With the promise of good weather comes more opportunities to romp and frolic with your four legged friend. I can't believe I just wrote that sentence with a straight face. I am more of a crazy dog person than even I thought. Moving on.

Come out to the Forest for and evening romp through the woods with your dog! Forest Staff will lead owners and their pooches on a hike through the woods.

Keep in mind that your dog will be around other dogs and people. Non-retractable leashes and good behavior are required. As a courtesy to other dogs, please make sure your pet is up to date on their vaccines.

Meets at the Horine Reservation.

Reservations are required in advance.

Fee: $5 per dog

Friday May 16, 2008
7PM-8:30PM

Jefferson Memorial Forest
11311 Mitchell Hill Road
Fairdale, KY 40118
502/368-5404
email: forest@louisvilleky.gov

Being the crazy dog person I am I love that tonight we've got Dog Day in the Park at Slugger Field today and coming up soon we've got HappyTail Hour. Yay for springtime activities that are pet friendly.

For the second year in a row, Metro Animal Services (MAS) and the Louisville Waterfront Development Corporation (WDC) will host HappyTail Hour, in conjunction with Kroger's Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront Park's Great Lawn.  It's Louisville's only "pet inclusive" cocktail event, taking place Monday, April 28th from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. at Waterfront Park. (All pets must be on leashes.)

The event will provide a fun opportunity for the pet loving community to come together to listen to the music from Margarita-Ville on the Great Stage, mingle, play games with their dogs and hang out in the newest Kentucky Derby Festival venue at Waterfront Park.  S.P.O.T., MAS's 34-foot mobile adoption unit will also be on hand with adoptable animals.

"There are a lot of festival events, but none are really conducive to pets.  HappyTail Hour will fill that void and provide an event where people can bring their pets along to have a bite to eat or to socialize," said Jackie Gulbe, MAS assistant director of community relations.  "Many people love mingling with other pet lovers and the animals like and really need to socialize too." 

The original event was conceived as a result of community feedback expressing concern about a lack of events that welcome pets.  Many dog owners are interested in social activities that are pet friendly. 

"I see how many people bring their dogs to the other events that we have on the waterfront and it just made sense to have an event geared for the pet loving crowd," said Ashley Cox, WDC marketing & event coordinator.  "This will be a derby event where pets are completely welcome!"   

For questions, contact Jackie Gulbe at Metro Animal Services at (502) 361-1318.

Hopefully by the time Friday April 18, 2008 rolls around this rain will have moved out and we can actually enjoy some outdoor events like hiking with your dog under the moonlight out at Jefferson Memorial Forest.

Come out to the Forest for an evening romp through the woods with your dog! Forest staff will lead owners and their pooches on a hike through the woods.

Keep in mind that your dog will be around other dogs and people. Non-retractable leashes and good behavior are required. As a courtesy to other dogs, please make sure your pet is up to date on their vaccines.

Meets at the Horine Reservation.

Reservations are required in advance.

Fee: $5 per dog
April 18, 2008
7PM-8:30PM

Jefferson Memorial Forest
11311 Mitchell Hill Road
Fairdale, KY 40118
502/368-5404
email: forest@louisvilleky.gov

I am *so* one of those crazy dog people. I love my little dog to pieces. I admit that I totally dig the way in Europe you can take your dogs many more places, including restaurants, than you can here. I mean, my dog will sit politely at my feet while drinking her water and eating her food. No harm to anyone. Anyway, being as crazy a dog person as I am you'll be surprised not at all to know I'm looking terribly forward to Dog Day in the Park at Slugger Field. I mean come on, I get to bring my dog and it's a fundraiser for the Kentucky Humane Society? Sold.

Four-legged and two-legged fans are invited to come watch the Louisville Bats play on April 16 from a special VIP Section at Louisville Slugger Field! The Louisville Bats will host DOG DAY IN THE PARK to help raise money for needy animals at the Kentucky Humane Society. The best part - you can bring your dog for a fun-filled evening at the ballpark!

$3/dog and $6/person

Wednesday, April 16, 2008 7PM (Gates open @ 6 p.m.)
Louisville Slugger Field

Space is limited, so order your tickets now! Click here to download a PDF order form, or call (502) 212-BATS to order your tickets by phone.

The worst thing about hiking at Jefferson Memorial Forest? Getting there. Be warned. If you’re not careful Google Maps will give you bad directions that force you first to trespass onto some scary guy’s compound in the woods. See the end of this post for general directions. The best thing about hiking at Jefferson Memorial Forest? Everything else.

With over 35 miles of hiking trails that range from easy paved ones to strenuous hilly paths deep in the forest, a lake, camping and picnic sites, bird watching facilities and more Jefferson Memorial Forest is a dream come true for outdoor lovers of all varieties. I’m not the camping type and I don’t like fishing but I’m totally in love with hiking. So last week I headed out, tiny dog in tow, to give the trails at Jefferson Memorial a look.

We enjoy a good theme here at Consuming Louisville so let's continue with the animals and Santa Claus theme.

Your anti-social cat totally wants to sit on Santa's lap. Trust me on this one.

On the first 3 Saturdays and Sundays in December hit any of the 12 area Feeders Supply stores and get your puppy or kitty's picture taken with Santa (though I swear one year I saw a guy having his snake's picture taken).

The Frankfort Avenue Business Association's Olde Tyme Christmas on Frankfort Ave., will be held Saturday, December 1, 2007. Enjoy annual events, including the Santa Sprint Run and Stroll, Dog Walk, Horse Trams and Trolley service, along with Good Neighbor awards as well as various special events.

Enjoy special sales and exhibits, holiday refreshments, free trolley rides and horse and carriage rides up and down Frankfort Avenue - from Mellwood to Cannons Lane. Santa can usually be found at the Water Company ready to talk with children

For my money the highlight of the Olde Tyme Christmas is the Holiday Dog Walk: "Meet at the Crescent Hill Library Parking Lot at 10AM, Walk to Clifton and Frankfort and return back to Frankfort Ave. to the Library. Prizes for the most festive dog!" Call 585-3430 for more information. Yeah, I'm one of those crazy dog people.

Come out to the Forest for an evening romp through the woods with your dog. Forest staff will lead owners and their pooches on an easy hike through the woods. Keep in mind that your dog will be around other dogs and people. Non-retractable leashes and good behavior are required. As a courtesy to other dogs and their owners, please make sure you dog is up to date on their vaccinations. Program meets in the Horine Reservation.

Due to specific space requirements Pre-Registration is mandatory.

Howl at the Moon with Your Dog
Friday November 9, 2007
7:00PM-8:30PM
$5 per dog

Jefferson Memorial Forest
11311 Mitchell Hill Road
Fairdale, KY 40118
502-368-5404

Yeah, I am one of those crazy dog people. I love my dog, I admit it. So there.

Come out to the Forest for an evening romp through the woods with your dog. Forest staff will lead owners and their pooches on an easy hike through the woods. Keep in mind that your dog will be around other dogs and people. Non-retractable leashes and good behavior are required. As a courtesy to other dogs and their owners, please make sure you dog is up to date on their vaccinations. Program meets in the Horine Reservation.

Due to specific space requirements Pre-Registration is mandatory.

Friday October 19
7:00PM-8:30PM
$5 per dog

Jefferson Memorial Forest
11311 Mitchell Hill Road
Fairdale, KY 40118
502-368-5404

Louisville Metro Animal Services (MAS) and the Louisville Waterfront Development Corporation (WDC) are excited to host their joint venture - Happy Tail Hour, a pet friendly cocktail event that will take place tonight from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. at Waterfront Park .

The evening will include cocktails & BBC Beer, upscale festival fare, an adoption clinic featuring S.P.O.T. (Stop Pet Overpopulation Today), games for dogs & their owners and live music. The event will take place at the Brown-Forman Amphitheater lawn located in Waterfront Park, Phase II between Tumbleweed & Stoplight Liquors. Admission is free but donations are welcome. All animals must be on a leash.

The event will provide a fun opportunity for the pet loving community to come together to mingle and hang out with their dogs in the newest area of Waterfront Park.

"There aren't many places for people to take their pets along to have a bite to eat or to socialize," said Jackie Gulbe, MAS assistant director of community relations. "Many people love mingling with other pet lovers and the animals like and really need to socialize too."

The event was conceived as a result of community feedback expressing concern about a lack of events that welcome pets. Many dog owners are interested in social activities that are pet friendly.

"I see how many people bring their dogs to the other events that we have on the waterfront and it just made sense to have an event geared for the pet loving crowd," said Ashley Cox, WDC marketing & event coordinator. "This will be an event where pets are completely welcome. It will be their event!"

Thursday September 13
5PM-9PM
Waterfront Park