Pets

DPR To Host Third Annual DPR Doggie Day Swim on September 10

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Wayan Vota

Yesterday, a reader asked if DPR was going to be hosting a doggie day swim when the pools close after Labor Day weekend. Via tweet, DCDPR shares the good news that this year’s doggie swim will be at:

“Francis (2435 N Street, NW) Upshur and Banneker (2500 Georgia Avenue, NW) pools on September 10th from 12-4.”

DCDPR updates with a press release:

The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will partner with the Department of Health (DOH) to host their 3rd Annual DPR Doggie Day Swim on Saturday, September 10, from 12 noon to 4 pm at the Upshur Pool, 4300 Arkansas Avenue, NW, and Banneker Pool, 2500 Georgia Avenue, NW. With the end of the outdoor swimming season, this annual event provides dogs with a one day opportunity to enjoy a swim and play games. DOH will be on location to monitor the health and safety of the pets and their owners. They will also provide outreach and education regarding pet vaccinations, dog licenses and dog park licenses.

Admission is free to DC residents and their dogs. Attendance the day of the event will be based on capacity at the time of arrival. During the Doggie Day Swim, there will be limits to the number of dogs in the pool area at one time; 75 dogs at Upshur Pool, and 150 dogs at Banneker Pool.

To maintain order at each of the pools, dog owners are asked to follow these rules:

Dog handlers must be 16 years of age or older
Dog handlers cannot swim or enter the pool with their dogs
Dogs must be sociable and remain leashed while on the pool deck
All dogs must wear current DC dog license
All dogs must be current on vaccinations including rabies

The event is subject to favorable weather conditions. DPR staff may cancel the event if the weather does not allow for safe pool conditions.

If anyone goes – take some photos for me!

Dear PoPville – Advice for Treating Pets at the End of Their Life

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Laura_Grageda

“Dear PoPville,

I know this is a bleak topic, but I have a question for the PoP community concerning “end of life” services for pets. I have a dog that’s getting up there in years and while hopefully she’ll be with us for a long time to come, I like to be prepared. Firstly, does anyone know of/ recommend a local veterinarian who makes house calls for euthanization? I found out that the one I had been going to doesn’t and for the sake of continuity of care as well as comfort for my pet I’d like to start going to one that will. Secondly and on the same dreary note, does anyone have any recommendations for cremation services? I’ve dealt with some awful places in the past and don’t want to have to go through that again.
Thank you.”

Dear PoPville – Anyone Ever See a Dog Swinging from Tree to Strengthen its Jaw?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user maria jpeg

“Dear PoPville,

I was walking past the park at the intersection of Sherman and Park and I saw a dog (probably a pit bull) swinging from a tree while a teenager/young adult was sitting next to it with headphones watching passively. The dog seemed to be biting a short rope tied to a branch so that it was hanging by its mouth as it swung around in the air. A police officer on a segway came, said something to the effect of “move along now,” the guy with the headphones released the dog from the rope and all went on their way.

My first thought was “WTF?” and my second thought was that the guy might have been using the rope as a way to strengthen the dog’s jaws and neck, likely training it for dogfights. That was just a guess though- I have no idea what it was about; the police officer didn’t seem too bothered by what was going on and the dog even seemed upset that it couldn’t swing anymore.

Any ideas?”

Lost German Shepherd Found around 11th and Florida Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth


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“Dear PoP,

This morning at around 9:30 on my bike ride to work, I saw an old, sad looking German Shepherd dog wandering around the SW corner of 11th and Florida. He looked lost; there was no owner-type person within sight. If anyone is missing him, he probably is still around there — he looked like he had arthritic hips, so I don’t think he could get far.

Also, I wanted to ask your readers what one should do in similar situations in the future. I don’t really know much about dogs, so I was uncomfortable with getting too close to check if he had tags, and taking him home with me was not an option either (since I was on my way to work & don’t have a car). I thought about calling the Humane Society, but I didn’t want to doom him to being put down before his time.”

Dear PoP – Funny or Actually A Really Good Idea?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Brandon Kopp

A reader writes,

“Could something like this be the solution to the issues with dog owners who don’t clean up after their pets? ha”

From Reuters:

A city in northern Taiwan is trying the Midas touch to persuade reluctant residents to clean up after their canines: offering a chance to win gold bars to anyone handing in bags of doggy deposits.

Starting from August 1, dog owners and other residents of New Taipei City, bordering the capital Taipei, can hand in waste to government cleaning teams in exchange for tickets to a lucky draw. The prizes: three gold ingots worth T$60,000 ($2,100), T$18,000 and T$12,000.

I seriously think this would be hugely successful in DC!

Dear PoPville – Training Unleashed Dogs on Downtown Streets: Is It Ever OK?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user C. Michael Poole

“Dear PoPville,

Several years ago my wife and I rescued two mutts picked up off the streets of Southern Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina. They’re both very good with people, affectionate as all get-out, but they’re aggressive with other dogs. For this reason, we don’t take them to dog parks and are always careful to keep our distance from other dogs when walking ours on city streets.

Last night I took the dogs out for their nightly walk in our U Street neighborhood. As soon as I closed the front gate I saw a gentleman with his dog (which appeared to be some sort of pit bull mix) standing at the corner of 14th and T. I thought the gentleman was simply waiting for the light to change and would keep moving, so I stopped in my tracks and waited. Then I noticed that the gentleman had placed his dog’s leash on the ground and (from what I could gather from a few buildings away) was instructing his dog to sit, stay, and not approach my dogs. At this point I yelled to the gentleman “which direction are you heading?” so I could get out of his way — and right after that his dog darted away from him and ran towards my pair, oblivious to the fact that my dogs were prepared to greet him with open teeth and not open arms. The gentleman ran after his dog while yelling “don’t worry, he’s not aggressive!” to which I responded “no, but mine are!” I followed that up with a shrill — and, frankly, panicked — “your dog belongs on a leash whenever it’s on a city street!” His response: “I’m just trying to train him.”

I managed to keep my dogs at bay just long enough for the gentleman to collect his dog, but barely. Unfortunately, under the circumstances I wasn’t in a position to stick around, apologize for being shrill, and explain why I think his training approach is not only wrong and illegal — it’s dangerous and puts his own dog at risk. I’m assuming the gentleman and I are neighbors, so I’m hoping he sees this, gets my message, accepts my apology, and appreciates the spirit with which I am offering this advice.”

Dear PoPville – No More Dogs Allowed at EL Haynes Kansas Location?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I don’t have a dog but I noticed yesterday that EL Haynes has put up a “no dogs” signs on their fence. Currently, the park is used by dogs (and owners!) on evenings and weekends. Is this a temporary thing while they build their addition or will the ban remain in place after the addition is completed?”

The reader is referring to the new EL Haynes school’s Kansas Avenue location at 4501 Kansas Avenue, NW.

I assume the no dogs rule will permanent. It’s been a tough couple of months for Petworth dogs…

St. Paul’s Rock Creek Parish Explains New Policy Banning Dog Walking in the Cemetery

By Prince Of Petworth

Having just been introduced to princeofpetworth.com, I was reading through the previous
posts and came across one concerning Rock Creek Cemetery’s decision to ban dog-
walking. I am the Director of Christian Education at St. Paul’s – the active parish that
resides within the cemetery – and thought I might clear up some of the misconceptions as
to why the decision was made, and why it was not.

In May of 2010, the vestry of St. Paul’s amended the rules of dog-walking on the
premises, with the hope of decreasing the number of complaints we received from those
visiting their loved ones. The rules were as follows:

Pets must be kept leashed AT ALL TIMES.

Clean up your pets droppings. Waste Cans are provided throughout the
churchyard for your convenience in disposing of your pet’s waste.

PLEASE RESPECT the people at rest in this Church Yard and their families as
they visit.

This is an active cemetery. Please keep a respectful distance from funeral
preparations and interment services.

This is an active Church Community. Our Sunday worship times are 8:00am and
10:30am. If you are not joining us in church for worship, please do not walk your
dog in the area around the Church during services!

Less than a year later we had more complaints than ever. This past spring alone we had
dogs off of their leashes running up to an on site funeral, dogs pestering our parishioners
after Church, dog’s droppings were not always picked up, as well as numerous other
problems. Further, over the last year, as many of you may well know, St. Paul’s has been
in negotiations with Christian Family Montessori School. At the time we reached our
decision it was clear that they would be moving into our space and beginning school this
coming Fall. After weighing our options, and recognizing that our campus will be quite
busy with so many children, we decided it best to ban dog-walking altogether.

We recognize this as a huge inconvenience to many in the immediate area; we also
recognize that many of you have graciously followed the rules for many years and are
being held responsible for the actions of others: for this we greatly apologize! Our intent
at St. Paul’s is to provide a safe, serene place for the neighborhood, the families of those
resting, and the larger DC area. We can only hope that you will continue to enjoy our
wonderfully historic DC landmark, without accompany of your pets.

Thanks for your understanding. If you have any other questions, feel free to email me
directly.

Jason Luttrell
Director of Christian Education
St. Paul’s Rock Creek Parish
[email protected]

Smokers May Permanently Force Close of Columbia Heights’ Unofficial Dog Park

By Prince Of Petworth

From a Columbia Heights Dog Park message:

DOG PARK TO BE CLOSED & LOCKED UP FOR GOOD ……..according to the METRO supervisor in charge of the facility UNLESS, according to him, 1.) park users cease to smoke cigarettes and dump their cigarette butts at the dog park AND 2.) if ALL cigarette butts AREN’T picked up and disposed properly in the trash cans.

I just spoke with him at the dog park. He was there inspecting the space and he was NOT HAPPY AT ALL. He couldn’t have been more clear: ALL METRO FACILITIES ARE SMOKE AND CIGARETTE FREE!! The reason why he came by is because his maintenance workers are complaining of all the butts falling through the large vent and clogging up their machines, vents and other systems, causing them to come back more often then they are supposed to and causing them many headaches.

This is a NON-NEGOTIABLE SITUATION.

This was a big problem last summer as well. I, in particular, am sick and tired of cleaning up after smokers at the park and won’t do it anymore. Afterall, many people gave their time on a Saturday morning about a month ago to clean the park up. And believe me, there was a lot of unpicked up dog waste, as well, and after looking at the mess today I saw (cigarette butts), it is NOT FAIR IN THE LEAST to those who volunteered their time for the place to look as horrible as it does at this very moment near the picnic tables and chairs. It’s also unfair to the overwhelming majority of us who DON’T SMOKE. Lastly, it’s very unfair to the dogs who think the butts are something to chew and play with.

Therefore, in order for the park to remain open, I need one person to step up to the plate and clean this up. PLEASE DON’T REPLY TO THIS and/or COMMENT, just get it done. ACTION is what is needed. If and when you see someone light up in the park, please ask them in a courteous manner to take it outside the fenced in areas of the dog park.

Thank you.

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