Dear urbanhounders,

It's official. Today, May 10th, marks the first day that New Yorkers are officially, and legally, allowed to let their hounds romp leash-free in (some of) our city parks. Huzzah!

The new law, which makes formal our previously informal 9PM-to-9AM offleash hours, came about thanks to the heroic efforts of NYCDOG (the New York City Council of Dog Owner Groups). Supported by tens of thousands of urbanhounders, NYCDOG managed to fight off a viciously anti-dog lawsuit filed a year ago by the Juniper Park Civic Association.

Of course, this is New York, so even while celebrating the new rule, plenty of dog folks are complaining about it too. For one thing, only some of the city's parks (the very biggest parks, mainly) have designated off-leash areas. And then there are those parks (Brooklyn's Prospect Park, for example) where the new off-leash rule actually means less off-leash time than before.

Nevertheless, we're thrilled, even euphoric, to have our dogs' off-leash escapades enshrined in the law. And so we've decided to start a new holiday; from now on, May 10th is New York City Offleash Play Day.

Happy holiday.

Nadia Zonis
Editor, urbanhound New York

p.s. Feel the urge to complain about the new law? Email the Parks Department's newly appointed dog czar, Michael Dockett. He says he's willing to listen---and to tweak the new rules.

HK Dog Run Membership & Spring Clean-Up Day
Saturday, May 12, 11 AM to 3 PM, raindate May 19
Astro's Community Dog Run, W. 39th St. at 10th Ave., Manhattan
If you live in Hell's Kitchen you'll want to join Astro's Community Dog Run, one of the city's private runs. Cost is $25 a year, and you can sign up, and help out, at this annual event. Remember to bring along your dog's up-to-date shot or titer records, New York City dog license, signed membership agreement, and fee (in the form of cash, a money order, or a check payable to the Hell's Kitchen Neighborhood Association). If you're already a member, you'll need to stop by to renew and pick up a new key.

Locust Valley Dog Festival
Sunday, May 13, noon to 4 PM
Thomas Park, 92 Forest Ave., Locust Valley, NY
There will a dog show, costume contest, and agility demonstration at this annual fair, held in conjunction with the "Dogs in Art" exhibit at nearby Lynda Anderson Galleries. For more information, call 516-802-3552 or email AndersonInfo@Optonline.net.

Second Annual New York City Barking Beauty Pageant
Sunday, May 13, 4 PM to 6 PM
HERE Arts Center 145 6th Ave. btwn. Spring and Broome, Manhattan
Is your hound the loveliest in all the land? Then this pageant may be just the thing for you. Competing in three preliminary categories (active wear, glamour wear, and talent), hound participants are free to wear and do anything they want (creativity is what counts). Prizes will be rewarded to both small and big dogs in each category, and, there will be one overall grand-prize winner. Registration is $50 a dog in advance and $60 the day of the event. Audience admission is $10 a human. All proceeds will benefit Animal Haven and Stone Soup Theatre Arts, a group that produces theater that deals with contemporary social issues. For rules, more information, and to register, visit the pageant website.

Pet Estate Planning Seminar
Thursday, May 17, 9 AM to 11 AM
The Yale Club, 50 Vanderbilt Ave. btwn. E. 44th and E. 45th Sts., Manhattan
At this ASPCA-sponsored seminar, lawyers who specialize in estate planning will discuss the crucial issue of how to provide for your dog's care after your death. Please rsvp to marshap@aspca.org or 212-876-7700, x4505.

Comedy Fundraiser for Bobbi and the Strays
Thursday, May 17, 7 PM to 10 PM
Ha! Comedy Club, 163 W. 46th St. btwn. 6th and 7th Aves., Manhattan
Comics Jim Mendrinos and Leighann Lord will perform at this event to raise funds for Bobbi and the Strays, the largest no-kill shelter in Queens. Admission is $25 in advance, $30 at the door, and there is a 2 drink minimum. For tickets, call 917-882-3924, or email trosec16@nyc.rr.com.

It's My Park Day
Saturday, May 19, starting at 9 AM
Citywide
In parks and dog runs all over in the city, volunteers are being called on to help clean, weed, plant, spread wood chips and mulch, and paint. To offer a helping hand, contact your local dog run, or get the full schedule by borough from Partnerships for Parks.

Wolfe's Pond Pooches Spring Event
Saturday, May 19, 11 AM to 3 PM
Wolfe's Pond Park, Cornelia Ave. and Hylan Blvd., Staten Island
Join Wolfe's Pond Pooches, P.L.U.T.O., the Staten Island Council for Animal Welfare and others to celebrate the season, their dog run, and their gorgeous park. Music by The Kaytelles. Learn more at 718-440-2473 or wppresident@wppooches.com.

It's My Bark Day
Saturday, May 19, noon to 4 PM
On the boardwalk in Rockaway Beach btwn. 98th and 102nd Sts., Queens
Not to be confused with It's My Park Day (see above), this festival organized by the Allied Rockaway Foundation for Animal Recreation and Fitness (ARF-ARF) will take place at the site of the proposed site of Rockaway's first official dog park. There will be music, raffles, contests, plus low-cost microchipping courtesy of the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals and low-cost spaying and neutering at the ASPCA mobile unit.

Canine Good Citizen Test
Sunday, May 20, 10 AM
Wollman Rink, Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Is your dog ready to be officially declared a "good citizen"? The American Kennel Club devised this series of tests to determine if a dog has learned how to behave in polite society. The exam is sponsored by the Kings County Kennel Club.

Mayor's Alliance/Maddie's Pet Adoption Festival: Brooklyn
Sunday, May 20, noon to 5 PM
Prospect Park, Bartel-Pritchard Circle (15th St.), Brooklyn
Thinking about adopting a(nother) dog? Along with hounds seeking homes, this adoption festival will include tables manned by a veterinarian, a groomer, and a trainer, all of whom will gladly answer your questions. As well, microchipping will be available for all dogs and cats (not just those adopted at the festival) for $25. For more information, call 212- 252-2350, email info@animalalliancenyc.org or visit the Mayor's Alliance.

Re-homing of the Hurricane Katrina/Rita Animals
Thursday, May 24, 6:30 PM
Association of the Bar of the City of New York, 42 W. 44th St. btwn. 5th and 6th Aves., Manhattan
At this seminar, animal rescue, disaster response, and legal experts will discuss what was learned from Katrina and Rita and what changes have been implemented to better protect pets in disasters.

Union Square Dog Run Clean Up
Tuesday, May 29, 7:15 PM
Union Square Dog Run, Manhattan
As the weather warms up, this run, like most, tends to get dusty and smelly. If you use it regularly please stop by and lend a hand.

Coffee Bark
Saturday, June 2, 7 AM to 9 AM
Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Held in rain or in shine, in the park's Long Meadow, behind the Picnic House (enter at Prospect Park West and 4th Street, then go left around the Picnic House), the monthly Coffee Bark includes muffins for humans and dog biscuits for hounds. The long standing social is sponsored by Brooklyn's FIDO, officially known as the Fellowship In the Interest of Dogs and Their Owners.

If there's an event you'd like us to mention in the next NewsHound, please email us.

Every day now, it seems, we hear of yet another lawsuit filed against pet-food manufacturers. But as we've long noted on urbanhound's Hound Law pages, when it comes to dogs or cats, it can be near impossible to sue for pain or suffering. Ditto for punitive damages. Now the Wall Street Journal reports a glimmer of hope: there is growing legal recognition that, yes, pets may indeed be worth something more than what we actually pay for them. Finally!

Bide-a-Wee is offering $20 microchipping at its Manhattan clinic, located at 410 E. 38th St. No need to make an appointment, but call 212-532-5884 to check on times.

Is your hound less than 25 pounds? If so, and if you live in Upper Manhattan, you'll be glad to hear that a small dog run has been added to Sir William's Run in Fort Tryon Park on a trial basis. Stop by and show your support for making it a permanent fixture. To learn more, contact the Fort Tryon Small Dog Coalition at forttryonsmalldogcoalition@yahoo.com.

Atención perros! Park Slope's Semper Fido is offering a seven-week basic obedience class in Spanish. Classes meet Saturday at 1:30. Cost is $280. More information at 646-270-5766 or dot@dotsdogtraining.com.

Cable TV goes to the dogs. Animal Planet is airing three hound-related shows this month. Mondays at 8, the Monks of New Skete tackle behavior problems on Divine Canine. At 8:30, there's It's Me or the Dog, with trainer Victora Sitwell. The Crufts Dog Show (the UK's answer to Westminster) airs on Sunday, May 27 at 8 PM.