Red Cross Pet First Aid

American Red Cross and Pawtropolis are teaming up to provide a four-hour seminar on pet first aid. The seminar will provide crucial information that could potentially save your dog's life one day! You will also become officially certified in Pet First Aid at the end of the seminar. The seminar is on the expensive side, but you cannot put a price tag on the comfort of knowing that you can save your four-legged companion's life. There are only a few spots still available so sign-up today!

Here are some more of the details:
Date: Saturday, December 8
Location: Pawtropolis University (located in Athens, GA)
Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Cost: $40.00 (pre-registration is required)
Phone number: (706) 227-7887 (I assume that you call and register)

Who let the dawgs out?

If you are heading to Athens this weekend for the big football game with your pooch, Memorial Park which is located off of Milledge Avenue is the place to go after the game. At the back of the park there is a huge fenced in area where dogs can run around and play with other dogs without their leashes. Memorial Park has one of the biggest dog parks I have ever visited.

The dog park is encompassed by huge trees that make the area mostly shaded, which is a good thing during the hot summer months. There is an on site faucet for the dogs to drink out of and chairs for the owners to sit in.

The dog park is not only a great place for the dogs to socialize, but for the owners as well. Your dog makes a great conversation starter for other fellow dog lovers at the park. I have met a lot of interesting people and have had some great conversations while sitting at the dog park.

I have seen dogs of all different shapes, colors, and sizes at Memorial Park and surprisingly have not personally encountered any aggressive dogs. I always feel comfortable letting my little pug Jack "rough house" with the other big dogs. Around five o'clock seems to be a popular time to go to the dog park since both professionals and students are starting to get home from work and school. The hand full of times that I have gone to the Memorial Park around that time, there have been at fifteen dogs! And all of the dogs have gotten along and played just fine.

I have never brought my camera to the dog park since I usually have my hands full with two extremely excited dogs, but I will make sure to bring it next time so I can post pictures of the park and the dogs on here.

Oh yeah, go dawgs! Beat Auburn!

Mark your calendar!

If you live in or around the Athens area, the Athens Area Humane Society is hosting their monthly pet care clinic on Saturday, December 1. The pet care clinic offers cheap rabies vaccinations and other low-cost services such as flea and tick treatment. You can even get a microchip ID implanted in your pet for only $25.00! Click here to find out more specifics about this awesome, inexpensive opportunity to take care of your dog!

The Athens Area Humane Society also announced on their website that the Athens Regional Spay and Neuter Center is opening on Monday, November 19. The center will offer inexpensive spay and neuter services as well as vaccinations at extremely low prices. You can call 706-353-2287 or 888-582-5554 to schedule a spay or neuter appointment.

Rainy, but still fun!

Since I am a student at the University of Georgia, several of my dog friendly places will be located in Athens, GA. UGA offers a great intramural facility that is pet friendly off of College Station Road (Exit #7) that is not only open to students, but to the general public as well. At the very back of the facility, there is an off leash permitted dog park!

My boyfriend and I took the dogs to the intramural fields on Monday evening. Even though it poured like "cats and dogs" on us for five minutes, I was still thoroughly impressed with the dog park. The dog park is enclosed by a fence, but it has wide open fields and numerous shaded trails to choose from to walk or run on within the fenced in area.We were able to play fetch with the dogs in an open field and go on a walk on one of the trails without their leashes on. The dogs had a blast!

Another couple at the dog park that I talked to goes there every day with their three dogs and have not encountered any other aggressive dogs, which can be a problem at other parks. The couple also mentioned that they sometimes keep their dogs unleashed outside of the dog park and have not had any complaints from other visitors. As far as I could tell, other runners did not seem phased by the unleashed dogs. Although I would not recommend for people to do this, unless your friendly dog will stay by your side and not distract other visitors.

This is a great place for college students to bring their dogs after a long, stressful day at school and for professionals after having to leave their dogs inside all day while at work.

The intramural fields offer a wonderful area for the dogs to aimlessly run around with no worries while providing a beautiful scenic backdrop to enjoy. What else could anyone ask for in a dog friendly place?