Enjoy the Spring Weather with Pets
March 18, 2010 posted by Brent - All Mountain Sports
Filed under Outdoor News, Spring Break
Ever wonder what to do recreationally around here with your best friend? The one you come home and complain to when you have a bad day?
No, not your spouse.
The weather is warming up, and Loveland and the surrounding area offers several ways to get you and your dog out of the house.
The Loveland Dog Park is a much-needed recreational outlet for owners and their pets. And owners are more than happy about its addition to Loveland.
Sierra Mullin started taking her English mastiff/lab mix to the park last year as a puppy to socialize and get comfortable with other dogs. “He likes to play in the mudhole,” she said about an area in the corner that becomes a mud pit when it rains.
“It’s nice to have a separate spot; not to have to worry about them being on the street,” she said.
Owners agreed that the fenced-in area at Fairgrounds Park in downtown Loveland allows their pets to burn energy and get to know other pets.
“And we’re all very thankful for the wood chips,” said Bill Schuhmacher, a Loveland dog owner and regular at the park. The owners found that, until a bed of chips was put down, the park was all mud during the winter season. “Wood chips was a good idea and cost-effective solution,” he said.
“He needs exercise; it saves a lot of furniture,” Greg Andrijeski said about his Australian shepherd, Rojo. “I tour the dog parks of Northern Colorado. Estes Park, Spring Canyon and Fossil Creek in Fort Collins, and here,” he said.
In Fort Collins, the Spring Canyon Dog Park (west, almost at the end of Horsetooth Road on the right) and Fossil Creek Dog Park (south on Lemay Avenue from Harmony Road) include areas for small or shy dogs and have seasonal fountains.
Dogs that visit the parks should be licensed and vaccinated and older than 4 months. Dogs in heat are not allowed.
“Sometimes I take Pretty on the trail by Eisenhower, but I can’t let her off the leash there,” said Felicia Albillar of her pit bull.
There are 16 miles of walking/biking paths in Loveland that run from Boyd Lake State Park to the Big Thompson River, along Wilson Avenue.
The trails take scenic routes through Boyd Lake State Park, along irrigation canals, through fields, across city streets, and along the Big Thompson River.
The trail will total 20 miles when it is completed.
Pets should be on hand-held leashes and need to be picked up after.
Visit www.ci.loveland.co .us/parksrec/RecTrails.htm for other guidelines and details about the trails.
Caleb Eubanks, local owner, said he’s often on the bike trails with his two dogs because they run right by his house. “I love them. It’s a safe, clean environment.”
He takes his Great Dane and Shiba Inu/rat terrier mix hiking up through Estes Park and Glen Haven, and camping at Red Feather Lakes.
In Glen Haven, the trails are challenging and not crowded, he said. “There are a lot of creeks to drink from,” he said.
Most hiking trails in the area require a leash. Poudre Canyon (apart from Greyrock National Recreation Trail), Red Feather Lakes and scenic Young Gulch do not require leashes.
Hiking trails in Fort Collins that do require leashes include Foothills Trail, Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, Lory State Park, Poudre River Trail and Spring Creek Trail.
Eubanks also enjoys going camping with his dogs. Campgrounds that allow dogs are Boyd Lake State Park and Carter Lake in Loveland; Flatiron Reservoir and Pinewood Reservoir west of Loveland, and Horsetooth Reservoir in Fort Collins.
The Loveland Dog Club, 223 E. 29th St., provides a drop-in fun class 11 a.m.-noon Saturdays for $8. Guests are able to come in with dogs and play on the equipment.
The room includes a treadmill, objects to climb on and hide in; mats; toys; a bicycle to get them used to running alongside and more. There are always staff members on the floor to help.
“It’s a climate-controlled environment where owners can come and play with their dogs for a while,” said Rackel Ward, owner.
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