|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Celebrating the canine-human bond!
|
|
This newsletter is brought to you by Arlington Dog Owners Group (A-DOG), a 501(c)(3) community organization promoting the rights and interests of responsible dog owners in Arlington, MA.
If you're not already a member, we hope you'll want to join us!
A-DOG logos designed by Lisa Berasi for Arlington Dog Owners Group, all rights reserved.
|
|
Meet Shinoo -- an Arlington dog
|
 Shinoo was adopted when her litter was posted for adoption by Adopt-a-lab. They had assigned all the female puppies names that began with J and called them collectively "The Jingle Bells". Shinoo's favorite park is Robbins Farm Park for regular walks and Cat Rock in Weston for longer off-leash walks. Shinoo is a fetching dog and can be seen retrieving her "Pouch Tube" or Frisbee in her favorite park. Her favorite treat is a frozen marrow bone. Shinoo's family includes Lia and Noah (shown here) and their parents Robin and Christy. |
From Arlington's Animal Control Officer, Amanda Kennedy
|
|
Incredibly, there are an estimated 8,000 dogs in the Town of Arlington. Fewer than 1,800 of them are licensed at this time. For a community that has shown such devotion to their dogs this is surprising and we can do better!
Here are five reasons why that situation should change:
1. If your dog gets lost, a license tag on your dog's collar is the fastest way to find you when your dog is found. Even if your dog is microchipped, a license tag is immediately visible and doesn't require a scanning device to read it, like a microchip does. In addition oftentimes people forget to update the microchip information to reflect moves and change of phone number.
2. Licensing lets people know that your canine companion has received required vaccinations that protect your dog from rabies.
3. The number of licensed dogs is the official count of the number of dogs in our community. How can the Animal Control Department advocate for parks, off-leash areas and other positive resources when it seems we have fewer than 1,800 dogs? If we can show the 8,000 dogs living here, think how much could be accomplished.
4. Your dog's license shows that you are a responsible dog caregiver. When you walk your dog or let your dog run in designated areas, people will notice the license on your dog's collar and know that you really care about your dog's welfare. Dogs without licenses carry a stigma of owner neglect.
5. It's the law. You can be fined $50. Good citizens that care about the community get their dogs licensed.
Don't worry, there is no drivers' education or road test required!
The author, Arlington Animal Control Officer Amanda Kennedy may be contacted here. Her portrait by Shunsuke Yamaguchi, Arlington, is reprinted with the artist's permission.
|
Therapy Dogs Panel with Dog B.O.N.E.S.
|
At Fox Library, Wed, Nov 13, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
|
 Hear about the physical and psychological benefits therapy dogs offer people of all ages, and meet three active therapy dog teams: Marci and her dog Sophie, Brittany and Charley, and Agnes with her dogs Suzie and Rosie. Ellen, Marci, Brittany, and Agnes are volunteers from Dog B.O.N.E.S.: Therapy Dogs of Massachusetts, and they will talk about what therapy dog teams do, and the many venues they visit to provide emotional support and raise the spirits of individuals of all ages in nursing homes, hospitals, schools, residential programs, libraries, and many other situations and locations. ("Ellen" is A-DOG Board Member, Ellen Duranceau.) At the Fox Library branch, in East Arlington. Free admission. p.s. To read about how another Arlington therapy dog, Windy, has helped comfort survivors of the Newtown elementary school shooting and the Boston Marathon bombing, follow this link. |
"Dog Park Etiquette" Workshop
|
Our very successful October event will be followed by others!
|
 A-DOG recently sponsored a workshop to help dog owners successfully navigate the joys and potential challenges of off-leash recreation. Professional trainer Alana Meserve of ZenDog gave a very informative, enjoyable presentation covering such topics as canine body language, to teach the audience about clues that a dog is enjoying his time in the dog park or, instead, is not having much fun or perhaps is even in danger of getting into trouble. Arlington's Animal Control Officer, Amanda Kennedy was also present to give her input on behavioral and other issues that can come up during off-leash recreation. Overall, the presentation helped dog owners to learn about issues that they can deal with themselves, with training and control of their own dogs and communication with other dog owners, versus situations in which they should seek professional assistance. If you missed this workshop, do not worry...more will be planned. Audience members submitted not only questions to be addressed that evening, but also suggestions for topics to be covered in future workshops. These will be announced in Wags and Tags so stay tuned! More about the Oct 24 event here. |
Thank-you to our supporting businesses, including....
|
Bette Yip's Picture Perfect Pets has been a steady supporter since A-DOG was founded in 2008. Not only does Bette offer a 20% discount to our members on her expert training (see our Friends of A-DOG page for details), but she has volunteered her service to host events benefiting A-DOG and to serve on our expert panels. Picture Perfect Pets is in the process of moving to Burlington, MA. We will miss having Bette with us in Arlington, but we know that this is an exciting new opportunity for her to expand her business! For example, she will be offering a Puppy Day School and Puppy Bus Service to and from Arlington and nearby communities. We are sure that, even with the change in location, Bette Yip's Picture Perfect Pets will continue to be a strong Friend of A-DOG.
Bette and our other Friends of A-DOG businesses offer discounts to our full members and other valuable support to help us help to keep Arlington dog-friendly! |
Join us at our next A-DOG Meeting!
January 28, 2014, 7:00 - 9:00 pm at the Arlington Senior Center, 27 Maple St., Arlington, MA.
Agenda: Goals for 2014
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
