Events
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Cheer on the Friends of Charlestown Dog Parks in the Bunker Hill Day Parade on June 15th, 2008. Charlestown dog owners will be walking just behind the Mummers in the parade.
Charlestown's Bunker Hill Day Parade will begin Sunday at 12:30 PM on Chelsea Street, between Medford and Fifth Streets.
For more information including the parade route, see:
[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).
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.
BostonDOG is holding a Community Meeting tonight about the suspension of Boston Common off-leash hours until 2008. The meeting is at 7:00 p.m. at Hill House, 127 Mt. Vernon St.
The Boston Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services, Beacon Hill Civic Association and Councilor Michael Ross’s office is meeting with interested groups and organizations to discuss events, the off-leash dog area, and related issues on January 23, 2007, at the Hill House at 7 p.m. For more information, please see the Boston Parks Department's post on the Boston Dog Owners Group Forum.
See Prison Pups, a documentary about the Concord Farm prison's training program for service dogs, tomorrow, Saturday, November 4, at the Museum of Fine Arts!
via e-mail
Filmmaker Alice Bouvrie's documentary, PRISON PUPS won the Best Documentary Award at the Berks County Film Festival in Reading, PA! (See below) Here are the upcoming screenings for PRISON PUPS. We hope you can come to one of them!
Produced in association with the Filmmaker-In-Residence Lab at WGBH, Boston
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
Saturday Nov 4, 2006 at 2:40pm
Remis Auditorium, 465 Huntington Ave, Boston
(617) 369-3306 Tickets will go on sale mid-October
Studio Cinema, Belmont, MA
Monday, Nov. 13, 2006 at 7:30pm
376 Trapelo Road, Belmont, MA (617-484-1706)
Berks County Film Festival, Reading, Pennsylvania
Saturday Nov. 11 at 12:00pm
Prison Pups is the "Best Documentary" winner!
The Abraham Lincoln (A Wyndham Historic Hotel) The Washington Room
(www.berkscountyfilmfestival.com)
Asheville Film Festival, Asheville, N.C
Saturday, Nov. 11 at 11:00AM
Asheville Community Theater, 35 E. Walnut Street, Asheville (828-254-1320)
Please check out the website for photos and more information:
www.mineralkingproductions.com
Les Masterson has an article about the film in the Arlington Advocate this week: "Training program assists dogs, inmates."
The Gobshites, acousticelticore band beloved to Harpoon Brewery's Brewstock and those who celebrated the summer birthday of the owner of Somerville dogs, Granby and Chloe, are playing a pet-friendly show Saturday, September 9, to benefit the Mansfield Animal Shelter: the 11th Annual Celebration of Animals.
The 11th Annual Celebration of Animals takes place from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday, September 9, in the South Common, South Main Street, Mansfield, MA (map). Acousiticelticore by the Gobshites from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Leashed dogs welcome!
Pet Rock Fest Eight is scheduled for Sept. 10 at Quinsigamond Community College, 670 West Boylston St. in Worcester, MA from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets are $12 at the gate; a coupon for $2 off admission is available from the Pet Rock website.
cross-posted on the som|dog calendar
Once again 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 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For $10, your dog gets a full service wash and dry from the professionals at Laundromutt, followed by make-your-own doggie sundaes courtesy of Polka Dog Bakery!
The event is also sponsored by KISS 108 FM, Progressive Talk AM 1200, AnimalAttraction.com, & Reflection Films.
The City Clerk's Office will be issuing dog licenses at Somerville's Sixth Annual Rabies Vaccination Clinic on Saturday morning, June 3, 2006, from 10:00 to 12:00, at the Animal Control Office in the Public Works complex on Franey Road, across from Trum Field.
The fee is $12.00 for a dog license, or $6.00 if the dog has been spayed or neutered. The cost for the vaccine service is $5.00. No prior record is needed, but vaccines will be for one year only unless a current rabies certificate is supplied. All dogs must be leashed and cats must be in carriers.
The Somerville Dog Owners Group (som|dog) is working to improve the rate at which Somerville residents license our dogs with the City. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires that dogs over the age of six months be licensed annually in their city or town. Through dog licensing, municipalities ensure that dogs in the community are properly vaccinated against rabies.
While owners are required by law to license our dogs, there are many other good reasons for Somerville dog owners to get our 2006 dog licenses now:
1. If your dog gets lost, a license tag on your dog's collar is the fastest way for local authorities to return him to you.
2. Your dog's license tag tells people in the community that you are a responsible dog owner: your dog is properly vaccinated against rabies.
3. A current dog license is required if you want to bring your dog to an Off-Leash Recreational Area in Somerville.
4. On July 1, 2006 the fee for a Somerville Dog License will increase to $16.00 (or $12.00 for spayed/neutered dogs)
Dog Licenses are issued at the City Clerk's Office, City Hall, 93 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143, Monday-Wednesday, 8:30AM-4:00PM, Thursday 8:30AM-7:00PM, and Friday 8:30AM-12:00 Noon. Requests are also accepted by mail.
The City accepts checks or money orders only by mail, and checks, money orders or cash in person. Checks should be made payable to “City of Somerville.” For all requests, please include the following information:
- the owner or owners' name(s), address(es) and telephone number(s).
- the dog's name, breed, color, age or date of birth, and gender (male/female).
- evidence of the dog's most recent rabies vaccine.
- evidence that the dog has been spayed (female)or neutered (male), if applicable.
via e-mail
WOOF!
2006 is the "Year of the Dog"
Laundromutt invites you to celebrate with them at their ?Dogs Gone Wild? event at Hotel Marlowe...bring your pet to a one of a kind New Year?s Celebration where man?s best friend is our best friend...
Come.
...join us December 31st for a night of fun, libations, merriment, and delight in the sophisticated and hip Hotel Marlowe from 8pm-1am...
Sit.
...feast on a sampling of tasty appetizers from Bambara Restaurant, and other traditional new years fare in the comfort of Hotel Marlowe?s private setting. Package includes a midnight Champagne Toast, "Party Animal" Party favors, Raffles and Prizes plus special "Doggie Bag" for pet and owner...
$50.00 per person
Stay.
...spectacular rate of $99.00 for deluxe overnight accommodation and complimentary wine hour from 5?6pm...
Rollover.
...and join us for hearty breakfast in Bambara Restaurant for some much needed "Hair of the Dog." Enjoy a complimentary Bloody Mary or Mimosa with purchase of any entree
For Reservations/Tickets contact Belinda at 617-395-2527 or e-mail belinda.mazarello at hotelmarlowe.com by December 26, 2005
***Package does not include alcoholic beverages or applicable taxes
***Overnight rate is for December 31, 2005, only and is subject to availability. Rate is exclusive to guests of "Dog Gone Wild" event. Room rate does not include applicable taxes
LaundroMutt, Inc.
489 Concord Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02138b
617-864-9274
http://www.laundromutt.com
Last year between Thanksgiving and Christmas, pet-columnist, Gina Spadafori, blogged a new reason every day not to give a puppy as a gift.
Here on the somerville dog weblog, I gave holiday shoppers this little thought experiment: "Imagine a puppy with a bow around its neck on Christmas morning. Now, imagine it's President's Day: Where is the puppy? Where is the person who got the puppy as a gift? How about on the fourth of July? Where is the dog next Christmas?"
If you're thinking of giving someone a puppy as a present, please use your imagination and think of something else.
That being said, if you're thinking about bringing a member of the species canis familiaris into the family, December in Boston is a great time to start doing research. This year, the annual Bay Colony Cluster Dog Show—a series of shows presented by five Boston area AKC dog clubs: Eastern Dog Club, Ladies' Dog Club, Middlesex County Kennel Club, Concord Dog Training Club and the Yankee Golden Retriever Club—runs from Thursday, December 8, through, Sunday, December 11, at the Bayside Expo.
Check out the family-oriented dog demonstrations Saturday and Sunday from 11:30a-1:30p: Northeast Search and Rescue and the Department of Homeland Security Beagle Brigade will demonstrate their "dogs on the job" skills.
Local breed rescue organizations will celebrate dogs with a new "leash on life" in the "rescue parade."
Agility trials hosted by the Yankee Golden Retriever Club run all four days (until 2 p.m. only on Saturday and Sunday).
And if you're shopping for the dogs and dog lovers on your list, check out 100 concession booths displaying every type of "doggy bling-bling" imaginable: hand-knitted sweaters, specialty t-shirts and hats, grooming supplies, exercise equipment, digital photography, gourmet treats, handmade toys, safety products, bedding, custom clay pottery, fine jewelry and dog antiques.
Download the Press Release (.doc file).
The Somerville Dog Owners Group is sponsoring the Paws for Parks Fundraiser to benefit Somerville Unleashed, the City of Somerville's fund for Off-leash Recreational Areas, Saturday, November 19, 2005, 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. at Tir na nÓg in Union Square (366a Somerville Avenue).
A suggested donation of $20 (Winners Dog), $50 (Best of Breed) or $100 (Best of Group) is requested. All guests will be eligible to win door prizes.
Many fabulous prizes have been donated for a silent auction. Guests will have an opportunity to bid on pet-friendly luxury hotel accommodations, fine dining, original artwork (like the bone painting shown here), and first-row balcony seats at the Celtics game on Monday, November 28, against the Orlando Magic!
If the weather is nice (and it's supposed to be mostly sunny, with a high around 47), guests will able to enter their dogs in contests for Best Ears, Best Wag, Best Vocalist, Best Trick, Longest Stay, Dog-Owner Look-Alike and, at the discretion of the judge(s), Best Kisser.
Dogs helping dogs
Your dog can help the animal victims of Hurricane Katrina. Donations are still needed!
Pet Spa, 669 Somerville Avenue, Somerville MA is sponsoring a Doggie Costume Contest to benefit Noah?s Wish, Saturday afternoon, October 29th at 1:00.
A minimum donation of $10 is suggested to enter your dog in the contest.
More pictures from Pet Spa's 2004 Costume Contest (Right click and select "View Image" to see larger pictures):
It's not too late to support MSPCA-Angell by joining the Somerville Dog Owners Group in the Walk for Animals, tomorrow, Saturday, September 10, 2005. There are two ways that you can help:
- Join our team by registering on our team page
- Sponsor our team by making a donation on our team page
Somerville dogs and their friends will enjoy a leisurely one-and-a-half mile stroll around Boston Common in the Walk for Animals. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. and the walk begins at noon. There will be other fun activites during the day, too:
som|dog team members are meeting Saturday morning at 10:00 in "the pit" outside the Harvard Square T Station and will be taking the T to the Walk for Animals. We will rendezvous at 11:00 in Boston Common at the entrance to the parking garage (at the corner of Beacon Street and Charles Street).
Last year, when I took Strummer to pet rock, she "thought she had died and gone to doggie heaven."
On Sunday, September 11, we're looking forward to seeing our friends, Greyhound Welfare and Poodle Rescue of New England at Pet Rock at Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester. Strummer's especially looking forward to seeing her friend from the Educated Ferret Association...
Remember last year, when, in response to a post about National Night Out, Peter Ungar, Chairman of the Foss Park Neighborhood Association wrote here that "There is no signage that excludes dogs from Foss Park"?
Well, this Somerville dog owner is not going to miss National Night Out this year. I'm looking foward to participating with Strummer in Somerville's Night Out against Crime, Tuesday, August 2, in Foss Park. We're especially looking forward to seeing officers from the Massachussetts State Police K-9 Unit, who will be in Foss Park from 4:00 to 8:00 and will be offering a Police K-9 demonstration!
The festivities in Foss Park include a bring-your-own family picnic from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Join me and Strummer for a som|dog potluck picnic!
via the Somerville Journal:
Plan a Night Out with the family
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Fight crime, play Wiffle ball and see a police dog in action.
These are just some of the activities scheduled for the 22nd Annual National Night Out event that will be celebrated locally at Foss Park next Tuesday, Aug. 2.
As many as 300 people are expected to attend the festivities, as the National Night Out continues to grow in Somerville, said Vicente Sanabria, director of Somerville Cares About Prevention. Last year, the local event drew 200 people to Foss Park.
"It will be fun for the kids," said Michele Biscoe, a member of the Somerville Dog Owners group, who helped bring in a State Police Canine Unit for a demonstration at the event.
National Night Out is a crime and drug prevention event sponsored by Somerville Cares About Prevention and the National Association of Town Watch.
Other local groups and city departments are also pitching in this year to provide obstacle courses for kids to run from 4-6 p.m.; a family movie at the park from 8-10 p.m.; a bring-your-own family picnic from 6:30-7:30 p.m.; and a performance by the Sunsetters and the Christian Community Church's Youth Program from 6-8 p.m.
Face painting will also be available, and the Foss Park pool will also be open as part of the Night Out.
For more information, contact Stephanie Almeida at 617-828-9184 or Vicente Sanabria at 617-625-6600, ext. 4319, in Somerville Cares About Prevention office.
Off-leash recreation at Bunker Hill Community College. Free for dogs. Adults $15.00; Children (8 yrs. and under) $8. One day only: Saturday, August 06, 2005, 10.00 am - 5.00 pm. Rain Date: August 13, 2005.
DoggieFest Boston will feature four fully enclosed leash-free playgrounds:
- Puppy Playground - for dogs less than 6 months
- Small Dog Playground - for dogs less than 30 pounds
- Medium Dog Playground - for dogs weighing between 30-59 pounds
- Large Dog Playground - for dogs weighing over 60 pounds
UPDATE 01 August 2005: I received additional information today from info at doggiefest dot com.
The following rescue organizations will be present at Doggiefest: Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue, Greyhounds of Amercia, Colonial Basset Hound Rescue, Underdog RESQ. The organizers are waiting to hear back from others and encourage nonprofit organizations that would like to participate to e-mail info at doggiefest dot com as soon as possible. There is no charge for non-profit sponsors to have a booth at Doggiefest Boston. All non-profit organizations present at Doggiefest Boston are eligible to receive a donation from the proceeds from the admission fees. The amount of the donations will be announced and the donations will be presented at Doggiefest Boston immediately following the Waggin' Wear Adopt-a-Dog Fashion Show.
I have also been informed that
Certain vendors have elected to charge a nominal fee to attendees to offset their cost. However, the vast majority of activities at Doggiefest Boston are offered for free. You can enjoy a great day without spending any money once you get into Doggiefest Boston or you can elect to receive personalized instruction and use the dog agility course for $5.
The founders of Doggiefest Boston promote the event as a way "to address their concern with the lack of available leash-free park space and other opportunities to socialize their dogs." Lots of other dog owners who share this concern are working with our local govenrments to redress the lack of off-leash recreational opportunities in public open space. If you can afford to spend $15 to take your dog to DoggieFest Boston to enjoy off-leash recreation for one day, why not donate $15 dollars as well to a local dog owners group that is working for safe and legal options for off-leash recreation in our communities? Why not donate $15 to the City of Somerville's Somerville Unleashed fund?
ArtBeat is "one of the area?s largest and most innovative arts festivals." Lots of events are scheduled at several locations in Davis Square.
This year will be the first year that a pet boutique will have Booth at ArtBeat! Fi-dough, which has a store on Beacon Street in Somerville, will have doggie treats and things for sale and a gift basket raffle!
Strummer is hoping lots of friends (old, new and to be) join her in the Mix/MashParade! tomorrow morning at 11:30... The parade begins at the Seven Hills Park stage (behind the Holland St T exit), proceeds along Elm and Holland streets and ends on Park stage.
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.
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.
Somerville has several options for the discerning dog owner in the market for rooty-toot-toots and rummy-tum-tums:
A fun holiday treat for dog lovers (and a great source for gift ideas) is the annual Bay Colony Dog Show, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, December 2 through Sunday, December 5, at the Bayside Exposition Center (Local News).
Every day offers a unique mix of competitions, demonstrations, and special events, and each day is presented by a different prestigious AKC dog club resulting in one "Best in Show" trophy each day.
The weekend offers family-oriented dog demonstrations by the Boston Police K-9 Unit, Northeast Search and Rescue as well as the annual "rescue parade" spotlighting pooches who found a new leash on life through breed rescue clubs. (Press Release)
Eight Somerville Dogs walked with twenty-two human companions comprising team somervilledog.com in the twenty-fourth annual MSPCA-Angell Walk for Animals on a chilly but sunny Sunday morning, October 17, in Boston Common. Somervilledog.com thanks the people and dogs that walked on our team, everyone who bought team T-shirts, our top (and only) corporate sponsor, Pet Spa, and our co-workers, friends and families for their generous contributions to support MSPCA-Angell!
As Yukon's human companion explained, when I apologized for the team's getting separated when the Walk began at 10:00, "once the walk started, we just started walking. That's what he likes to do and it was his day!"
Team somervilledog.com (from left to right) Shannon with Cinder (a Lab/Pointer mix), Peter (from Blue Hill, ME), Genevieve, Stuart with King (a Greyhound), Adrienne, and Michele with Strummer (a Standard Poodle). Not pictured are Deborah and Rob and their two children with their dog Anna (a Husky/Shepherd mix); David and Nora with Austin (a Pomeranian); Janice with her dog Patsy (a Shepherd mix) and her nieces with their Corgi, Winnie (from Lexington); and Michael with Yukon. The following Somerville dogs had to stay home but were with us in spirit: three-legged Dash, Stu's second Greyhound, who is recovering from chemotherapy; Rosie, Genevieve's Pit Bull, whom she adopted last month from a shelter in Rhode Island and who is still getting used to being a beloved pet; and Willy, a Miniature Poodle whom Adrienne adopted last year and who was recently treated at Angell for heart problems.
Yukon (Siberian Husky) and teammates meet and greet.
Strummer: "I thought this was supposed to be a Walk for Animals."
A team member checks out some early Halloween costumes.
UPDATE 31 October 2004: Added the Team somervilledog.com picture.
The 24th annual MSPCA-Angell Walk for Animals, Sunday, October 17, 2004 at the Boston Common, will be a fun community-building event for Somerville dog owners. As a "team captain" my goal is to walk with a team of twelve Somerville dog owners and our dogs! MSPCA-Angell welcomes "all dogs that enjoy the company of other dogs" and that are "leashed, licensed, in good physical condition and up-to-date on all vaccinations." If you have a pet that cannot participate in the Walk, bring a photo for the "I Wish I Were Here" board!
If you are interested you can join the somervilledog.com team or make a donation online.
In addition to serving local communities with animal health clinics and adoption centers, the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a national and international leader in animal protection; their "services include animal protection and adoption, advocacy, humane education, law enforcement and the highest-quality veterinary care available anywhere in the world."
MSPCA has seven animal care and adoption centers and three premier veterinary hospitals, including Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, one of the foremost clinical veterinary institutions in the world. MSPCA law enforcement officers investigate cruelty complaints; inspect facilities and events involving animals; testify in court; work with police and social-service agencies in animal-related cases; and speak to school and community groups about animal care and protection. As an advocacy group MSPCA promotes workable "pets allowed" policies, help for pet owners with HIV/AIDS, Spay/Neuter Assistance, and Humane Education. MSPCA's Niven's Farm facilitates in rehabilitation and adoption of all kinds of farm animals. The Hillside Acre Animal Cemetery offers a lasting tribute to beloved animal companions, bringing support and peace of mind to bereaved pet owners.
If you would like to take a lovely stroll with your Somerville dog and support the MSPCA on October 17, please join the somervilledog.com team. How will you and your leashed dog get to the Boston Common on Sunday morning? Why not take the T?
About forty people and their dogs enjoy the annual Dog Walk at the Forest Hill Cemetery. Leashed dogs are welcome in the Cemetery, which is open to the public every day, from 8:30 a.m. to dusk.
Saturday, October 2, 10 am
$10 per human
Raindate: October 9
The Dog Walk is a unique annual expedition for sociable dogs and their owners. Historian Dee Morris leads this lively walking tour of monuments of interest to our canine friends. Certificates and treats are awarded upon completion. $10 admission for each human.
Reservations are strongly recommended as attendance is limited; call 617.524.3354.
Sponsored by Polkadog Bakery
Make your reservations today to enjoy this year's walk!
The admission fee covers the cost of the walk guide, Dee Morris, a social historian who recently conducted a tour of Medford Square and, this summer, conducted the Cambridge Discovery Walk, "Side by Side: A Cambridgeport Ramble." Morris will be leading a tour of the Mount Auburn Cemetery on September 26, "Memories of the Civil War at Mount Auburn Cemetery: Personalities of the Times."
We took Strummer to the Pet Rock Festival, yesterday. I failed to take any good pictures, but Hamor Hollow Hedgehogs has a couple of photo galleries of the festival on their website. Sean Hamor took the pictures posted here.
I think Strummer thought she had died and gone to doggie heaven. Unlike the real world, where most people a dog meets when out for a stroll are not with dogs, in doggie heaven almost every person is with a dog! They even have squirrels on leashes in doggie heaven! Strummer noticed the ferret before I did, but fortunately someone gasped, "Oh my gosh," and caught my attention before Strummer had a chance to pounce. (The ferret, a fine animal, probably would have had Strummer for lunch.)
When we arrived at the festival grounds at Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester, the Blue Dog Group a was beginning a Canine Frisbee show. One of the amazing Border Collies that performed is a rescue. The Pet Rock Festival benefits Massachusetts-based animal welfare organizations, including shelters, cruelty watchdogs and rescue leagues. There are nearly 100 rescue groups and shelters listed on their site.
Strummer, who doesn't retrieve (she's a meta-retriever and likes to chase dogs that are playing fetch), really, really wanted to play with the fabulous Border Collies in the Canine Frisbee exhibition. She actually barked. Twelve times. Since we adopted her in April she has barked twice.
We visited the booth of the Friends of the Sharon Dog Park. Opening Day of the Sharon Dog Park is October 9, 2004. The Friends of the Sharon Dog Park are accepting donations to cover the cost of fencing, which must be installed before opening day.
Our friends at Poodle Rescue of New England had the booth right next to the Sharon Dog Park booth. We met other rescued poodles--Bonnie, a chocolate standard, and the elegant and gregarious Diva, a small white standard. Keah, an apricot standard, who is available for adoption, was relaxing in the shade with her foster mom.
We arrived too late to see the Weston Whirlwinds flyball and Gemini Dog Training & Daycare agility demonstrations, but Strummer and I enjoyed an agility course walk-through with one of the Gemini trainers.
If you are out tonight observing National Night Out, you will see dog owners out walking our dogs. We will enjoy your company! Dog walking is a deterrent to criminal activity, and dog owners go out to walk our dogs every night.
Somerville is celebrating National Night Out tonight at Foss Park, but, because Foss Park is posted "No Dogs Allowed," dog owners who wish to spend the evening with their canine companions will miss out on tonight's community festivities.
Correction 6 August 2004: Many, many thanks to reader Peter Ungar, who reminds me in a comment here that Foss Park is one of five parks within Somerville that are owned by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Division of Urban Parks and Recreation (formerly the Metropolitan District Commission [MDC]) and is neither under the jurisdiction of the City of Somerville nor posted "No Dogs Allowed." Although I can't seem to find the leash laws for parks under the jurisdiction of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, according to the Chairman of the Foss Park Neighborhood Association, Foss Park, which Strummer and I look forward to visiting soon, is in fact posted "Leash And Pick Up After Dogs: $200 Fine."
I trust that many Somerville dog owners enjoy visiting Foss Park, and I hope that everyone else in Somerville had a great time celebrating National Night Out this year. I'm sorry that Strummer and I missed it! We'll be there next year!
One piece of advice that is frequently given to prospective dog adopters is to attend local dog shows to learn more about different breeds and talk to people who have experience with them. If you are considering adopting a poodle, you will be interested to know that The Poodle Club of Massachusetts is holding their annual show tomorrow, Friday, May 28, 2004, at Borderland State Park.
Other upcoming dog shows in Massachusetts are listed on Infodog. There are quite a few breed specialty shows this weekend:
Great Dane Club Of New England
Yankee Weimaraner Club
Colonial Afghan Hound Club, Inc.
Merrimack Lhasa Apso Club
Pilgrim Doberman Pinscher Club
Colonial Shetland Sheepdog Club
Irish Setter Club Of New England
Cocker Spaniel Breeders Club Of New England, Inc.
Yankee Siberian Husky Club
Paul Revere Miniature Schnauzer Club
Yankee Golden Retriever Club
Bull Terrier Club Of America
Norwegian Elkhound Minutemen Association (Agility Trial)
There are also two all breed shows, the Ladies' Dog Club show on Saturday and the Framingham District Kennel Club show on Sunday, both at Crackerbarrel Fairgrounds in Wrentham.
