Our Renovation in the Brooklyn Paper

Nice writeup of our planned renovation in the Brooklyn Paper today. I'm glad the good news is getting out more broadly!

http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/35/5/dtg_dogruncarrollgardens_2012_01_27_bk.html

Brownstoner Post About DiMattina Dog Park Renovation

Brownstoner posted about the renovation presentation: http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2012/01/plans-surface-for-carroll-gardens-dog-run-upgrades/

You'll see some heated comments regarding the cost and the proposed new surface. Perhaps some of us who use this dog park should chime in. 

We have looked at the experiences of other dog parks nationwide and learned that no surface is perfect. Decomposed Granite, though controversial, has been recommended to us by other dog park volunteer groups. We are told it is a sterile surface that allows the rain to pass through if drainage is installed properly. Underneath it is fabric membrane separating it from a layer of gravel. There are many kinds of Decomposed Granite, and Parks has asked Carroll Gardens DOG to choose between the type used in Tompkins Square Park dog park and the Washington Square Park dog runs. We are investigating this week to determine which is the least dusty. Watering regularly with a sprinkler keeps the dust down. 

Regarding the cost, a couple of years ago I was told by someone in Parks that $450,000 is not much considering Parks spends a million on a comfort station. It's insane but it's how the city works. 
Overall we are pleased with the plan, which is close to our original proposal sent years ago. A separate small dog run will be added to the vacant land adjacent to the current space. We're getting new lighting, benches, and drinking fountains. 

We will share more news as we have it! 

Review of the Plans for Our Renovation

Sorry for the late notice folks. Tomorrow evening the Parks Department will present their plans for our renovation at a Community Board 6 Parks Committee meeting.

Wednesday, January 18
6:30pm
Cobble Hill Community Meeting Room
250 Baltic Street (Clinton/Court)
http://www.brooklyncb6.org/calendar/#18

The public is invited to comment. We will report on the details after the meeting!

 

A New Dog Park on Columbia Street?

Nearly a year ago the Regional Plan Association and Brooklyn Greenway Initiative held a visioning meeting to collect suggestions from the community for a new park on Columbia Street between Kane and Degraw. A small dog park was suggested at the meeting. Tomorrow night Brooklyn Greenway Initiative has scheduled a report-back meeting for the planned park. Preliminary renderings will be presented and the community will be invited to comment. Visit the BGI website regarding the meeting here and RSVP.

Date: Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Time: 6:30p - 8:30p
Location: Union Street Star Theater, 101 Union Street

Thanks to the Columbia Waterfront Neighborhood Association blog for the news!

Free vaccinations and spay/neuter procedures from ASPCA

The ASPCA is providing free spay/neuter along with vaccines from December 19th until December 31.  This is a gift to their customers to show their appreciation.

DECEMBER 19th – 31st (clinics are closed on Christmas day)


• First Come, First Served
• Clinics arrive at 7:30am, get there early to get a spot!
• Animals 8 weeks and older are eligible


For more information call: 877-SPAY-NYC or visit aspca.org/877spaynyc

Author of Love at First Bark Speaking This Week

Julie Klam, the best-selling author of You Had Me at Woof, will read from her new canine-inspired chronicles, Love at First Bark: How Saving a Dog Can Sometimes Help You Save Yourself on Wednesday, December 7th, 7:00pm at Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Library, Dweck Center. This is a free event! More info on the library's website at: http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/events/culture-arts

Time to Schedule a Visit with Santa

Getting a photo with Santa at Love Thy Pet has become a tradition in my little family. Thankfully Chris (oops, I meant, Santa Claus) tolerates my Steve's exuberance. We always look forward to getting an email with all the photos afterwards.

This year two Santas are coming to town!

Sunday Dec: 4 from 11am  to 3pm

Saturday  Dec: 10 from 11am  to 3pm

 

Make your appointment for your free photo session before they fill up! 718-596-2399

 

Love Thy Pet's brand biscuits adorned with the photos of 13 different local canine customers have arrived, in 13 different flavors! R.C. Coats and chilly dog wool sweaters are also in stock so make a visit to Love Thy Pet this holiday season!

Are you and your pup interested in becoming a therapy dog team?

The ASPCA is hosting a "meet n greet" info session in Cobble Hill on December 5th to try to get the word out about their therapy dog program and training classes. Anyone interested in animal assisted therapy is welcome to attend. There will be free food, free ASPCA stuff, a raffle, and Pet Partner teams.


These are great folks to work with and should be a fun and informative event.


It's happening at ArtsCetera, 212 Smith St. between Baltic and Butler at 7 p.m.


More information about the ASPCA's animal assisted therapy program at: http://www.aspca.org/aspca-nyc/animal-assisted-therapy.aspx.

Love Thy Pet Halloween Party this Sunday!

Sunday October 23

1pm  to 3pm

 

Fun for all

 

First, Second and Third costume prizes

 

Coffee,  Human Cake,  Canine Cake, Pictures!

 

Love Thy Pet

164 Union Street

Between Hicks and Henry

718-596-2399

http://www.lovethypetbklyn.com/

 

 

Dog Show in Brooklyn Heights on Sunday

Brooklyn Heights dogs will compete in a dog show as part of Montague Street's "Summer Space" this Sunday afternoon. The categories for entries are: Best Smile, Best Trick, Cutest Small Dog (under 25 lbs), Cutest Big Dog, Best Hairdo, Best Tail Wagger, Most Affectionate. The Brooklyn Heights Association’s Best In Show will be chosen by the audience.

Only Brooklyn Heights dogs can enter but it may be fun to watch and help choose the winner.

http://www.montaguebid.com/summerspace/index.html

1-3pm in front of Key Food and Pet's Emporium at 105 Montague Street.

Make Your Dog a Star

Our favorite pet store, Love Thy Pet is holding a contest to choose a cover star for their own brand of Love Thy Pet dog treats. Here are the details:
 
Email up to four pictures of your best friend to lovethypetbklyn@yahoo.com

A panel of judges will select four small breed, four medium breed, and four large breed dogs. Winners will be printed on a special run of Love Thy Pet Treats, which are especially made for Love Thy Pet using only natural ingredients. Contest ends 9/30/11. 
 
Good Luck!
 

My Dog Loves Central Park County Fair September 24

Image Source

Central Park PAWS is planning their 9th annual My Dog Loves Central Park Country Fair on September 24th in Central Park. Sounds worth it to take a dog-friendly cab into Manhattan!


Featuring:
Best in Park Dog Show Agility A-Mazing Maze
Canine Good Citizen Testing Live Entertainment
Giveaways Dog Tales Oral History Project
Microchipping . . . and much more!


Saturday, September 24, 2011 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Central Park | NYC Naumburg Bandshell (Mid-Park at 72nd Street)
Free ADmiss ion Sponsored by
Central Park Conservancy
14 East 60th Street
New York, NY 10022
www.centralparkpaws.org
https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=188061061254414

Help fix the AC&C

The Manhattan Borough President is proposing a smart restructuring of NYC's Animal Care & Control. You can sign his petition here.

Protecting New York's Animals

www.huffingtonpost.com

"A key measure of any city's humanity is how it treats its animals, and unfortunately New York falls short compared to the rest of the country. It is time for this to change."

Bark in the Park with the Brooklyn Cyclones

Bark in the Park

Monday, August 22, 2011
MCU Park, 1904 Surf Avenue, Coney Island, Brooklyn

Bring your dog to a Brooklyn Cyclones baseball game! Or come and adopt a new best friend!

The Brooklyn Cyclones invite fans to bring their dogs to the annual Bark in the Park night at MCU Park. Fans and their canine friends can share an exciting evening of fun as the Cyclones take on the Tri-City Valley Cats.

The stadium's bleacher section — renamed "The BOW-WOW Zone" for the night — will be reserved for those who bring their pooches to the game.

More details here:

http://www.animalalliancenyc.org/events/featured/barkinthepark/index.htm

Photo by lhunt314 on FLickr

A message from my neighbor...

Dear family, friends, and neighbors,

We are moving to Europe and have come to the sad conclusion that we will not be able to take our dog with us. With a heavy heart, we are looking for a home that would welcome a 10-year old lady (in perfect health) on either a short-term or long-term basis. She is half Chow-chow and half Pyrenean shepherd - please see the attached photo, if you have not already met her in the past. She is well behaved in the house, and will be an infallible guardian. On the downside, she does have a tendency to bark when people come to the door, but is a lovely companion otherwise.

We are either looking for a short-term or long-term home, as there is potential that we could ship her over in a few months. It really depends on who we find that is willing to take her and what their interest and commitment would be.

On a related note, we do need a dog sitter this weekend (from 7/29 - 7/31). If someone is interested, this could be a good chance for a test run. We are, of course, willing to accept dog-sitters that aren't interested in adopting her as well!

If you or anyone you know is interested in adopting a dog, helping a dog (and her family) on a short-term basis, or dog sitting, please get in touch with me as soon as possible. Also, please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Thank you,

Chris Barker

516-428-8293 (cell)

cbarker1 [at] gmail [dot] com

Brooklyn Bridge Park Dog Parks

Did you know that there are two dog parks in Brooklyn Bridge Park? There is a nice one in the new Pier 6 park at the end of Atlantic Avenue, and there is a smaller one in DUMBO in the Main Street section. The Pier 6 dog park is a medium-size round park with a red gravel surface and water fountain.

This weekend Pier 6's expansion will open and they will have some new local food concessions: Milk Truck, Bark Hot Dogs, Blue Marble ice cream and Uncle Louie G's!

Sean Casey Adoption Event

Sean Casey Animal Rescue are bringing adoptable dogs and cats to Love Thy Pet on Union St! Their website says: "All pets are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and receive one free exam at a participating vet and an offer for a free month of pet health insurance. Adoption fees are payable in cash or by check...cats/kittens: $100.00 and dogs//puppies: $200.00 (plus an additional $8.50 if you live in NYC for a dog license)."

We know that a lot of our dog park regulars were rescued from Sean Casey. Come down to say hello!

Saturday May 28

12:00 noon until 6:00 pm
Love Thy Pet
164 Union Street (between Hicks And Henry)
718-596-2399

(Photo by North Shore Animal League America)
More info about the mobile adoption vans from North Shore Animal League:
http://www.animalalliancenyc.org/newsletter/2010-05/nsalavans.htm

Sara and Daisy

Yesterday we met Sara (say the first syllable like "far") and her five month old Boxer, Daisy. It was nice to meet you guys!

And there's Pirate in the background, getting some love from Pepe, as usual. Sigh...

Paul and Jessica

Jessica and Paul the Dog enjoying a warm spring afternoon at the park.

Mugsy and Steve

Steve was keeping cool this morning under the bench while Mugsy kept a lookout.