Archive for August, 2011
by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com
Last week after the earthquake and before the hurricane there was a pet conference taking place in Vienna, Virginia called BlogPaws – the 3rd annual and all for the pet blogging community! We, a few Long Island Pet Professional members, and many New York pet bloggers and from all across the country were fortunate enough to be in attendance at a furtastic conference. One of the organizers, Caroline Golon is also a local Long Islander and of the Romeothecat.com blog fame – and she along with her BlogPaws partners, Yvonne DiVita and Tom Collins of Scratchings and Sniffings did an amazing job – dispite mother nature’s wrath! BlogPaws 2011 was a great way for all of us in the pet blogging world to meet face to face – since so many of us follow each other on Twitter or are friends on Facebook, but nothing beats meeting in person. The conference ran so smoothly and everyone was so excited to be there and meet each other – even all the pets!
The breakout sessions that I attended on Friday were fabulous and even if you think you know a lot – you can always learn so much at a conference like BlogPaws or even at a networking event. I have pages and pages of notes to go over, and hundreds of business cards – many of which I already reached out too, and even found more pet people and media to follow on Twitter. This was my first BlogPaws conference and I really hope to make the next one in Salt Lake City, Utah. I mean seriously there were even people from Disney – this was the conference if you are a blogger not to miss.
And where else are you at a conference where you can bring your pet to sit in the breakout sessions with you? Many times during a session a dog would bark in agreement with what the expert speaker was saying – it was quite funny – and made the conference just all that much more refreshing. Some people even brought their cats, yes their cats, and their ferrets too. All the pets seemed to be getting along and having just as much fun as the attendees themselves.
The only unfortunate thing about it was that we had to head back to Long Island because of rude Hurricane Irene, so many of us missed the 2nd day. Very disappointing, but we had to head back ahead of the storm. But still attending the day & ½ that we did – it was pawsome! And did I mention the ridiculously filled to the brim swag bag? Holy crap – we got so much amazing free stuff in the swag bag Max’s, my pit bull was too very excited when I got back! In addition to the swag, the BlogPaws event raised over $12,500 and donated it to five different charities. The next event is scheduled for next June in Salt Lake City – so who’s going?
by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com
If you’re like me the only time you really ever saw a Polo match was in the movie Pretty Woman or pictures of the sport in a magazine. Long Island, however, has some interesting history with Polo, this centuries old sport dating back some 2,500 years – LI can claim that the Meadowbrook Polo Club is the oldest polo club in the US with roots dating back to 1879. But we are lucky that there are a few places on LI that you can go and watch this fascinating sport. Where else can you combine the athleticism of horses and riders hitting a ball with a mallet while riding full speed across a field all while being chased by opponents? Seriously, football players have nothing compared to these polo players! (Sorry but throwing a ball and being tackled, big whoop!) 
From someone who has been horse back riding since the age of 5, and has witnessed some amazing jumper horses at horse jumping competitions – I have never seen a horse with such intensity as such during a polo match this past Saturday in Bridgehampton. I could almost swear the horses were watching the ball, eh em, keeping an eye on the ball, as much as the athletes from around the world who were riding (for lack of a better word) them.
Going into to watch the match with friends, we were technically ‘tailgating’ at the match (along with hundreds of other spectators), but I am now hooked and want to go back to learn more about the game itself, the teams and how they train the horses that participate. That seems to be the most interesting part – that these horses seemingly love the game – are not in the least bit spooked by men wielding mallet at the ball, nearly crashing into each other and all while galloping, turning and putting their full bodies into the game. It’s breathing taking to watch.
Polo Player Nacho Figueras with two adorable fans!
And of course at half time you get to go out onto the field and stomp the ‘divots,’ or walk across to see if you can spy any celebs under the VIP tent. Or after the match you can get your picture taken with Nacho Figueras, the famed polo player and Ralph Lauren Model, father, and sorry ladies, husband too.
It’s not expensive to go either, for a car load of people (at Bridgehampton Polo Club), its just $20, and you can park and sit right up to the field to watch the event, and bring food to tail gate as well. If you are looking to experience a different event in the Hamptons before the summer is over – there are just 2 Saturday’s left of the Blue Star Jets polo matches at Bridgehampton Polo Club – but check the other clubs listed below for their schedules and ticket prices. This is a fun family event to watch a very old sport featuring these majestic horses.
This is a pet friendly location (Bridgehampton) – but be sure that your pet if you bring him or her is leashed at all times and well behaved.
Polo Clubs Across Long Island:
If you are on Twitter, follow @Poloatthepark
County Farms Polo in Medford, NY
A bit of Polo History:
According to Pro-Polo.com, Polo is arguably the oldest recorded team sport in known history, with the first matches being played in Persia over 2500 years ago. Initially thought to have been created by competing tribes of Central Asia, it was quickly taken up as a training method for the King’s elite cavalry. These matches could resemble a battle with up to 100 men to a side.
British officers themselves re-invented the game in 1862 after seeing a horsemanship exhibition in Manipur, India. The sport was introduced into England in 1869, and seven years later sportsman James Gordon Bennett imported it to the United States.
by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com
Last Thursday, August 4, 2011 dog owners in West Sayville rejoiced and celebrated at the brand new 1.5 acre dog park that opened officially complete with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The ‘Cherry Avenue Dog Park’ came about due to the tireless work of Long Island Dog Owners Group (LI-Dog) to establish more parks throughout Long Island. This dog park with was sponsored by Legislator Bill Lindsay was the third dog park created under the Five New Dog Parks initiative that LI-Dog championed and Leg. Lindsay supported the passing of the initiative in 2007. There are now five Suffolk County Parks Department dog parks: West Hills; Bydenburgh; Robinson Farm; Mud Creek (off-leash beach) and now Cherry Avenue.
These parks, since they are Suffolk County Parks Department dog parks means anyone in Suffolk County can bring their too. There are no town limitations like at other dog parks, but LI-Dog encourages dog owners to be responsible, clean up after their dog at the park, and to be mindful of other dog owners while your pooch is romping around in the runs.
I for one love the fact that there is a dog park at Blydenburgh – it has helped tremendously because there are less loose dogs throughout the trails of the park. Blydenburgh has wonderful hiking trails that many local horse owners also utilize, and for years walking there with my dogs we would encounter loose dogs in the trails – the dog park has decreased the amount of loose dogs ten fold. We hiked there with our dogs numerous times in the spring and I didn’t see one off leash dog, it is a great thing.
LI-Dog is currently helping Nassau dog owners try and get more parks in their county as well. To find out more information or how to get involved to help go to www.lidog.org.
from l to r, Ginny Munger Kahn, president of LI-DOG; Joe Montuori, Suffolk County Parks Commissioner; Legislator Bill Lindsay, Julie Finnegan, LI-DOG member and her dog Oakley
by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com
On a sunny and beautiful afternoon this past Saturday, July 30, in Bridgehampton, over 100 guests and their four legged friends attended the first, ‘Unleashed Hits the Hamptons’ event. Unleashed NY is a non-for-profit organization that launched in 2010 and is just a year old. Unleashed has a unique approach to rescuing puppies and helping change the lives of middle school aged girls – Unleashed is an after school experiential leadership program for middle school girls that uses a social change curriculum focused on puppy rescue and welfare. Unleashed focuses on a pivotal time in the girl’s lives and the girls learn to advocate for others; think critically about a complex social problem; and, most importantly, gain confidence in their ability to lead change. This inaugural event in the Hamptons hopes to become an annual event to help raise funds and awareness about the cause.
The event was a star studded event bringing in pet celebrities and vendors alike including Erika Searl and her two dogs, Cubby and Ginger of the NYC TV Show Doggie Mom’s, and fantastic vendors such as; Hampton Pet Club, Life is Grruff, Hampton Pet Chef, Macaroni Kid and the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation, and lots of scrumptious hors d’oeurves passed for both people and pets. There were also casting agents in attendance for potential stars of Animal Planet’s hit TV show ‘It’s Me or the Dog,’ featuring Victoria Stillwell.
Erika Searl, Cubby & Ginger for NYC's Doggie Mom's
“We were delighted to make our debut in the Hamptons this week and were so happy to attract so many enthusiastic supporters of girls and puppies. We look forward to making many new friends as we grow and develop this wonderful program. We invite anyone that is interested in Unleashed to check out our website to learn more about the great work that we do,’ said Shelly Wimpfheimer, Event Chair of Unleashed Hits the Hamptons.
The day also featured veterinarian, Dr. Barry Browning, who provided consultation for all of those nagging problems plaguing pet owners every day. Shelly also said, “We thank all of those who made this day possible, especially our generous sponsors, Ellen Kapit, Sotheby’s Realty, Middle Sister Wines, Pfizer Animal Health, Archie the Dog, Game Day Girl, Pine Barrens Printing, Scopinich Signs, Long Island Pet Professionals, the Zonta Club of Peconic, Dr. and Mrs. Fred Small and Julia, and last but not least, our generous hostess, Mary Moran.”
So many dogs were romping around, devouring yummy treats and gourmet pet food while enjoying a beautiful day in the Hamptons all for a wonderful cause and great new program.
To find out more about UnleashedNY go to their website and like them on Facebook too. If you are a local rescue group that would like to get involved with this program – please email info@unleashedny.org to find out more information.
More Pictures below!
Kim Loper & Andrew LoMonaco of Life is Grruff!
Bonnie Mollin Emmerich of Hampton Pet Chef
Amber
Raymond
Dusty
Erika Searl of Doggie Moms holding Ginger and Nancy Hassel Founder of Long Island Pet Professionals holding Cubby
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