|
|
NewsHound 061
September 6, 2007 |
 |
Dear Urbanhounders,
As a publication devoted to the well-being of New York City dogs, we have a somewhat different perspective than other press outlets on deceased hotelier Leona Helmsley's $12 million bequest to her eight-year-old Maltese, Trouble. (Two of her grandchildren got nothing.) We've boiled our response to her, um, generous gift down to three bottom-line points:
1. Loving your dog more than some family members? We can relate. But it's never good for the welfare of dogs in general when ludicrously over-pampered, ill-mannered hounds make headlines. It just makes it easier for non-dog people to dismiss our adoration of our dogs as loony.
2. Imagine what that cash could have done for Animal Care & Control, the Humane Society of New York, or even Metropolitan Maltese Rescue. Helmsley left billions to charity. But unlike the detailed instructions provided for care of Trouble, she left no directives that funds be donated to animal-welfare organizations.
3. Stipulating in your will how your dog will be cared for after your death and, if possible, designating some funds for that care, is an excellent idea. The ASPCA has detailed information on how to set up a pet trust.
With best back to school wishes to you and your hounds,
Nadia Zonis
Editor, urbanhound New York
|
|
|
|
» There's a kennel cough outbreak in Brooklyn (see Hound News, below). UrbanHound's vet, Dr. Betsy Brevitz, has word on just how serious kennel cough is and if the vaccine actually works.
» Now that summer is over, does your dog still need flea, tick, and heartworm prevention? Get Dr. Brevitz's advice on keeping your hound pest-free all year.
|
|
| - Sponsor - |
|
|
|
|
|
Dog Days Benefit Art Exhibit
Through September 20
GoodConscience Gallery 848, 848 North Sea Rd., Southhampton, NY
Painting and sculpture on auction to benefit North Shore Animal League. Dogs are welcome to attend the show.
Without A Leash
Through the end of October
Grey Dog Coffee, 90 University Pl. at 12th St., Manhattan
An exhibit of photos by Shaina Fishman of dogs she has encountered in her travels all over the world.
Coffee Bark
Saturday, September 8, 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.
4th Annual Town of Ramapo K-9 Pool Party
Sunday, September 9, noon to 3 PM
Spook Rock Park, Suffern, NY
Before the town pool closes 'til next summer, the good citizens of Ramapo turn it over to the dogs. Bring along proof of vaccination. A donation to the Hudson Valley Humane Society, $5 for residents, $10 for non-residents, is requested.
William Wegman: Around the Park
Friday, September 14 to Sunday, October 28, 8 AM to 8 PM
Madison Square Park, Fifth Ave. and 23rd St., Manhattan
William Wegman's famous Weimaraners are the stars of this new video work from the artist, displayed on monitors around the park. (While you're in the area, visit the Shake Shack for a Pooch-ini - frozen custard, peanut butter, and a dog biscuit.)
Dog Day at Shea
Friday, September 14, 7:10 PM
Shea Stadium, 123-01 Roosevelt Ave., Flushing, Queens
Dogs and their people are welcome to watch the game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Tickets can be purchased here. If you are a true Mets fanatic, enter the Met Your Pet photo contest. Deadline is September 11.
5th Annual AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day
Saturday, September 15, 11 AM TO 3 PM (Rain Date: September 16)
Madison Square Park, Fifth Ave. and 23rd St., Manhattan
This free celebration, hosted by the American Kennel Club, is a popular annual event for all humans and hounds, purebred or not. There will be obedience, agility, freestyle, and rally demonstrations to watch and Canine Good Citizen testing for those who feel their pups are ready to face the challenge. Prizes, free photos, and goody bags will be handed out. Various purebred rescue organizations will be in attendance. Vets will offer free advice. And some two dozen AKC-recognized breeds will be represented at the event, including less-well-known breeds such as the Löwchen and the Clumber Spaniel. Finally, if your dog still does not have a microchip, you can get one here for just $25.
Animal Care & Control Volunteer Orientation -- Manhattan
Wednesday, September 19, 6 PM to 8 PM
326 E. 110th St., Manhattan
Learn how you can help out at the city shelter's Manhattan Care Center.
Animal Care & Control Volunteer Orientation -- Brooklyn
Saturday, September 22, 2 PM to 5 PM
2336 Linden Blvd., Brooklyn
Learn how you can help out at the city shelter's Brooklyn Care Center.
Mayor's Alliance/Maddie's Pet Adoption Festival -- Manhattan
Sunday, September 23, noon to 5 PM
Central Park, between Sheep Meadow and the Bandshell, Manhattan
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.
Animal Care & Control Volunteer Orientation -- Staten Island
Wednesday, September 26, 6 PM
3139 Veterans Rd. West, Staten Island
Learn how you can help out at the city shelter's Staten Island Care Center.
Animal Care & Control Orientation for Volunteer Dog Walkers
Saturday, September 29, 10 AM to noon
326 E. 110th St., Manhattan
If you'd like to pitch in and help dogs waiting to be adopted from the city shelter get some exercise and fresh air, find out how at this training session.
Book Signing: Through Thick and Thin
Saturday, September 29, noon to 2 PM
Zoomies, 434 Hudson St., Manhattan
Dog-loving writer Alison Pace, author of Pug Hill, will be signing copies of her latest novel Through Thick and Thin. A yoga-loving dog, DB Sweeney, is a central character. Dogs welcome.
Adopt-A-Dog: 20th Annual Puttin' On the Dog "For Fun" Dog Show and Adoption Event
Sunday, September 30, 10 AM to 5 PM
Roger Sherman Baldwin Park, Arch St., Greenwich, CT
A festival, adoption fair, and fundraiser. There will be food and entertainment, but the focus is the "Puttin' on the Dog" dog show. Prizes awarded in such categories as "Biggest Lap Dog," "Best Tail Wagger," and "Heinz 57 Variety." If you think your dog has the right stuff, you'll find an entry form here. Agonizingly cute photos of shelter resident Linda and her eleven (!) puppies on her blog.
3rd Annual Gimme Shelter: Rock & Rescue NYC
Wednesday, October 3, 8 PM to midnight
Hiro Ballroom at the Maritime Hotel, 363 W. 16th St. at 9th Ave., Manhattan
Past editions of this blow-out concert to raise funds for shelters and rescue groups have included performances by the Beastie Boys, Marshall Crenshaw, Blue Oyster Cult, and The Choke. Sponsored by the ASPCA, Rational Animal, and the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, whose stated goal is to make NYC a no-kill city by 2015. Lineup and ticket prices will be announced soon at the Gimme Shelter: Rock & Rescue NYC site.
St. Nick's Dog Park Coffee Bark
Saturday, October 6, 9 AM to 11 PM
Mid-park between the 135th St. staircase and 136th St., Manhattan
Coffee and other refreshments are served at this gathering which happens on the first Saturday of every month in St. Nicholas Park. For more information or if you'd like to volunteer, write dogpark@stnicholaspark.org.
Sir William's Dog Run Coffee Bark
Sunday, October 7, 8 AM to 10 AM
Sir William's Dog Run, Fort Tryon Park, 190th St. and Fort Washington Ave., Manhattan
The Fort Tryon Dog Owner's Group invites everyone to this gathering the first Sunday of each month at their beautiful run. Free coffee and donuts. If you'd like to help out with maintenance of the run, stick around after the event.
Annual St. Francis of Assisi Day Blessing of the Animals
Sunday, October 7, 11 AM to 4 PM (Ticket distribution starts at 9 AM.)
Cathedral of St. John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Ave. at 112th St., Manhattan
Dogs of all faiths are invited to this hugely popular service celebrating all living creatures. Free tickets will be distributed starting at 9 AM, and it's a good idea to get there early. After the service, which begins around 11 AM, there will be a festival on the Cathedral's grounds, open to all. For information, call 212-316-7490. A warning to the timid: during this event the Cathedral is packed with animals of every shape and size (including, yes, elephants, camels, and horses, not to mention cats, birds, and reptiles). For alternative, smaller-scale events, consult these listings courtesy of AmericanCatholic.org.
If there's an event you'd like us to mention in the next NewsHound, please email us.
|
|
| - Sponsor - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Animal Care & Control's clever new ad campaign features mug shots of shelter pets, incarcerated through no fault of their own. T-shirts are available.
It's been a hazardous month for our hounds. Some dangers to watch out for:
There is yet another pet food recall. Stay away from Krasdale Gravy dry dog food and Red Flannel Large Breed Adult Formula. Both contain a drug-resistant form of salmonella. Also, Wal-Mart removed two chicken jerky snacks manufactured in China from its shelves when they were found to be contaminated with the chemical melamine, like the other Chinese-made food recalled earlier in the year.
There's a kennel cough outbreak in Brooklyn. Some kennels have closed temporarily to disinfect. If you notice symptoms - a dry cough, eye and nose discharge, and loss of appetite - consult your vet.
A dog got shocked by a manhole cover in SoHo.
Several dogs were poisoned at a dog run in Chelsea.
A list of dog-friendly parks and beaches on Long Island has been compiled by Newsday. You'll find it here.
Dogs are allowed on the subway as long as they are in a carrier. This has always presented a problem for large dog owners, but now there's a carrier designed especially to address this problem. (For a complete guide to public transport rules and regulations, see urbanhound's Getting Around page.)
Update on the Michael Vick case: The ASPCA and a San Francisco-based Pit Bull rescue group called Bad Rap have been brought in to assess the 53 dogs found on Vick's property. Unlike most dogs seized from dog fighting rings, they were not euthanized immediately because they are evidence in a criminal case. ASPCA president Ed Sayres estimates that 10 to 20 percent of the dogs can be rehabilitated and adopted.
If your dog would like to express his feelings about Michael Vick, you may want to provide him with an Official "Vick's"s Dog Chew Toy.
Free Spay-Neuter Surgery + Vaccinations. If you are on public assistance and live in the five boroughs, the ASPCA will spay or neuter and vaccinate your pet for free. Details here.
What's On. On Thursday, Sept. 13, Animal Planet airs a rerun of the Eukanuba Tournament of Champions from Portland, Ore., at 8 p.m. The network will also re-air the Animal Planet Dog Championships from Harrisburg, Pa., at 8 p.m. on Sept. 20. For Cesar Milan fans, National Geographic Channel begins a new season of "The Dog Whisperer" on Sept. 7, and airs new episodes on Fridays through the month. Also, the movie "Year of the Dog" is out on DVD.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright (c) 2007 urbanhound, LLC.
All rights reserved.
|
|
|
