Dock Diving Diva, Mandy and Sherry

Sherry and Mandy

Hi everyone. I am sure most of you know more about my dog Mandy “best dressed dog at CLBP” then you know me.

I have lived in the Springboro area all my life. I enjoy snowmobiling, quilting, and silk screening. I went to Vo-Tech for commercial arts and graphs during my high school days. My biggest project while there was creating a new logo for the Crawford County Humane Society, which included a new sign for in front of their shelter and their down town Thrift Store.

 I have always had animals in my life. I grew up with a mutt named Sebastian, a yellow lab named Bud, a pup we rescued in a blizzard named Stormy, and my current dog Mandy a boxer/lab mix. We’ve always had horses and at one time we had up to three horses at once, and too many barn cats to name.

Mandy, the best dressed dog at
the Conneaut Lake Bark Park

I showed horses in the local 4-H club. It wasn’t till I got Mandy that my eyes really opened to the world of dog sports. In 2010 my eyes opened up to the Therapy Dog Program. During a carting accident my horse fell on my mom and crushed her pelvis. She spent 2 months at Wesbury where Mandy went with me every time to see her. After what I saw with Mandy and my mom I decided to join Paws Hand Delivered and bring that joy to others as it did for my mom.


Then in the fall of 2010 they started doing dock diving demos at the Bark Park with hopes to have a full season of events in 2011. In the spring I signed Mandy up for a class and that was it, we were both hooked. In 2012, I took over the dock diving with what I was told “just for a while to help out.” Well, three years later and guess what, I am still running it. I love the sport and could not imagine my life without it. I even get to use my artsy side in making all the ribbons and trophy’s given away at each and every event. We are slowly making updates and improvements with the help of my mom Jan, “Mrs. Home Depot”. This year the dock has officially been named, "Mandy's Dock".

Mandy's Dock at the Conneaut Lake Bark Park

Top 5 Bark Park Events for June 2014

Top 5 Bark Park Events for June, 2014 

1.       Goods and Services Auction  - Even though this event is not scheduled until  Sunday, June 29th, at 1:30 at the Bark Park, we need everyone’s help to make this a big, successful  Bark Park community event.    This is a great opportunity for Bark Park members, pet therapy handlers, and everyone who has a dog to get involved in a fun community event.  Everyone has a talent, something they can do, a hobby, and favorite pastime.  Now you can share that special talent with others and help the Bark Park raise money to continue with community events, for improvements to the outside Bark Park property, to support community events,  for educational programs, etc.   A member of Paws Hand Delivered or the Bark Park  Board of Advisors will be calling all Bark Park members and PHD members to ask for a donation of a service or even the donation of an item. In addition, you must come to the event and see what bargains are available.  We already have people donating to paint a room, take people on a champagne pontoon boat ride around the lake, a kayak trip on the Geneva swamp, piano lessons, or admission for four to Splash Lagoon just to name a few.    A list of all items to be auctioned will be available the first week of June so we need your donation of a service or item as soon as possible.  If you already know of something to donate, just send me an email at petcem23@windstream.net and we can finalize the information.  So, get involved with this fun event.  And remember, be sure to come to the event and see who bids on the service you are donating, or come and see what bargain you can try to win or be entered in a few special drawings during the event.    For more information, contact Sue at 814-382-2478  .

     

2.        Community Flea Market – Clear out all those items in the attic and cellar that you are no longer using and purchase a table at the Community Flea Market, June 7th, at the Bark Park.  The cost is $12.00 for a table 18’x20’.   If you don’t want the hassle of having your own table, donate your items to the Bark Park table.  Donations can be dropped off every day at the trailer located behind the Dog House.  Finally, come and join the fun and find that hidden treasure waiting for you to discover.  Hours are 8:00 – 2:00, $.50 per person admission fee, refreshments available to purchase.

3.       Canine Carnival – Re-scheduled for June 7th, and will occur at the same time as the Community Flea Market.  General information and schedule available online here.

4.       Training classes begin outdoors at the Bark Park on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 3+4.  Contact Katara Peters, Groovy Pooch training,  at 814-763-5968 for more information and to sign up.

5.       Lure cursing is coming to the Bark Park on Sunday June 22nd.  Dock diving is also scheduled for that day.   Every dog is welcome to try this exciting dog performance sport.  More information will be available online or contact Melanie at the Dog House, 814-382-2267. 

Bark Park Membership Reminders

Bark Park Membership Reminders    

                                                April 2014

1.      It is very important for all pet owners to be sure your dog’s health requirements for the Bark Park are up to date. Pay particular attention to bordatella, and the required fecal.  For your convenience, you can have your vet fax the health information update to 814-382-2267.

2.     We are presently having trouble with the water line to the field area.  There is water in a 5 gallon container by the water pump and there is water at the end of the asphalt area near the picnic tables at the dog house.

3.     If you are considering having your dog in day care, check with Melanie and complete a temperament screening for day care.  Then, you will be able to use the facility at any time.  All Bark Park membership renewals for 3 months or longer qualify for one free day at doggie day care. 

4.     If you use coupons, coupons can be placed in a basket in the trailer.  We have added a 25 visit coupon book for $85.00, good for one year from time of purchase.

5.     There is pop, water, chips, and crackers available for purchase in the trailer.  Just leave the money in the dog dish.

6.     Use the Bark Park for your dog’s birthday party.  Call us for details.

7.      There are 10 different membership options and special discounts available at the Bark Park.  Check out the April newsletter found on the website or call and let us help you find the membership program that is best for you.

8.     Red Barn Gallery will open on Saturdays and Sundays beginning May 3^rd.  Be sure to check it out.

9.     After dock diving, stop at the laundra-mutt, bring your own towels, and  just rinse off your dog for $3.00.  Use all services including shampoo, dryer, and our towels for a flat rate of $6.00.

Membership information can be found on our website!  Click here.

If you have any suggestions, comments, questions or concerns, please let us know.  We want Conneaut Lake Bark Park to be the very best dog park for members and their canine companions.

One Week Membership Free Offer!

Find out more about the Conneaut Lake Bark Park at our website!  http://www.conneautlakebarkpark.com
and Like us on Facebook!

Dock Diving Summer Fun Event

On Saturday, June 23^rd, Conneaut Lake Bark Park Dock Diving Club will hold a “Summer Fun Dock Diving Event”.  The event is open to anyone that wants to participate and have an opportunity to see how their “high flying dog” could compare in a registered dock diving event and a chance to better understand the procedures associated with competitive dock diving.   

Registration will open at 9:00 with the first splash (class) to start at 10:00. Open dock will be from 9:00 until 10:00.  We will have 3 sets of splashes and also the extreme vertical.  The splashes will be $5.00 each and you can enter in one or all three.  Finals will follow shortly after the last splash.  If you qualify for finals they will be free. The schedule is as follows.

9:00 – 10:00    Registration
10:00              Splash #1
                      Splash #2
                      Extreme Vertical
                      Splash #3
                      Finals

We will run the first splash and take a 15 min break then the 2nd splash and a 15 min break  and so on.  Ribbons will be awarded to the winners. Any questions on procedures, cost, etc.,  please feel free to call Sherry at           814-336-9442.

Find out more about Dock Diving at Conneaut Lake Bark Park: http://www.conneautlakebarkpark.com/dock-diving

 

Life with Opie: A Dock Diver!

Opie the Swimmer

Opie loves the water. He learned to swim in our little pond before our Newfoundland puppy did.

At the Hot Diggity Dog event at the Bark Park on May 19, I took Opie with me. Ron Oswald and his Doberman, Ruby, were going to the pond so we joined them. Ruby was running into the pond and jumping into the water and Opie, with his dramatics, was crying, touching the water, and fussing. Eventually, he stepped in.

I threw Opie's bumper into the water a few feet and again, after the dramatics, he went in and got it. Then I threw it about 5 feet, then 8 feet and finally, Opie just leapt off the side of the pond into the water.

He LOVED it!! He was so excited. I threw it several times and Opie jumped into the water each time with such joy.

Then Ron said that I should try him on the dock. The Bark Park has an official Dock Diving dock with classes for beginners and advanced dogs.

I wasn't sure about this but I took Opie up on the dock and showed him the end of it with the drop and then threw his bumper. Off he went! And then he jumped off 4 more times. Opie had a wonderful day.

When we got home, Opie came to me several times in the evening and put his head on my lap as if to say "Thanks Mom. I had a great day." Going to the Bark Park for Opie is like going to Doggy Disney World.

Come, Sit, Stay ... GO!

Conneaut Lake Park Dock Diving Meeting

Sometimes reaching a speed of just over 30 miles an hour while running for a distance of 35- 40 feet, the flying dock diving dogs  can provide a new sport for local pet owners and their canine companions. 

The  Conneaut Lake Bark Park Dock Diving Dogs Club will hold its first meeting of 2012 at Perkins Restaurant, Meadville, at 2:00 pm on Sunday, April 22^nd, in the back room.   The dock diving instructor is Marty Schlossnagel from Grove City. The meeting will cover practice schedules, classes,  dock diving activities at the Bark Park, and plans for special events. 

Any dog and any breed could be a potential dock diving dog.    The most important item in dock diving is to find the toy or item your dog is absolutely crazy about and is willing to bring back to you.  Dogs are also permitted to wear a safety vest if necessary when dock diving.  

Come to the meeting and find out about this great, exciting canine activity. Additional information is online atwww.conneautlakebarkpark.com  or email Marty at mschlossnagel@gmail.com  or call Sue at 814-382-2478.