somerville dog: a weblog

[via e-mail]

There will be a public hearing concerning House Bill 4753, An Act Prohibiting the Renting of Pets, Thursday, June 5, 11 to 1, in Room A-1, at the State House.

Hello Canine Companions and Compadres!

Don't sit on the sidelines.
Don't be an armchair quarterback.
Don't be a backseat driver.

We've worked hard--now it's our time to be heard (and seen) on behalf of dogs and cats. Please make every effort to attend and bring other animal lovers: Those opposing our bill will be there! You can help ban pet rentals.

Thursday, June 5, 11 to 1
Room A-1
State House

FlexPetz is a business that rents dogs--by the hour or day--to people who want the fun of a pet without commitment. FlexPetz calls it "flexible ownership." But callousness by any name still hurts. If we open the door in Massachusetts, other dog and cat rental businesses will follow.

Why It's Bad for Pets
- Dogs and cats need stability and consistency. Rental pets are handed off to a succession of people, spending a few hours with one, a day or two with another--subjected to renters' different personalities, environments, routines and rules, which is confusing and stressful. They spend the rest of their time in animal day care.
- "I see a lot of dogs who have severe behavioral issues resulting from inconsistency. It is nearly impossible for people to be consistent with rented pets," according to Certified Dog Behavior Consultant Jo Jacques, CDBC, CPDT, CPCT.
- Constantly breaking a dog's bonds with humans is cruel, says Ray McSoley, who founded the Animal Behavior Clinic at Boston's acclaimed Angell Memorial Veterinary Hospital.
- And it could ruin their chance for a "forever home" when the business is done with them. "These animals will become distrustful of humans. They will withdraw," says Jo Jacques. If they're not adopted or it fails as a result? Off to a shelter, but older, more confused--and more likely to be euthanized or spend the rest of their lives in cages.
- Even well-mannered pets are more apt to bite when stressed. And constant change is very stressful, the experts say. What happens to the pet who bites after being passed from renter to renter?
- What about the rental pet who becomes chronically ill? No business can hold inventory
that costs instead of pays. And who will adopt a sick or unbalanced animal?
- Pet rental PR suggests this business model is beneficial for shelter animals. Not so. Obviously, the most rentable pets are the most adoptable. Do you think a rental business will take timid, old or scruffy pets who won't command its hefty fee? Or friendly, adorable young animals it can readily rent--who otherwise would have had the best chance for adoption? Instead of getting a "forever home," they become profit centers.
- Renting encourages us to think of all pets--rented, adopted or purchased--as "things" we enjoy till they're no longer cute, fun or convenient, then return, like DVDs or cars.
- "Disposable pet syndrome" encourages animal abandonment and abuse.
- Pet rentals and dog fighting are on the same continuum: They trade on desensitization of humans, commoditization of animals. One business conditions us to tolerate the other.

Why It's Bad for Humans
Consumers may not appreciate the risk of injury and litigation to which renting a pet exposes them. If your stressed rental pet sends just you to the ER, you're lucky. If it's your child, not so much. And if he bites or otherwise injures a stranger, consider this: Personal injury lawyers cast a wide net. While the rental business may be insured, what homeowner's policy covers "rental pet attacks"?

Why It's Bad for Massachusetts
The "disposable pet" mindset pet rental businesses promote may ultimately strain public and private resources. It is akin to the dumbing down of America--except it's our perception of and responsibility to companion animals that will erode. That can only lead to increased pet abandonment, adoption returns and abuse. And that hurts all of us, including taxpayers who don't have an affinity for animals.

Brian Henderson
Editor, DogBoston

See also:
Dog Boston's dog blog
MSPCA-Angell

Posted by Michèle at 10:46 PM
Categories: Dogs and Business, Massachusetts
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I asked the friendly young man at the counter to recommend their most kickass cupcake. With only a momentary concession to individual tastes, he recommended the limited-edition Green Monster, which had already attracted my attention with its dark-green frosting and "Made with Sam Adams Cream Stout" label.

Another kickass thing about Kickass Cupcakes: they're dog-friendly: They make Carob Peanut Butter Pupcakes, and they put out fresh water for dogs.

Putting a bowl of fresh water out for dogs is such a neighborly thing for a local business to do. It's not surprising that the owner of Kickass Cupcakes, Sara Ross, is a dog owner. She and her husband own two rottweilers.

Welcome to Somerville, Kickass Cupcakes, and thank you for helping to make Somerville more dog-friendly!

Posted by Michèle at 5:08 PM
Categories: Dogs and Business, Somerville, Somerville Dogs
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[via e-mail]

The Arlington Dog Owners Group (A-DOG) is sponsoring the Arlington premiere of Prison Pups on May 22, at 7:30 p.m. at the Regent Theatre, 7 Medford Street, Arlington.

"Relationships with dogs and other companion animals have numerous benefits to individuals of all ages, and to the community at large." This is the guiding principle of the Arlington Dog Owners Group, and it resonates in the film by Arlington resident Alice Dungan Bouvrie, who will be available to answer questions about the film at the screening.

Prison Pups is a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the life of four inmates at New England Correctional Center, a minimum-security facility in Concord, as they raise and train assistance dogs for the NEADS (Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans) program based in Princeton, MA.

By taking on the responsibility of caring for a puppy, the inmates develop self-confidence and the capacity for nurturing and affection. This film, produced in cooperation with WGBH, won Best Documentary Award and has been the official selection at several other festivals.

Corrections consultant, Kathleen M. Dennehy will introduce the film. Dennehy was the first woman appointed Commissioner of Correction in Massachusetts.

Superintendent Lynn Bissonnette of MCI-Framinghm, who appears in the film and was instrumental in bringing the prison dog program to Massachusetts will also be available to answer questions.

Tickets are available in advance for $8 from the Regent TheatreRegent Theatre box office at 7 Medford Street in Arlington Center (call 781-646-4849 or visit their website) or at the door May 22. Proceeds will benefit A-DOG and NEADS (Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans).

Posted by Michèle at 9:01 PM
Categories: D.O.G.s (Dog Owner Groups), Dogs and Culture, Events, Massachusetts
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[via e-mail]

Arlington Dog Owners Group (A-DOG) supports the substitute motion on Article 28 presented by Michael Ruderman (Town Meeting Member, Precinct 9) which would change the maximum leash length in Arlington from six feet to twenty feet and would establish off-leash hours from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. and p.m. in public parks and open spaces.

The Town of Arlington will most likely vote on the substitute motion at Town Meeting tonight.

Also on the agenda tonight for the Arlington Town Meeting is a vote on Article 29 which would ban dogs at Menontomy Rocks Park.

Posted by Michèle at 2:03 PM
Categories: Destinations, Massachusetts
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Every year since 2005, Somerville dog owners have walked our dogs in the City's Memorial Day Parade to honor our veterans.

The weather was perfect last year! Finn's owner, Leah, took pictures of the dogs while we were waiting in the queue to start the parade at City Hall. Finn is enjoying the breeze!

Last year was the first year that som|dog organized a group of people to wait with their dogs in Davis Square and file in to the Parade so that there would be fresh dogs to walk in the second half of the parade.

The previous year had been so hot! Even though we had extra water in the "waggin' wagon", by the time we got to Davis Square, the dogs were too tired to go on. Three Somerville dog owners remained in the parade (without their dogs) and carried the som|dog banner to Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Here's Dunkin with his owner, Haley, waiting in the Parade queue before getting under way in 2006.

2005 was the first year that Somerville Dog Owners walked in the parade. That was before we had the waggin' wagon and before we had the idea to arrange for reinforcements to join us in Davis Square. Fortunately, we had a beautiful day, as you can see in this picture taken by Jessica, who owns the Lotte, a greyhound (not pictured).

The Somerville Dog Owners Group welcomes all dogs that enjoy the company of other dogs, that are licensed and up-to-date on vaccinations, that walk well on a loose leash and that are in good physical condition to walk in the Memorial Day Parade this year. You can start the parade with us at City Hall or you can join us when we get to Davis Square.

For more information and to walk your dog in the Memorial Day Parade with the Somerville Dog Owners Group, please contact Michele at somdog * AT * somervilledog.com; 617-290-9107.

Posted by Michèle at 9:02 AM
Categories: Events, Friends of somerville dog, Somerville, Somerville Dogs
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