My Dad was a collector of pocket knives. I have an eye for flashlights. Being a daily dog park visitor with Kanook, it is the time of the year when the visits are after dark on the weekdays. While there are more visitors to Minooka's dog park, it seems to be empty after the sun sets. Mitchell Park still has some people that enjoy the stillness of the night. We often adorn our dogs with flashing LED lights that clip on the collar. One visitor is using a dog "headlight" that she bought at Cabela's. It straps under the chin and makes the dog very visible and if it's night vision isn't too good, will help it from running into trees, fences and potholes. I bought another blinky light for Kanook. They come with batteries and sell for about $9. When the batteries die out, new batteries will cost about $11. So, I have lots of good blinkies laying around in need of batteries.

 For my use, I long gave up the big "D" cell flashlight. For the last few years I've had various LED flashlights. The batteries last forever, it seems. However, the light that they give off isn't much, until recently. The last few years have seen high output LED flashlights that pack a pretty good light. While at Batteries Plus on Grandview and Silvernail buying a new Blinky for Kanook, I was looking over the wide selection of flashlights that they have. I noticed on the counter one that looked like a cylinder of stainless steel that fit in the hand nicely. It measures about one inch in diameter and about four inches long. I pressed the button and the light it gave off was amazing. Three small AAA batteries power it for over 100 hours and produces 72 lumens. What that means is it floods the area in front of you as you walk around the dog park. I thought that it'd make a great bicycle headlight.

It isn't cheap. It cost $29.95 but I gave up smoking years ago so I treat myself with good stuff once in a while. The associate at Batteries Plus said they have a hard time keeping them in stock. I can see why. If I still fixed furnaces it would be my flashlight of choice because of the bright flood of light it gives. It's name is LED LENSER. The numbers 0089596 are on it but looking at LED LENSER's catalog, I believe it is model 7732.

 See you at the dog parks, even at night!

On a lighter note than I've been blogging about lately, read on if you have a dog. If you are not already aware, and a surprising amount of people are not, Waukesha kicked in some money to create a dog park within Minooka County Park about a year ago. Read more information here. Somebody has placed a number of official park comment cards by the exit gate of the dog park, with an example of one suggesting that the "seasonal pond" be filled in. If you are the person that put these cards there, please send me an email. We have a common interest!

I noticed that another doggie bag dispenser was put at the garbage container at the far end of the old campground. It's one less excuse for not picking up after Fido.

The more people that speak up, the better our dog park can be. In the mean time the county park system does what they think best. I'm sure improvements will come along but most will count on people's suggestions, donations and stepping up helping to provide these. We need a cool water source for the dogs and for people for that matter. A bulletin board for dog related matters would be nice too. A few improvements to the restrooms that would require the addition of electricity would be welcomed. As the parking lot and entrance to the dog park are at a high point in the area, I suggest a wind turbine would be a good way to get the electricity and showcase some examples of pollution free energy to people. With the energy available, I believe I could get some infrared snow melt and warming devices for the entrance.

A single voice does not carry the weight that many do. Stop by the park and fill out a card!

Last heard from Mama Celeste, there is an abundance of things since the rain! Around the Bukosky home it is mosquitos and maple seedlings.

I've spend a few dollars in trying to have a nice lawn and pretty much got the weeds under control and the grass lush and dark green. The maple seeds, helicopters to some, were also in abundance and practically paved the driveway. I've been amazed how many maple tree saplings are growing and how easily they sprout and root. It seems that the seeds need only be about an inch from the soil and it sprouts and takes a root hold.

I'm sure everyone is busy swatting mosquitos too. My grass was two days late in getting it's twice weekly mowing and was a bit tall. As I navigated the back lawn with the mower, the critters flew up in small clouds! I soon went to the car and got my can of Deep Woods Off and sprayed on a film of protection.  I bought this can just last week while on the way to Minooka Park with Kanook. Walmart was on the way and as I passed a couple check-out isles, there was a large display of OFF prepared for people like me. It made for one of the quickest Walmart trips that I ever had.

We also finally have some of the warm and slightly humid weather of the summer. Guys in my business have bee anxously waiting for it. Many air conditioning technicians have not been getting a full week of work in until now. So, remember to keep those air filters clean and if you haven't had your air conditioner checked over for a while, call you local heating and air conditioning company and schedule a checkover.

There is no shortage of articles about the flood. I didn't realize just how bad it was until I got out of the neighborhood, even though the intersection of Bel Ayr and Pine Street, just a few houses from me, had water that appeared as deep as four feed deep and many flooded basements in the vicinity. This is not the time to talk about it here. It'd get lost in the flow of things. Later.

Sunday I did decide to visit Mitchell Park and Minooka Park's Dog Parks. Kanook and I went to Mitchell first as I knew it would be flooded and that the flooding would be over the sod which would allow Kanook to splash around and not get muddy. It was more than I expected.

It is not unusual for River Road along side the railroad tracks to flood out just east of Mitchell Park Road. However, it was not only flooded between it and Barker road, Barker Road was also flooded with a good flow of water heading east into the park's marsh. A car could negotiate it so long as it wasn't going fifty miles per hour.

Once in the dog park, there were several dogs splashing and even swimming in the water. Kanook immediately joined them. While watching them splash in and out of the water, I noticed something splashing at various location near the new shore. Closer inspection showed them to be carp. The ones that broke water appeared to be ten to fifteen pounds to this seasoned fisherman. Once the waters recede, these fish will be trapped and die off leaving not only a smelly mess, but for whatever reason, many dogs love to roll in such stinking stuff. This is not the first time fish have wandered into the park.  Last spring someone was complaining about a dead carp near the end of the fence that their dog rolled in. Once again, I'd like to see them put up some snow fencing to block off the area.  Soon it will be a mud hole from the dogs running in and out.

Speaking of mud holes, out next visit was to Minooka. Two months of evaporation and seepage were erased and the "seasonal pond" was restored to near winter melt off conditions. Except there is a rim of mud surrounding it.  Even fewer visitors are seen at the large dog area because of it while the small dog area thrives and continues to have many users.

In closing, I do want to acknowledge the people of the city who suffered flooded basements.  I know what  it is like as I endured several floodings when In Milwaukee near the Lincoln Creek. So much destroyed and so much work to clean up. More about this when we've had time to finish the work, rest and think about what happened.

With the record snowfall this winter, the spring thaw made a huge pond of water on the south side of the Minooka dog park. At first it was clean water and it drew lots of people watching their dogs splash around.  The water was around two feet deep or more and covered better than an acre.  As the sod wore down and the water and shore became muddy, people began to avoid it and a steady decline in attendance of the large dog area was noticed.

While I could not interview those that were not there, those that continued to come did mention their disgust with it.  The fact that the small dog area was continuing to be used in good numbers showed that the large dog area had a problem. Another problem is that the large dog area is very hilly, with the flattest area at the entrance. Consequently it rapidly became muddy.  The county fenced off much of the area and laid down bark trails to either ends of the area. However, the flat area has long dried up. There is no sign of it having been reseeded so I don't understand why it isn't reopened.  I believe that many people prefer the flatter and level area to hiking up and down the hills.  Several users are disabled or have trouble walking distances. This is not good for them.

I will often drive directly to Brookfield's Mitchell Park dog park after our visit to Minooka and I find that it continues to be well used.  I see people that I've seen at Minooka and being that the marsh has dried up enough to not be much of an issue for attracting dogs, it reinforces my observation that Minooka needs to do something with what is called the Seasonal Pond, but has turned out to be a muddy nuisance. I suggested fencing it off, at least temporarily so dog owners don't have to fear a muddy mess to shampoo later on. I'd like to see some landscaping and drainage to contain the water to a smaller area. However, because it is stagnant and will dry up, I think a sewer should be installed and pumped out as needed to keep the area usable and attractive.

All is not bad though. There is some beauty to be found. That's for the next blog perhaps.  See you at the dog parks!

Having donated toward the creation of the Minooka Dog Park, both the cities of Waukesha and New Berlin must insist that the county sees if there is any connection between the bacteria killing dogs at HAWS and the seasonal pond at the dog park that consists of melted snow and run off from the higher ground and has a trash receptacle immersed in the water.

Concerns from users of the area have been expressed to me and I in turn have asked the county to fence off the huge puddle to prevent dogs from splashing around in it and drinking the water. For the record, I have also asked Brookfield to put up snow fencing to block the seasonally flooded swamp area of their dog park. Kanook had been ill from what I believe was drinking the contaminated water there.

Were these cleaner water areas, it'd be great for the dogs.  Most love to splash around and retrieve sticks and such. Many are bred to do so. But puddles end up being muddy and bacteria ridden doing the dogs ill.

Anyone who flys the airlines from time to time is familiar with the two pieces of reading material in the pockets of the seat backs. One is a catalog with all sorts of unusual devices and the other is a magazine written for the particular airline.  Sunday I was enjoying my twice a year flight to Colorado on one of Midwest's newer Boing 717's.  One with the nice comfy brown leather seats. As my first appointment was Monday afternoon, I asked our travel department for a later PM flight. Mine departed at 7:35 AM.

There was a fair amount of ground fog in the area and from 36,000 feet it looked like regular low level clouds.  It was when we flew over the wind turbines near Dodgeville or wherever, that I noticed the turbines were chopping up the fog! A very unusual sight. I tried to fire up my cell phone camera to capture the sight but when you are moving around 500mph, things are quickly in the distance. Besides, the cell phone might disrupt the navionics and cause the jet to do snap-rolls. (a little pilot humor)

After I became boared with the distant scenery, I pulled the Midwest magazine from the pouch and came across an article discussing how airlines and hotels are becoming more dog friendly for travelers. Some dog friendly places at several cities were mentioned.  In the Milwaukee area they mentioned the Granville dog park, which was called Milwaukee's only dog park (it is not) and also mentioned Petlicious Dog Bakery, which is located in Waukesha over on Silvernail.

While I like traveling, I dislike the business trips where I am away from my wife and my dog for any length of time. The cell phone keeps Pat and me in touch each evening. I've tried talking to Kanook but the sounds coming from the phone must not be much different from a squeeker in a chew toy for him. In my free time, I did "sniff out" some area dog parks.  Golden has a dog park that is on land donated by a former Coors employee. It's a bit hidden behind the baseball diamonds but never the less a dog park. In Fort Collins, where I held another class, they have a smaller neighborhood dog park about the size of a city lot. The entire lot is covered with wood chips so mud is never a problem.  Waukesha Dog Parks Organization has supporters who would like to see such neighborhood dog parks built here. In time, after a full season of observation at Minooka Park, I think such neighborhood dog parks might be considered.  Time and money will tell.

It's been a heck of a week.  Each spring I have my training tour of our stores around the country and I'm about to embark to Colorado after doing some night classes in Illinois and Wisconsin.  Tax time was this week also, and like many Americans, if we owe money, we wait till the last minute.  The good news is that my rebate check or "stimulus check" will cover all but a few dollars of what I have to mail in with my return.  I did smile when I drove to downtown Milwaukee to drop off my tax mail.  The traffic cones were set up and one of the persons collecting the mail was dressed as an eagle. All were cheerful, helping making the best of a painful situation.

My big cheer-up came Friday night when I found the Minooka Dog Park opened.  The county has been busy doing some improvements by fencing off muddy areas and laying trails of wood chips which will help reduce wear on the turf.  The "seasonal pond" is about the size of a small lake and looks to be possibly a couple feet deep. Last weekend Kanook joined the retrievers at Mitchell Park splashing in the marsh and ended up getting a bath in the self-serve grooming salon at Petlicious which is located over on Silver Nail. I was able to keep Kanook from running into the water on this outing.

Tonight there weren't too many people there, but those that were made for an enjoyable outing.  One couple had their recently adopted greyhound that retired from the dog tracks.  She was a little timid but appeared to be socializing well along with having some open area to keep the legs stretched out. Also there was a dad, his two small daughters and their golden-doodle. Kids like Kanook and he got along good with the "doodle dog" who had a great personality too. Once again it was proven that dog parks are as much for people as they are for dogs.

A word of appreciation for County Parks manager Duane Grimm and his parks crew is in order too.  Things are progressing nicely.

No question about it. This winter has been the snowiest ever.  It also has been one of my favorite! No, I don't have a condo or apartment where I don't have to contend with the snow.  I've fought with it along with everyone else and helped out a neighbor or two with the big Craftsman snowblower.

What I liked about it is that when the work is done, Kanook and I can head over the Minooka Park and hike around the dog park without getting boots or paws muddy.

Lack of snow and thin sod cause the county to close the dog park, which I think was a wise move provided something is in the plans for remedying the situation such as tougher sod, wood bark or decomposed granite in the high traffic areas.

With the 15 inches of snow Friday, they opened the park and the parking lot was again filled by late morning Saturday. It's a heavy snow and soon packed down trails were created. A visit to Mitchell Park afterwards showed a similar situation along with the sled hill adjacent to the dog park being used by kids that still had their sleds accessible.

I don't think this snow is going to last too long however. Already some spots have melted through and the meltdown will flood out the low spots of both dog parks worse than they already are.  So keep tabs on the county's web site to see if the Minooka dog park is open or not until all the snow melts and the ground isn't squishy!

 So much to think about and write about from the news of the past several days that I thought I'd take Kanook to Minooka park.  It was past sundown and while driving up to the check-in hut, I noticed something out of the ordinary.  It was a notice that the large dog area was closed until the ground firmed up a bit more. It said further that they are checking it daily and to check out the county park website to see the status. I tried doing just that but the pages would not load.  Perhaps website maintenance is being done at this time.

The small dog area remains open.  As it was dark and nobody else was around, Kanook and I decided to check it out. It too has much mud adjacent to the cement apron, but once beyond that, it is in pretty good shape.

If you need your dog park fix in the mean time, check out www.waukeshadogparks.org for other off leash areas in Waukesha County.

Jim Stingl, in today's Metro section, writes of a happy ending regarding a missing dog.  You can read it here. Visitors to Minooka County Park's dog exersize area have seen posters taped to a bench by the dog park entrance regarding the situation.

As I understood it, Luke and his owner were at the Milwaukee dog park on a very foggy day.  It is a large area with a rise in the middle so even on a clear day you can lose sight of your dog if it decides to explore.  I found it puzzling that someone would take a dog from within the dog park, thinking that it was abandoned. Now the facts come out.

Luke's owner had removed his dog collar. So, it is reasonable that anyone seeing a dog without a collar and tags would consider that the dog is either lost or abandoned.

From time to time I will see dogs at the dog park without collars. I don't know why someone would remove the collar. While it isn't in the park rules that a collar must be on, I believe that most municipal ordinances require the license to be worn by the dog along with vaccination tags. There is also a rule that dog owners must have a leash with them at all times. Can't use a leash without a collar, right? However, anyone picking up a stray should contact the nearest Humane Society and leave it there with the option to have first refusal should it become available for adoption.

So here's one example where not following the rules creates problems, in this case heartbreak for the owner and the children thinking that they have a new family member.

Fortunately the existing rules at our dog park cover most everything if common sense is used. 

I see that the Malamute club's sled pull was canceled due to the cold.  Good thing that Kanook, a Siberian Husky AKA sled dog, and I didn't change our dog park plans for the day!

We first visited Minooka Park's Dog Exercise Area and there was only one car there with mine and another pulling in. In that neighboring car, out popped a Siberian Husky and her owner.  We entered the park and found the sole occupant running around the fence-line to greet us. It was another Husky! The three of them had a grand time with two of them doing the nose surfing through the snow that Huskies like to do.  Next Kanook was rolling in the snow. Of course, none of the Huskies showed any notion of being cold.

After a while some other hardy people showed up with their Retrievers, Collies and some other Husky mixes. The fact of the matter is the dogs don't mind the cold.  It's the owners. I suspect that was the case with the sled pull event.  Malamutes look identical to Huskies to most people, but are larger and stronger. The Huskies have a bit more stamina though, so are the best known sled dog breed.

After visiting with the other dog owners, Kanook and I hiked around the perimeter of the area a couple times and it was time to leave for lunch.  As usual, Kanook was not ready to leave and needed a little (lot) of coaxing to leash up by the gates.  By this time more people had come to the park and were still entering as we drove down the road to pass the check-in booth where the attendant must have been thinking that there are warmer ways to make some spending money on a subzero Saturday!  I like to take a census when I'm in the park and as expected, the dog area was the sole host of users of the park.

After warming up with some lunch and coffee, it was time to head to Brookfield's Mitchell Park. This is the first off-leash dog area in the county. The park was devoid of people and sledders but for the few cars at the dog exercise area. After the big thaw recently, the south side of the dog park had turned to a lake.  Today it was frozen and with the dusting of snow melding to the ice, it was good hiking over it.  We detoured off of the trail and walked through the woods that are normally nothing much more than a junk yard of cars and trucks from some 1960's enterprise and other machinery and old tires.  The snow covered it all today and it was actually a pretty respite from suburban and urban scenery. Mitchell Park is a bit more open than Minooka so the west winds were biting cold to my face once out of the woods. However, the pleasant hike through the woods made it worth it, even in the subzero temperature.

One fact about sled dogs that I learned from watching the Iditarod race shows is that the dogs can overheat when the temperature is above zero. When resting in the cold and snow, they curl up with their tails covering their faces and show no affects of the cold.

I hope the Malamute Club reschedules the pull soon. I also hope that they hold it at Minooka Park where dogs are welcomed and are helping to pay the bills.