Dogs Need Friends Too

If the song “Who Let the Dogs Out” was ever appropriate for any occasion it would be for the weekly romp of the Guilford Dog Pack.

Usually held at Branford and on trails in Guilford, the online dog Meetup rendezvoused this past Saturday brought members to in Branford.

About 15 participants from the online group arrived with one to two dogs in tow for a chance at socialization and wintry hike through the trails.

The group, started just over a year ago, is led by Ian Phillips of Guilford, who runs a dog walking and sitting business, See Spot Run, in New York city. In relocating to the Shoreline, Phillips explained that he couldn’t find anywhere for dogs to meet outdoors and socialize like they can in Central Park.

“In Central Park you’re allowed to have your dogs off lead before 9 o’clock in the morning and after 9 o’clock at night. In Connecticut you just didn’t have that kind of community everyday so I started it so my dog could have friends to play with and I could meet people.”

Laurie Christensen who was the third Guilford Dog Pack Meetup member attends most events with Phillips and posts useful information to their group web page to keep their community of 166 members connected. Items include dog food recall information and pet therapy tips.

Christensen, also a Guilford resident, doesn’t call her dog Helo a “rescue,” but rather says, “I was blessed with him.”

Helo lived on a farm for six years and needed to be socialized, said Christensen. The Meetup group achieved this for her and is a huge reason many owners bring their dogs on a weekly basis.

Helen Lopedeharo of North Branford walked behind her dogs Charlie and Scarlet on Saturday’s hike through Yong’s Pond woods. Pointing to Charlie, a chocolate lab with a bright green colar to match his green eyes, she said, “I was looking on the internet to socialize Charlie because he is a rescue and is very skittish and I can honestly tell that Charlie has grown so much regarding his socialization. He’s really quite social and greets other dogs without being fearful that he’s going to get eaten up.”

Clinton’s Sandy Springer who is behind the hopeful dog park on Glenwood Road for her town, attends nearly all Dog Pack events. Clad in a full snowsuit she had her dog, Buster, a Katrina rescue with her. She explained that she spent the past four years working to socialize Buster. “He wouldn’t even let a “yorkie” near him without shivering or crying so the group has really brought him out of his shell; running around big dogs and people.” (Springer is still colleting funds to open a dog park in Clinton, which will be at a town-owned space. You can donate my mailing: Sandy Springer, 261 Airline Road, Clinto, CT 06413 or sending to Clinton Town Clerk’s Office, 54 E. Main St., Clinton, CT 06413.)

Joe Correira of Madison who owns “Newton” is new to the group but said he loves attending the events and likes the off-leash aspect of the meetings. “He has a tendency to be a little absent minded,” said Correira, “so by working with the pack he stays in close and I’ve seen a major change in his behavior.”

This pack mentality is something Phillips said develops when the dogs move through trails. Out in the open space of Young’s Pond, the dogs had a bit of a hierarchy struggle but soon as they entered the woods, it was a clear follow-the-leader-line.

Phillips grew up in Long Island with his mother, Joan Phillips who rescued and rehabilitated dogs so he’s been working with animals for sometime. His knowledge is obvious and though he’s astute in the behavior of pets his biggest advice to dog owners is, “pick up after your dog.”

Head over to the Meetup group online to learn more and join.