Dog Friendly Windsor

Responsible Dog Ownership Event

2009-11-07T10:42:00.000-05:00

Saturday, November 7, 2009 from 12 noon until 4pm
Tecumseh Carling Park Dog Park

A fun and educational event will feature canine health and recreational information, training demonstrations and local canine service providers.

RAFFLE PRIZES & Fundraiser event for the Windsor Essex County Humane Society!

PET PIX PORTRAITS by Angie Chauvin!
DOGGIE DOOR PRIZES!!
FREE NAIL TRIMMINGS!

Exhibits by:

Angie Chauvin Photography
Animal Antics, Animal Behaviour Centre
Crossroads Canine Academy & Day Camp
Dog Legislation Council of Canada
Essex County K9 Services
Poochies Mobile Spa
Riplees Ranch
Ruff Cuts Pet Grooming by Nathalie
The Dog Coach
Windsor Essex County Humane Society

(rain date: Sunday, November 8th)

New Dog Park in Windsor

2009-08-31T12:31:00.003-04:00

There is a new dog park coming to Memorial Park on Ypres. Strange that it's so close to the other park, but a nice addition to the city. I'll post more soon when it opens officially...I guess they have a bit more of the fencing/gate to finish.

Dog Friendly Tecumseh?

2009-06-24T12:06:00.002-04:00

Check out this ridiculous story:

Non-resident pooches banished from dog park

Deputy Mayor Tom Burton is so convinced the town’s new dog park is being overused by non-resident dogs that he wants the OPP to collar the offending owners and charge them with trespassing.
Burton got town council Tuesday to approve a motion to make the town’s new off-leash dog park off-limits to anyone who doesn’t buy a Tecumseh dog tag for their pet.

Terrible tourism. Terrible public relations.

You want the dogs of your town to be socialized as it makes life a lot easier for everyone. What does it matter if those dogs are from another area? You have to pay for the park maintenance regardless of who uses it. In addition, Tecumseh residents have used the Windsor dog parks for years and I do not think that anyone here cares.

So on behalf of Windsor's dog lovers, we welcome you to come to our city and welcome you to use any of our parks alongside our residents! Bring your kids, bring your dogs. Perhaps you live nearby or perhaps you are vacationing here...we do not mind. We know that you might shop or grab lunch or a coffee while you are here (or even book a hotel room) and we welcome you to return and do this on a regular basis.

Of course, regardless of where you play with your pooch you should have your vaccinations up-to-date and have your pet registered where you live. That just helps protect us all.

My dogs look forward to meeting your dogs in the near future!

Border City Barkers Agility Club (Windsor)

2009-04-24T08:00:00.000-04:00

Name: Border City Barkers Agility Club
Location: 4465 Huron Church Line Road, Windsor
Map: Click here for a Google map.

Dog Notes:

Training is indoors at Windsor Therapeutic Riding
Bring your own waste bags (but there are clean up tools available)
There is one garbage can outside
Bring lots of treats
There are no washrooms or water taps so "go" before you go and bring water for your dog
$100 for 6 lessons; you must take the beginner course then intermediate before you can attend their "drop-in" sessions

Family Notes:

Some children take the class with their parents
Lots to watch but nowhere to sit

Notes: Since Leeloo is a climber we thought she would love this class and we were right. The trainer is fantastic and energetic and the reinforcement of basic obedience was great.

PetSmart Training (Windsor)

2009-02-12T21:54:00.006-05:00

Name: PetSmart Training
Location: PetSmart, 4001 Legacy Park Drive, Windsor
Website: training.petsmart.com
Map: Click here for a Google map.

Dog Notes:

Bring treats
Must use leash
There are many clean up areas and garbage cans
Discounts for rescue dogs; regular price for beginner class was $119

Family Notes:

Washrooms and seating areas

Notes: We're enjoying our training and some families do bring a child to help with training.

Chopin Park (Windsor)

2008-11-21T08:00:00.001-05:00

Name: Chopin Park
Location: Franklin Avenue & Rossini Blvd, Windsor
Website: n/a
Map: Click here for a Google map.

Dog Notes:

Must use leash
Bring your own waste bags
There is one garbage can
Bring your own water

Family Notes:

No washrooms or seating areas
Senior and junior swing sets
Small playground equipment
Softball diamond
3.8 acres with lots of open, grassy areas

Notes: Not very well lit at night.

Malden Park (Windsor)

2008-11-14T08:41:00.004-05:00

Name: Malden Park
Location: 4200 Malden Road, Windsor
Website: http://www.citywindsor.ca

Dog Notes:

Must use leash
Bring your own waste bags
There are lots of garbage cans around the park
Washrooms are available but you might want to bring your own water as the opening times may vary

Family Notes:

Lots of picnic tables and areas to have a nice lunch
War memorial
Toboggan hill and lots of trails
Pond with ducks and geese
175 acres with naturalized or paved trails for hiking, biking, etc.

Notes: On cooler days, bring proper attire as the area is quite open and the wind is strong. On the day we went there were glass bottles smashed all over the memorial so we had to stay away.

Enjoying Life

2008-11-07T21:42:00.003-05:00

Sorry for the hiatus! Things have been very busy and we are getting used to some changes in our life.

I have recently started a part-time job at Sanson Estate Winery and you can read more about that on My Local Food, my blog about trying to eat locally in Windsor and Essex County.

The other time-consuming thing has been preparing our house for the arrival of our foster dog, Jonathon. We are now blessed with two corgis that make our home a wonderful place to be. So from now on, the photos are sure to include Jonathon's tri-colours along with Leeloo's brindle coat.

The Hounds of Walkerville (Windsor)

2008-09-03T20:17:00.002-04:00

Name: The Hounds of Walkerville
Location: 460 Giles Blvd East, Windsor
Website: http://www.thehoundsofwalkerville.com

Dog Notes:

Doggie day care and grooming
Socializing your dog is a VERY important part of a dog's development
Excellent rates for all services provided
Owned and operated by Karen Jones, a vet tech with specialties in canine behaviour, dentistry, and grooming

Family Notes:

Well, this really isn't a family activity but it can help your sanity!

John R. Park Homestead (Harrow)

2008-08-31T10:00:00.000-04:00

Name: John R. Park Homestead
Location: 915 County Road 50, Harrow
Website: http://www.erca.org

Dog Notes:

Must use leash
There are lots of garbage cans around the park
Bring your own waste bags
Washrooms are available but you might want to bring your own water

Family Notes:

Lots of picnic tables and areas to have a nice lunch
Boardwalk along the waterfront
1850s house/museum, farm buildings, blacksmith shop, farm animals
$4.50 Adults, $2.50 Children, $12.00 Family

Notes: Bring sunscreen and your own food and drinks. There are some fruit and vegetable stands down the road though if you want to stop and pick up fresh food. There are also 2 wineries very near by.

NEWS: Pet Owner Responsibility Bylaw

2008-08-13T14:48:00.002-04:00

From the Windsor Essex County Humane Society:

At its meeting on May 20, 2008 the Council of the City of Windsor agreed to facilitate public meetings in each of the five wards to document the public’s response to the Humane Society’s proposed ‘Pet Owner Responsibility Bylaw’.

Please consider attending and adding your voice. If you are a dog owner then you may also have a love of animals in general and if you love cats (or if you want to see the stray population controlled) then you should attend and support this cause.

Meetings are being held this week and next to review the information.

You can get details from the City of Windsor.

Or get more information through the Humane Society's website, including an overview of the proposal.

I license my dog each year and would be willing to do this for my two cats as well. I find the cost negligible when you consider the reward. Please join me!
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Blueberry Social

2008-08-07T10:48:00.005-04:00

Celebrate blueberry season this Saturday, August 9th, at John R. Park Homestead (915 County Road 50 E, Harrow) from 10am to 4pm.

Dogs on leash are welcome!

There will also be:

Craft vendors
Blueberry pie
Ice cream sundaes
Live music
Games for kids

You can also pick your own blueberries that same day at nearby Klassen Farms (954 Co Rd 50 E, Harrow).

I'm hoping to make it there with Leeloo so I'll post more information after the event.

Bert Weeks Memorial Gardens (Windsor)

2008-08-03T10:00:00.000-04:00

Name: Bert Weeks Memorial Gardens
Location: Riverside Drive East (between Parent & Langlois), Windsor
Website: http://www.citywindsor.ca/

Dog Notes:

Must use leash
Dogs are not allowed in the fountain area (phooey!)
There are few garbage cans on the trail so you may have to carry your bags
Waste bags are available at some entry points
Washrooms are available during the day (close to Parent Ave) but bring your own water
Paved trails (1.2 km round trip if you go from the parking lot on Parent to the end of the eastern trail and back)

Family Notes:

Lots of benches and lots of shady areas
Sun dial and water fountains with lots of seating
Some shade along the waterfront but mostly open
Connects to Hatch Memorial Wildflower Gardens with information signs
Walk, run, bike or rollerblade (fully accessible)
Washrooms are open during the day

Notes: Bring a lot of water as the majority of the trail is in direct sunlight. Unfortunately dogs are not allowed in the fountain area so you have to stay on the path along Riverside or along the waterfront while your family enjoys a close up of the fountain.

Great Western Park (Windsor)

2008-07-27T10:00:00.002-04:00

Name: Great Western Park
Location: Riverside Drive East & Parent Avenue, Windsor
Website: not found

Dog Notes:

Must use leash
There are lots of garbage cans along the path
Waste bags are available at some of the parking lots but on this day they were empty
Washrooms are available during the day in front of the casino
Paved and gravel trails (1.6 km round trip if you go from the parking lot on Parent to the casino and back)

Family Notes:

Lots of benches and some picnic tables
Some shade along the waterfront but mostly open
Lots of playground equipment and swings
Walk, run, bike or rollerblade (fully accessible)
In front of the casino there is a bike rental and ice cream stand (ice cream, slushies, hot dogs, chips); bike rental for Monday & Tuesday was $6/hr for 2 bikes with child cart available (for an additional fee)
Washrooms are open during the day

Notes: Bring a lot of water as there is not much shade and on a hot day, your dog may need to take frequent breaks. Bring some cash to enjoy a snack at the ice cream place and sit at one of their shaded picnic tables.

Dog Wash for the Humane Society

2008-07-13T10:00:00.003-04:00

From time-to-time I'd like to stray from my posts to add information about important dog-related events. One of the organizations that I heavily support is the Windsor Humane Society. Many people don't know that they are not funded by the City and the employees work very hard to protect as many animals as possible. Without municipal funds, the society relies on donations and fundraisers to keep their doors open.

If you can, please support this upcoming fundraiser:

Dog Wash & BBQ Fundraiser
When: Sunday, July 20, 2008 -
Where: Paws for Love (Holden Avenue)
Cost: $10 / dog
Hot dogs, pop and chips are available for $1 each.

To get more information on this and other fundraising events, you can visit the Humane Society's website.
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Ford Test Track Park (Windsor)

2008-07-06T10:00:00.000-04:00

Name: Ford Test Track Park
Location: Seminole & Milloy, Windsor
Website: http://www.citywindsor.ca/

Dog Notes:

Must use leash
There are lots of garbage cans around the park
Waste bags are available at all of the major entrances
Washrooms and fountains are available during events (so most nights during the summer)
Paved track (1 mile long)

Family Notes:

Lots of seating areas to watch baseball and soccer
Playground equipment and swings are located at the South end of the park
Walk, run, bike or rollerblade the 1-mile track (fully accessible)
Concession stand and washrooms are open during events

Notes: Do not leave valuables in your car as break-ins have been frequent during busy nights.

Devonwood Conservation Area (Windsor)

2008-06-29T10:00:00.002-04:00

Name: Devonwood Conservation Area
Location: Cabana & Division Road, Windsor
Website: http://www.erca.org/

Dog Notes:

Must use leash
There's only one garbage can and it's in the parking lot
No washrooms or fountains so bring your own water and waste bags
Crushed gravel trail (4.5 km of trails)

Family Notes:

Two well-shaded picnic tables are located at the entrance
Consider taking mosquito repellent
Good birding spot

Notes: You can only get to the parking lot from westbound Cabana Road.

You might want to print out the map on ERCA's website to take with you. The trails twist and turn and there are NO signs so you can end up outside of the park if you go the wrong way as there are a few exits.

Point Pelee National Park (Leamington)

2008-06-22T09:00:00.002-04:00

Name: Point Pelee National Park
Location: 407 Monarch Lane, Leamington
Website: http://www.pc.gc.ca/

Dog Notes:

Must use leash
Garbage cans available throughout the park
There are fountains and washrooms throughout the park but they are quite spread out on some of the trails so bring your own water if you are hiking
Dog bags are located at the start of most of the trails
Choose from paved, boardwalk or gravel trails from 0.5 km to 4 km in length (12 km of trails overall)

Family Notes:

Many picnic areas and beaches with swimming
Nature centre, gift shop, shuttle to "the Point"
Bicycle and canoe rentals
Popular birding spot

Alexander Park (Windsor)

2008-06-15T20:44:00.008-04:00

Name: Alexander Park
Location: Riverside Drive East (between Strabane and Rossini), Windsor
Website: http://www.citywindsor.ca/

Dog Notes:

Must use leash
Garbage cans available throughout the park but they are very spread out
Bring your own water & bags
Paved walkway along waterfront (approx. 0.75 km long)
Usually lots of stray geese

Family Notes:

Large playground area including swings
Many benches, picnic tables and sunny spots
Cute memorial garden and gazebo
Lots of parking
Popular fishing spot
Washrooms located at west end of park (our walk was Saturday at 10am and they were open!)

There used to be a second memorial garden with hundreds of rose bushes that have now been all dug out. Why did the city let that happen?!? Is it still considered a memorial garden if there's no garden left?

Remington Booster Park

2008-06-08T19:00:00.004-04:00

Name: Remington Booster Park
Location: Lillian & Edinborough, Windsor
Website: http://www.citywindsor.ca/

Dog Notes:

Must use leash up to off-leash area
Garbage cans available throughout the park and one specifically in the dog area
Bring your own water
Clean-up bag dispensers provided
Grass & mulch areas (gets very muddy in poor weather)
Smaller fenced in area for small dogs, training, etc.
Large variety of breeds and temperaments

Family Notes:

Actual off-leash area NOT recommended for young children
Picnic table available
Library, water park, tennis courts, baseball diamonds, soccer fields, walking track
On-site parking

We park in the library parking lot at the corner of Edinborough and Lillian. Then walk past the waterpark and the dog area is behind the tennis courts (go to the left of the basketball court and follow the fence).

Wagner's Orchards (Maidstone)

2008-06-01T18:39:00.003-04:00

Name: Wagner Orchards & Estate Winery
Location: 1222 8th Concession Road, Maidstone
Website: http://wagnerorchards.com/

Dog Notes:
- Must use leash
- Garbage cans available around the parking lot
- Bring your own water and clean-up bags
- Dirt & gravel trails throughout the farm
- Visit the back pasture, pumpkin patch and orchards
- Stray cats and birds (turkeys, geese, etc.)

Family Notes:
- Fruit picking: apple, pumpkin, peaches
- On-site bakery
- Fruit wines available
- Playground equipment, wagon rides
- Horses, cows, geese, turkeys, chickens, cats