In the time I have left to live, I'd like to tell you what I feel. I've lived chained to this doghouse since I was a puppy...and I will die here, out of sight, way back in this yard.
I've lived through bitter winters in this uninsulated doghouse, through mud in the spring, and I can't escape the heat of the summer. the insects bother me. The itching is bad. I never see a doctor.
I've never known what it's like to curl up on the hearth in a living room. I've never slept on the rug at the foot of my owner's bed. I see someone a few minutes a day, when they bring me food...if they don't forget. My water dish, well, it's often dry. It's frozen in the winter.
Can't they see from the way I wag my tail, how much I'd like to play? How much I'd like to go for a walk on a leash? How much I'd like to strut down that show ring? How much affection I can give?
I feel tired now. I know my end is near. my heart is saddened for all the dogs that live like me, on a chain, on bare ground...their whimpers unheard..the loneliness they feel...
October 3,4 and 5, 2008
The New England APBT Club will be our Host Club and the show will be held in Enfield, CT
Conformation, obedience and weight pull to be offered
Comments i found about the very controversial topic of
The flirt pole/Spring pole
1. I have no idea. It's a common idea though, and simply owning those items can be considered dog fighting paraphernalia. Same with treadmills too. A responsible pit bull owner should also have a 'break stick' but it can also be considered paraphernalia when it is supposed to be used just in the most dire of emergencies. My bullies loved their spring pole until the local police department made me take it down. (They knew it was only entertainment for the dogs, but the neighbors were worried that I was using the "toy" as fight training.) Seems like responsible bully owners are suffering more and more, and so are the dogs, because they can't do the playing things they enjoy doing.
2. there are flirt poles for cats, too, (you know: cat teasers) I guess people are training their cats to fight as well
3. It is because some dog fighters might use something like that to train their dogs. which makes everyone out there think that every pit bull in the world is mean and is meant for fighting. This kind of thing is never true, but some people out there are so ignorant and stupid that they can't see that not all pit bulls are mean. Dogs are never born mean, it's the owner that changes their character and personality. And its not just pit bulls that would want to pull and tug on things, just about any dog likes a good game of tug-of-war, this doesn't make them mean or angry at all! Anyone that thinks that all pit bulls are mean and meant to dog fight doesn't know what they're talking about and should learn something before opening their mouth!
4. WHY is it that if someone uses a spring pole to exercise their dog, they are automatically labeled a dog fighter? Flirt poles too? Sure, dog fighters use spring poles and flirt poles....but so have I, and I'm certainly not a dog fighter. What's so wrong with exercising the natural instinct in your dog? Why is it hounds can use flirt poles without there being accusations? Why can other breeds use spring poles without accusation?
Favorite exercises here at MGXLPits
This is a great form exercise for you and your Pit Bull. High energy breed dogs require substantial amounts of exercise to keep them happy and healthy, plus exercise is faze 1 to dog training. Now what better way to do that with out fully exhausting yourself, plus the dogs all love it and adapt very quickly to it as well, you might come in to find them like this after a good run
but they will always beg with those crazy noises they make to run everytime they see you pick up that bike.
We attach the leash to the seat post of the bike. The seat post will be your center of gravity while biking. The dog pulling on the seat post doesn't affect your handlebars and in fact can hardly be felt at all during the ride if anything make sure you buy 1 of those gel covered seats for your bike (anyway). We attach the leash by putting the snap through the handle and pulling out the slack. Then wrap the leash around and around the seat post until it's long enough that when clipped to the dog, the dog's head reaches to about the middle of my front tire. This way the dog can't cross in front of you and the bike. The front tire of the bike will indicate the direction of travel to the dog, front wheel turns left, the dog will feel the pull to the left and follow, turn the wheel right and the dog will feel the pull to the right and follow as well. Always keep you Pit Bull on the inside of the bike, away from the traffic don't run your Pit Bull like hes a championship grey hound. Slow your pace while riding with your dog, especially going downhill, shortly after the ride give your dog a little cold water to drink.
The next time your ready to ride he'll be looking right at you ready to go. Check with your vet but we start biking our pups at 8 months of age, if you feel your pup is working too hard, feel free to walk him with the bike as well, sometimes those hills get the best of me and we end up walking anyways, just remember to keep your dog on the inside of the bike away from the traffic
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Nod Brook. Water and no leash - Dogs run/swim. This area is designated as a Dog Training Area for the field trial enthusiasts, Please make sure to make sure that your dog does not interfere with the training that goes on there. Nice area. Avon/Simsbury. Location: Off Rt 10 In Simsbury/Avon line. By Chubb Insurance. Directions: Off 44 in Avon: Route 10 heading to Simsbury. RIGHT at light going into Chubb Insurance. RIGHT at 1st stop sign, just past the bike/walk path. Take bumpy road till it ends. The sign for Chubb Insurance is hard to see, but it is part of the Tower Business Park which is a big easy to spot entrance. We went way too far and had to backtrack, so learn from our mistake! It's a terrific place to take your dog, though. Ours learned how to swim there and we'll be back again!
Our Dog Park, Short Beech, Branford CT. The permanent metal fence that is safe for dogs of all sizes with double gate entrance. Location: Behind Adult Day Care Center on Short Beech Road Branford. 421 Shore Drive officially. Directions: Look for Short Beach on Map Quest, Then 421 Shore Drive. Young Park. There is an enforced leash law in Branford so be careful as this is NOT a town recognized dog park. They usually leave you alone but the partial fenced part is a kids softball field so if there is a game it may be an issue. That is an actual pond but watch out for the swans they will chase your dog Field w/pond-Wooded trails, swimming pond, trails, lots of friendly dogs and people. Leash dog on the way to the field. This is a very nice place to take your dog, it has trails which are marked, there are several routes to take. Also a semi-fenced in field. I felt comfortable enough to let my dog go w/o a leash. I would bring water, and you also must bring a leash. I did not feel comfortable letting my dog swim in the pond, as it was very "pond like". It was a very nice park overall. It took us about 40 minutes to circle around once. Location: I95N to exit 56. Make right follow to stop sign. Make right on to Rt.146. Follow 146 quite a ways, very twisty turny, you will have to make a hard left to keep following 146, veer right @ fork, there will be a golf course, Young Park will be on your right, entrance is on right.
Bristol Dog Park: Proposed Site Rockwell Park off Route 72. Dog owners in Bristol and surrounding towns currently have access to Robert's Property. However, we are working together to build an official dog park! We have a $35,000 estimate for fencing, gates and poop bag dispensers. Location: We currently have an unofficial 50 acre dog park off of James P. Casey Road across the street from Chippens Hill Middle School. There are poop bags on site.
Bristol Park. (This park is not an official dog park yet. Some people are working on making this a dog park. But until it is official, it is illegal to take your dog without a leash.) Very large open field. Trails and a HUGE hill at the back of the field for dogs to run up and tire themselves out. Lots of friendly dogs and people. Limited parking in small lot (maybe 5-6 cars) but I think parking on road is permitted. Busy road though. Location: Across from Chippens Hill School. Directions: Route 6 in Bristol - at Staples / Dunkin Donuts, turn right. Go about 1-2 miles, passing little league fields. Continue straight through a couple stop signs and a light. Park is on the left side, immediately after the cemetery and directly across from the school.
Trout Brook Valley. Trails for dogs, horses, hiking, picnicking, and for blueberry picking. Location: Aspetuck Land Trust's Crow Hill and Jump Hill Preserves in Easton, and Bradley Road in Weston
Enfield Dog Park - Committee - We are forming a committee to do a volunteer effort to build a dog park in Enfield CT.
Viney Hill Brook Preserve. Fenced in dog park and nature preserve. Swimming pond with life guard. Location: Essex, CT. Not easy to find. Look for sign off old route 9 just south of town towards Old Saybrook. Directions: Go North on Old Route 9 from Old Saybrook, CT. Turn left approx 1/2 mile past Essex town line. Follow brown park signs.
Mohegan Lake. Along lakeside and trails. Trees, bags, benches, trash cans, parking.
Granby Dog Park. Granby dog park is a fully fenced park, double gated , mulch surfaced. Water is off for the winter so we ask that you bring water in a jug for your dog. poop bags are available. Location: Salmon brook st at Salmon Brook Park. Directions: Directions from Route 91 North & South: Exit 40 (Bradley International Airport) to Route 20 / East Granby / Granby Exit. Route 20 West to Granby center. At intersection of Routes 10/202 & 20, take left onto 10/202 and get into the right lane. Continue through lights on 10/202 South - park is on the right. From Route 44: North on Route 10 to Granby. Park is located just before the town center on the left. From Western Massachusetts: Take Route 57 to the center of Southwick. At the end of Route 57, take a left on Route 10/202 South through town and into Granby. Continue on 10/202 until you pass Granby town center. The park is on the right just past the town center. When you turn into the park entrance, go straight and turn right at the fork in the road. The Dog Park is located at the far end of the parking lot just after the horse exercise area on the right (tan highlighted area in the park layout below).
Grass Island Dog Park. Small but busy. Two fenced areas for large and small dogs. Tends to get a little soggy, but worth a visit. Surrounding waterfront/park area nice for leash walks. Location: Grass Island Road. Directions: I-95 Exit 3 onto Arch Street towards RR bridge (left from N, right from S), left onto Horseneck, left onto Shore, left onto Grass Island. park immediately on right.
The Copp Family Park. Fenced in big and small dog park area. Un leashed in fenced area, and some trails around the park. Lots of trees and tables. There are plastic poop bags, but no water, so you must bring your own. Location: Rt. 184.
Hamden Dog Park. Description: Fenced in, trees with a path around the outside. Picnic tables, water bowls, poop bags. Lots of dogs! Location: Waite Street. Directions: Route 15 to Whitney Ave, left onto Waite Street. It's on the right. (Thank you Sam Hill)
Harwinton Recreation Area. This is a great place for dogs to romp off-leash in the woods and water but, again, care should be taken to leash up while other park visitors pass if they appear uncomfortable with dogs. Field and wooded 1-2 mile trail, much of it running along a brook. There are picnic tables, a pavilion and a pond but no restroom facilities. Frequented by lots of dog owners and off-leash dogs but others use the park, as well, so some sensitivity should be shown when approaching children or people who aren't crazy about dog slobber. Location: At the intersection of Routes 4 and 118 in Harwinton. Directions: Route 4 (west or east, depending on where you're coming from) to it's junction with Route 118. There is a sign for the park at the junction traffic light, diagonally across the street from The Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Eisenhower Park. Fenced, trees, restrooms, & benches. There are donated plastic bags and trash in dog run, NO water so bring some and NO facilities!!!... in the main park the facilities are typically closed... The entire park is numerous acres of fields and woods BUT Is ON LEASH ONLY the main park appears underused however on a typical day. Expect riders on horseback anywhere and anytime (YOU have to be on leash) model airplanes in the south field as well as birdwatchers, High school cross country meets, as well as annual events that require you to be leashed... Take our dog to the dog run use but don't abuse the facilities, The Run was donated by members of the community and while the public works does cut the grass and empty trash bins the dog run is self/user maintained and kept up so be a model citizen and clean up and curb your dog from digging... thank you. Location: North Street ( Route 121). The Main Public use park the dog run is located Off West River from North St, north towards Orange town line left on Flax Mill RD to left on West River Rd 3/4 of a mile on left to enclosure. Directions: From RT 1 post road north on North Street to Flax Mill Road (at the Orange Town line) left to stop sign West River RD... 3/4 of a mile on the left is the dog enclosure for off leash activities... The rest of the Park is for ON leash only and is patrolled !!! as such From the Merritt exit 55 (b) if northbound left on Wolf Harbor to the stop sign and left on West River the entrance is on the right about 5 houses down (on the curve
Spencer's Run, Waveny Park. Fenced dog park, dogs are off-leash.
Divinity School Dog Run. Small but beautiful fenced in dog run for the neighborhood dogs and visitors. It is located in the middle of a residential area so dogs must be refrained from barking. Location: St. Ronan Street. Directions: From I-91, take exit 6 (Willow St) and go into New Haven at exit (not Hamden). Travel on Willow about 1 mile until it dead ends on Whitney Ave. Make a right on Whitney and a few feet down, make a left at the first stop light onto Canner St. Make a left at first stop sign onto St. Ronan and the park will be half a block down on the right. Lake Wintergreen. Big open area surrounding a lake. Not fenced in but far from the street, I feel comfortable to let the dog run around off leash. There are sometimes other animals and wildlife around (deer, rabbits). Location: West Rock ridge.
Cranbury Park. Wooded and fields. No leash required. Tons of dogs all the time.
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Cranbury Park. Located on Grumman Ave. Water, trails, trees, tables, restrooms. Taylor Farm. The pond at the park is great however your dog will need a bath when she or he gets home! Large fields, swimming pond, trails, fenced by the road. Location: Beach Road, Norwalk CT. Across the street from Calf Pasture Beach.
Pawsitive Park. Off leash, fenced park with separate areas for large and small dogs. Location: Asylum Street. Directions: Off leash park sectioned for small and large dogs. Location: Aslym Street. Directions: Off 395N Exit 80 East (Rte 82) towards downtown Norwich end of exit take a right and go about a mile till you see CVS (on left) turn left at the light there just past CVS. Park is less than a mile on your right.
Clarke Park. Great hiking trails with water for dogs. Amazing trails and dogs off leash are very welcome. Obviously standards apply...pick up after dog or cover it in woods. Location: Old School House RD.
Bark Park Dog Park. Fully fenced, two separate areas: Small Dog and All Dog. Water, benches, built in toys, great people and pups. Location: Prospect Ridge. Off Governor St. Directions: Rte. 35 or 33 to Main Street in Ridgefield. Past the fountain, first traffic light (Governor St.). Make right, go all the way to the end. Make another right. First left turn is the park.
Rowayton Dog Park. Fenced in on 3 sides with the fourth side having a stone wall which some dogs are able to jump, off leash dog park, water bowl for drinking, poop bags, trash can. Great place to go if you need a fenced in park. You can always see where your dog is at. Very friendly park. Location: Highland Ave. Rte 136 next to the Rowayton Library.
Southbury Off-Leash Area. There is a small fenced in area, and also a large non-fenced in area. Southbury (Oand G). dog park off leash is opened plenty of swimming. Location: Route 67. Directions: exit 15 from 84 right off exit to rt 67 left at light cont. on 67 look for sign that says O&G go left. Please make sure to follow the rules that you find.
Mill Street Dog Park. Dogs must be registered in Southington. Old Baseball Field -Off leash park. Location: Mill Street - Southington, CT 06489. Directions: Off of Queen Street.
South Windsor Bark Park. 1 acre off-leash fenced dog park. Separate areas for smaller dogs and larger dogs. Location: End of Chief Ryan Way (dead end). Directions: Off of Sand Hill Road.
Mianus River State Park. This is not a legal off-leash area. While this area is not frequently patrolled by enforcement offices, one does incur some risk when not using a leash. Great off the leash park- hiking trails along the river, tons of great dogs always looking to play, go swimming. Location: south of westover rd in stamford, near the stamford/greenwich border.
Anna James Paffard Woods, Avalonia Land Trust. 30 acres of trails, nature preserve. Location: North Main Street. Directions: I-95 xt 91S, follow arrows to Stonington and Notrth Main Street.
Southington Dog Park. Old baseball field. Off-leash park, completely fenced in with a separate area for small or timid dogs. Double-gated entrance, poop bags and trash cans for disposal. Many improvements possible in near future. Nice friendly environment. Location: Mill Street. Directions: Rt 84- exit 32-south on Rt 10 (Queen St) appx.2 miles-right turn onto Mill St-park is after greenway trail on right.
Bark Park- South Windsor. Fenced in dog park. Separate area for large and small dogs. Location: Nevers park. Directions: Near Nevers park and south Windsor police station.
Sunny Brook Park. Hiking, trails, pond. Tons of hiking trails. Great for dogs off-leash. Tons of dogs and friendly people. There is a pond, but take care as early summer there are baby geese and the people who fly model airplanes will report you if your dog hurts any wildlife. (rightfully so) Be aware because many families also walk there with children. Please no aggressive dogs. Look forward to seeing you there! Location: Located on Newfield Rd in Torrington. Directions: Look up on Mapquest. Newfield Rd. It is on the right hand side past the dam coming from Torrington.
Valley Falls Park. Nice hiking trails. Located off route 84 to tunnel road and left onto valley Falls Rd.
West Haven Dog Park. Small completly fenced area for dogs to exercise & socialize off leash. A few park benches. All grass area. Trash barrel outside gate. Bring your own bags. No watre/facilities. Parking lot across the street. Location: Platt Avenue & Educational Way. Near back entrance to West Haven High School adjacent to the tennis courts.
Winslow Park. Located on Route 1. Trees, trash, & tables.
Wethersfield Dog Park. Small dog and large dog areas. Plenty of trees and benches. Watering stations provided. Please bring your own water. Location: Mill Woods Park, 154 Prospect Street.
