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ANNOUNCEMENTS/NEWS
Sign the Petition for Park Improvement
ADogs has submitted a small parks grant to the county, proposing a project to mitigate streambed erosion near Glen Carlyn CCA. The proposal is the only streambed project submitted to small parks grant this year, and will help all down stream residents of the Four Mile Run stream, as well as by helping improve water quality all residents of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. ADogs has proposed undertaking the project, providing the labor, and has committed contributing funds to the project. What you can do is send in a letter of support, or sign the petition posted at Glen Carlyn CCA. The more widespread community support we can demonstrate, the better. The project has already received the endorsement of Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment, Friends of Arlington Parks, the Glen Carlyn Citizens Association, and individual Glen Carlyn CCA visitors (who have also pledged contributing funds). Questions or interest, contact arlingtondogs@hotmail.com.
Bags Needed for CCAs
Many of the CCAs are running short of bags for poop. Please help keep our CCAs clean by bringing spare bags to your CCA for others to use.
Watch for Sharp Objects
A dog recently cut its paw near the log in the stream at Glen Carlyn CCA, causing a deep cut and cutting an artery. CCA patrons waded the stream (with shoes on!) and picked out objects near the log, but visitors should still be careful since no one knows if the dangerous piece was located and the vet was unable to determine whether the cut was caused by glass, metal, or a sharp rock. In addition, trash washes down Four Mile Run periodically -- particularly after storms -- and debris can be lodged along rocks and logs or buried just under the surface.
Annual “Blessing of the Animals”
On Sunday, October 6th at 5 p,, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church on North Glebe Rd. in Arlington will conduct the annual “Blessing of the Animals” in honor of the Feast of St. Anthony (patron saint of animals). Bring your dogs, cats, etc. on a leash or in a crate to be blessed.
Second Annual “Putt for Mutts”
Here is your chance to have some fun while helping to raise funds for rescuing animals. The second annual “Putt for Mutts” golf tournament is scheduled for October 11th at Twin Lakes Golf Course. Last year, Lost Dog Rescue was able to make over $4,500 with this event. You can help gather donations for raffle prizes, get a foursome together to play, help distribute brochures about the event, sponsor-a-hole for $150, and/or volunteer to help the day of the event. Contact Ellen.Greenberg@lostdogrescue.org or Bobbie.Webster@lostdogrescue.org for details.
Safe Kids/Safe Dogs
Arlington Dogs is working with the County and the 4H to present a program called "Safe Kids/Safe Dogs" which helps train 4H staff and parks and rec staff in helping children understand how to interact with unknown canines. Just as a reminder: Parents, please be sure to watch your kids in CCAs (it’s part of the dog park rules) and all dog owners, be sure to carefully monitor your dog’s interactions with people in CCAs, especially any children who might be there.
Women Needed for ArlingtonDogs Coed Softball Team
The coed ArlingtonDogs softball team needs women players. We’ve had to forfeit all but the last of their games because we didn’t have the required number. Please, if you like playing softball, contact Joe.Geles@eds.com to find out how you can sign up.
Two recent letters.
The first, printed in the Sun Gazette:
Editor:
ArlingtonDogs shares the concerns expressed by a recent letter writer, who described injuries caused by an off-leash dog on an Arlington bike path ["One Dog Walker Showed No Responsibility on Trail," Aug. 29].
In addition to working to establish and maintain dog parks, ArlingtonDogs works throughout the year to educate and remind dog owners of their legal responsibilities. We have distributed the
letter-to-the-editor to our more than 500 members - many of whom are bicyclists, joggers and rollerbladers themselves, and are keenly aware of the dangers of off-leash animals on paths.
While we have no idea whether the jogger described last week is a member of ArlingtonDogs, we hope that information about that incident is distributed widely and serves to educate as many dog owners as possible.
For owners who want to let their dogs off-leash in public areas, we remind them that there is an alternative: Arlington's network of Community Canine Areas, off-leash dog parks that are clearly marked, posted, and separated from other recreational park uses. These parks - which have proved to be a model for other communities around the country - provide Arlingtonians with large open spaces where they can congregate and their dogs can run off-leash, while allowing people who are engaged in other activities to avoid them altogether.
The letter last week was an important reminder to all dog owners that the county has a leash law, it has alternatives for legal off-leash areas, and that all dog owners have a responsibility both to obey the law and be good citizens if an incident does occur.
Michelle Prettyman
Chairman, ArlingtonDogs
And from County Board Chair Chris Zimmerman:
Dear Ms. Prettyman:
Thank you for sharing with the County Board a copy of a letter you received from an official of Canon City, Colorado, commending Arlington's dog parks and asking for more details on their establishment. It is great to hear that Arlington's Community Canine Areas (CCAs) are serving as a model for other regions across the country.
I see that the email from the official was forwarded to Howard Hudgins in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Resources. I am confident he will make the appropriate contact and supplement the information you have already shared. The Board, too, stands ready to be of assistance in sharing our success, which was achieved in large part to our partnership with caring and committed community-based groups such as ArlingtonDogs.
Once again, thank you for taking the time to make us aware of the compliment of Arlington's CCAs and exchange of information with Canon City, Colorado.
Sincerely,
Christopher Zimmerman
Chairman
Arlington County Board
Feed Your Dog Raw Chicken?
WOOFS! Dog Training Center and Susan Heckelman, a Bones and Raw Foods specialist, are offering a complimentary seminar on the Bones and Raw Foods Diet, recently the subject of an hour-long discussion on NPR’s Public Interest show. The seminar will be held at WOOFS at 2 pm on September 21, at 4241-A North Pershing Drive. Call 703-536-PUPS to register.
Two AWLA Events
On Sunday, September 29, 2002 from 1pm-5pm, spend some quality time with your pet at Pentagon Row, and help domestic animals everywhere by participating in "Paws for a Cause." The proceeds of this pet promenade and contest will all go to support the Animal Welfare League of Arlington (http://www.AWLA.org). Festivities include a gala parade of pets, a pet beauty contest, pet talent contest and more, all at the Plaza at Pentagon Row (located at the corner of Army Navy Drive and South Joyce Street, Arlington.) Registration starts at 1pm with judging beginning at 2pm. Awards ceremony to follow. And bring your Pentagon Row receipts dated 09/29/02 to the plaza and 10% of the total will go to the Animal Welfare League of Arlington
And what are you doing on October 5th 2002? Don't be left out of the fun for Mamma Meow! The AWLA Casino Night and Silent Auction. Contact Denise Pons dpons@awla.org for more details on either event.
Charity Dog Wash
Join Pro Feed, Avo Diets and Capital Animal Care for the 4th Annual Charity Dog Wash. Stop by Sunday, September 15th from 1 - 3 and have your favorite pooch scrubbed. All proceeds benefit the Capital Area Mobile Spay Neuter Clinic, offering subsidized sterilization and wellness services to pets of families with little or no income. Bring your own towels & brushes, they supply the water, scrubbing power, Avo shampoo and special treats! Donations requested. Pro Feed is at Bradlee Shopping Center, 3690-G King Street, Alexandria. Questions? Call (703) 820-3888
Let’s Get Social
There has been talk among ADogs members about having some social activities for our members. Currently, the only thing we have scheduled is the holiday party in December. If you’d like to help organize or be part of a social committee to plan activities such as parties, happy hours, outings, etc. drop a note to arlingtondogs@hotmail.com.
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