Dogs at The Bogs for a Waggin’ Walk
May 19, 2019
Crystal carries her rescue dog, Milo after he balked at crossing a plank bridge. Program leader Rebecca Vasa, who wisely wore knee high rubber boots, assists. Photo by: Grace Ballenger
A lady slipper, a threatened flower that the group found on the hike. Photo by: Grace Ballenger
Digger, Lavallee’s energetic Jack Russell terrier brought up the rear of the group with an energetic presence. Photo by: Grace Ballenger
Bento says hi to Milo as Vasa and Larry Almeida look on. Photo by: Grace Ballenger
Milo gets up close to the camera. Photo by: Grace Ballenger
Brady had enough energy and drive to lead the pack for parts of the walk, despite his small size. Photo by: Grace Ballenger
MATTAPOISETT — As Rebecca Vasa, the Buzzards Bay Coalition Outdoor Exploration Manager, introduced the May 19 Waggin’ Walks program the air was filled with whines from the group’s canine participants, who were eager to get walking.
The group walked through the former cranberry bogs at the Coalition’s The Bogs property on Acushnet Road, and also ventured into the woods.
“The Buzzards Bay Coalition is all about protecting clean water and about protecting your land,” Vasa said before the walk, adding that the group’s purpose is to “make our water and our land better for all.”
Solange Guillet says she normally takes Sunday morning walks with her dog Brady, and uses the Sunday morning program as an extension of those walks.
On the hike, Vasa told the group about an app for identifying plants using a phone’s camera. However, walk participant Mark Lavallee, who often volunteers eradicating invasive plants with the Buzzards Bay Coalition, was sometime able to be faster and more accurate than the app, at least with the species he works with.
Some dogs were fine with makeshift bridges over muddy patches. Others splashed right into large puddles. A few didn’t like the bridges and had to be carried.
The Buzzards Bay Coalition plans to continue its Waggin’ Walks the first Sunday of each month at spots where dogs will be able to cool off.
