Groundbreaking News!

Dogs Celebrating at DiMattina Dog Park

In case you haven't heard or visited the dog park this week, the renovation has finally begun! Parks and Recreation and elected officials held a groundbreaking ceremony earlier this week. Work has already begun on removing some trees and fences, and marking the area for the small dog run.

No estimates on how long the renovation will take, but we were told the park will reopen within the year. One official told us he thought it might be finished in late spring. You can be sure that Carroll Gardens Dog Owners Group will be keeping an eye on work going on in the park and staying in contact with Parks and our elected officials. If you would like to get involved, drop us a line! 

Here is the only news coverage I could find on the groundbreaking:

http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20131015/carroll-gardens/construction-begin-on-new-dimattina-dog-run-officials-say

http://www.broadwayworld.com/brooklyn/article/NYC-Parks-to-Break-Ground-on-450K-Renovation-of-Dimattina-Park-Dog-Run-1029-20131028

Adoption Event at Love Thy Pet Saturday

Love Thy Pet is hosting a pet adoption event with Sean Casey Animal Rescue
this Saturday July 27th from Noon to 5 pm
Come fall in love with a new friend!

Love Thy Pet
64 Union Street (between Hicks and Henry)
718-596-2399

Sean Casey Animal Rescue
www.nyanimalrescue.org

Sad News from FIDO

We received this tribute to FIDO President Anthony Chiappelloni:

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and affection of children; to learn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a little bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Anthony Chiappelloni, the president of FIDOBROOKLYN.COM, the off-leash group in Prospect Park, passed away last night. Tony was one of the original Fido members and, over the years, one of the outspoken voices to protect and formalize off-leash throughout the city.

Tony had a tough life. A Vietnam veteran, he came back to a country that expressed its anger at the war by vilifying our draftees. He bore the pains and agonies of those hard times, but he did not give-up. Later in life, Tony was ravaged by cancer, and though this supposedly numbered life to days or months, he fought on for years and decades despite the physical pain he suffered.

Now Tony is at rest. His two beloved dogs, Jupiter and Bob are in foster care while re-homing is being sought. [Incidentally, Bob was named after Bob Ipcar, one of the FIDO officers and one of Tony's dearest friends. Thank you Bob Ipcar for being who you are.]

Please consider going to Fido to post a "thank you" and "goodbye" message. A memorial will be planned by Fido and announced on their page.

https://www.facebook.com/ FIDOBrooklyn?fref=ts


Do not forget that NYCdog is on Facebook. Please join us there.

Dog Park Renovation Update

Illustration by Aaron Meshon

Carroll Gardens DOG member James A. has been keeping in touch with Parks and Recreation on the progress of our renovation. The latest news is that the final plans are out for bid, and construction will begin next summer with completion 3-4 months later. Of course this timeline could be delayed as it has before! When we have more information we will share it here and on our Facebook.

Love Thy Pet's Annual Halloween Party

Love Thy Pet's Annual Halloween Party

Date: Sunday, October 28th, Time: 1pm to 3pm

Place: Love Thy Pet
164 Union Street
(between Hicks and Henry)
718-596-2399

http://lovethypetbklyn.com/

"Canine Cake, Human Cake, Coffee, Water, Prizes, Guess the weight of our largest Pumpkin 'win basket'. Free Photo's. Lots of fun for all. Halloween costume's in Stock - all sizes!"

Free Glamour Shots of Your Pup at Love Thy Pet

Love Thy Pet is offering free professional pet photos on Saturday September 15 from 12pm to 4pm.

Call 718-596-2399 for an appointment.
Love Thy Pet is located at 164 Union Street between Henry and Hicks Sts.

They're also having a September sale:
10% off Crate Matts, Beds, Carry Bags, and Nylabones
15% off Crates, Koller Dog Toys, and Patchwork Toys

Still Waiting for Dog Park Renovation Start Date

Since we recently repaired and rehung our bulletin board at the dog park we've been hearing from more of you who saw our blog and email address posted on it. Some are asking about the status of our renovation. It's still in the works, but progress is slow. Since we made our recommendations to Community Board 6 and Parks back in January we have been waiting for news of a start date. Every few weeks we check in with the Dept of Parks and Recreation. We don't yet have a date on when the renovation will begin, but we were told that projects often take two years in design and then construction. 

The good news is that we WILL get a major renovation and the funding from our City  Councilmember Brad Lander and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz is in place. 

Here's the plan, in case you missed the news last year:

- new surface of crushed granite (like Tompkin's Square Park and others) with a drainage layer underneath
- an expansion, adding a separate small dog run in the adjacent vacant lot 
- new lighting
- new benches
- new water fountains

If you would like to get involved with planning events for the dog park, get in touch with us! We need your help to keep this group going!

Andrea