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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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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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A Big Fido Fest 'Thank You' & It's a Wrap!
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The first FIDOFest was a big success -- next year's plans!
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by Jen Burns (FIDO Fest Committee)
 Report on 2017 FIDO Fest:
Over 200 people and many dogs attended the first FIDO Video Festival at Spy Pond Field on 8/19. Complimentary popcorn was donated by Arlington's own Capitol Theatre, much to everyone's delight. Folks took advantage of photo opportunities with 7ft paper mache Fido and enjoyed visiting informational tables. ACMI documented the wonderful crowd and interviewed some attendees. The weather was perfect. Sloping hills and stands were filled with families, friends and friendly dogs. Watching children with glow necklaces create their own spectacular images after dark was a festive treat. Thank you to everyone who came out to experience a quirky and unique festival and brought friends and family. It was so much fun. There are plans to expand and improve FIDO Fest for 2018. Stay tuned for ways you can become involved with planning, organizing and contributing as a volunteer. To watch Fido Fest 2017,
click here.
A Big Shout Out to
Fido Fest Sponsors: ACMi, Blue Sky Dogs, Judy Weinberg Remax/Leading Edge, A-DOG, Road Warrior Moving and Storage, Capitol Theatre, Stop & Shop, Whole Foods, and Mal's Automotive Service. Thank YOU to all the volunteers who came to set up, run around, and clean & pack up. Thank you to the dog ground crew who supported clean up efforts with "no popcorn kernels left behind" efficiency. Finally thanks to the weather for blessing us with the perfect summer evening for outdoor viewing. We couldn't have done it without you!
Check out some of the people attending Fido Fest 2017; ACMI reports on the scene at
this link!
**********
FIDO Fest Does Not Rest:
Get Ready for FIDO Fest 2018!
Enter Your 'Dog Days of Summer' Video (September 15 - October 15)
by The "J" Team (FIDO Fest Committee)
BE the FIRST to send a video for FIDO Fest 2018 and be automatically entered into a monthly drawing eligible for a prize. We would love to have videos of pups coming all year. MONTHLY themes will be suggested but any funny, quirky, athletic, silly, clumsy, sweet videos of your pup will be entered.
PLEASE NOTE VIDEOS must be under 2 mins long and the youtube link can be submitted at
this link. Remember you can label your video as "unlisted" & just submit link if you don't want your pup video public on your youtube account. Not sure how to load a video on youtube? There's a video for that
here.
SEPTEMBER's video theme is 'Dog Days of Summer.' Entries are due by October 15 to be considered in September Drawing.
Send videos of pups jumping, swimming, crashing through the woods, climbing to a mountain top, chasing the sprinkler or furry friend, licking ice cream, traveling or vacationing with you or simply enjoying any number of summer activities. It can be as simple an idea as the following featuring "
Roxy at the Beach."
Kids, adults, even people with the middle name Lynn, can take great dog videos. If you have a favorite video on your phone or face book page. put it on youtube and send us the link. We want YOU to be part of Fido Fest 2018. Reminder you may submit videos "off" theme and still be included in that month's drawing. YOU and your dog just may be a winning team.
A peek at "Topic Themes" for Monthly Prize Drawings sponsored by A-DOG & Friends of A-DOG. This month: SEPTEMBER: "Dog Days of Summer."
Thinking ahead...... (October: "Falling into Fall & Haunted Hounds," November: "Thankful for My ?...," December: "Holiday Hounds," January:"Winter Pups," February: "A Dog's Best-est Friend," March: YOUR Idea & Pup's Birthday Party," April: "No Fooling: Stupid, Silly, & Surprising Pet Tricks & Talents," May"Springing into Spring: Pup's Favorite Thing," June: "Adventures Around A-Town (Activities, events & special places in Arlington).
ALWAYS, your own ideas are welcome & encouraged.
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If Disaster Strikes, Will YOU Be Prepared?
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by Katie Kozikowski
Everyone is familiar with the images of
Hurricane
Harvey's devastating effects on the people and animals of Texas and surrounding areas. Emergency responders from all over reported to The Lone Star State in efforts to help not only people but animals. Organizations such as ASPCA, HSUS, NACA and other smaller animal shelters put on their rain pants and boots and arrived in the flooded state in hopes of rescuing as many pets as possible. Rescuers have learned to work with animals in order to save the people who would not leave their pets behind. Scenes of trapped animals on the streets and in their homes being rescued were often accompanied by images depicting helping hands of responders guiding and carrying owners and pets to safety together.
PLAN Ahead with a "Disaster Preparedness Plan in the event of an emergency.
According to the ASPCA the BEST items for Pet 'Evac-Kit' are as follows:
- Pet first-aid kit and guide book (ask your vet what to include)
- 3-7 days' worth of canned (pop-top) or dry food (be sure to rotate every two months)
- Disposable litter trays (aluminum roasting pans are perfect)
- Litter or paper toweling
- Liquid dish soap and disinfectant
- Disposable garbage bags for clean-up
- Pet feeding dishes and water bowls
- Extra collar or harness as well as an extra leash
- Photocopies and/or USB of medical records and a waterproof container with a two-week supply of any medicine your pet requires (Remember, food and medications need to be rotated out of your emergency kit-otherwise they may go bad or become useless)
- At least seven days' worth of bottled water for each person and pet (store in a cool, dry place and replace every two months)
- A traveling bag, crate or sturdy carrier, ideally one for each pet
- Flashlight
- Blanket
- Recent photos of your pets (in case you are separated and need to make "Lost" posters)[I recommend bringing photos that contain both you and your pets for easier identification either way]
- Especially for cats: Pillowcase, toys, scoop-able litter
- Especially for dogs: Extra leash, toys and chew toys, a week's worth of cage liner
KEEP your pet's emergency preparedness kit next to your human kit. Update both.
Ways to help those affected by the Hurricane? The Town of Arlington has donation links posted to assist with recovery efforts. See this link for details.
For specific donations, see HSUS & ASPCA websites for further details on how to donate.
PLEDGE To TAKE My Pets With Me here.
Pet Disaster Preparedness information here.
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Arlington dog Athena describes a recent adventure
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by Athena
as told to Sue Sheffler
It was a Dark and Stormy Nite
Thunder made me bolt!
I'm suddenly in Pleasant St,
Confused, in full revolt
But still there's crashing overhead
and now the street's a river
I see Rt 2 , maybe shelter there?
I'm soaked, and start to shiver
But Lo, there comes a man
John Fiola, jogging fan
native to E Arlingt(a)n
he grabs my leash
and hauls me over off the street
There we stand in full downpour
a car pulls over, despite the roar
of passing trucks and flying muck
And Greg H accepts our sodden selves - what a piece of awesome luck
We all slosh into the Harrison truck
meanwhile back at Brentwood Road
Anastasia, in nanny mode
says.."a dog ran by...didn't we meet her one day
at that neighbor's house up Kensington way?
"
So employer Brian Lucas
runs up the street in drenching rain -
his nanny saw a dog like me
down on Pleasant, maybe in pain
and an alert goes out to A List
Calls to police, and Animal Control
Greg takes me around- but they don't know me there
Rain getting harder! Thunder rolls!
He takes me home, where it's not so cold
Mr Greg is soaked now too
Ms Kate tries A list...
Right thing to do!
responses swirl thru cyberspace
30 minutes later, I'm home and safe
********
Sue Sheffler is an A-DOG member and Athena is her "A-dog"!
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August 22 meeting, summarized by Joan Black
- Bark For Life A-DOG Team will be named in memory of Roslyn Smith: Roslyn's Rovers: Walk in Hope
- FIDO Fest: GREAT Success, 75 Contributions, 200+ attended/many dogs, Committee will evaluate & plan for 2018
- Membership records will be transferred from Roslyn's system to Constant Contact. Sue will maintain.
- A-DOG is changing its address to a PO Box.
- A-DOG website hosting account to be transferred from Dan Foskett (volunteer) to A-DOG. Dan said the hosting service does not charge for a nonprofit.
- Judy will be the liaison for DOG Days of Summer and will contact Jon Marshall for the date.
- Joan will represent A-DOG at Pet Boutique/Whole Foods 8/26 & Somerville Dog Festival 9/10
- Events: Howl-o-ween (K9, Arlington Recreation), Great Meadows Walks (David), K9 First Aid (Mary/ACO)
- Town Day 9/16: A-DOG table needs volunteers. Joan will organize materials, prizes etc.
Please join us at our next meeting, October 24! (Details in Calendar.)
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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!
____________
-
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 on the day of event. Happy tails are waiting to listen to your tales. 10/10 Rufus, Thelma & Penny; 10/24 Rufus, Thelma & Benny. Generally, first and third Tuesdays of the month. Contact the Fox library for dates.
- Sat, Oct 21. (10:00 to noon). Walk with your Best Friend(s) at Arlington's Great Meadows. Many people like to walk with their dogs in natural outdoor areas. One such area just over the Lexington border is Arlington's Great Meadows (AGM). This walk will orient you to the various paths that you and your pup can enjoy there. People and leashed dogs are welcome for this walk to be led by David White. Please Wear: Appropriate outerwear and footwear. Also insect repellant for ticks. Location: Meet in the parking lot of the nursing home at the end of Emerson Gardens Road and Bryant Street. From Maple Street, turn onto Emerson Gardens Road and follow it to the end. Enter the facility's driveway (slowly, please) and continue around to the right, keeping the building on your left. Proceed to the far end of the parking lot. Map here. Sponsored by Friends of Arlington's Great Meadows (FoAGM) and the Arlington Dog Owners Group (A-DOG). For information contact David at info@FoAGM.org. If really bad weather, rain date is 10/28.
- Thurs, Oct 26, (5-8 pm), Rabies Vaccine Clinic, sponsored by Arlington Animal Control, Jefferson Cutter House, 611 Mass Ave, Arlington.
- Thurs, Oct 26, Nov 2 and Nov 6. (7-9 pm) Dog Portrait Workshop, Lexington Arts and Crafts Society, Lexington, MA. See poster above for details.
- Tues, Oct. 24, (6:30 - 8 pm), A-DOG meeting, Jefferson Cutter House, lower level (Community Room), Arlington Center. Our Annual Meeting.
*****
Send us calendar items for possible inclusion in this section in future Wags and Tags issues!
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Pawsome People and Awesome Dogs....
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PAWSOME People Helping AWESOME Animals: Hurricane Harvey: Information
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compiled by Joan Black
Austin Pets Alive: Plea by A-DOG Member Laurie Huber
Austin Pets Alive can use your help with a donation - whatever you feel you can contribute. My niece (Alicia Zander) and her kids volunteer here and have done amazing work in the aftermath of Harvey. There are thousands more stories just like this one.
Here's a link.
There are heartbreaking photographs of abandoned dogs chained to guard rails and poles, walking or swimming in the floodwaters, or marooned on rooftops and boats which have surfaced.
"We're so grateful to Second Chance Animal Shelter for their role as an Emergency Placement Partner with HSUS, helping take in animals after natural disasters or large-scale abuse cases." (HSUS)
Read more about HSUS' efforts underway in Texas and how you can help: "A Humane Nation:
Wayne Pacelle's Blog"
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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. (submission ideas to A-DOG or Joan)
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 Meetings in 2017-2018
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 2017 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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