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Celebrating the canine-human bond!
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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
A-DOG!
Wags and Tags editorial team: Joan Black (managing editor), Jen Burns, Sue Doctrow, Ellen Leigh, Judy Weinberg
Articles in Wags and Tags represent the opinions of the author(s) not necessarily those of A-DOG or the editorial team.
A-DOG logos designed by Lisa Berasi for Arlington Dog Owners Group, all rights reserved
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Our MAY A-DOG Meeting is tonight (6:30-8:30) at the Jefferson Cutter House. All are welcome!
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On some computers, you might have to click twice to reach the article. We've found, too that these links do not work on all devices.
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FLOATing Down Mass Ave. With FIDO: A-DOG Pups on Parade
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A-DOG marchers, canine and human, at the Patriots' Day Parade
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by Jen Burns
(Watch for ACMI Video Instruction Workshops to be scheduled at various locations and times.)
(Road Warrior Moving and Storage and Mal's Service Center are the most recent Friends of A-DOG Businesses).
The day was beautiful with sun and community spirit. We couldn't have asked for more perfect parade weather. Next year there are plans to add more detail to FIDO's float. FIDO has a collar leash & license but may need dishes, toys to play with, grass, a hydrant, a dog park etc. Be thinking of ways to add to FIDO's float and be ready to march with A-DOG next year.
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Jen Burns is an A-DOG board member, owner & senior canine "walkologist" for
Blue Sky Dogs and presently serving as A-DOG Chair for FIDO Fest. Lucy is her canine companion & collaborator.
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New or Renew! Become/stay an A-DOG member!
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April was A-DOG Membership Month but we need you all year long! Paws for A-DOG and demonstrate your support. Join or
renew today. A-DOG is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Dues are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.
JOINING IS EASY.
You have the option of two years at $35 or one at $20
.
In May 2008, A-DOG was established with a mission that includes promoting responsible dog ownership and advocating for rights and interests of Arlington dog owners.
Our accomplishments include:
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Successful advocacy leading to off-leash recreational activities for dogs in Arlington. When we were founded, there were NO legal off-leash options. A-DOG's advocacy resulted in: a new bylaw allowing off-leash morning hours in many Arlington parks; and the fenced dog park at Thorndike Field.
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Educational programs on topics including therapy dogs & service dogs, canine first aid/CPR, dog training & behavior issues such as "Reading Dog Body Language" & "Living With Wildlife" and, new this year, "Care of Senior Pets & Palliative Care." Dog Bite Procedures Forum, and Training with ACMI for creating "pet" smart phone videos.
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Social events such as annual "Wine Tasting Membership Celebration" at Menotomy Beer, Wine & Spirits, "Paint Your Pet" at artlounge and, new this year, "outdoor" FIDO Fest Video Festival at Boys & Girls Club field.
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Opportunities for members to participate in fun community events such as A-DOG's Town Day Booth, Bark For Life Team, annual march, with or without dogs, in Arlington Patriots Day Parade and new this year FLOAT building for the parade.
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A monthly email newsletter, Wags and Tags, filled with articles of interest and information, a calendar of events, features which focus on local friends of A-DOG business and allies and opportunities to contribute to the publication.
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Five scheduled meetings each year for the board and all members.
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Friends of A-DOG businesses who offer discounts and promotions to our members.
IT IS TIME TO RENEW or Join A-DOG. It is easy to do.
YOUR MEMBERSHIP IS CRUCIAL............PLEASE RENEW or Join TODAY!
Thank you in advance for your support,
A-DOG Membership Committee
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Baby Bunnies & Birds: Stop, Look & Wait Before YOU Intervene, and more.....
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by Katie Kozikowski
Baby birds and bunnies are a sign of Spring. However, this past winter was another unusually warm one which affects the internal life cycle clocks of wildlife. In general babies are born only in spring and late summer. However, last year due to the warm weather, some were born very early and others arrived very late in the year. Expect to come across wildlife babies over a much longer season again this year. Here are some cautions should you discover some babies and think they may be orphaned or abandoned. Before you intervene and take their lives into your own hands, here are a few things to look for and some steps to take. Bunnies and birds are the most commonly found and with good intentions disturbed baby animals.
Baby bunnies often live in little burrows in the ground. The mother rabbit will cover them with grass and other debris to keep them concealed while she is away from the nests. The mother hides her kits because she is away 95% of the time and returns only to feed her babies early in the morning and late at night. The mother stays away from the nest so to not attract predators which would be a danger to her and her kits.
If you discover a nest of baby bunnies and they appear healthy, leave them alone. If you are concerned that the mother may not return, before you remove them, place a ring of baking flour around nest. Leave it over night. If flour is disturbed, the mother has been coming back to care for them. Do not intervene.
If babies appear to be unhealthy or in danger and if there were no signs of the mother, call a professional to seek advice before disturbing the nest. There needs to be a careful plan of action as to not add stress to the situation. Adult rabbits are one of the most easily stressed animals. Professionals will advise you.
If a baby bird is found, first asses the situation before touching it. Baby birds go through stages. If the baby has no feathers and is on the ground, the mom bird is likely in the area. The baby fell from the nest. In this case, you can help by picking up the baby bird and placing it back into its nest. If you cannot reach the nest, build a make-shift nest and attach it to the tree you believe the bird came from. The nest should be placed as high up as you can manage.
When a baby bird is learning to fly, it is literally pushed from the nest. It must learn to fly on its own. At this point, the baby bird looks almost like an adult bird and will have feathers. Babies may appear a little fluffier than an adult. During this time, the bird will seem to hang out on the ground, hopping around and/or fluttering its wings. The parent birds are nearby and will swoop down every 30 minutes or so to feed the baby while its learning to fly. If you observe this happening, there is no need to intervene.
However, If any wildlife animals appear to be sick, injured, orphaned or in danger, it is best to contact a wildlife rehabilitator. A list of rehabilitators can be found on this webpage.
You can also contact your local Animal Control Officer for advice. Katie can be reached by phone at (781) 645-8014 or via email at animalcontrol@town.arlington.ma.us. More information about the baby bird rescue here
.
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*******
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ACO Katie's Corner presents updates from Arlington Animal Control Officer (ACO) Katie Kozikowski.
Collaborating with Katie on this column is Joan Black, A-DOG board member/officer and member of the Wags and Tags editorial team.
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Tips & Techniques: Great Videos for Fido Fest
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Learn to make great videos of your dog!
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Join Us At A-DOG's 6th Annual Wine Tasting at Menotomy Beer and Wine
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Well-behaved leashed dogs welcome!
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A-DOG's annual Wine Tasting Celebration, hosted by our Friend of A-DOG,
Menotomy Beer, Wine and Spirits will be June 14. Well behaved leashed dogs are welcome. Besides wines for tasting, there will be snacks for human and canine guests and a drawing for great door prizes. We hope you can join us!
See photos of previous A-DOG Wine Tasting parties at Menotomy Beer, Wine and Spirits:
*****
F
lyer by Jen Burns, A-DOG board member and owner of Blue Sky Dogs.
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PAWS to Mark Your Calendar!
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Save the dates for coming events
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Mark your calendar for these great EVENTS. Please consider attending or volunteering for the events sponsored or co-sponsored by A-DOG (shown in
GREEN).
Contact us if you're interested in volunteering at any of these events...we need you!
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Tuesday, May 23. A-DOG Members Meeting: Location Jefferson Cutter House, Meeting/Gallery Room, lower level, enter from rear municipal parking lot.
Please join us at 6:30 for "Spring Surprise Social: Pizza & Salad."
Business meeting to follow from 7:00-8:00pm.
Agenda includes: Report of Bark for Life, Membership Drive, FIDO Fest Recaps of Float building, Parade & Video Workshops and Current planning for FIDO Festival activities, Wine Tasting proposal, Feast of the East participation, Dog Bite Procedures Forum/Breed Specific Insurance Discrimination, ACO Volunteer Task Force and items for remainder A-DOG 2017 Calendar year. Come share your talents and ideas. A-DOG Needs YOU.
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Reading Dogs, Rufus, Thelma, Benny, Penny, at FOX Library (175 Massachusetts Avenue in Arlington) with "bark to school" from 3:30-4:30 for all ages & reading levels. Sign up for 15 minute reading sessions. Please get tickets at circulation desk starting at 3 pm day of event. Happy tails are waiting to listen to your tales. Rufus & Thelma, Benny or Penny will be ready to read on the following dates. Mark your calendars. Jun 6 & 20, contact the Fox library for other dates.
- Save the date: August 19, FIDO Fest Arlington Video Festival, Boy's and Girl's Club field, Spy Pond. More information will be posted on the ACMI website.
Send us calendar items for possible inclusion in this section in future Wags and Tags issues!
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Help Wanted: Your Dog's Face Here?
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Wags and Tags Welcomes Your Contributions
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A-DOG Members and supporters, Wags and Tags is YOUR monthly newsletter! I
f you have suggestions for an article, including one you'd like to write, for a future issue, please email us with "Newsletter" in the subject line.
Maybe you'd like your dog to be one of our "
Arlington dogs, or A-dogs
", like Molly, Remy, Tammy, potcake Lexi and others. Or, write an article about Happy Tails Trails, describing your favorite place to enjoy nature with your dog. You don't have to live in Arlington, but can be a neighbor who enjoys Arlington's dog recreation benefits, or otherwise supports our mission. You can also suggest a special Rainbow Bridge memorial tribute to a beloved canine or feline family member you've lost.
Or, maybe you're a
Friend of A-DOG
Business and want to describe how you help A-DOG and what you offer to our community of dog owners and dog-friendly people. Your business, too, can be featured like OM Cookies, Menotomy Beer Wine and Spirits, Maida Pharmacy & Compounding Center and Lakota Bakery.
Suggested article length for the newsletter is 500 words or fewer but this is only a guideline. We will also need at least one photo, preferably a jpg or gif format, compressed to a size no greater than 1 MB. For text, arial 11 pt, single spacing preferred. (Please send the photo as a separate file, not imported into a Word document.)
Articles on any other topic of potential interest to dog owners are welcome. So are more volunteer editors and writers. Please send us your story proposals! Wags and Tags editorial team: Joan Black (managing editor), Jen Burns, Sue Doctrow, Ellen Leigh and Judy Weinberg.
Pssst...We are well aware that
our
members are not likely to have issues with spelling or grammar that's a little "ruff", but don't worry....our editorial team can polish your story, as needed. Feel free to ask.
The Irish Setter on the computer photo is reprinted from a website called "iget2work".
The "Bad spelling...image was posted on Facebook by Grammarly.
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A-DOG holds five meetings per year, in January, March, May, August and October. Unless otherwise noted, meetings are on the fourth Tuesday of the month at the Community Room of the Jefferson Cutter House, 611 Mass Ave (at Mystic, in Arlington Center). The Community Room is accessible via the rear entrance at the municipal parking lot. Refreshments are served. New members show up every time so please join us!
A-DOG Membership!
A-DOG's membership year runs from April 1 through March 31, so some full memberships are up for renewal each spring. If your membership has expired, you should have received a reminder letter in early 2016 during our
Membership Drive. As an A-DOG Full Member, you are entitled to discounts and benefits from our
Friends of A-DOG businesses. And, your dues and donations to A-DOG are tax deductible, to the full extent allowed by law.
Shop for A-DOG!
Please support businesses that support responsible dog owners in Arlington by patronizing our
Friends of A-DOG Businesses.
(If you are not a full member, please sign up and pay your dues at the link above for joining A-DOG. If you are unsure if your membership is still active, or need another membership card as proof, you can
email us to check into it.)
Also, when you buy from Amazon, please start at the
Amazon Smile website which should get you directly to our donation link. If not, be sure to choose "A-Dog The Arlington Dog Owners Group, Inc" as your preferred nonprofit group. Amazon will make a donation to A-DOG and your purchase will not cost any more!
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A-DOG members, Business Friends of A-DOG and other subscribers receive Wags and Tags each month. If this issue was forwarded to you and you'd like to subscribe to Wags and Tags without joining A-DOG, click here or click the green sign-up button on the front page of our website.
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