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Dog days are every day at Mall at Fox Run in Newington NH

by Doggone Well Staff
December 15, 2023
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Dog days are every day at Mall at Fox Run in Newington NH
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Dog Food topper - Getquelle365


NEWINGTON — It is a not so closely guarded secret that well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome at the Mall at Fox Run.

In fact, on Dec. 13, dogs visiting the mall got a chance to meet and have a photo taken with Santa Claus. Dogs seem to love him, and Santa loves critters of all kinds, including dogs.

“Sadly, I do not have a dog at the North Pole,” Santa said, as he petted one of the four-legged visitors. “The reindeer really take up a lot of room. I do have four cats though.”

Santa said he loves when pets get to come to the mall. He said he has taken pictures with many animals, including birds and a few lizards.

Mall's future:Torrington envisions ‘vibrant mixed-use center' at Mall at Fox Run and Newington Park

Dog Food topper - Getquelle365

How dogs came to be allowed at Mall at Fox Run

Eric Brasier, general manager at the Mall at Fox Run, said the decision to allow people to bring their dogs was made in May 2021.

“We held a special event to announce that decision,” said Brasier. “We worked with Traci Bisson of Golden Dog Adventures to hold a special dog-friendly day. We have a really great mall management group who allow us the freedom to do great things such as this. I came here from Sachs Fifth Avenue in Boston, and I saw people come in with their dogs. They seemed happier, and I think they may even have bought more because they liked to linger there. It's been a good decision for us here as well.”

Ernestine, an Alaskan malamute, spends time with owner Sarah Todd of Kittery, Maine, at the Mall at Fox Run Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023. Well-behaved dogs are welcome every day at the mall.

Bisson said Golden Dog Adventures, a local dog walking club, still holds occasional events at the mall.

“The Mall at Fox Run has been a wonderful corporate partner of ours now for a few years,” Bisson said. “They are very focused on helping us create a welcoming environment for dogs and their people, as well as a safe space for events and activities.”

Bisson said the mall is a great place for people looking for places to help socialize their dogs.

“The mall is a delicious hotbed of smells for dogs with 600,000 square feet to explore and engage with,” she said. “This enrichment activity is great for canine brains and can help to focus and relax them if there are not a lot of other distractions. The mall has quieter times during the day and before they open to the general public when dog guardians can take advantage of the environment. The openness, acoustics, tactile experiences, and more provide opportunities for dogs to experience things they would not normally be exposed to in other settings.”

Bisson said outside the mall is great for dogs, including the “benches, bollards, and other obstacles that provide a great urban agility course. … These items provide opportunities for climbing, weaving, balancing on, crawling under, walking on, going around, etc.”

She urged safety, including “a harness with a handle and proper direction and guidance from a certified and professional dog trainer.” She said the area outside the mall is “best explored in the mornings or when the mall is closed.”

Dogs and their people visit Santa at the mall

Ernestine, an Alaskan malamute, gets comfortable as Santa Claus pets her at the Mall at Fox Run Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023.

The star of the dogs meet Santa at the mall event may have been Ernestine, an 8-month-old Alaskan malamute. The dog was friendly and outgoing and seemed to have an absolute blast playing with Santa. She quickly jumped up and gave Santa a kiss. When he gave her a friendly pat, she dissolved into his lap looking adoringly at him.

Kittery resident Sarah Todd, who accompanied Ernestine, laughingly said she is always this friendly.

“She is a real ham and she loves the attention,” Todd said. “She is also a real mama's girl.”

Todd has known dogs were allowed for a long time. She said she comes often to walk Ernestine.

Frank, a 6-year-old Australian shepherd, came to the Mall with Maddelyn Bennett. She works for Geskus Photography, which was working with Santa.

“Full disclosure, Frank is my boyfriend's dog,” said Bennett. “My dog was busy, so I borrowed his. I love dogs and I wanted to make sure one of ours was here to play today.”

“A lot of malls do pet photos with Santa, and events like that are the only time dogs are allowed,” Brasier said. “We love the event, but we can also use it to let people know they are always welcomed here.”

Jess Hilfer of North Berwick, Maine, brought her daughter Claire, 4, along with Winnie, 3, a mixed breed bundle of energy. Sitting with Santa, both Claire and Winnie seemed to smile for the camera.

“We adopted her (Winnie) in March,” said Hilfer. “I think it's great we can come here. It's a great place to walk her, especially if there is weather. It's colder now, so I am not bringing her to dog parks as much.”

Store owners say dogs are fun

A golden retriever and owner stroll through the Mall at Fox Run among the shoppers Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023.

Brasier said most of the stores welcome the dogs, and portray a dog friendly sticker in their windows.

“I suggest if people are not sure, they ask the managers of the store,” he said.

Mindy Vachon, one of the managers at Claire's, a hair, jewelry and other trinkets store, said having dogs in the store is a lot of fun.

“We like them and they are very cute,” Vachon said. “We have not had any problems. I feel that people only bring dogs they know are not going to be aggressive. We have had a few barking matches, but nothing more serious.”

Bisson said Golden Dog Adventure Co. partners with the Mall at Fox Run and Barrington Barks & Behavior several times a year for a Sensory Scavenger Hunt at the mall. She said the next event is Sunday, Jan. 21 at 8:30 a.m.

“The mall opens their doors for our participants to enjoy a focused and relaxing exercise for dogs in a quiet environment,” Bisson said. “This is great for all dogs, but perfect for reactive and sensitive dogs that need more space to feel safe.”



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