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We are at it again!  We are having our 4th ever Florida Deaf Dogs Picnic.  (If you can't make this one, look for us again in Spring 2001 - we will be back!)

Who: Dog lovers in general.  Deaf dog lovers in particular.  Everyone welcome - male and female, young or old, hearing and nonhearing, humans and canines!  Possible representation from 7 states ouside of Florida (too early for the final tally but we have confirmed 4 states visiting so far!). What:   Food, Fun & Frivolous Competitions with meaningless prizes.  Training tips and tricks.  Plenty of socialization for 2 and 4 leggers (okay, 1's, 3's & 5's are also welcome)! When:   Sunday, October 22, 2000.  11 a.m. until 3 p.m. (or 4 or 5 or whenever). Where: Happy Tails (off leash) dog park at G.T.Bray  Recreational Complex, Bradenton (Manatee County), Florida (see side bar for directions & map). Why:   First and foremost to have fun!  To help dispell the myths that deaf dogs are untrainable menaces to society.  To break the park rule about voice control.  To provide information & support to anyone who has or might have a deaf dog in their family.  And lastly, to have fun!

All those attending will be responsible for their dogs own needs (food, treats and such). Water is provided at the park and we will have water available at the picnic pavillion.  Everyone will be expected to abide by the Happy Tails Off Leash Dog Park rules (except the voice control one naturally!) and the rules of G.T. Bray Park.  Please be sure your dog is current on all vaccinations and carry a copy of those records with you and that he/she is wearing any necessary tags.  For your dogs safety please everyone make sure your dogs have been innoculated for Bordatella.

Unlike we are used to, there is a 'no people food' rule inside the dog park so the picnic and human food consumption will be outside of the dog park area.   If you are unsure of your dog's reactions to other dogs off leash feel free to come and keep him/her on leash in the picnic area, there will be plenty of people in both areas at all times!  The games will take place inside the dog park!  Dogs do not have to be in the dog park to be eligible for awards however!

For those that will be overnighting in the area Saturday night there will be a small 'Get Acquainted Party'.  Contact MYRA (just click on my name silly!) for details, directions and a map! For anyone staying in the area more than a day, on Friday or Saturday we can arrange side trips to the beach or to The Chateau du Chien's Training Yard to run the Agility Course (Thanks Scott and Nancy!) For anyone that still wants to go to the beach but only has the one day it is only a 15 minute drive from the park.  Let us know and we'll give you directions!

This picnic may be the largest gathering of deaf dogs ever held in the United States!  Come and be a part of making history!

We WILL have Fun!  You NEED to be there!!!

Questions or suggestions? Click on the link to the left to send an e-mail. Or call Myra Edwards at (941) 753-6053