Dog Fashion Show by Parma Animal Shelter

Today we went to Honey Hut to use Gerard's gift certificate and then on to Veterans Memorial Park to see the Parma Animal Shelter's dog fashion show.  It was fun seeing all the different dogs and they included their shelter dogs in the hope of getting some adopted.  We saw several that we liked but the one we liked the most they couldn't tell us anything about because they just got him and he wasn't vetted yet.  He is black and white (like our cat) and his name was Walker--I'm thinking because he must like to walk.  He is the last one in the video.  (There were even more dogs I would have taken pictures of, but unfortunately, my battery ran out.  Boo.)

It was very hot in the sun though and I felt bad for the dogs who were dressed up.  I seriously doubt if any of them wanted those clothes on.  Some were really cute though and at least there was a nice breeze.  I couldn't help thinking about our wonderful dog, Abby, and wishing she was with us.  I know exactly what she would have done.  First off, we would not have dressed her up other than maybe have a kerchief around her neck, but I know she would have sniffed out that big treat jar that was just sitting unguarded at the beginning of the runway.  She was such a smart dog!

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Happy Independence Day!

We went to the Parma parade this morning, but it wasn't near as much fun as it used to be when we had
our dog with us!  She loved coming along to see all the people at get a lot of attention.  Four years ago Abby made friends real fast and barked along with the people while they were cheering and clapping and then the Parma Animal Shelter people came by in the parade and someone gave Gerard a whole big treat bag just for her and the people around us clapped for her and told her how she was such a nice dog. WOW she was a HAPPY GIRL!

I was disappointed in the high school marching bands because they didn't play any patriotic song, at least not when they went by us.  I thought that was quite odd.  I did enjoy seeing some dogs and horses in the parade, and the martial arts demonstration was cool too.  As they went along, a guy would hold a thin piece of wood and different kids would take turns breaking it by kicking it.

I also felt very good about handing out our Summer Shake Up fliers to moms and one dad before the parade actually got started.  Everyone was very receptive and seemed interested in letting their children come.  One mother said they could bring a group of 30 children!  I said, that's great!  Bring them, we'd love to have them!   You can register online at www.phbaptist.org.

I wanted to add some patriotic music to my video but didn't see that option on YouTube.  I know they used to have it before. 

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Our Neighborhood Mystery

Next to our tennis courts used to be two very nice looking basketball courts.  There was always a bunch of teens and even some young adults who played up there all the time.  The tennis courts were not well maintained but sometimes my husband and I would play there anyway in spite of the weeds growing in the cracks.

the tennis courts

I was saddened to see the basketball hoops taken down,  Apparently some of the neighbors complained about the noise and litter that often surrounded the court.  Now we noticed it's been repainted so the court markings are gone and replaced with black poles of various sizes and four blue squares.

former basketball courts

We are trying to figure out what this is going to be.  Any guesses?  I would think they would have kept the nice basketball courts and either fix up the tennis courts instead or put this new thing whatever it's going to be on the tennis courts instead.

We have no idea what is coming here.  I'm thinking maybe some sort of skateboard park perhaps but doubt if the neighbors would be happy with that. 


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More Exploring at West Creek Reservation

This is the only place where we saw a drinking fountain for dogs! 

This time I drank for the doggie drinking fountain!

Our first visit to this park was on a Sunday so we came back on a Saturday to check out the nature center.  It's very nice and air conditioned!  When we first walked through the door, we saw this beautiful quilt made by some Amish hanging on the wall. This picture doesn't do it justice.

Square are scenes from the metroparks.

We were very surprised to find a vending machine with cold drinks and ice cream for sale in a little gift shop:

This is good to know for hot days!

This place is big!  Here is a picture of the lounge area where you can sit to look out over the park and they have bird feeders just outside the windows.

Nice leather chairs too relax on too!

There are educational exhibits along the way showing how the West Creek watershed works and other different things about water.  One had a video playing saying the bottled water was a "manufactured demand" and isn't any better than tap water.  While we were there walking through, other people stopped to pet Abby and one lady even took her picture with her iphone!

My picture taken by Debbie, a stranger in the nature center.

We thought it was such a good picture of Abby that we asked is she would email it to us and she did!  When we were out on the trail, another couple with a cute little girl stopped and was trying to get her to pet Abby.  She liked the dog but was afraid to go too close.  They had a camera too and that would have made a cute picture.

No muddy feet today--good girl, Abby!  See last week's Monday Mischief at the Park to read about our first time here.

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A Bit Of Country Right In Parma!

For all you fans of the country, this post is for you! Right in the middle of Parma, a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio is a 48-acre farm! It is just a little ways past Parmatown Mall right on a busy road, just 15 minutes from our home. It is operated by the Parma Area Historical Society. The Stearns house is circa 1855 and the Gibbs house was built in 1920. Both houses are operated as museums with furnishings appropriate to the era. I didn't go inside the barn so didn't get to see the rabbits.

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