With fall approaching, now’s a good time to start planning longer walks with your dog. In the summer, high temperatures make walks shorter by necessity – for both you and your dog. But the crisper, cooler air may have both of you feeling a little more frisky, and a walk is a means of exercise and bonding with your pet, not to mention an antidote to boredom. A bonus to come in a few weeks will be the changing leaves.
Delaware County has plenty of options for long walks and/or play.
- Chester Creek Trail follows Chester Creek along the old Pennsylvania Railroad’s Chester Creek Branch line, which dates to the Civil War. The trail, which will be lengthened, now stretches 2.8 miles through Middletown and Aston Townships and features mild grades suitable for most humans and pets.
- Ridley Creek State Park has all sorts of trails running through it, with the most popular being a paved five-mile trail that hugs Ridley Creek for a while before meandering through meadows and woods. Much of the trail is level, although one section (near the end, or beginning, depending on your perspective) is rather steep, so the physically challenged may want to avoid it.
- Concord Township Dog Park in Garnet Valley features two separate gated areas – one for larger dogs and another for their smaller counterparts.
- Other dog parks (both in Delaware County and nearby) include the Haverford Reserve Dog Park, Schuylkill River Dog Run, Harford Park in Wayne and Skunk Hollow in Radnor.
There are also some dog-friendly restaurants in the area which welcome your pet in outside seating, at least according to bringfido.com. Always check first with the restaurant before showing up.
According to that website, five restaurants in Media that qualify include Seven Stones Café, Fellini’s Café, Ariano, Pinocchio’s and Margaret Kuo’s. Other possibilities include The Cross Bar in Havertown; Pure Bread Deli and Terrain in Glen Mills; Fresco Pizza Grill in Newtown Square; and Bruster’s Real Ice Cream in Aston.
And don’t forget about the Bark in the Park Walk and 5K Run & Fall Festival at Rose Tree Park in Media on Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Events include dog contests, an agility demonstration, nail trims, vaccine/microchipping clinic and, for humans, a raffle, music, face painting, food trucks and arts and crafts. Proceeds benefit the Providence Animal Center (formerly the Delco SPCA).
As you can see, there’s plenty to do, but one reminder: Just because it’s getting cooler doesn’t mean you need to forget about flea and tick prevention. In fact, petmd.com says the fall season is a particularly active time for these pests.
All dogs should be on flea and tick medication. Monthly drops are the most popular and are extremely safe and effective at preventing these pests. Some also prevent heartworms and intestinal parasites.
Be wary of leaf piles because fleas like to congregate in humid areas, protected from sunlight.
As always, avoid tall grasses where ticks often hide.
And make sure outdoor feeding and sleeping areas are clean. Don’t leave food and water bowls outside overnight as they might be visited by raccoons and possums – which may be covered in fleas and ticks.
A few minutes of preventive precautions are certainly worth the price of a tick-and flea-free dog.
Enjoy the fall!
AG
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