am and he
says he’ll send someone. He stays on the phone with me while I watch
from the window  Tay swimming around in circles . She has now been in
the water ten mins. Suddenly she has her front legs on the ice and has
climbed out. Thank God the ice was frozen solid and didn’t break apart
as she attempted to climb out. She shakes herself off and I tell the
cop that all is well when she turns around and jumps back into the
water. He stays on the line …… Two minutes later Taylor is once
again on the ice and is making her way to shore , I take the phone with
me and rush down to the water’s edge to meet Tay who  looks very scared
and relieved and is starting to shake violently. I thank the cop
profusely for staying on the phone with me throughout the ordeal and
take Taylor inside and rub her down with a towel and call the vet who
says to put her in a hot tub. Meanwhile Charlee is looking at me
wondering what happened to the walk. I take Taylor home and Jim and I
get her into the tub. She then gulps down dinner and falls asleep for
8hrs.

Lesson learned : always carry a cell phone, leash, treats, baggies etc
and know where you are when out with your dog!

Do you have a dog walk experience to share?

Horses on Trails Southampton Trails Preservation Society                         
                                                                           
Doreen & Gabi

H.O.T.FUN IN MID-WINTER !                                                      
EQUINE BODY WORK DEMO by FELLOW H.O.T. MEMBER DOREEN JOHNSTON    LEARN AND ENJOY WITH FRIENDS AT THE BEAUTIFUL KILMORE FARM                    located on TOWN LINE ROAD JUST SOUTH OF 27, WAINSCOTT, NY SUNDAY,          JANUARY 16, 2011, 2:00  pm - 3:30 pm. Dress warmly and bring a chair. Rain  
or Shine (indoor arena available).

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Join Bideawee in celebrating art and animals at the annual Bideawee “Love Your Pet Art Expo” for Long Island students in grades Kindergarten through 8th. This annual event will be conducted on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at the Bideawee Learning Center in Westhampton.

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