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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, Jen Burns, Sue Doctrow, Ellen Leigh, Judy Weinberg, Janice Zazinski.
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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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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Love and appreciation for A-dog Ellie
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 "I am Thankful for My Dog:" This "thankful" moment is brought to you by Dee Savioli.
"I would just like to take a moment and thank my dear darling dog Ellie for getting me up to watch the sunrise this morning so we could go for a walk. I especially enjoy the fact that you are snoring right now and I am awake. I see coffee in my future..."
********
Dee works at The Boys & Girls Club and is the organizer of Bark For Life Arlington (Relay for Life with dogs). She loves her pitbull Ellie.
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Monthly Pawsitive Award Program "Leash It and Ticket" Celebrates Its First Year
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An Arlington Animal Control and A-DOG collaboration
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by Katie Kozikowski and Joan Black
As Arlington
'
s Animal Control Officer my job is to provide support and protection for public safety in regards to animals in Arlington. One way to enforce the town bylaws pertaining to animals - such as keeping dogs leashed in specified areas or during designated hours, cleaning up after your dog and maintaining control is to issue tickets which are accompanied by a hefty fine. However, why should people breaking rules get all of the attention? Another way is to be sure that everyone knows what the regulations are and to reward people following laws. I created "Leash it and Ticket" as a Positive Award Program. Those observed following the bylaws or going above and beyond as good citizens such as helping search for lost pets or picking up after someone who neglected to, are given "positive tickets." At the end of each month, a drawing is held from that month
'
s "tickets" to select a winner who receives a prize donated by Arlington Dog Owners Group or an A-DOG business Friend. A "congratulations" Pawsitive Award article with a photograph of the winning dog & owner team is published in WAGS & TAGS {A-DOG
'
s electronic newsletter} and posted on multiple social media sites.
Every Pawsitive article stipulates the specific regulation which was followed and rewarded. The article thanks the donors and describes the gift. The Pawsitive Award Program "Leash it And Ticket" is a great way to support and publicize local businesses in town and celebrate residents for being responsible dog owners for following rules and setting good examples.
Leash it and Ticket was introduced November 2015. Since then there have been 12 winners (1 for each month) who have received some amazing prizes. This program not only rewards those for following the bylaw, but also allows me as the Animal Control Officer to meet more dogs, owners and residents both in and out of town while giving tickets. I have developed better relationships with everyone I meet through this positive interaction. Leash and Ticket continues to be very successful by reinforcing the guidelines and providing wonderful models. I was even able to return a stray dog more easily because I knew where he lived thanks to being a Leash it and Ticket winner!
My name is Joan Black. I am A-DOG liaison to Arlington ACO. One way I support Katie is to be responsible for requesting and organizing donations for the Pawsitive Awards "Leash and Ticket" program.
The following are some of the "Friends" who have donated prizes and helped increased awareness with this community safety program: Sono Asian Cuisine, Lakota Bakery, Whole Foods, The Clip Joint, Arlington Dog Owners Group, Common Ground, Above & Beyond Pet Care, Sit, Stay, Beg Cookie Company, Lucy
'
s Real Meat Treats, Mill Brook Animal Clinic, Unleashed etc. The list keeps growing. Your name could be listed along with theirs!
*Please Note: Arlington Dog Owners Group, A-DOG coordinates Pawsitive Award Donations. if you have an idea for a donation, contact Joan Black joan.c.black@gmail.com for details and learn about benefits of becoming "
Friend
" of A-DOG. {Awards are approximately $20.00 in value and can be bundled}
Prizes have included: Arlington Community Discount Cards, Shop Arlington First coupons, actual items or certificates for goods & services like cookies, coffee, dining, groceries, grooming, memberships, dog care services, treats, pet supplies etc. We also appreciate donations from individuals. Thank you for any consideration and support you may be able to offer. Let's keep a good thing going and growing.
ACO Katie's Corner presents updates from Arlington Animal Control Officer (ACO) Katie Kozikowski.
Joan Black is an A-DOG officer and board member and member of the A-DOG editorial team.
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Unleashed, Unexpected & Uncontrolled Dog Encounters of the Worst Kind:
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Please Follow Regulations in Public Parks and Forests for Safety
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by Georgette deFriesse
Last year an article I wrote appeared in Wags &Tags for "Happy Tails Trails." It described a wonderful place to walk dogs in western Mass, the Dubuque State Forest. At the article's conclusion, I reminded people to keep their dogs leashed. Since I submitted that article, I have had trouble with off-leash dogs belonging to mountain bikers. One woman rides with five dogs, some of which range far away from her. One instance involved two of her dogs trying to approach my leashed dog Isla. My friend and I were able to keep them away. Isla hates dogs running up to her and getting in her face. She tells them very loudly and forcefully to get lost (her language involves quite a bit of snarling, snapping and saliva). When the owner of the dogs finally arrived on the scene after about ten minutes, she had no voice control nor did she have any leashes with her. Since that encounter, I've been leaving my dog home more often, because I didn't want to risk putting Isla into that situation again. I have observed the same woman multiple times since, riding with her dogs ranging far away and not at all under control.
Recently, I took Isla out early in the morning, hoping to avoid the woman's pack. It ended up both "bad luck" and "bad timing." A group of young men riding together had an off-leash dog with them. The dog made a bee-line to Isla and immediately got into a fight with her. I asked the owner to quickly leash his dog, but he, like the woman, didn't carry a leash and had no voice control. He could not stop his dog--a dominant female determined to assert herself over my dominant female. By the time the mountain biker's dog realized that she wasn't winning the fight easily and broke loose, my dog had a minor injury above her eye. If the injury were a half inch to the side, I would have had to take Isla to the emergency vet for treatment and most likely incurred a large bill. The attack itself was upsetting enough.
I called the Department of Conservation and Recreation in frustration. I no longer feel safe walking my dog in a place I love. The official I spoke to reported there were problems and issues all across the state with off-leash dogs. The DCR is considering ways to address the problems.
The owners who caused Isla and me grief were in violation of several DCR policies. The DCR has designated specific parks for off-leash dog-walking; Dubuque is not one of them. Even where dogs are allowed off-leash, you are expected to have a leash in hand for each dog. Off-leash dogs, even friendly ones, should not be allowed to approach other dogs, as not all dogs tolerate being approached. It is especially important to note there is a four-dog limit per person.
It is as important to respect regulations concerning on-leash in state forests as well as in urban parks. Here is a link about the DCR's dog policies. The link in the third paragraph has more detail about their regulations.
******
Georgette is an A-DOG member living in western Mass with three rescue dogs Isla, Luke and Queenie. She is an avid photographer and enjoys walks in the woods with her canine family. Georgette cares deeply about the issues in her article.Photograph Isla sleeping peacefully and undisturbed on leash by a beaver pond in Hawley, MA.
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Around the Doggone Web - November 2016
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A safe Thanksgiving for your pets
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by Janice Zazinski
In keeping with this month's A-DOG workshop on first-aid and CPR, here are some pet safety tips for the Thanksgiving holiday, and beyond:
Be safe and enjoy the holidays with your furry friends!
****
Janice Zazinski is an A-DOG board member, member of the Wags and Tags editorial team and owner of Beloved Companions pet massage.
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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!
____________
- November 22 and future (see dates) Rufus & Thelma Reading Dogs 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 will be ready to read on the following dates. Mark your calendars. Nov 8 & 22, Dec 6 & 20, Jan 3, 17 & 31, Feb 14 & 28, Mar 14, & 28, Apr 11 & 25, May 9 & 23. Jun 6 & 20
- Friday, December 2, The Pet Republic, 2322 Mass. Ave., North Cambridge, hosts Annual Holiday Craft Fair, featuring locally-sourced gifts for dogs & their people. Part of proceeds will benefit an animal-related charity. Visit here for details. (NOTE: The Pet Republic is a Friend of A-DOG.) Enjoy the fair.
- Sunday, December 4 from 11 - 3, A-DOG will be part of The Holiday Pop-Up Market with local artisans & crafters. The Fair is hosted by The Common Ground Bar & Grill as a community service. C.G. is located at 319 Broadway, Arlington Center. Come and enjoy holiday shopping, visit with friends & neighbors and plan to have lunch in the dining room. A-DOG "Bazaar" Table will feature pet related products such as Lucy's Real Meat Treats made in Arlington as well as handcrafted dog themed items for human companions like jewelry, paw print soaps, greeting cards and so much more. Details will be posted on A-DOG Face book page!. Come on down to Common Ground. (NOTE: Common Ground is a Friend of A-DOG) This is A-DOG's first Arf-fair!
- Thursday, December 8, 6:30 p.m., Community Room, Robbins Library, Arlington; Living With Coyotes with John Maguranis. See poster for more information about this informative presentation about the coyotes in our midst; there have been many sightings of coyotes in Arlington this year and at least one very sad loss of a pet dog. Co-sponsored by Arlington Animal Control and A-DOG.
- February Date TBA "The Return of A-DOG Paint Your Pet Night" FUNdraiser at ART LOUNGE Details to follow
Send us calendar items for possible inclusion in this section in future Wags and Tags issues!
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Pawsome People and Awesome Animals...
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Protect consumers and prevent animal cruelty
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NOVEMBER is a time of giving and giving thanks. The following articles feature gifts of the heart, soul and body from some "pawsome" people.
The Answers & Tents Were Blowing in the Wind at the Somerville Dog Festival: Introduction by Joan Black
On August 11 Jen Burns and I, representing A-DOG, attended the Somerville Dog Festival shortly after the microburst. We witnessed the valiant efforts of the organizers and vendors to recover and set up the engaging demonstrations, agility courses, activities and dog products, services & resource tables. The following is a plea from Marjie Alonso
SEEKING HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS!
At the 7th annual festival, a microburst came through the field just before the gates opened to the public, but just as we and our vendors had finished setting up. Unfortunately, the grounds were left a disaster. Though we were able to re-set up in time for our visitors (and had our busiest festival ever!), we suffered some significant losses. We ourselves lost at least 10 tents; our vendors 5 or 6. These tents cost about $180 each. We care deeply about and appreciate very much our vendors' support. Our Somerville Foundation for Animals, the parent of the Festival, will be replacing all of our vendors' lost tents as well as our own. While we know that we're not in charge of the weather, we also appreciate the hard work and time spent on our vendors' businesses, and we want to support them just as they support us. This is a huge outlay for us, and cuts significantly into the money raised for animal-related charities and the new pet food bank we're launching. We can't help the weather, but we can help our community as we try to recover from this significant financial hit.
If you've enjoyed the Festival, or if you'd be willing to help, please donate to the Foundation by going to the Festival web site and clicking on the upper right DONATE button. Thank you for any support you can give, and we'll see you next year - with some shiny new tents! Please contact us here.
Marjie Alonso
*********
Homegrown Tomatoes
Harvest of love to help the animals by Joan Black
Animals in Louisiana and rescue groups have been struggling since the floods. I was pleased to read that a neighbor found a way to lend a helping hand by sharing the bounty of her garden. I was reminded that each of us can make a difference when the gift is from the heart and in this case her own backyard. Susan Roberts Lubar posted, "We will be giving away our bountiful crop of tomatoes at Menotomy Rocks Park tomorrow (Sat. 8/20) morning from 8-9 am. The tomatoes are free. Donations will be accepted (but not necessary!) for Buddy Dog Humane Society or a group helping animals in the flood zone in Louisiana." People and pups came by and the tomato crop was shared with neighbors, friends and visitors to the park. Later that same day, "We had a successful morning giving away tomatoes and petting dogs. And we will be sending $50 to Companion Animal Alliance in Baton Rouge. Thank you to everyone who made a donation!"
I made a matching donation to Animal Aid For Vermilion Area AAVA Abbeville, Louisiana in celebration of the heartfelt harvest give away to benefit animals in need. I challenge others to research & donate as well to a shelter, cause or rescue group that is near and dear to you. For me there is nothing more delicious than a homegrown tomato unless it is the sweet taste of a gift from the heart. The most recent devastation was due to Hurricane Matthew.
**********
Running For Their Lives
by Joan Black
Greyhounds run for their lives. Losers are discarded and killed. Many greyhounds are injured on the track and they all endure horrific, cramped conditions. I always wondered how this could ever be considered sport. I was struck by a photograph of Christine Dorchak finishing a race exhausted, cold and flushed. I learned that she was attempting to achieve a $10,000 goal to help greyhounds by participating in three 5 K races. It was obvious to me that Christine was challenging herself in a deeply personal way. I wanted to learn more about GREY2K USA and why she was in the running. Here is what I discovered.
GREY2K USA Worldwide is a greyhound protection group located right in Arlington Center. Now fifteen years old, the organization has been working to put itself out of business since 2001! Led by attorney Christine Dorchak, its mission is to pass laws to protect greyhounds and promote the adoption of ex-racers, all with the goal of ending the cruelty of dog racing entirely. GREY2K USA led the fight to close down both Massachusetts tracks by passing Question 3 in 2008 and since that time, has opened up campaigns across the globe. GREY2K USA is racing to save lives with the elimination Greyhound racing worldwide.
When not lobbying for the greyhounds, Christine can be seen outside training. She runs up and down the hills of Arlington each morning. This year, she decided to turn her workouts into fundraisers, and in short order GREY2K USA's "Run for Fun" program was born! So far, she has participated in three races and raised over $10,000 from both local and international supporters. Her first race took place in a snow storm, the second and third in torrential downpours. Welcome to New England weathers. She is hoping you will support her continuing efforts and the efforts of other team members! Learn more here
I made my donation. How about YOU?
******
Joan Black is an A-DOG officer and board member and member of the Wags and Tags editorial board.
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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, like the recent tribute to Duke.
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 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. (Please send the photo as a separate file, not imported into a Word document.) Depending on the topic, you might want to write a longer version for our website, with a link in the Wags and Tags article.
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, Jen Burns, Sue Doctrow, Ellen Leigh, Judy Weinberg and Janice Zazinski.
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.
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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