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A wintry walk in the park
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Owners and their dogs start on the trail Sunday during the MetroMutts Jingle Hike at the Mill Creek MetroParks Farm in Canfield.
By Sean Barron
CANFIELD
Nala can act a bit detached and Diesel has a rambunctious side, but both share a love for the occasional group walk.
“They’re so much fun,” said Lynda Dick of Leetonia, referring to the two English bulldogs she brought to a group walk.
Dick’s daughter, Renee Ramps of Youngstown, owns the two dogs, both of whom were part of Sunday’s MetroMutts Jingle Hike gathering at Mill Creek MetroParks Farm, 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road (state Route 46).
An estimated 60 people of all ages brought a variety of dogs for what was to have been a two-hour hike on the nearby MetroParks’ Bikeway but was shortened because of temperatures in the mid-20s and a stiff wind. Many of the animals were dressed in Christmas-related garb.
The free, family-friendly event provided an opportunity for the animals and their companions to take advantage of and deepen their appreciation for the park’s offerings, explained Linda Kostka, Mill Creek Metro-Parks’ development director.
Dick, however, didn’t dress Nala and Diesel, who are age 4 months and 9 years, respectively, in holiday attire. Nevertheless, her Christmas spirit was evident to dogs and people alike because she came to Sunday’s walk in a pair of antlers.
Also happy to have been part of the cold festivities was Bandit, a 1 Ω-year-old Rottweiler who was accompanied by Christine Knapic and her 10-year-old daughter, Jenna.
She’s a lot of work,” Knapic said with a chuckle.
“Yeah, she’s a piece of work,” Jenna added.
Low temperatures don’t bother Bandit, who seemed ready to take to the bike path, said Knapic, who also raises Texas longhorn cattle on the family’s Beaver Township farm. The Knapics got Bandit from a Salineville farm when he was about 11 weeks old, she added.
Poodles, schnauzers, greyhounds, whippets, Dalmatians and mixed breeds interacted with one another during and after the walk.
Also in the mix were Jamie and Jody Hodge’s Boston terriers, Pixie and Sookie, who were dressed in colored sweaters. Next to the Hodges, of Youngstown, was family friend Stephanie Bloom of Youngstown, who brought Isobelle, her 8-year-old Boston terrier.
“This is one of the first times for going out for a public event,” said Jason Cooke, referring to Scarlett, a shy terrier mix housed at Animal Charity Humane Society in Boardman.
Cooke, the humane society’s vice president, said Scarlett came to the shelter Nov. 4 after her previous owner had abandoned her. Scarlett, who’s being primed for adoption, is among the estimated 20 to 25 dogs at the facility, he continued.
During the winter, it’s critical that pets be kept indoors as much as possible. They also need plenty of food and water and, contrary to some people’s beliefs, often suffer from prolonged exposure to the cold, Cooke noted.
“Think of it as another person,” he said, adding that people should contact the humane society at 330-788-1064 if they see dogs left outdoors in extreme weather or suspect other forms of neglect such as the animals having no food, water or shelter.
Animal Charity also needs volunteers, so those interested can visit the facility at 4140 Market St., Boardman, or visit its website, www.animalcharityofohio.org, and click on the link “How you can help,” Cooke said.