somerville dog: a weblog

LaundroMutt, Cambridge's DIY dog wash, in cooperation with Polka Dog Bakery in the South End is sponsoring a Charity Dog Wash to benefit the Trust for Public Land at Hotel Marlowe, adjacent to the CambridgeSide Galleria Mall, in Cambridge, Saturday, July 9th, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wash and dry service is being provided by LaundroMutt for a $10 donation, which also allows you to make your own doggie sundae compliments of Polka Dog Bakery. People treats courtesy of Hotel Marlowe.

I've been racking my brain trying to figure out why dog owners in particular would want to support the Trust For Public Land. Lots of dog owners are conservationists, but given the "no dogs" policy on many conservation lands, it behooves us to choose carefully where we give our charity dollars.

In the Somerville Dog Owners Group Forum MrGranby posted a link to an excellent article, "Creating dog parks - without rancor," by Peter Harnik and Cerise Bridges. Peter Harnik is director of the Trust for Public Land's Center for City Park Excellence. Cerise Bridges is a former researcher for the center.

So there is some consideration for dog friendly urban parks at TPL!

Also, the charity dog wash is a good excuse to check out Hotel Marlowe, a dog-friendly hotel in Cambridge.

Posted by Michèle at 3:40 PM
Categories: Events, Massachusetts
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but I vote for people not dogs.

Senator Rick Santorum (R-Pennsylvania) says

we have a responsibility to God's creatures to treat them humanely, and the government's laws should reflect that,''

Last time I checked, in our laws we are not responsible to anything of God's. A better gage by which to evaluate PAWS is to ask whether the legislation serves American society by promoting responsible breeder practices and thereby ensuring that the animals bred to be our pets are healthy and well-adjusted to live in our homes and our community.

The animal rights political action committee Humane USA gave $5,000 to Santorum's 2006 re-election bid and has pledged to campaign aggressively for him.

A politician who believes that love is a threat to the family and who puts the life of zygotes before the (life and) liberty of women (and children) will never get my vote, and an organization that funds his campaign will never get my money.

Posted by Michèle at 7:47 AM
Categories: United States
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Someone mentioned this at the som|dog meeting last night:

The City of Somerville will be having a fireworks display Thursday evening, June 30, beginning at 9:15 p.m. at Trum Field. If you live near Trum Field and your dog does not like loud noises, you may want to plan your evening so that s/he is not home alone during the fireworks or arrange an excursion for the whole family on Thursday evening.

The fireworks are part of the Summertime in Somerville festivities. In addition to the fireworks on Thursday night, the City is hosting Family Fun Day at Trum Field, Saturday afternoon, July 2. Families that include dogs are not welcome to enjoy Family Fun Day together: Trum Field is posted "No Dogs Allowed."

If your dog does like loud noises and crowds, leashed dogs are allowed on the Esplanade in Boston. Boston's Independence Day festivities will be held on the Esplanade, Monday, July 4, 2005.

Posted by Michèle at 10:14 AM
Categories: Events, Somerville, Your Dog's Health
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Have you had a look at the FY '06 Budget?

The City Clerk's office estimates that 500 dog licenses will be issued in 2005 and projects that 600 dog licenses will be issued in 2006. In the 2005 budget the revenue generated by dog licenses is estimated at $5,000; the estimated revenue from dog licenses in 2006 is $10,000. Is the cost to license a dog in Somerville going double in 2006?

John Long, the City Clerk, explained to me today that the cost to obtain a dog licenses next year will not be double what it costs this year, but the fees are going up:

In 2005 licenses cost $6.00 for an altered (spayed/neutered) dog and $12.00 for an intact dog. The license fees are being increased, by $4.00, to $10.00 and $16.00 respectively. If I've done my math correctly, this is a 66% percent increase in the fee to license an altered animal and a 33% increase in the fee to license an intact animal.

What does it cost to license a dog in neighboring towns?

• Arlington
  The cost for a Neutered Male/Spayed Female is $10.00.
  The cost for a Male/Female is $15.00.


• Boston
  Spayed and/or neutered dogs $6
  Unspayed and/or unneutered dogs $17
  Pit Bulls & Pit Bull Mixes $50¹


• Cambridge
  $5.00 (neutered/spayed dog)
  $15.00 (un-neutered/spayed dog)


• Medford
  For a Neutered Male or a Spayed Female the fee is $6.00.
  For a Male or Female dogs [sic] the fee is $10.00.

¹ somerville dog opposes breed specific legislation because it is ineffective in addressing real problems with dangerous dogs in our conmunities.

Posted by Michèle at 11:53 AM
Categories: Somerville
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via e-mail

Looking to buy your next home in a dog-friendly neighborhood? Try Anapolis, MD, in Anne Arundel County. In addition to "four off-leash dog parks -- and one dog beach," the County features a "pet of the week" on its website home page, as reported in the Washington Post yesterday: "At Parks and Beach, Anne Arundel Dogs Are Given Free Rein."

Janet S. Owens, the Anne Arundel County [E]xecutive, . . . has taken pains to position Annapolis and its environs as a destination for dog owners

In a county known for chocolate Labradors and, increasingly, thimble-size lawns, Owens has taken the unusual step of opening four off-leash dog parks -- and one dog beach -- on little more than a hunch that the dogs would come. She wants to market Anne Arundel as a dog-friendly county, to lure the leash-and-collar set in the same way that Blue Ribbon schools attract parents. . . .

"I just knew. . . . that it would be a gathering place for people," Owens said. "And it just struck me: It's important to building neighborhoods and community -- quality of life."

"The leash-and-collar set." Hey! We're a demographic! $35.9 billion annually can't be wrong.

Posted by Michèle at 10:26 AM
Categories: Destinations, Off-Leash Recreational Areas—i.e. "Dog Parks", United States
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I disapprove of internet hoaxes just as much, if not more, than the next guy, so when a former Somerville dog owner sent me an email asking me to help save NPR and PBS, the first thing I did was check my trusty source for internet hoaxes, the Urban Legends Reference Pages. It turns out that this time our representatives to the US Congress really are voting on whether to slash funding for NPR and PBS.

According to the Washington Post, the House Appropriations Committee voted on Thursday, June 9, "to sharply reduce the federal government's financial support for public broadcasting." The Associated Press (via CNN.com) reported last week that "Public television stations and National Public Radio would lose 25 percent of their federal funding next year under a bill cleared by a House committee Thursday night . . . ," i.e. June 16.

June 9 or June 16, no matter. Yesterday in front of the Capitol dome MoveOn.org, a 501(c)(4) organization that "primarily focuses on education and advocacy on important national issues," presented one million signatures to save public broadcasting.

What does this have to do with the human and canine residents of Somerville?

Clifford, the Big Red Dog
Dogs and More Dogs
Extraordinary Dogs
Sled Dogs: An Alaskan Epic
WOOF! It's a Dog's Life

Public broadcasting is an outlet for alternative programing that does not have the commercial appeal to survive on network television.

Here's the text of an e-mail I received from MoveOn.org today:

Dear friend of MoveOn,

As far as we know, this is the most Americans to ever sign a petition in a single week, and it's one of the larger petitions in recent U.S. history—over 1 million people! Yesterday in front of the Capitol dome, we stacked box upon box of your signatures and comments—more than 60,000 pages—as members of Congress and children's advocates spoke in defense of NPR and PBS. PBS children's characters Clifford the Big Red Dog, Maya and Miguel, Leona the Lion, and lots of kids reminded Congress what's at stake.

The event was swarming with press, and the story is getting lots of great news coverage. You've helped to raise the profile of this issue and increase public pressure on Congress.

Our representatives have seen how many of us there are, but now they need to hear from us directly. Before this week's vote, can you call Rep. Capuano?

Congressman Michael Capuano
Phone: 202-225-5111

This is an uphill fight, so every call is critical. Tell the staffer who answers why you feel so strongly about saving NPR and PBS, and ask Rep. Capuano to restore all funding to public broadcasting.

It's important to track our impact. Please let us know you're calling at:

http://www.moveon.org/call?tg=FHMA_08&cp_id=42&id=5691-6164805-f0c1VBsPnPvuFCNFp5nUtw

Why is public broadcasting so important? Many of you told Congress when signing the petition. Here are a few of your comments:

"There are so few truly wholesome and wonderful programs for children available on television. To invest in the future, please save PBS children's programming."
—Miranda, Chicago, IL

"NPR and PBS are crucial to me. I am a librarian, and it is often the only place that I can get news coverage on certain topics explained fully. Where broadcast news might spend 5 minutes on a topic, NPR will spend an hour."
—Paula, Benton Harbor, MI

"Public Broadcasting is one of the few bright spots in our nation's increasingly shallow and corporate influenced media."
—Steven, Alameda, CA

Our fight for public broadcasting—and high-quality, honest media—is just beginning. Thank you for all you do.

Sincerely,

–Noah, Joan, Rosalyn, Wes and the MoveOn.org Team
  Wednesday, June 22nd, 2005

P.S. The Associated Press wire story on yesterday's rally includes the petition you signed. You can read the story at:

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=756&t=3

Not surprisingly, PBS has some of the best coverage of the debate over public broadcasting. Read or listen at:

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/media/jan-june05/cpb_6-21.html

Posted by Michèle at 9:40 AM
Categories: Friends of somerville dog, United States
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Twenty people and fourteen dogs attended a fund-raiser on the occasion of Strummer's birthday party, Saturday, June 18, at Pet Spa (669 Somerville Avenue). We raised $370 for off-leash recreation in Somerville!

Pet Spa owner, Theresa Sammon, with the help of her staff, graciously provided the wonderful space at her store, as well as decorations and party favors. Strummer's fabulous carrot and peanut-butter birthday cake was donated by Joe Thompson, owner of Fi-Dough (70E Beacon Street). The Beacon Street Star Market donated a $25 gift card for party supplies, and Marco Romao, of Jerry's Liquors (320 Somerville Avenue), helped with the refreshments.

Posted by Michèle at 2:05 PM
Categories: Somerville, Strummer
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Strummer will be eight years old, Saturday, June 18, 2005.

Saturday is also the date of the opening celebration and rededication of the newly renovated Palmacci Park, which welcomes families with leashed dogs and features Somerville's first doggie drinking fountain!

Posted by Michèle at 9:20 AM
Categories: Somerville, Strummer
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...not Mr. Murphy (or Ms. Murphy for that matter), but Murphy, a golden retriever who was walking with his owner in Newton Centre. Murphy did not have a leash.

Seems you don't have to be human to be subject to the laws of Newton, MA.

Dog has his day in court
By Kate Shaughnessy/ Staff Writer
Wednesday, June 15, 2005

A golden retriever named Murphy is waiting for his day in court after receiving a $50 ticket because his owner took him for two walks without a leash.

The dog's owner, Steven Dean, admits that he has had Murphy off leash in Newton Centre, but can't figure out why the pet was the one who received the fine in Thursday's mail.

"Murphy doesn't have any money, so I don't know how he's going to pay it," Dean said with a laugh Sunday night.

Newton Police fined Murphy $25 for not having a leash and $25 for not being licensed when Animal Control Officer John O'Connell stopped him and his master on June 3. The ticket gives the canine the option of paying the fine or requesting a hearing.

"He can't read, so I signed it on his behalf, requesting a hearing," Dean said. "I don't even know if they'll let him into the courthouse."

Court Magistrate Henry Shultz said that in his 35 years at the Newton District Court, he has never heard of a dog receiving a ticket.

"I think Murphy's the first offender," he said Monday. "We've had people bring their dogs into the courthouse, but not like this."

Dean said he brings 3-year-old Murphy to work with him every day at his Beacon Street auction business. Murphy also comes along when Dean is on the road.

First halted in March for having a leashless dog, Dean explained he was puppy-sitting for his tenant who could not bring the dog to work. When he needed to go for a short walk in Newton Centre, Dean brought both dogs, but only had one leash.

"The puppy wasn't as trained," Dean said. "Murphy can walk off leash, he's very well behaved. I understand it's against the law, but it's not like he was wandering the streets of Newton."

Officer O'Connell stopped Dean and told him both dogs needed to be on leashes. Dean said he explained the situation to the officer and gave him his name and address, but never received a ticket.

The second incident occurred when Dean and Murphy were walking to Mailboxes Etc., which he said he frequently visits with Murphy and is close to his office.

"They all know Murphy there," he said. "It's two doors down, and so I don't always use the leash."

The same officer spotted Dean and again instructed him to put a leash on Murphy. He also asked Dean if Murphy was licensed, which Dean admitted he was not. (Murphy has since been licensed.)

Dean said O'Connell did not ask for his name or address this time, but looked at Murphy's dog tag, which lists the dog's name and address as they appeared on the ticket.

"I really don't know what the circumstances are," Shultz said. "[The officer] may have gotten the spaces messed up on the ticket."

O'Connell could not be reached for comment as of deadline.

Laughing, Shultz added: "Murphy is a common name, so we assumed it was a person."

When Dean brought Murphy's unusual ticket to the court for instructions, the court employees were "just on the floor laughing, none of them had ever seen anything like this," he said.

"In the seriousness of the tragedies that we see in the courthouse, once in a while something comes along that strikes you a little funnier than others," Shultz said. "You get a little levity. What are we going to do if Murphy appeals to a higher court?"

Until the hearing, Dean said he'll be keeping a close watch on his criminal canine.

Kate Shaughnessy can be reached at kshaughn@cnc.com.

Dog gets ticket, owner gets laugh

Posted by Michèle at 7:26 AM
Categories: Dogs in the News, Massachusetts
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UPDATE 14 July 2005: Ace has been found! I expect to receive (and post) details tomorrow!

Posted by Michèle at 8:39 AM
Categories: Lost and Found
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I just learned that one of my favorite Somerville dogs may be infected with canine oral papillomavirus: He has warts in his mouth. Poor thing! He can't play with other dogs until the infection clears up.

According to the Merck Veterinary Manual,

canine mucous membrane papillomatosis . . . primarily affects young dogs [and] is characterized by the presence of multiple warts on oral mucous membranes from lips to (occasionally) the esophagus and on the conjunctival mucous membranes and adjacent haired skin. When the oral cavity is severely affected, there is interference with mastication and swallowing. A viral etiology has been clearly established for these lesions.

According to the Pet Health Care Library (VeterinaryPartner.com)

The infection is transmitted via contact with the papillomas on an infected dog. The incubation period is 1 to 2 months. This virus can only be spread among dogs. It is not contagious to other pets or to humans. . . .

[Viral papillomas] should go away on their own as the dog's immune system matures and generates a response against the papillomavirus. . . . Typically, it takes 1 to 5 months for papillomas to regress with oral growths tending to regress sooner than ocular growths.

Posted by Michèle at 7:21 AM
Categories: Your Dog's Health
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"It's a good story. . . . It's man's best friend doing the right thing."

People's safest bet is still to own a functioning smoke detector, but an alert dog can be helpful, too, [Fire Chief Kevin] Kelleher said.

Hero dog alerts owner to fire
By Erin Dower/ Journal Staff
Thursday, June 9, 2005

Minnie James is a "big sleeper."

So Frances Marshman, the owner of the 2-year-old Goldendoodle (a hybrid golden retriever/poodle), said she was surprised when Minnie stirred about 2:45 a.m. on Tuesday, May 31.

"She woke me up and kept barking, barking, barking," Marshman said. "I was not happy."

But the residents of 157 College Ave. should be pleased Minnie made a racket. The College Avenue home, located diagonally across Marshman's backyard on Bromfield Road, was on fire. Marshman got up, saw flashes of light in her back door, discovered the fire and placed the first 911 call for help.

Marshman said she was groggy when she got out of bed, so when she saw the light shining intermittently into the back of her house, she thought it might be a burglar's flashlight. She quickly discovered the flashes came from flames climbing vertically at the back of 157 College Ave. and called to report the fire.

"Then I stood there with my heart pounding," she said.

Firefighters reached the three-story home within a few minutes, and eight crews from Somerville and additional engines from Medford and Cambridge battled the fire for about two hours. No one was hurt in the blaze, but it caused more than $500,000 worth of damage, firefighters said.

The fire remains under investigation. But firefighters reported the probable cause was a barbecue that Tufts students, who were upstairs residents, left unattended on the rear deck after they grilled food on Monday, which was Memorial Day.

Eugene Weinstein, a resident of the first floor, said he did not attend the afternoon barbecue and was not aware of the resulting fire for a while. He said he awoke early Tuesday morning to the sound of glass shattering and, like Marshman, thought his home was the target of a burglar.

When he called 911 to report the suspected burglary, dispatchers told him his house was on fire, which a neighbor (Marshman) had already reported. Weinstein said he had to jump out his window to escape because his bedroom filled with black smoke when he opened his door.

Fire Chief Kevin Kelleher said some pets make noise when they discover a fire, while others get scared and hide under furniture. Luckily, Minnie clamored, he said.

"It's a good story," he said. "It's man's best friend doing the right thing."

People's safest bet is still to own a functioning smoke detector, but an alert dog can be helpful, too, Kelleher said.

"That few minutes makes all the difference in a fire," he said.

Marshman said the incident was Minnie's first potentially life-saving experience, but she's not surprised at what her friendly, long-lashed dog did.

"She's just a good girl," Marshman said.

Posted by Michèle at 12:35 AM
Categories: Dogs in the News, Somerville, Somerville Dogs
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Here's Strummer sporting her new haircut for the beginning of swimming season!

Strummer's friend Vincent (Vizsla) introduced her to Noanet Woodlands in Dover, yesteday. With shady trails and swimming holes, Noanet is very dog-friendly. The Dog Lover's Companion to Boston gives it the highest possible recommendation: four paws!

Posted by Michèle at 10:50 AM
Categories: Strummer
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via email from Baby's foster family

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) announced an emergency order today to strengthen the regulations pertaining to animals brought into the Commonwealth from other states. . . . to prevent rescue organizations, shelters and other groups from bringing animals into the state that pose risks to human and animal health (Department of Agricultural Resources Press Release, May 26, 2005).

The Canine Coalition, "Fighting for the Right to Rescue," opposes the new restrictions.

Last year around this time, the National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA) issued a press release about an unnamed Massachusetts animal shelter bringing a rabid puppy into the state from Puerto Rico. I spent a month researching the incident, which was not publicized by MDAR, and posted the results of my research on July 2, 2004.

Also around this time last year, NAIA, along with the Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners (MASSFED) and the American Kennel Club (AKC), succeeded in defeating legislation, which would have imposed restrictions on breeders of dogs and cats. As far as I could tell, breeders' groups opposed the legislation not out of their concern for the welfare of their animals but out of concern for the business interests of their members.

The NAIA has scored a victory in getting the emergency order passed. MASSFED also supports the new regulations. The AKC has not yet put anything about the emergency order on their website.

A good way to gage whether or not a breeder is responsible is whether or not she is active in breed rescue. I'd like to know what breeder organizations like the AKC, MASSFED and NAIA are doing to help the animal rescue organizations and shelters comply with the requirements of the new emergency order.

Here is a suggestion. Breeders, you clearly have the facilities to temporarily accomodate additional animals: When you are not raising a litter, why not donate your facilities to a shelter or rescue for the 48-hour isolation period required for every animal coming into Massachusetts for adoption?

Posted by Michèle at 8:47 AM
Categories: Massachusetts
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