What's a "Gathurin"?? ... What's this all about ??


For the Newer Pet Talkers, and anyone else who hasn't seen the
sometimes "lengthy" posts devoted to Planning these Events,
and the always enjoyable "Reports" (complete with extensive
Photo Coverage) of the Events ~

Here's a capsule summary of What Goes On:

We "Gather" at the very nice Hancock County Park District "Dog Park" in the
north-western corner of OHIO.
Facilities include:

* A 2-acre fully fenced OFF-leash Dog Park - with picnic tables, running water,
a few shade trees, grass, a lil mud, a collection of toys & balls -
a fine place to let a Friendly Pooch *romp* with other dogs.

* And 100 feet away ~ An enclosed (on two sides) Covered Picnic Pavilion
with concrete floor, picnic tables to seat 90 or so, electrical outlets,
2 charcoal grills - and enough Food & Covered Dishes to feed a mid-sized army!
(We NEVER go away hungry!!)
We Reserve and Rent the Pavilion - so there's no risk of it being "occupied"
by anyone except our Pet Talk Gang.

* Within 500 feet - there are two CLEAN Rest Rooms ~ OK, they don't *flush* -
but they ARE "clean", have concrete floors, and locking doors!

* A large, paved parking lot is within sight of the Dog Park and Pavilion.

* Many wooded Trails through the beautiful Park are available, but most
Folks hang with the Gang in the Dog Park or at the Pavilion.

* Food is casual / picnic stuff - everyone brings a lil extra to share - and as
said before - ya won't be hungry when you leave!

We can't stress enough that EVERYone is More than Welcome!!
We were all "strangers" when we came to our "first one" -
and most everyone who has been to one keeps coming back!

NEW This Year ~~~
The Hancock Park District has DROPPED the requirement that the DOGS have to be "Registered"
to enter the Dog Park area, and NO Fees will be charged.
BUTT ~~~ PLEASE NOTE:
The Rules REQUIRING that ALL Doge have the following are STILL IN EFFECT:

1) COPY (originals won't be returned) of the Dog's
. . Annual Vaccination Record (including distemper) from the VET...
. . (A Copy of the Office Visit Receipt is fine if the SHOTS
. . are noted & has Vet's Name on it).
. . DATE of Shots needs to be within ONE Year of now.

2) COPY of RABIES Vaccination Receipt ...
. . DATE within 1 or 3 years - depending on the vaccine used;
. . Most Rabies Receipts show an EXPIRATION date for the shot -
. . Rabies Vacc must be "current" (not expired).
. . (Fido should be *wearing* the Rabies "Tag".)

3) All Dogs must also be "Licensed" by the City, Town, County,
or State where you LIVE. Fido should be *wearing* his/her License Tag.

You should make and carry COPIES of all these documents with you every time
you visit the Dog Park. If there's an "incident" (Fido is accused of *biting* someone) -
you'll be required to PROVE the above requirements have been met by Fido.

If you're still "not sure" about attending -
take a look at some of out Past Gathurins in these threads >>>

Last Year's Memorial Day Gathurin - May 24, 2009 >>>
http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?t=151867

2008's Spring Memorial Day Gathurin >>>
http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?t=138621

2007's Spring Memorial Day Gathurin - May 27, 2007 >>>
http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?t=124178

Spring Memorial Day Gathurin - May 28, 2006 >>>
http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?t=98411

How to Get MapQuest Directions TO the Findlay Bark Park
OK - Here's how to get your MapQuest "Directions" with Turn-by-Turn Instructions ...

Use the Click-Link (below) to get to the From and To page for MapQuest.
**WAIT** till the page fully loads - or you'll goof up the pre-filled data!!

When the page finishes loading - you'll have TWO big data blocks -
the one on the LEFT asking for your STARTING Location;
the one on the RIGHT >> Already FILLED IN < with the Dog Park Address.

If you have it - do NOT use Microsoft's "AutoFill" - it will put your home address
in BOTH blocks - erasing the pre-filled Dog Park Address!

JUST fill in your Home or "Starting" address in the LEFT (STARTING Location) Blocks. OverWrite any address that appears there.

Here's the "Revised for 2010" *Link* to MapQuest >>>
(The MapQuest directions are "usable" just as they print out from MapQuest.
They MAY NOT "match" landmarks I've posted in the past.

MapQuest Directions To: Findlay, OH ~ DOG PARK

-------------------------------------------------------------------

IF you want to use a GPS or another Mapping Service - here's the Dog Park Address:

16500 Township Road 208
-OR-
Township Road 207 AND Township Road 208
Findlay, OH 45840

GPS Coordinates: (WGS 84)
N. 41* 01.941'
W 083* 33.691'

The Dog Park is INside the Hancock Park District's "Riverbend Recreation Area";
about a half mile south of Ohio Route 568;
and just north of the North-East Corner of the big Findlay Reservoir.
The Reservoir is on most maps - and stands out because it is drawn as a
Big SQUARE Blue Lake; south-east of downtown Findlay.
If ANYONE has trouble with the Route to the Dog Park - PM "Cinder & Smoke"
with your E-mail and Home/Starting Address.
-------------------------------------------------------

OK - so what changed?

* BE PREPARED: No matter where you're coming from, Map Quest will probably
show a different route for the last 10 - 15 miles - different from last year's route.
Use whatever you're comfortable with or remember ... there aren't ANY roads or bridges
that are closed ... and I've driven ALL the various routes that MapQuest can suggest.
NO route is really much better than another --- miles are about the same
and drive time isn't drastically altered.

If you think your mapping program or GPS is really sending you around Robinhood's Barn -
send me a copy of the route and I'll look it over.

As always, the PT Travel Bureau will be open all day on Sunday & Monday -
Just a cell phone away! We WILL get you to the Park!