The Lab Brats Dog Blog » Lab Meetup

Blast at the Dog Park

Shannon Steffen — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:59:20 +0000

There is nothing like being witness to a Labrador Retriever when it is around water. It is as though they have finally found their element and without it they can neither be whole nor survive. This weekend was the Community Bark’s June River Dip at our local dog park in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. This group meets once a month at a different dog park in our area so we can mingle while our pups get rid of all that pent-up doggy energy. Unfortunately, the Lab Brats haven’t been able to go to many in the last several months. First, it was too hot, then Cheyenne threw out her back leg again and then it always seemed to rain the day before the event (not much fun when Labs dive into every mud pool they see and want to curl up in your car’s backseat on the way home *laugh*). This time though, it was a perfect day and, at worse, the Labs get wet – not muddy – at this park.

We had a blast! As soon as we got close enough to the river – where Dakota could hear the dogs but not see them – she took off! Normally she is by our side but when she knows there is water, there is just no stopping this pooch. Sure, Cheyenne was on her heel but Dakota is the real water dog in the family. Not only do she love to run and play in the water, but she loves to lay down and roll around in it – something resembling a serpent sliding on its stomach. It is so much fun to watch her and she never seems to get tired.

They spent over an hour in the water chasing after their balls (we brought the “chuck it”) – briefly coming out to drop the ball at our feet while shaking a combination of river water and mud all over us. The smiles on their faces made up for the fact that we were soaked from head to toe.

After we were done (not the dogs but us humans), we took the Lab Brats for a hike up the hilly terrain of the dog park to dry off some and then back home it was. Not only did they sleep all the way home but for a day and half afterwards. Now that is some Lab exercise that not only works to tire out of the pups but is a blast for one and all!

Local Area Labrador Retriever Meetups

Shannon Steffen — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:53:00 +0000

Question:
I regularly (daily in fact) check your website and will comment here and there BUT this question is about your lab get together that you have for lab and lab mix pups. I am just wondering if you can tell me or send to me what information you have on this. I would appreciate anything that you can share.

Answer:
Last year I created a local group called the Milwaukee Area Lab Meetup. The goal of this group was to get Lab owners and lovers together at least once a month to have a play date for the dogs while the humans socialized, traded stories and shared training secrets. It was a huge success and before long the group was so large in size that my schedule could not accommodate the group. So, I handed it off to another group member that has grown it beyond my wildest hopes and dreams.

Today the group is known as the Milwaukee Area Retriever (and large breed) Meetup. It has 202 Lab-loving members, has held 18 meetups so far and has helped raised money for a number of dog breed specific dog rescues. Although I am no longer the “Head Retriever” of the group, I am still a member and attend many of their events. It is a great opportunity to get together with other Lab and dog owners to finally have a place to boast about our dogs without someone thinking we are nuts for talking about the dogs more than most people talk about their kids. *wink*

To find out more about this specific meet-up group, please feel free to visit their group website at: http://www.meetup.com/milw-retriever/

You can also check out more dog meetups in your area by visiting: http://www.meetup.com/topics/pets/

May Lab Meetup Blast!

Shannon Steffen — Mon, 26 May 2008 11:47:00 +0000

The May 24th Milwaukee Area Labrador Retriever Meetup was a huge success!

There were 5 people in attendance and 6 Labrador Retrievers even though it was a holiday weekend! The weather was beautiful and not only did the Labs have a great time at the park but the Lab owners made some new friends, shared Lab stories and even traded much helpful Lab advice. All in all it was a huge success.

Dakota and Cheyenne had a blast as the welcoming crew once again. Every Lab was properly sniffed and played with to insure quality Lab time. Of course, Dakota would have liked her Lab mommy to bring the Chuck-It Ball Thrower but we already know she would have been too obsessed with it during the Lab play date rather then the Labs. She didn’t need any distractions from her post of Lab hostess to the event. *wink*

We hope you enjoy these pictures and if you live in the Milwaukee area, please feel free to join our group… we meet once a month and boy do we have fun!

Awesome Lab Meetup!

Shannon Steffen — Mon, 12 May 2008 13:26:00 +0000

This weekend was our first Milwaukee Area Labrador Retriever Meetup group meeting and we had a blast. It has been too long since we last got together with a group of other Labrador Retriever owners and it was well overdue.

With two hours of ball playing, miles of walking around the dog park, a couple of baths in mud pools (Cheyenne) and meeting all our new Lab friends, it was well worth the time to create this local group. Dakota and Cheyenne had a blast and are still recovering from all the excitement. I am thinking next time we should head to the dog park with the river that runs through it… well, all depending on the Wisconsin weather of course. *laugh*

Milwaukee Area Lab Meetup

Shannon Steffen — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:22:00 +0000

A couple of years ago, I held a Lab Fest at my home with 11 humans and 22 Labs. We had such a great time and I miss getting together with other Labrador Retriever owners: sharing stories, boasting about our Labs, and enjoying a common bond that all Lab owners and lovers have.

That is why I have decided to create a Milwaukee Area Labrador Retriever Meetup group. It is open to all that wish to meet in the Milwaukee (and surrounding areas) and are devoted to their loveable Labs.

So why not join up and meet other local Labrador Retriever owners and enthusiasts to trade tales and training tips. Our group is where Labrador Retrievers and Lab Mixes in the Milwaukee and surrounding areas can meet friends, get advice, set up play dates, and anything else fun we can think of.

This group will only work if everyone participates. So, don’t hesitate to add stories or photos to our page. Also, all suggestions for meetups are appreciated. We want to make sure that all of our Labs get to show off their little slice of Milwaukee.

Let’s get out there and have some Lab fun!

Click here to check out
The Milwaukee Area Labrador Retriever Meetup!