Free of the Leash!

Maddie and The Exercise Ball

Maddie has found a new nemesis in our blue exercise ball. We discovered she likes to bark at it – maybe because she can’t put it in her mouth – and roll it around with her front legs.

One day we brought it outside to see what would happen with a whole yard to play in. It was a riot. Check it out below.

Maddie and The Exercise Ball

Reuniting sisters

Ruby and Maddie met for the first time in nearly two years today, celebrating their second birthdays together.

Here are the two of them more than a year and a half ago, when we brought them home.

This is when they were adorable. When they were awake I had trouble dealing with the two 6-week old puppies.

Maddie's not really that mean. She just looks like a killer.

We were kind of afraid how Maddie would react to this ‘new’ dog, but the two of them got along great. They hung out for a little while, then we walked into the garden area (Ruby lives on a farm outside of Mount Pleasant) and the two ran full speed back and forth together. It was great to watch.

The pair ate their birthday cupcakes — banana peanut butter with carob chips and cinnamon cream cheese frosting decorated with their initials in carob.

It was fun seeing Ruby again. It was really hard to give her up, but I just couldn’t handle two 6-week old puppies. I’m glad Ruby has a wonderful home where she can run free and explore the world. Even when that exploration includes being sprayed by a skunk!

We found out Maddie and Ruby share a lot in common, both in physical characteristics and behavior-wise. It’s nice to know there are two crazy pups out there!

Maddie and Ruby will enjoy reunions every two weeks this summer and fall when we go to pick up our organic produce.

Ruby and Maddie meet for the first time in nearly two years.

Maddie enjoys her birthday cupcake.

Ruby eats her birthday cupcake.

My girl turns 2

Today is Maddie’s second birthday. It’s hard for me to believe. On one hand, it feels like she’s been with us forever. On the other hand, it doesn’t seem possible she’s already two-years old.

I made banana peanut butter cupcakes for all of her friends. And Maddie gets to see her sister Ruby for the first time since we had to find a new home for her. I can’t wait to see how that goes. Maddie has gotten a bit anti-social when it comes to dogs. She still loves people, but she pretty much ignores dogs. I hope they get along and play a bit. We’ll be seeing Ruby every other week throughout the summer and fall when we pick up our organic produce from her moms (one is the owner of MoGoOrganic in Mount Pleasant).

I’ll post pictures after our visit.

New dog park website

The Burlington Regional Dog Park has its own website! You can find it at http://brdogpark.blogspot.com

Children’s dog park T-shirts available

The Burlington Regional Dog Park T-shirts are now available in children’s sizes as well as adult sizes. The T-shirts are $10 and all proceeds go to the dog park.

E-mail burlingtondogpark@gmail.com, or call Amber at 319-753-8130 to place an order.

Beggin’ Egg and Cheese Fried Rice

Maddie has had this twice now, and she just gobbled it up each time. This is a Rachael Ray recipe, and is also good for humans. Unlike Maddie, I do not like eggs, so I will not be eating this one with her.

Maddie devours her dinner.

Beggin’ Egg and Cheese Fried Rice

Recipe courtesy of Every Day with Rachael Ray

2 slices turkey bacon (I cooked the entire package, cut it all up, put it in a plastic bag and stuck it in the freezer. Now I have bacon ready whenever I want to make this.)

1 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1/2 c. cooked brown rice (the instant rice-to-go in the individual bowls is great. 45 seconds in the microwave and they’re ready to go!)

1 large egg, beaten

1/4 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Chopped flat leaf parsley, for sprinkling (I omitted this since I didn’t have any)

1. In a medium nonstick skillet, cook the bacon over medium-high heat until crisp, about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels, then finely chop.

2. In the same skillet, heat the oil over high heat. Add the rice and cook, stirring often, until warmed through, about 4 minutes. Add the cooked bacon and toss. Push the rice mixture to the side of the pan; add the egg to the pan and cook, stirring, until set, then stir into the rice. Transfer to a bowl, top with the cheese and let cool. Sprinkle with the parsley.

Apple Treats

Yummy apple treats

Apple Doggy Treats

2 c. whole wheat flour

1/2 c. flour

1/2 c. cornmeal

1 apple, chopped or grated

1 egg, beaten

1/3 c. vegetable oil

1 Tbsp. brown sugar

3/8 c. cold water (I just kept adding until I could work with the dough)

Preheat oven to 350. Spray cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Dust work surface with flour. Blend flours and cornmeal in large mixing bowl. Add apple, oil, brown sugar, egg and water; mix until well blended. On your floured work surface, roll dough out to 7/8 inch thickness. Use cookie cutter to cut cookies of desired shape and size (I found different sized bone-shaped cookie cutters at Hobby Lobby. There was also a dog shape.) Place treats on prepared sheet. Bake 35-40 minutes. Turn the oven off, and leave door closed for one hour to crisp the treats (I didn’t do this and the treats have stayed crispy.). Remove from oven. Store treats in airtight container or plastic bag and place in refrigerator or freezer.

Yield: 2 dozen. I used a small bone-shaped cookie cutter, and got nearly 100 treats from this recipe.

West Burlington Pet Parade

Dog park volunteer form

Since the Burlington Regional Dog Park opened, the dog park committee has had a number of people interested in helping with the park and upcoming events. We are thrilled so many people are taking an interest in the park and our canine community.

We are always looking for volunteers to help with fundraising and other events associated with the park. If you are interested in helping out, please fill out the form and return it to Amber VerKuilen.

While we do not have any openings on the committee currently, if you do have interest in working on the committee should a spot open, please fill out the form and return it to Amber VerKuilen. We will contact you when a spot becomes available.

Thank you for caring about our dogs!

Burlington Regional Dog Park information – updated

The Dog Park now has its own website!

Visit http://brdogpark.blogspot.com for all the latest park information.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to support a fenced, off-leash canine recreation area, where well-behaved canine citizens and their handlers can socialize and exercise in a clean, safe environment without endangering or disturbing people, property or wildlife. The friends of the Burlington Regional Dog Park want to develop a beautiful and well-maintained space open to dog lovers and friends who are willing to uphold the park’s regulations. The friends promote education, training and recreational activities that facilitate responsible dog ownership and well-behaved dogs.

The Park

The Burlington Regional Dog Park officially opened Aug. 30 and has been a great asset to Burlington and all of Southeast Iowa and western Illinois since then.

The park currently features 1.4 acres of wide-open space in which dogs can run and play off-leash. The park has a double-gated entry system to ensure the safety of all park users. Park rules are posted at the entrance. They are also available in the brochure holder just inside the gate. Dog park membership forms are also available in the holder.

Park memberships are $10 per year. Tags purchased now are good through the end of 2010. To get a tag, owners must have written proof of rabies vaccination. If they live in the city of Burlington, a city tag is also required. Tags are available at City Hall, Summer Street Animal Clinic, Allgood Animal Hospital, and Horse and Hound Country Store. Forms are also available at www.freeoftheleash.com and then can be mailed to the address listed on the form. All owners must sign a liability waiver. They will also receive a copy of the park rules with their tag.

The park boasts a waste disposal system with waste disposal bags and a garbage can, two other garbage cans within the fence, and two covered bench areas. Donated trees and a small dog area were added last fall. There are plans to add a donated water fountain.

Volunteer Opportunities

The committee is always looking for committed volunteers to help at events. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Amber Ver Kuilen at 319-753-8130 or e-mail burlingtondogpark@gmail.com

Donations

The Burlington Regional Dog Park is in need of funds for park amenities, and for upkeep and improvements.

Donations can be sent to: Burlington City Hall, Attn. Amber Ver Kuilen, 400 Washington St., Burlington IA 52601

Newsletter

The Burlington Regional Dog Park puts out a regular newsletter. It contains park updates, pictures and features as well as information on upcoming park events. If you would like to receive the newsletter, please send your name and e-mail address to burlingtondogpark@gmail.com.