The Aussie Meetup

Australian Shepherds, Community

Boomer, my little tank
“Don’t roll the Pug down the hill!”  It was that frequent refrain that lead me to create a “play group” for our Australian Shepherd, Boomer.

Boomer is a tank. He’s an adorable and loving tank.  He LOVES to run and he’s a “ruff” and tumble dog park player.  Unfortunately, not every dog or owner appreciates his antics.  Let me be clear,  he is not aggressive and he has a very good read of other dogs – he knows when
to stop, but that’s often after he inadvertently t-bones a dog or owner.

Aussie butts at an early meetup
In January 2014, I decided what Boomer needed was a group of Aussies to play with – dogs (and owners) that had probably experienced the dog-park scowl.
On a whim one January afternoon, I created Alexandria Aussies on meetup.com – the description was pretty straight forward – a group interested in Australian Shepherds and their activities. Let’s get our Aussies together for play dates, hikes, swims, agility, walks and runs and some sheep herding! Let’s also support Aussie rescue activities.

I remember when the first “members” joined.  I was so excited!  We scheduled a walk through Old Town, Alexandria, VA.  It was great talking to other Aussie owners, who like me, love the breed and the endearing characteristics of our dogs.
Today we have over 1,600 members from Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC. (I’ve changed the name of the group to Australian Shepherds of the DMV)  Our outings range from a casual meetup at a local dog park, to hikes and one of our greatest adventures – sheep herding!

The meetup is designed to allow any member to schedule or suggest an outing.  The original sheep herding adventure was done by one of our members, and a Saturday hike was hosted by another.

Boomer loves his meetup pals.  The dogs (and owners) are comfortable with each other, and play comes easily.  If Boomer and his “girlfriend” Cassie are together – watch out, because those two will definitely get the party started.  Jack will likely race around with them and Roxy will soon join in.  Sweet Zoe (a mini) watches the big dogs run, but is likely to also engage.  Rain and Obbie are swimmers and Faith is a master at agility.  We typically see Cash and Keller when we have events in Maryland.  Riley is the born sheep herder!
Our dogs have gone swimming, toured Mount Vernon, hiked along the Potomac, practiced their agility both indoors and outdoors and raced
alongside llamas.
Barrel Oak Winery in Delaplane, Virginia
Indoors at Mount Vernon

Other events include winetasting, an agility yappy hour
(beverages for humans) and a boat cruise down the Potomac (Yup!  We have a boat cruise for dogs in  Alexandria).

I was asked once if it takes a lot of time to organize the meetups.  Not really.  Members make suggestions and we have as much fun at one of the larger dog parks as we do at an organized outing – although I
will say the dogs were EXHAUSTED after their sheep herding adventure.  And it’s always more fun trying something new with your friends!  I pay a fee to host the meetup site – which is worth every penny based on how much fun the dogs have.
Llamas (and a horse)
While members do come to us via meetup.com, membership is  primarily viral.  Members run into an Aussie and owner and tell them about our group.  As I say to every new member in my welcome message to them– it’s great bunch of dogs and people!
You can find Australian Shepherds of the DMV on www.meetup.com — if you’re in the Washington, DC area — come and join our fun!
You can read more about our sheep herding adventures here https://www.pawsgo.com/2014/03/29/pawsgo-herding-weve-got-our-sheep-together/
Cassie and Boomer

Want to show your love of Aussies?  Purchase this great shirt from PawsGo — www.pawsgo.com.  Shirts are $20 and $10 goes directly to Aussie rescue!  Adult sizes.

6 Comments

  1. Tiffany's Diamond Dogs
    Tiffany's Diamond Dogs on August 11, 2014 at 3:30 pm

    That's a great idea! Only wish we lived closer so we would be able to join in 🙂

  2. Boomer
    Boomer on August 11, 2014 at 11:48 pm

    Tiffany, I think you have an Aussie meetup every day! We wish we could come to you!

  3. Jen Gabbard
    Jen Gabbard on August 31, 2014 at 3:44 am

    An Aussie meet-up is such a great idea. I don't have any personal experience with Aussie's being rough at the dog park around here but I get nervous whenever I see a Border Collie approaching lol.

  4. Boomer
    Boomer on August 31, 2014 at 12:12 pm

    Jen, they can be a little rough and tumble — especially Boomer, who just loves to play. The meetup gives him a group of similar dogs to run around with. 🙂 we still go to the dog park — and he loves playing with his friends there — but he LOVES is Aussie group! 🙂

  5. Jane
    Jane on March 30, 2018 at 1:04 pm

    This is such a wonderful group!!! For humans and Aussies (and English Shepherds) it is fun for all. So glad we found the group (and Petunia!!!). Thank you, Karen!

    • Boomer
      Boomer on March 30, 2018 at 4:23 pm

      Ahhh, thank you! We like of Declan as an Aussie 🙂

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