MacDill Happenings

This Saturday is the Pet Adoption Expo from 10am to 4pm at the Florida State Fairgrounds – Special Event Building4800. Just like President-elect Sen. Obama’s family, the best way to find a new pet is at a shelter!  More than 30 animals rescue groups, including The Humane Society of Tampa Bay and Hillsborough County Animal Services, will have hundreds of cats and dogs available for adoption inside the fairgrounds. The event will also feature pet merchandise, “Ask a Dog Trainer” and “Ask a Vet” booths. At the Spring Pet Adoption Expo in  April, more than 386 cats, dogs, kittens and puppies were adopted and nearly 3,000 people attended.  Admission is free, but donations are welcome both on-site and through TampaPets.org. Free parking is available at the Fairgrounds entrance off Orient Road. For more information about the Adoption Expo, please contact Lisa Knight at (813) 367-2078

Come out with the children and enjoy the Fall Festival at Old Hyde Park Village in South Tampa this Saturday from 10:30am to 12:30pm. Enjoy activities like a moon bounce, balloon sculptors, trick-or-treating, and more! There will also be a pumpkin patch which is open until the 31st! For two weeks, you will find plump pumpkins, pets in costume and fun photo opportunities. This benefits the Humane Society of Tampa Bay so bring your pets and children enjoy all the activities and fun! Parking is free!

The downtown St. Pete area has something for everyone and their pets this Saturday! Hogs and Dogs in the Grand Central District of St. Petersburg will give dogs their day and hawgs their due with a street party, between First Avenue N and First Avenue S, from 19th to 31st streets. There will be have motorcycle displays, a dog pageant and costume contest, pet portraits, exhibits and live entertainment from 11 am to 4 pm Saturday.

If you’re new to Tampa and want know where to take your dog out to enjoy the great Tampa weather and get a little exercise, then you’re in luck!  In the Tampa area, there are 4 dog parks spread throughout the county.  In the northern part of the Tampa area, there is the Carolyn Meeker Dog Park located in Lutz.    In the northeast part of Tampa, there is Logan Gate Dog Park. In Seffner just east of I-75 and north of MLK, is the Mango Recreation Center.  Just north of Tampa International Airport is West Park.  In each park there is a play area featuring 5 acres with a 6 foot galvanized chain link fence with double gated entries. Each area is split into two separate access areas for small and large dogs. In addition, there are water fountains for people and dogs, picnic tables, shelters, dog washes, a hitching post, and doggie mitt receptacles.  Hillsborough County has dog park rules and regulations, and a brochure to make sure you know what to do and what to expect.

The owners of Give A Dog A Bone in Apollo Beach on US 41 will be hosting a dog wash fundraiser for Critter Adoption and Rescue Effort (C.A.R.E.) this Saturday. The fundraiser will run from 11am to 2pm.  Give a Dog A Bone carries specialty products for dogs and cats using all natural dog/cat food and treats. Their products contain human grade meat, fruits, and vegetables with no by-products. They also bake all natural bones in the store daily using the freshest human ingredients. CARE is a non-profit, no-kill animal shelter for abused and abandoned cats and dogs located in Ruskin. Save a lot of money, help out other animals and have a clean dog! You just can’t beat that! A washing costs $5, a conditioning treatment and afterbath spray is an additional $2. Cruzin’ K9 will clip doggy’s nails for $5. All the money raised will be donated to C.A.R.E. For more information, call (813) 641-3734.

Yappy hours with dogs and owners are becoming more popular throughout the Tampa Bay area. Your pet can imbibe with a special doggie beer or pet store vendors booth offerings or take a picture with you! Make sure that you have your dog on a leash. Gaspar’s Grotto in Ybor City has a Pets on the Patio event from 2pm to 7pm on the first Saturday of each month. Dogs are also welcome during business hours from 11:30am to 3am Mondays to Saturdays and 2:30pm to midnight on Sundays. In Tampa at MacDinton’s Irish Pub and Restaurant has Pets About Town from 4pm to 6pm on the first Sunday of each month. Dogs are also welcome from 11:30am to 3am each day. In Hyde Park Village at the Wine Exchange, dogs are welcome from 11:30am to 10pm each day. In Safety Harbor at the Taste Safety Harbor Care Yappy Hour is from 4pm to 7pm on Saturdays. In Dunedin, La Maison Gourmet are welcome 11am to 3pm Mon to Sat, 5pm to 10:30pm Tue to Sat, and Sun from 10:30am to 2:30pm. In Clearwater at O’Keefe’s Irish Tavern, dogs are welcome from 11am to 2am each day. In Valrico, at J.F. Kicks Bar and Grille there is Dapper Doggie when Yappy Hour runs from 6:30pm to 8:30pm on the last Thursday of each month where dogs are encouraged to be dressed in their best! In Riverview at Mojitos, there is Happy Paws and Trails where Yappy Hour is 6pm to 8:30pm on the last Wed of each month where dog beer is served.

Check out the Bark in the Park Expo in Brandon today from noon to 3pm. It will take place at Zeina Park in the Twin Lakes subdivision of Brandon. Zeina is a 15 acre park that you will see to the West when you enter Twin Lakes. The pet exposition features dog trainers and the SPCA. There will be plenty of vendors including PamperedPawGifts.com and free samples from many local stores. So bring your family and pets and enjoy the afternoon. If you looking to move, this is a great way to check out the neighborhood and your future neighbors! Twin Lakes of Brandon is a quiet residential community located in Valrico, east of Lithia Pinecrest Road, at the end of Bloomingdale Avenue. It is about a 40 min drive to MacDill AFB depending on the time of day. It is also located between Lake Michaela and Lake Sterns. These lakes contain protected wetlands and mitigation areas that will ensure open spaces and natural vegetation for the future. Lake Michaela has a one-mile sidewalk that loops around it. Since this is Florida, there is also a small family of alligators that live on the small islands in the middle of the Lake, so be careful around the water. Lake Michaela is occasionally stocked with catfish, brim and large mouth bass by he homeowners association and since it is a private lake only residents can fish the lake. So you don’t have to worry about alligators, the community has a private swimming pool, and offers tennis and basketball courts and a soccer field.

Take your picture with Santa and your favorite pet on Sunday from 3pm to 4pm at Hyde Park Village! The Humane Society of Tampa Bay is sponsoring the photos with Santa. With a donation to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, you will receive one complimentary 4×6 photo. Other photo sizes are available for an additional cost. From noon to 3pm, Santa will be available for photos with just children or adults.

Enjoy the shopping and restaurants in Hyde Park Village!

You can get reasonably priced care for your family’s cats and dogs at the Vet Clinic on MacDill AFB! The clinic provides immunizations, heartworm testing, microchipping and outpatient treatment for some diseases.

The Clinic carries items such as Flea & Tick control , Heart-worm prevention , shampoos, tartar control chews, vitamins, and prescription medications.

Services are by appointment only, so call 828-3558. The clinic is located at 7804 Blackbird St, Bldg 936 , just behind the Exchange Mall.

A Military I.D. is required for all services!