Places to walk senior dogs

[downsouth95]

Hello all,
We will be moving with our two large senior dogs to the villages in under two weeks (Brownwood area). I read a lot of the posts about dog parks, and although they sound fabulous, I was wondering where there might be walking paths or greenspace to take a nice easy saunter on leash with my babies. My femaile is 10 with torn ACLs and the other is an 11 year old Aussie with bad hips and had a spinal injury (bruised) - although to see him you wouldn't know it. I would love to go to the dog park with them but the Aussie will try to chase a ball or catch a frisbee if someone is throwing one for their dog. I am not sure how the 10 yr old female will do in a dog park setting - she'd probably be fine as she lived with many dogs with her previous owner (my friend who passed away from cancer), but I am not sure...

Anyways advise would be welcome for the fur seniors, including my husband - the old dawg! :D

Pat
(Can't wait!!!!!)

[drpepper]

We take our golden retriever to the field behind the Rio Grand pool. Best place to walk them and no leashes are required. 125 acres. Lots of folks out there around 9 am and 5 pm but you'll run into folks all day.

[lanabanana73]

Most of the streets in The Villages' neighborhoods are pretty quiet and a good place to walk dogs. There are not sidewalks, but the streets (in the neighborhoods) are mostly good places for a leisurely stroll.

[Susan G]

There is some nice green space down South near Eisenhower Rec Center, which is close to Brownwood. Also some of the newer areas down there, Lake Deaton, Hillsborough, etc. have made public paths to the ponds, which are designated by two rows of hedges. You can stroll at your leisure.

[FoPAA]

We walk our dogs at Lake Okahumpka on the south side of 44, about a mile east of Brownwood. There are paved walkways under LOTS of shade trees, however you will need to drive your dogs there in a car. Welcome to TV!!!

[Doctor Who]

I love big dogs but they do not seem to be a favorite of many in TV. I often dogsit for my sons lab and notice uncomfortable looks as I walk her. Residents here seem to prefer small dogs that conform to some unspecified and unspeakable uniform dog code.

[CFrance]

We walk our dogs at Lake Okahumpka on the south side of 44, about a mile east of Brownwood. There are paved walkways under LOTS of shade trees, however you will need to drive your dogs there in a car. Welcome to TV!!!
I second this! It's a beautiful area with 3 miles of walking paths in a lot of shade. There is even a small fenced dog park.

I've taken our 7-year-old golden there a lot for walks because of the shade. I take a water bowl along and fill it in the fountain and sit at the picnic table for a bit after our walk.

So pleasant, and easy parking right at the trailhead.

[Bonanza]

I second this! It's a beautiful area with 3 miles of walking paths in a lot of shade. There is even a small fenced dog park.

I've taken our 7-year-old golden there a lot for walks because of the shade. I take a water bowl along and fill it in the fountain and sit at the picnic table for a bit after our walk.

So pleasant, and easy parking right at the trailhead.

The dog park would be great, but unfortunately, it is loaded with sand spurs.

[Taltarzac725]

The Springdale Fitness Trail south side would be good for older dogs. The north side allows golf carts which you have to watch out for and some of these speed by. It is up just east of Nancy Lopez Country Club.

[Cisco Kid]

Hello all,
We will be moving with our two large senior dogs to the villages in under two weeks (Brownwood area). I read a lot of the posts about dog parks, and although they sound fabulous, I was wondering where there might be walking paths or greenspace to take a nice easy saunter on leash with my babies. My femaile is 10 with torn ACLs and the other is an 11 year old Aussie with bad hips and had a spinal injury (bruised) - although to see him you wouldn't know it. I would love to go to the dog park with them but the Aussie will try to chase a ball or catch a frisbee if someone is throwing one for their dog. I am not sure how the 10 yr old female will do in a dog park setting - she'd probably be fine as she lived with many dogs with her previous owner (my friend who passed away from cancer), but I am not sure...

Anyways advise would be welcome for the fur seniors, including my husband - the old dawg! :D

Pat
(Can't wait!!!!!)

You have a heart of gold.

[shcisamax]

We walk our dogs at Lake Okahumpka on the south side of 44, about a mile east of Brownwood. There are paved walkways under LOTS of shade trees, however you will need to drive your dogs there in a car. Welcome to TV!!!

I had no idea. Think I shall give it a go today! Thanks for the tip.

Isn't it lovely when people have positive suggestions and information to offer instead of...well...you know who you all are and what I'm talking about.

[Wandatime]

We live in the Brownwood area as well, OP. There is a beautiful sidewalk that winds around the back of the Eisenhower Recreation Center that is shaded, has grassy areas, and is perfect for walking dogs and seeing other dog lovers walking their dogs. You can take your car or golf cart over there if the walk to Eisenhower is too long for them. A lot of people do that. Everyone I've met picks up after their dog and is friendly and ready to strike up a conversation. Also, it gives the dogs a chance to socialize under more controlled conditions than perhaps in the dog park.

[CFrance]

I love big dogs but they do not seem to be a favorite of many in TV. I often dogsit for my sons lab and notice uncomfortable looks as I walk her. Residents here seem to prefer small dogs that conform to some unspecified and unspeakable uniform dog code.
What area do you live in, Dr. Who? Here in Tamarind Grove, I get smiley hellos from people while walking our big dog, and lots of nice comments. (I'll even forgive the guy who called him an "old duffer" because he didn't mean it unkindly.) One couple even pulls into our driveway in their golf cart to pet him when he's lounging on his line.

Perhaps you live in an area with more elderly residents? They may be leery of big dogs for fear of falling. Just a guess.

[Cisco Kid]

What area do you live in, Dr. Who? Here in Tamarind Grove, I get smiley hellos from people while walking our big dog, and lots of nice comments. (I'll even forgive the guy who called him an "old duffer" because he didn't mean it unkindly.) One couple even pulls into our driveway in their golf cart to pet him when he's lounging on his line.

Perhaps you live in an area with more elderly residents? They may be leery of big dogs for fear of falling. Just a guess.

What !!!!!!
Someone dissed Crosby.
I will rain Fire and Brimstone down on them.

P.S. that line is a little frayed on the end.

[CFrance]

What !!!!!!
Someone dissed Crosby.
I will rain Fire and Brimstone down on them.

P.S. that line is a little frayed on the end.
He feels so safe now.:pray:

[downsouth95]

Thanks so much all for the responses. We will definitely check out these walking places. Now I just have to train the seniors how to walk up/down a ramp (will have to stock up on high value treats) - I can lift them up occasionally into the van to go to vets etc. , but I think I will be taking them on outings a little more often.

Pat and the senior furry ones

[CFrance]

Thanks so much all for the responses. We will definitely check out these walking places. Now I just have to train the seniors how to walk up/down a ramp (will have to stock up on high value treats) - I can lift them up occasionally into the van to go to vets etc. , but I think I will be taking them on outings a little more often.

Pat and the senior furry ones
In MI we watched a family train their golden retriever to get into and out of the water at the marina from his boat slip, using a ramp he fastened from the slip to just underwater. It only took a week with the use of hotdogs!

[Madelaine Amee]

We live in a very quiet neighborhood and we walked our lovely old yellow lab every morning and evening in the area. We got to meet more people than you can imagine, they all knew her name and not ours! She used to lie out on the front yard and people would come along and talk to her and ignore us!