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 A-DOG
!
Wags and Tags editorial team: Joan Black (managing editor), Jen Burns, Sue Doctrow, and Ellen Leigh. Contact our
managing editor
if you'd like to submit an article. (Guidelines: 500 words or fewer, with 1 or 2 photos of 1 mb or smaller.)
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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- Paws for Calendar
- Benny's Appeal: Reading Dog Teams Needed!
- Our A-Dogs in Unleashed Moments, Part 2
- A-DOG Membership Drive is Underway
- Pawsome People and Awesome Dogs
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- Tuesdays 3:30-4:30 on listed dates are FOX Reading Dogs Benny, Penny, & Rufus. All levels of readers welcome. Sign up 30 minutes before session for 15 minutes of a warm, furry personal experience. 2019 Tuesday Dates: May 7, 21, June 4 &18.
- Sunday, April 28, NEADS Spring Graduations, 2-4:00pm Montachusetts Regional Vocational Technical School, Fitchburg, MA. Congratulate the graduating NEADS service dog teams. Celebrate with cake. Admission free with suggested donation of $5.00. Certified service dogs only. More information here.
- Saturday, May 11, Bark for Life (Relay for Life with dogs) Arlington Reservoir, 10:00am–noon. Join team A-DOG:Roslyn’s Rovers for the 6th year. We walk in celebration of survivors, in honor of those fighting & in memory of loved ones lost to cancer while raising much needed funds. Registration $15.00 per dog or as individual $10.00 w/o dogs.Registration fee is a donation. Bella and The Firefly walk with me (Joan) in hope. Come join our team or PLEASE consider making a donation here.
- Thursday, May 23 “Care of Senior Pets & Hospice" with Dr Becky Schoenberg of Autumn Care & Crossings at 7:00, Jefferson Cutter House. Co-sponsored by A-DOG, A-CAT, and the ACO. Come join us for an intimate presentation & discussion. Learn how to adapt home surroundings for aging pets and monitor pain and discomfort with at home veterinary care and consultation.This is valuable information to have, even before it is needed.
- Tuesday, May 28, A-DOG Members Meeting, Arlington Senior Center (upper level) accessible 27 Maple Street with on street parking and lot behind, Enjoy "Spring Surprise" social and potluck dinner beginning 6:30. Business meeting 7:00-8:00pm. Agenda includes: Membership Drive & Volunteer Menu, ACO & AHS DOG Enthusiasts Club & Recreation Connections, Planning for Chairful, Porchfest, Feast of East & FIDO Fest Video Outreach, Review of Pet First Aid & CPR, Bark for Life and Care of Senior Pets& Hospice Care, Consideration of other initiatives. Come with appetite & your ideas.
Looking Ahead: SAVE The Dates:
- Saturday, June 8, “Chairful Where YOU Sit” at 11:00am, Uncle Sam’s Garden/Massachusetts Avenue. A-DOG will award Prize for Best Animal Themed Chair
- Saturday June 8, Porchfest 3:00-6:00pm. A-DOG Meet up at Menotomy Beer, Wine & Spirits, 80 Broadway. Come enjoy music, wine tasting, appetizers & visits with A-DOG Members.
- Saturday August 3, FIDOfest. Spy Pond Field, Arlington, Details will follow. Raindate Sunday August 4.
- Saturday August 24, DOG Days of Summer, Arlington Reservoir 10:00am–2:00
Photo: Joan Black with A-DOG founder and honorary board member, Ann Smith at a previous Bark for Life.
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Benny's Appeal: Reading Dog Teams Needed!
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by Benny with Joan Black
My name is Benny. I am a certified Reading Dog at Fox Library in East Arlington. Rufus, Penny, and I are the popular warm furry companions who love children and enjoy a good tale. Reading Dogs are scheduled September-June alternate Tuesdays from 3:30-4:30 (15 minute sessions.) Young readers of all skill levels and ages sign up to practice reading out loud. Rufus with handler Joanna come for each Tuesday session. Penny takes turns with my partner David and me. I listen once a month and receive so much love and attention. David and I really look forward to our special Tuesdays. Just look at me in the photograph. I am at the Fox awaiting my first reading partner of the afternoon. My tail is wagging in anticipation as I never know what tale to expect. There are so many good books and wonderful children to meet. I am always ready and willing.
Additional teams for the "Read To A Dog" Program are needed as Reading Dog Thelma passed away after many years of inspiring countless young readers. The program is so popular that there is even hope to expand it to the Robbins Library as well.
If you love a good book, lots of attention, and the joy of helping children grow in confidence and have FUN while improve reading skills, this job is for you. Reading Dog is a volunteer position with many rewards. I hope you’ll consider joining Rufus, Penny & me for a wag of a good time.
Are
you
interested? For further information regarding the "Read To A Dog" Program or to apply for the position of “Canine Reading Specialist,” contact
Mora Rothenberg
, The Reading Dogs Coordinator at Fox Library,
Russellfundcoordinator@minlib.net
***************
Joan Black and Benny's reading partner David White are A-DOG board members. Photos show Benny (upper) and Rufus (below), reporting for duty.
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Our A-Dogs in Unleashed Moments, Part 2
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collected by Joan Black
This is Part 2 of our series focusing on Arlington dog owners' recreational adventures with their canine family members, the dogs of A-DOG, also known as "A-dogs". Thank-you to everybody who submitted their great photos and stories.
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Top Of The Mountain: Sam's Last Long Hike
by Jayne Byrne
The photograph of Sam was taken on Franconia Ridge during an 8.8 mile hike over Mt. Lincoln, Mt. Lafayette and Little Haystack in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Sam was 12 years old and started the hike with high energy, like she always had. During the last hour of the six hour hike it became apparent that this would be Sam’s last significant hike based on her age and struggles. When we arrived at the parking lot, I opened the door to the car and Sam jumped immediately into the back seat and curled up into a ball and went to sleep. She slept the entire ride back to Boston. It was clear that Sam thoroughly enjoyed the hike, but she equally enjoyed the sight of the car and, even more, the rest that followed.
Photo: Sam at rest on Franconia Ridge.
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Smitty: Best Friend & Partner
by
Diane Welch
,
Arlington Animal Control Officer
Smitty came to me as a 6 month old pup from a friend who could not keep him. He is my first dog! Smitty loves anything outdoors! As most of you know he is also my falconry dog and we work as a team with my Red Tailed Hawk, Autumn. As an English Springer Spaniel he is a hunting breed. This means he is happiest when we are out hunting with the bird or in the off hunting seasons we love to hike and swim. The photo was taken on a very hot summer day. We visited a friends salt water pool and I tried and tried to catch a good photo of him taking off! Leave it to one of my young cousins to get the shot in 3 seconds of Smitty’s leap. I don't know how I got so lucky to have Smitty in my life. He is a gentleman in the house, is protective of me and my cats and even my chickens. He just turned 6....I wish time would slow down a bit. He's my best friend.
Photo: Smitty's leap
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Sydney: Run Free
by Jennifer A.Kroll
Sydney is almost 11 years old and is a flat coated retriever and Australian shepherd mix. She loves to run off leash at Robbins Farm when no one is present. We live directly between Robbins Farm and Menotomy Rocks Park so we have the best of both worlds. I thought she finally grew into her puppy ears, but this photo says otherwise.
Photo: Sydney runs at Robbins Farm Park.
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Maisy:Happy-Go-Lucky Girl
by Lauren Varian Boyle
Maisy is a 6 year old black lab who lives in Arlington Heights. She adores children, nature walks and FOOD. Most days she can be found playing with her dog friends at the Res or Menotomy Rocks Park. Maisy is a typical "velcro lab" and does not leave her family's sight. She is particularly fond of 9 year old Maggie whom she sleeps with every night. Maisy is truly a happy go lucky girl who adds such joy to our lives.
Photo: Maisy swimming at the Arlington Res.
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Phatty: If I had Wings
by Lahra Tillman
Phatty is a Vizsla and the photo was taken at Fresh Pond Dog Beach. He was very young and LOVED playing there. It is a moment of complete freedom. Now Phatty is more into hunting and exploring trails.
Photo: Phatty takes flight.
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A-DOG's Membership Drive Underway
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by A-DOG's Membership Team
April is when our memberships renew (though you can join anytime!). If you're not an A-DOG member, but you like what we bring, please join our pack. Help us continue our mission of providing free educational & recreational programs as a community service.
Being a Facebook Group member or receiving WAGS & TAGS does not necessarily mean you are an A-DOG member.
If you have not yet considered joining A-DOG, we hope you will. We have dues free (Associate member) and dues paying (Full member) options. A-DOG is a 501(3)(c) nonprofit, all volunteer organization. Our programs, workshops and advocacy efforts are funded by our memberships and powered by volunteers. Please join and consider volunteering for one or more events.
More information here.
Photo: Ricky, A-DOG's canine Board Member, with a special membership appeal.
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Pawsome People and Awesome Dogs
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Collected by Joan Black
Surviving Canidrome, the World’s Worst Dog Track: Brooklyn Is Safe
Christine Dorchak, Esq. President GREY2K USA. lives in Arlington with retired, rescued greyhounds Gina & Brooklyn. Brooklyn came to his family in Arlington after surviving the Canidrome in China, the worst dog track in the world. For ten years he was held where dogs suffered terrible injuries. Monthly 30 dogs were automatically killed to make room for newer, faster dogs. June 30th, 2018 the last race was held.
Watch Brooklyn’s remarkable and heartwarming journey to home and a family of his own
.
Formed in February of 2001 by A-DOG members Christine Dorchak and Carey Theil, GREY2K USA Worldwide is the largest greyhound protection organization in the United States with more than 100,000 supporters. As a non-profit organization, the group promotes the adoption of ex-racers and works to pass laws to end the cruelty of dog racing around the world. With the passage of GREY2K's ballot question in Florida and the closure of China' only legal dog track in 2018, the Arlington-based group is now determined to end dog racing everywhere.
For more information, visit the GREY2K USA
website
or follow GREY2K USA on
Facebook
or Twitter.
Brooklyn has many more friends waiting for family and home.
Consider adopting a greyhound! Greyhounds make excellent family friends and simply require the same walks as all dogs do. Greyhounds come in many sizes and colors and have different personalities. The most important factor to consider when adopting is the suitability of any individual dog to your own life style and family situation.
Our online referral page
lists rescue groups from around the world.
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Willie on the Job: Puppy Love for Armstrong Ambulance
as reported in Wicked Local, Arlington
Armstrong Ambulance Service has a new member of the team. Wille Blue Armstrong is a chocolate lab puppy in training to become a resident therapy dog. Willie was named for company founder Bill Armstrong and his middle name is a nod to both his favorite color and the company's ubiquitous blue blankets used to keep patients warm and comfortable.
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Enjoy some puppy love on Arlington Public News.
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Our new
ONLINE SHOP
for buying A-DOG apparel (T-shirts, sweatshirts and hats) and coffee mugs is open for business.
Your A-DOG products will be printed and sent to you by
QRST's
of Somerville!
Wear your A-DOG colors! And, send us a photo of you wearing your new stuff for a future Wags and Tags fashion feature.
We hope to include future products to help our local partners with fundraising: apparel for the Arlington High School Dog Enthusiasts Club and A-CAT -- stay tuned!
p.s. Sue Doctrow reports that she bought this peach hoodie and it is even more pretty than the photo, and super-soft!
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A-DOG Meetings in 2019
A-DOG holds five meetings per year, in January, March, May, July and October. Unless otherwise noted, meetings are on the fourth Tuesday of the month. The next meeting is May 23, 2019 at the
Arlington Senior Center/Central School building, Academy and Maple (behind Town Hall), lower level Mural Room
(6:30–8 pm). Schedules and locations of 2019 meetings will be announced in
Wags and Tags
.
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 expired, you should have received a reminder letter 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. If you are not an A-DOG member,
join here
anytime! (If you join after Sept 1, expiration will be extended to the next membership period so you don't miss out.)
Shop for A-DOG
NEW!! Buy A-DOG apparel and other goodies at our
A-DOG ONLINE SHOP
, sponsored by QRST's in Somerville!
(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!
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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Arlington Dog Owners Group | www.arlingtondogowners.org
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