By Paige Kahn
Boston University News Service
JB’s Indoor Dog Park in Norwell, Massachusetts hosted an event celebrating National Boston Terrier Day on Feb. 19.
Park owner and founder Jackie Brady collaborated with the Boston Terriers of Boston (BTB) community group for this event, which gathered around 30 Boston terriers to socialize in the same park in honor of the holiday.
Head of BTB Sally O’Malley, with her Boston terrier Chonky by her side, organized raffles and gift bags for all guests.
“I’m very happy with the turnout,” said O’Malley. “Everybody has got something going on, and this is just a fun way to get away from everything and celebrate your dog.”
O’Malley said her first Boston terrier, Shyla, inspired her to create the group. She then got her next terrier Chonky off Craigslist a year ago and never looked back.
“They have so much personality and so much love to give,” she said. “Their personality is like a big dog wrapped in a little dog body.”
BTB hosts a breed-specific event every month, but their biggest four-legged gathering is always on National Boston Terrier Day, she said.
Guests emphasized there is more to celebrate about the breed than the Boston University Terriers current winning streak in women’s basketball.
Brandon Gallagher, owner of an 8-month-old Boston terrier puppy named Lucy, was in attendance and said he is reminded daily about how “awesome” this breed is.
Gallagher mentioned the story of World War I hero Sergeant Stubby.
Stubby, a terrier and pitbull mix, had many claims to fame. He helped detain a German spy, provided early warnings of gas attacks and supported his master, Corporal J. Robert Conroy, when he was wounded and hospitalized. Stubby’s uniform acquired three Service Stripes, a Purple Heart and several other decorations in his lifetime, according to Connecticut’s Official State Website.
Today, Stubby resides at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. where visitors can see his medals and learn more about his story.
At JB’s Indoor Dog Park, less disciplined terriers chased each other from wall to wall, and their barking sounds carried to the front entrance of the parking lot.
First-timer at JB’s Indoor Dog Park Lisa Golde attended the event with her sister and their two Boston terriers Prego and Jameson. For her, the event was “fantastic.”
“They just don’t usually see this many Boston Terriers in one room.”
“All the dogs need to be up to date with vaccines, and if you go to an outdoor dog park, you’re just not sure that everybody has them,” said the parks owner Jackie Brady.
“I just wanted a clean and safe place, and I got a puppy, and I was looking for something like that, so I started my own,” said Park Director Brady.
JB’s Indoor Dog Park has been in Norwell for four years. Another location recently opened in Kingston, Massachusetts on Sept. 10.
Brady said that even though she was the only one working this particular event, she has a great team of workers who support her everyday.
“I love it, love it, love it,” Brady said. “I meet great people and great dogs, and it’s awesome.”
More scenes from the event:
