Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » Dogs Off Leash

Case Woodlot Trail of Hearts, Painted Hearts, Engraved Hearts

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 00:21:37 +0000

Case Woodlot Trail is definitely a trail of hearts or a trail of love as someone recently painted few red white hearts on the tree trunks and tree stumps. I found three and photographed three.

Painted Heart, Case Woodlot Trail, Aurora

There are actually four or maybe more. I found forth one last weekend when we finally decided to hire a photographer (A Pic or Two Photography) and have our family pictures done at the Case Woodlot Trail.

It was hard because I didn’t have my camera with me. Well it had to be done since Matthew has been asking why is he missing from our wedding picture.

Painted Heart, Case Woodlot Trail, Aurora

I think that was a creative idea to paint these hearts – dress up the trail as those trail markers we constantly follow becoming a little boring. It was also nice that they are all similar style. I wonder what spark the artist to do such thing – very intriguing.

Painted Heart, Case Woodlot Trail, Aurora

Beside all the painted hearts there are many engraved hearts on the trees. They are not new and have been growing with the tree. There is always someone who loves someone. Sometimes I wonder if any of these couples ever came back to those places. I wonder if those love birds are now married. I tell you there is so much to wonder and ponder when walking the Case Woodlot Trail.

Engraved Heart, Case Woodlot Trail, Aurora

Somethings will not last forever. We noticed big orange R on one of the trees. Probably marked for removal. The tree itself was full of love markings, hearts and initials all over. The tree may be cut down in the near future and hopefully will be left there. If not then all those markings are history, but hey some will survive and are here preserved in photographs.

Engraved Heart, Case Woodlot Trail, Aurora

It is interesting to note how different Case Woodlot Trail is from Sheppard’s Bush Trail. Tall trees, rolling hills, lots of dead trees and in the fall you are definitely going to find lot of different species of mushrooms. Hardly ever I hear birds. Squirrell there and there.

So far we only explored partial trails in the Case Woodlot, only the one that goes along the Handerson Drive. I believe there is a path that exits at the Norm Weller Park.

There are few sitting benches along the way.

Perhaps something still missing. Definitely more signs to let the dog owners know to keep dogs on the leash. When we walked the trail couple of weeks ago a dog charged full force in our direction and barked at us. If it wasn’t for my husband scaring him away he probably would jump at me and Matthew.

Unfortunately, they can smell my fear and the best thing the dog owner could do for those who carry a fear on their back to keep dogs on the leash.

Engraved Love, Case Woodlot Trail, Aurora

What Rough Collie Dog, Never Say Never & Basement Have In Common? A Trip To Library

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 03:34:57 +0000

I don’t know if I should call this the-exciting, the-entertaining or the-adventurous day. Early morning today we arrived at the library parking lot. We came today because we had serious business to do – we had to pay fine for overdue Aurora library books and DVDs.

We parked and I am about to get out the car. Well what do I see, a Rough Collie dog off the leash cruising around the parking lot. Even better he stood in front of our parked car and kept looking at us. After few seconds of staring, which felt like minutes to us, the dog decided to leave us.

I thought that the owner must be in the near proximity. But he wasn’t, because when I got out and got on the back of the car to take Matthew out of the car seat – oh what now? The dog was back again standing in front of our car and looking at us. Lucky us he got a nature call, wandered to the next available bush, took off right after, and we were able to safely arrive at the library.

Aurora Public Library, Children Section Books

So they say never say never. Couple of weeks ago I was standing in line at the library checkout behind a lady who was paying for overdue books. The amount was substantial. I thought, I will never pay any fees. Never mind, I will never pay anything. I always keep on top of everything. Well not this time, I slipped.

My fine for DVDs on the adult card was 75 cents (25 per DVD per day) and Matthew had to pay 80 cents for books that were overdue 8 days (5 cents per book per day). Good thing that I was informed in the past that it is cheaper to put children books on the child’s card, I will pay less fine in the future. Who ever told me this, predicted that one way or the other I will pay a library fine.

Aurora Public Library Inside

So we are paying our fine at the drop off desk. We were chatting a bit and as usual Matthew showed off his Iron Man shoes. Then suddenly he asked ‘Hey Lady what’s in library basement?‘. Oh my ‘hey Lady‘ didn’t sound too polite, but the lady was nice enough to explain that it was just area filled with books, just like a storage. She said that they don’t go there very often.

We told her that one day we were going down the elevator from second to first floor, but the elevator did not stop just went to the basement. We both got scared and laughed when we realized that someone was waiting for the elevator in the basement to go up. Since then we been curious to find out what was there.

Mystery solved – just old books, archives, space for Pottery club and probably all the electrical and heating services.

Computer Work Stations, Aurora Public Library

Today the purpose was to drop off overdue items but Matthew headed for the second floor anyway. We got to the elevator and what happens to us? We started to go down to the basement again – what are the chances especially after we talked about it and how rare it is. I looked at Matthew, he looked at me and I said ‘What did you press?‘. ‘I pressed nothing just number two‘ – he replied surprised. We laughed again when a service man entered the elevator. He explained to us that it was secured area and no visitors are allowed in the basement.

My Favorite Library Art

I know I know the post is getting too long … but may be I tell you what happened at the Matthew’s hearing test.

When we arrived at the doctor office later today, the specialist asked what was the issue. My mistake was telling him this ‘I could yell and scream and he does not respond. Family doctor suggested we do hearing test‘. This doctor had a very good sense of humor and made Matthew very comfortable that we had no issues taking the test.

Matthew’s test result was perfect, and this is a semi-exact message left by the specialist at my family doctor’s voice mail, ‘This message is for patient Matthew so and so. The results of his hearing test are perfect. Matthew not responding to his mother shows his character, and I think his mother is scary‘. Looks like I was diagnosed with ‘too much yelling‘ syndrome.

After the appointment we asked if Matthew can hear us now, he responded that ‘I am better now and I can hear you‘. As a reward for being a good patient we took Matthew for a treat to Tim Horton’s on Wellington Street for chocolate covered donut. Never enough – he asked for more Tim-bits. After little training he arrived at the counter and asked ‘Excuse me can I have one chocolate Tim-bit please?

I know I should not let my son indulge but I needed an opportunity for him to learn how to ask properly for something instead of ‘hey Lady‘. Speaking of indulging, Matthew paid twenty five cents, got back five cents and two chocolate Tim-bits.

Coyotes Back In Aurora, February Start Of The Mating Season, Happy Valentines

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:56:00 +0000

I have been deliberating – got no pictures of coyotes, have seen couple and no body is emphasizing that coyote mating season starts in February. I doubt they are looking for a dog companion perhaps more like food for Valentine’s dinner.

Yes I have been deliberating if I should write few things that I have on my mind about coyotes – everyone else did it including politicians.

So I have seen two coyotes.

St. Andrew's Golf Course

Not this year. But last year I saw one crossing Vandorf (common in that area).

Then few months later the second coyote I saw was in the Hamilton Park soccer field (near St. John’s sideroad). That day on the opposite side of the field I spotted unleashed dog sniffing around.

I don’t trust unleashed dogs, so myself and Matthew decided to head home. I know I turned few times behind me and there was no sign of any dog owner, just that one dog. He looked like Husky from far away. It hit me later.

Just Husky Dog In The Dog Leash Free Park, Industrial Parkway

My neighbour once told me (3-4 years ago) that five or six coyotes have been killed in that same area, Hamilton Park soccer field. There was no publicity for that event. The same neightbour told me that she many times heard howling at night, but then it went away. I guess her killing story was correct.

Few weeks ago, my other neighbour couple of times saw coyotes coming out the St. Andrew’s Golf Course. I guess no body is golfing now so they have place for themselves to hunt. That one time the coyotes face was all bloody – she told me.

I understand that food chain is important, but I prefer vegetarian animals over the meat eating coyotes. Oh just the image of the poor rabbit being eaten. Oh, on other note my backyard rabbit is also missing.

Community Arboretum, Coyotes On The Map

My thoughts.

What can we do? Do not kill and do not relocate, and do not feed. Stay alert and educate yourself. The bottom line is that coyotes always will be in our area and there is nothing we can do beside to be alert and to be cautious.

Do I like it? No, not one bit, but this is not any different than having a giant dog off the leash running around the neighbourhood. So may be this is a wake up call for dog owners to keep dogs on the leash at all times.

Now that we have all this attention going on in our town about coyotes I thought that we may need a map of coyotes sightings. That will be a very useful page that can be added to any of the Town of Aurora printed materials released to the public.

Only The Unleashed Wildlife Allowed In Sheppard’s Bush, Unless Dogs Are

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:02:47 +0000

I just wish that Town of Aurora posted fines on their signs throughout the town and enforced them for walking with unleashed dogs and for dogs pooping and owners not scooping after their dogs.

Please please learn from your neighbors and visit the Fairy Lake or Tim Taylor Trail in Newmarket. They got something right.

Dogs Must Be Leashed

We were on our way out from the Sheppard’s Bush on Sunday afternoon. A man with a very nice big white dog walked by. The dog sniffed and walked away. The dog was not on the leash.

Few minutes later as we were exiting the Sheppard’s Bush, another man was just walking in with a dog. I will not describe but I will leave series of pictures here to your interpretation.

A Man With Unleashed Dog, Sheppard's Bush Parking Lot

A Man With Still Unleashed Dog, Entered Sheppard's Bush Trail

Man Is Minding His Business, Dog Is Minding His Business

Unleashed Dog All The Way, Sheppard's Bush

Obviously lot of dog owners do not know how to interpret the signs. May be we should all change them to ‘Only Unleashed Wildlife Is Allowed‘ and ‘Do Not Scoop After Wildlife‘.

Kidding aside, do you think this is right?

Canine Leash-Free-Park, Found Parking On Industrial Parkway To Access The Arboretum

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 03:13:02 +0000

I always walk to and enter the Arboretum from the Industrial Parkway and St. John’s Sideroad intersection. It cannot be missed. It has wooden pergola on the East side of St. John’s sideroad built by the Home Depot in Aurora. Beside there is a nice flower garden patch and further the trail information booth as shown below.

Nokiidaa Trail, Information Booth

It never occurred to me that the parking for the Canine Leash-Free-Park on Industrial Parkway is also parking to access the Arboretum. This is a good news in fact, because I can drive to the parking lot, and actually enjoy longer time on the trail as opposed to be walking along the St. John’s sideroad during high traffic hours – just too much road noise, and pollution. Never mind the accident that occurred few weeks ago on St. John’s sideroad. You just always have to look over your shoulder even on the sidewalk.

Aurora Community Arboretum

The other day I visited the Arboretum from the Industrial Parkway and used the parking lot for the first time. While there I took some pictures of the dog park and the dogs.

I have seen this park regularly from the other side of the trail, but I didn’t know that it was actually that big. I think this is great thing for the dogs, they need to have some freedom too. The parking is big enough to accommodate both dog owners cars and anyone who wants to access the Arboretum.

Canine Leash-Free-Park

Sometimes we don’t realize but we do have many great things here in Aurora. I was surprised to see all the recycling boxes and compost green containers on the site for the dog park users. Obviously there must be a regular garbage and compost pick up.

Canine Leash-Free Park

In lieu for that great land to use and service, Town of Aurora has a big sign asking users to adhere to Rules and Code of Conduct. I re-wrote the rules here, as I found it rather interesting. The list has 15 items. Well thought out and carefully written list. I couldn’t resist to add some of my thoughts too.

Rules and Code of Conduct

1. Dogs are allowed off their leash only within the fenced compound.
‘Yes, yes good point, just wished that in the land somewhere far far away from the dog park still in Aurora dog owners did not follow the same rule.‘

2. All dogs must be licensed and have up-to-date dog tags.
‘In fact every dog I saw up close had dog tag. Up-to-date tag, I cannot comment.‘

3. All dogs must have up-to-date vaccinations.
‘Yes, not sure if there are any means to verify it.‘

4. You must pick up and properly dispose of your dog’s waste.
‘There is a fundamental flaw with this item – there are still some that do not adhere to it. The parking lot in front of the wooden guard is full of it. I had to do my wild dance again to walk off the crap of my shoes.‘

Watch For You Know What Around Those

5. Dogs are not to be left unattended. It is recommended that dogs remain within sight and voice control at all times.
‘At the gate I saw four unattended dogs, beautiful dogs. However, they were within my sight and voice control, hopefully that counts.‘

Husky

6. It is recommended that you only take into the park the number of dogs you can control.
‘I must say, dog walkers like this park a lot. I hope they are dog walkers?‘

7. Aggressive dogs must be muzzled or removed from the park immediately.
‘Not sure if one dog wrestling another dog can be called an aggressive activity in the park.‘

8. Female dogs in heat are not allowed in the park.
‘No comment, it was cold day that day. Not sure what that means either.‘

9. Sick dogs are requsted no to use the park.
‘And if they do, that is torture.’

10. It is recommended that all dogs using the park be spayed and neutered.
‘Good idea.‘

11. It is recommended that dogs do not wear spiked or chain collars in the park.
‘Better idea.‘

12. Parents are stronly advised that this is not a suitable environment for children under the age of 12.
‘We stayed outside the dog park.‘

13. No vehicles are allowed in the park.
‘Not sure how one with a vehicle would get in.‘

14. Professional dog trainers are prohibited from using this facility to conduct their business.
‘How can you tell?‘

A Bench Inside the Park

15. Always respect other users of the park.
‘Yes, yes, yes …‘

Desperate Measures, Do We Really Need More Signs?

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 05:02:55 +0000

This is absolutely a great idea, and I could not agree more. The article ‘Councillor’s Notice of Motion would create smoke-free areas near town’s recreations facilities‘ published in THE AURORAN, Week of Auguts 2, 2011 on page 3 was an interesting reading and in my favor. The Councillor Abel proposed to increase smoke-free areas around recreational facilities, including playgrounds.

It’s about time law enforcement got as organized as organized crime. ~ by Rudolph Giuliani.

This also reminded me our last visit to the Town’s Park Splash Pad and how awful it was to stand around people who smoked close by. We couldn’t do much because our boy was playing near by, no choice but to accelerate our visit at the pad. He stated that ‘most people would not smoke around their children or their environment‘, well he is wrong on this one as I have seen many cases where parents smoke around their children and in presence of other children at the playgrounds.

He also stated ‘it would take a lot of funds and resources to monitor these sorts of events‘. I could not agree more again. These are all valid statements. They are in favor of our children and who would not agree. So I was agreeing while reading this article – yes, yes this is good.

But wait a minute there is something wrong with this picture.

How possibly can I agree on the above? NO I WILL NOT. It will be just another useless sign put out in our town.

The article ‘Residents semi-successful in dangerous dog appeal‘ published Week of August 9, 2011 on the front page of THE AURORAN is a perfect example of useless signs in our town. If the town enforced the by-law for dogs off the leash (a rope or similar material attached to the neck or head of an animal for restraint or control), we would not have this incident in the first place.

I am repeating this again and again. I had dog jumped on me last year (a friendly puppy according to the owner). I had another dog charging at me on the soccer field where the owner had to raise serious voice on them in order for them to get back and be leashed, and these were not small dogs. Size probably close to the German Shepherd dog. I continue to see dog owners letting their dogs off the leash.

I don’t drive. I walk. I see. I see every day. People take dogs to the parks and playgrounds and let them out. Then why bother having just another useless sign if not enforced.

Last spring I was completely disgusted and tired bringing dirty shoes, and not just the dirt. The melted snow revealed lot of hidden illegal doggy treasures. Now I see it is happening again. A month ago I have noticed someone took time to create these home made signs with plastic covers (in plastic so they last longer) asking politely to scoop the poop after the dog. The signs appeared all around the Hamilton Park.

Attention Dog Owners

I noticed about 6 of them plaster all over the posts and garbage cans. Desperate measures, residents acting on their own wasting their time and resources on top of the tax dollars they have to pay to keep our streets clean. Then why bother having just another useless sign if not enforced.

Attention Dog Owners Again

The other time I wrote about people dumping in front, not just close by, but in front of the No Dumping sign – By Law No Dumping Dump Ditty Dump Dump Dump. Then why bother having just another useless sign if not enforced.

How about no litter signs? We need those too, but then why bother having just another useless sign which will not be enforced.

Littering, McKenzie Marsh

[Thinking] I have an idea. I think instead of another sign we should have a column in our local newspaper from the Town of Aurora dedicated to all the by-laws in town stating fines as well. It probably would raise eyebrows for some. Here is an example.

Dear Aurora Residents:

Keep your dogs on the leash everywhere and anytime of the day or night; otherwise $$$ fine.

Pick up after your dog during all four beautiful seasons: fall, winter, spring and summer; otherwise $$$ fine.

Pick Up After Your Dog - Sign

Do not leave bag full of poop hanging on the tree in the park; otherwise $$$ fine.

Stop dumping in front of No Dumping signs. We know who you are – your patio is looking great. Fine $$$.

Do not litter. If we don’t fine you we will pass charge on Tim Hortons and McDonalds for littering. Fine $$$.

Try not to hide 4th, and 5th dog or cat in the house. Fine $$$ for every over the limit animal.

Do not let the cat go outside before going to the litter-box; otherwise $$$ fine.

When parking on the street don’t just rotate your tires every 24 hours, move to the next spot. Fine $$$.

When you have dust in your eyes, you forgot to use water jet when cutting stone. Fine $$$, more fine for dust in your neighbors eyes.

Idling Car

No mercy if you forgot to turn off the ignition key. Fine $$$.

What can I say more? What will another sign do? Probably absolutely nothing. I think it is plain simple that we just keep plastering our town with signs that mean nothing. We need more than that, a by-law enforcement officer and real fines. With all this illegal activity the collected fines may even cover the officer’s salary plus some money for the town.

Kidding aside, I think Councillors Abel’s Notice of Motion for smoke-free is good one, but lets look at the existing by-law signs and their effectiveness. Something to think about.