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Dog Weekend at Old Westbury Gardens this weekend!
Dog days at Old Westbury Gardens
BY PAT BURSON | [email protected]
2:59 PM EDT, April 16, 2009
WHEN: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday (grounds open 10 a.m.-5 p.m.) and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury, 516-333-0048, oldwestburygardens.org
COST: $8 adults ($5 ages 63 and older, $3 ages 7-12)
Dog lovers and their furry friends are invited to a two-day outdoor playdate this weekend at one of the most beautiful places on Long Island.
Old Westbury Gardens is hosting its annual Dog Days event - the one time each year the sprawling estate opens its grounds to hundreds of four-legged visitors - and the ones who love them - to run, romp and play.
"It's a great event for dogs and their families," says Terri Cude, a member of the Ladies Kennel Association of America, a Long Island-based nonprofit group and one of several that will be doing dog-related games, demonstrations and exhibits at the event Saturday.
"They will get the opportunity to visit Old Westbury Gardens with their canine companions and enjoy the beginnings of spring, walking around and getting some fresh air while looking at the spring blooms," Cude says. "We love doing this because we get to talk dog with people - what could be more fun? - and teach about responsible dog ownership."
Fun and games
The LKAA is planning several dog games and contests Saturday, such as the dog-owner look-alike competition.
"Some people just look like their dog - from the tall and slender woman with her greyhound to the broad-shouldered man with his bulldog," Cude says. "Last year's winner was an adorable little boy with a layered 'shag' haircut and his adorable and similarly coifed Shetland sheepdog."
Elsewhere on the grounds, dogs can compete to show a tester that they have the "friendliest greeting," and go head-to-head with their owners against other canine-human teams in a treat catch competition.
LKAA also will administer the Canine Good Citizen test, designed to help owners determine whether their dogs are well mannered, friendly to strangers and able to follow basic commands, such as sit, down and stay - or if they need a bit more training.
Agility counts
Long Island Agility also will be on hand, with handlers directing trained four-leggers through a course of poles, bridges, A-frames, tunnels and a tire jump.
"This is sort of a playground for dogs," says Pat Weiss, who with her husband, Arthur, runs the Huntington-based club. "We put on the demonstration and talk about agility a bit. Then we invite people to come in and allow their dog to try it under very careful supervision."
Get informed
Visitors will find lots of dog-related information and advice, ranging from how to choose a dog from a breeder or rescue agency as well as how to pick the right dog for your family.
Members of anima- welfare and rescue groups also will be there tomorrow dispensing information and answering questions.
Walk among blooms
On Sunday, owners and their leashed dogs are invited to take a relaxing stroll around the grounds to enjoy the garden areas, bright yellow daffodils and other early spring colors.
Westbury resident and Old Westbury Gardens volunteer Sandy Vigliotti had a ball there last year with her 7-year-old "all-American mutt," Bailey. "It's a beautiful place to come and walk your dog," she says. "It's also a nice place to meet up with other dog owners."
http://www.newsday.com/about/ny-etxmain1712633418apr15,0,5146066.story
Message edited 4/17/2009 2:49:34 PM.
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