Here, with their permission, is what they are saying:

“We need to speak up for the voiceless and that includes all animals.”

– Heather B., Arlington

“Every dog needs a support system.  I think the work you do is so important to our dogs and our own mental and physical health.  Thanks so much!”

— Pam H., Arlington

“I thought A-DOG did and continues to do a great job of working on behalf of all of the dogs and dog owners in Arlington.  I am particularly appreciative of all of the work you did and continue to do to help obtain and maintain off leash hours for dogs in this town.”

— Louisa B., Arlington

“What you’ve done and are doing is impressive and important – we and our dogs want to be a more active part of it!”

– Roma H., Arlington

“I love A-DOG!  Always will!”

– Carrie M., Arlington

“Pets are important members of our community.  Responsible pet ownership is essential.”

– Janet D., Arlington

“LOVE the off-leash hours at Turkey Hill and use them daily.  Time to support the great group that made this happen and be in the loop.”

– Ruth S., Arlington

“I want to keep Arlington dog friendly!”

- – Gian S., Arlington, MA

“I love animals, and two of my best friends are Becker and Candace, my friend Sue’s wonderful companions.”

- – Alma G., Arlington, MA

“While I understand where opponents of off-leash dogs are coming from, many of them are against every proposed solution, so it’s important that responsible dog owners can present a united front.    I can’t wait for the fenced dog park, which I don’t think would be happening if A-DOG didn’t exist!  I’d also love evening or weekend off-leash hours (since the morning hours don’t work for me). I strongly prefer off-leash locations places with some sort of visual barrier between the dog area and other uses, even if it’s not a real fence — just something to help my dog know where the limit is).”

- – Riley H., Arlington

“As a new resident, I have found dog owners to be the most welcoming and inviting members of the Arlington community!”

- – Meghan H., Arlington

“I support A-Dog because I believe that Arlington residents who own dogs should be responsible and educated about town bylaws and plans for dog parks, etc. A-Dog does a great job of getting messages out to Arlington’s dog-owning community.”

- – Jennifer G., Arlington

“I feel strongly about exercising my rights as a responsible dog owner.  I am also concerned with the well-being of my dog who needs active off-leash play time to be healthy.”

– Gene L., Arlington

“Because dogs have feelings and needs too.”

– Keith P., Arlington

“I support A-DOG because canine citizens are an important part of our community.  Dogs enrich our lives, and A-DOG makes it easier to be a dog owner in Arlington.”

– Susan R., Arlington

“We are very interested in having areas for our dog to run and play right here in our town! We are responsible dog owners and are happy to join a group of like-minded individuals!”

– Maureen L., Arlington

We support the following Substitute Motion under Article 36:

To amend Section 8 (“Animal Control”) of Article 1 (“Use of Areas under Control of Park Department”) of Title IV (“Public Areas”) and/or Article 2 (“Canine Control”) of Title VIII (“Public Health and Safety”) of the By-Laws so as to allow a maximum of three dogs per owner to be off-leash, under effective owner control, from park opening time until 9 am, in all lands under control of the Parks and Recreation Commission except:
• those lands directly abutting school properties;
• within 15 ft of playground equipment; and
• by specific exclusion of the Parks and Recreation Commission.
********************************************
The Board of Selectmen (BoS) voted (4-1) “no action” on our proposed motion under Article 36 at its March 22 hearing. The BoS has reported to TM that “behavior of dog-owners who routinely violate the leash law needs to change before a bylaw amendment should be considered again.” With due respect to those 4 Selectmen, this penalizes responsible dog owners for the actions of the irresponsible few. As noted by one supporter at the BoS hearing, driver’s licenses are not denied to all because some drivers cause accidents. Another concern voiced by one Selectman at the hearing was that there were no provisions to exclude out of town dog owners. We respectfully take issue with this concern on two grounds. First, it is unlikely that many dog owners will drive to Arlington from other towns in the early mornings that we propose. And, even if some do, it is questionable that they will have much impact. Second, our parks are public space. Some of us from Arlington now use parks in Lexington, where dogs are allowed off leash. We would hope to extend the same courtesy to our Lexington and other neighbors and, again, doubt that there would be much impact from outsiders at the proposed hours. The BoS report also advises waiting to see what the Parks and Recreation Commission, through its “Dog Park Task Force” (called the “Green Dog Subcommittee” in the report), decides with respect to fenced off leash recreation areas. We are very familiar with the work of this Task Force and, in fact, one of us is an appointed member. As discussed further below, we believe that Article 36 complements the Task Force’s mission.
On April 13, the Parks and Recreation Commission voted unanimously (4-0) to support our proposed bylaw change, noting, for example, its simplicity and reasonableness, as well as its flexibility. We hope that TM will agree with the Parks and Recreation Commission’s assessment and vote in favor of this Substitute Motion.
********************************

Article 36 FAQ (Summary)
(See the following pages for full discussion)

➢ Why propose this Article for the third year in a row? TM transcripts describe the current leash law, enacted in the late 60’s, as being aimed at dogs “at large”, or roaming free. When it is used instead against owner-supervised dog play groups, it prevents dog owners from exercising and socializing their dogs, and from a community activity they themselves enjoy.

➢ Why propose this Article when TM rejected the Green Dog plan last year? This vote was narrow (88 opposed, 83 in favor), and the need and demand for legal off-leash recreational options continues. Feedback from TM included comments that the Green Dog plan was too complex, and that many had favored the amendment to limit hours to mornings (by 10 am). Article 36 addresses such experience and feedback.

➢ Why isn’t it enough for dog owners to have the Town working on fenced off leash recreation facilities? Even though Town has established a “Dog Park Task Force” to address this issue, it is not clear when or if there will be a sufficient number of fenced off leash recreational areas (OLRA) to serve Arlington’s dog owner community. Article 36 acts in parallel to the work of the Dog Park Task Force.

➢ Why the proposed hours of “park opening time until 9 am”? Arlington parks are used quite sparsely early in the morning. The intent of our proposed hours is to be conservative. In several other MA towns dogs are allowed off-leash, under effective control, in virtually all parks at all open hours.

➢ Why the phrase “effective owner control”? This requires that only dogs accompanied by their owner, and under control, would be allowed off-leash. Other MA town bylaws have similar wording (“complete and effective control”, “effective command”, etc.).

➢ Why “lands under control of the Parks and Recreation Commission”? These lands would exclude potential areas of concern, including the bike path, Town Hall gardens, cemetery, and conservation land.

➢ Why “by specific exclusion by the Parks and Recreation Commission”? This adds flexibility, avoiding the need for specific locations to be debated in TM. It recognizes and respects the role and the authority of Parks and Recreation Commission, appointed to make detailed decisions on use of our public parks.

➢ Why not propose a pilot plan? We trust that the Parks and Recreation Commission will act in good faith to implement a flexible bylaw such as this one. It is essentially a pilot plan anyway, because the Commission can exclude any park, or all parks, at any time.

➢ What will this cost the Town? There should be no significant cost to the Town. We already have an ACO to enforce the leash law, including distributing flyers describing the leash law. With last year’s decision to increase the license fee by up to 50% and impose late fees, dog owners are now being charged more, providing some extra revenue with no increase in privileges.

➢ Why “a maximum of three dogs”? For consistency with our town bylaws that allow up to three dogs per household, and with similar limits specified in other off-leash programs.

Article 36 Substitute Motion — Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Why propose this Article for the third year in a row?
Based on TM transcripts, major provisions of our current leash law were voted in at TM in the late 60’s. Concern was primarily with dogs “at large”, or roaming free. It was not intended to be used, as it is today, against owner-supervised dog playgroups, which were uncommon, if not nonexistent, in that era. The behavioral benefits of well-exercised, well-socialized dogs are now well accepted by animal behaviorists, dog trainers and others. In addition, meeting with their neighbors to exercise and socialize their dogs together is a community activity much enjoyed by dog owners, as the response to A-DOG’s and Green Dog committee efforts has demonstrated. Over 900 Arlington residents, to date, have signed A-DOG’s petition in favor of off-leash recreation for responsible dog owners in Arlington. Many other communities in MA and across the nation have recognized the needs of their tax-paying dog-owning residents by modernizing their leash laws. It is time that Arlington did so, as well – there has been at least 8 years of work on this issue in our town, with no implementation of any off-leash privileges.

Why propose this Article when TM rejected the Green Dog plan last year?
The need and demand for legal off-leash recreational options continues. Last year, with their recommended vote to TM, the BoS indicated approval of the spirit of the Green Dog plan, to enable responsible off leash recreation at certain times in certain parks. The vote at TM was very close (83 affirmative to 88 negative). Several TM members later told us that they felt the measure would have gained more support if the Green Dog Plan were not so complex and/or if the narrowly defeated last-minute proposed amendment for only morning hours (up to 10 am) had passed. We can never know for sure if that is true, but it is our recollection that nearly half of TM supported the amendment to restrict the Green Dog Plan to mornings. Two years ago (2008), TM voted “No Action” on an Article similar to Article 36 (#28). At that time, the primary reason cited, including in the Selectmen’s recommendation for “no action”, was the need to give the Green Dog committee time to do its work. Nonetheless, even then, several TM members supported a substitute motion for positive action, with some proposing amendments that would enable their support. Our Substitute Motion under Article 36 addresses what we learned from experience and feedback from other TM members, on both previous attempts.

Why isn’t it enough for dog owners to have the Town working on fenced off leash recreation facilities?
Fenced off leash recreation areas (OLRA) have been legal in Arlington for 7 years, but the Town has yet to establish any. (In contrast, in Somerville, a Dog Owners Task Force formed in 2004, the first OLRA was constructed in 2006, and today there are 2 operational OLRAs, 1 more in advanced planning, and 2 more under serious consideration. The Somerville Open Space and Recreation Plan, 2008-2013, highlights off leash recreation in Somerville as a “Success Story”.) Many dog owners, including us, are encouraged that the Town has now established a “Dog Park Task Force” to identify possible sites and work out details. Some of us have been named to this Task Force and have begun working constructively with fellow members. Still, such OLRA are costly, each at least $200,000, based on the experiences of Boston and Somerville, as well as other information gathered, so far, by our Task Force. With budgetary and other constraints, it is not clear when there will be a sufficient number of fenced OLRA to serve Arlington’s dog owner community. In addition, even if unlimited financial and open-space resources were available, a fenced OLRA is not appropriate for all neighborhood parks and for all users. (Indeed some TM members indicated they did not support the Green Dog Plan in 2009 because it included fenced OLRAs.) Other programs, most notably NYC’s very successful off-leash recreation program (http://www.nycoffleash.com/html/FAQ.htm) rely on a combination of dedicated fenced facilities at some parks and “shared hours” at others. We believe that the best solution for Arlington will also include both approaches, and feel that Article 36 works in parallel to the work of the Dog Park Task Force, with complementary goals.

Why the proposed hours of “park opening time til 9 am”?
As noted above, we learned from last year’s Green Dog debate in TM that morning hours were less controversial and that the motion to restrict hours to prior to 10 am is regarded as one that would have strengthened chances of passage. In our proposal, hours are limited even further to end at 9 am. In NYC, the default off-leash hours in shared-use parks are from 9 pm til 9 am, unless a park closes at night, as ours do. This has apparently worked well for over 20 years in a very densely populated city. Those of us who visit Arlington parks early in the morning know that they are used quite sparsely at this time. We believe that the proposed hours would have minimum impact on park usage, and would give responsible dog owners the option to exercise and socialize their dogs before going to work and/or helping their children get to school. The hours will not be optimal for all dog owners, but we believe that they will be useful to many. The intent of restricting hours in this proposal is to be conservative. In several other MA towns (e.g. Lexington, Bedford, Burlington, Acton, Concord, Lincoln, and Wellesley) dogs are allowed off-leash, under effective control, in virtually all parks at all open hours.

Why the phrase “effective owner control”?
This requires that only dogs accompanied by the human owner, and under control, would be allowed off-leash. Article 36 is not intended to provide an opportunity for dog owners to allow their dog to run “at large”, or to enable out of control dogs to run through private property, jump on people, attack other dogs, or otherwise cause problems. Complaints about out of control dogs should be addressed by the Animal Control Officer (ACO), if necessary, as well as by peer pressure from other dog owners. In other bylaws, similar wording is used, for example:

Acton: “complete and effective control”
Brookline: “must control the animal”
Bedford: “effective voice control”, “effective control of its owner”
Burlington: “obedient to command”
Concord: “under the control of its owner”
Lexington: “effective command”

Under this bylaw, owners who cannot or will not control their dogs would always be in violation. Owners playing fetch with their dogs, supervising their dogs playing with other dogs, or conducting other harmless, enjoyable activities with their dogs prior to 9 am, would not.

Why “lands under control of the Parks and Recreation Commission”?
These lands would exclude potential areas of concern, including the bike path, Town Hall gardens, cemetery, and conservation land. We learned that, in Arlington, this is preferable to the overly broad term “open spaces” that was proposed in 2008, though the term is used in other town bylaws, most notably Bedford’s (below). Interestingly, Bedford’s bylaw also distinguishes a dog “at large” from one under “effective control of its owner”.

From Town of Bedford bylaws, Article 42.5.1 Dogs Running at Large (Leash Law Provisions):
“No owner or keeper of any dog shall permit their dog to run at large at anytime. An owner or keeper of a dog must accompany and restrain the dog on a leash or accompany with leash in hand and maintain effective voice control of the dog while off their own property. An obedient dog which is under the effective control of its owner may be permitted to be unleashed in Town-owned open spaces within the Town. Dogs must be on a leash on bike paths and at public events. No dogs are allowed in cemeteries. The provision of this paragraph shall not apply to a guide dog or service dog while actually engaged in the performance of its trained duties.”

Why “by specific exclusion of the Parks and Recreation Commission”?
This adds flexibility, avoiding the need for specific locations to be debated in TM. It recognizes and respects the role and authority of the Parks and Recreation Commission. In Brookline, the bylaw change that passed at TM allowing a Green Dog Plan was general (see below), leaving it up to the Parks and Recreation Commission to establish details of off-leash use and, importantly, to modify this use whenever needed. We believe that Parks and Recreation Commission’s role should be accorded similar respect and authority in Arlington, and that it is not necessarily a productive use of TM time to debate details of implementation. In Arlington, we have a Parks and Recreation Commission, appointed by our Town Manager, with approval by our elected Selectmen, to make detailed decisions on use of our public parks.

From Town of Brookline Bylaws, SECTION 8.6.7(a) RESTRAINT OF DOGS:
“However, in areas officially designated as designated off
leash area by the Park and Recreation Commission, or its
designee, a dog shall be allowed to be off the leash under
the following conditions…”

Why not propose a pilot plan?
We believe that there is no need to make this a pilot plan, subject to even more TM debate next year and in subsequent years. We trust that the Parks and Recreation Commission will act in good faith to implement a flexible bylaw such as this one. It is essentially a pilot plan anyway, because the Parks and Recreation Commission can act to exclude all parks, though, we are trusting them not to do so. Under this bylaw, the Commission might, for example, choose to exclude a park it deems “controversial”, conduct a public review process and, potentially, designate specific sub-areas only, or no areas at all, for morning off-leash recreation. And, of course, TM can vote in a more restrictive leash law in future years.

What will this cost the Town?
As we discussed, as Article 36 proponents, with the Finance Committee, we believe there will be no significant cost to the Town. We already have an ACO to enforce the leash law, and we understand that he provides a flyer with the current leash law to the public. This flyer could be modified and could also be given to dog owners when they register for licenses. Also, details, including exclusions established by the Parks and Recreation Commission, could be available on the Town Website. Community groups such as A-DOG and Friends of parks groups can help by keeping their members informed. These groups might also choose to work with the Town to donate signage or other items to personalize their neighborhood parks. It is worth noting, too, that in response to an Article submitted to TM last year by an opponent of off-leash recreation, the Town raised the dog license fee by up to 50%, moving it from the median to the highest range in the Commonwealth (based on numbers available in spring, 2009), and imposed a costly late-fee. That Article’s proponent had suggested that such fees be used for “enforcement”. While specifying such use was ruled illegal, it is nonetheless clear that dog owners are being charged substantially more this year than last year, providing some extra revenue with no increase in privileges.

Why “a maximum of three dogs”? This was added for consistency with our town bylaws that allow up to three dogs per household, and with similar limits in other off-leash programs.
*****************************
Talk to us at TM: Mary McCartney (Pct 1), Sue Doctrow and Jennifer Goebel (Pct 21), Ann Smith (Pct 17), BethAnn Friedman (Pct 15), and Andrew Fisher (Pct 6)

Website: www.arlingtondogowners.org. Board of Directors: Susan Doctrow, Andrew Fisher, MaryAnna Foskett, Brenda Kokubo, Mary Mangan, Carrie Moore, Gian Schauer, Gerald Silberman, Ann Smith, Roslyn Smith, Judy Weinberg
*********************

Read Letters to the Arlington Advocate here.

HELP PETS IN NEED THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
Hello! We are a local family collecting the following items to donate to local animal shelters that are in desperate need of the following:
•    Bath Towels
•    Laundry detergent
•    Bleach
•    Plush toys
•    Rubber squeaky toys
•    Tennis balls
•    Dental Chews
•    Knotted rope toys
•    Rawhides/knuckle bones
•    Training treats
•    Phone books for small animals to shred
•    Cat litter
•    Copy paper
•    Paper towels
•    Toilet Paper
•    Dog beds
•    Distilled Water
•    3-tab manila file folders
•    Dishwashing liquid
•    Large trash bags
•    Hand sanitizer
•    Bowls
•    Cat and dog food
•    Rubbing alcohol
•    Scissors
•    Tape dispenser refills
•    Air fresheners
•    3×5 index cards
•    Radios
•    Pens
•    Old Crates
•    Collars
•    Leashes
If you have any of the above, please contact us at: petdonations@yahoo.com
We will pick up any of the above items that you can part with and will donate them to local shelters (MSPCA, Buddy Dog, ARL, Alliance for Animals)  in mid December.  THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!
Every little bit will help!

On Wednesday, October 21, 2009, at 7 p.m. at the Belmont Studio Cinema, 376 Trapelo Road, Belmont, the Friends of Betty and Dexter will show the award-winning documentary, Prison Pups, to help raise funds so that Elizabeth Smith MacKenzie of Watertown may obtain a new hearing assistance dog.

MacKenzie, a special needs teacher with the Cambridge public schools, will get her hearing assistance dog from NEADS (the National Education for Assistance Dog Services) Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans, the same organization that matched her with Dexter, her current hearing assistance dog. Dexter, who is ill, is over 12 years old and will retire soon.

MacKenzie explained that, “My dog works primarily for me, but also accompanies me to the classroom and sits for reading time, helps with counting and often comforts an upset child as needed. He has been an invaluable asset to the school room.”

NEADS, a Massachusetts non-profit, in 1976, pioneered the training of dogs to help people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, in the same manner as guide dogs assist the blind and people with limited vision. NEADS has now expanded its services to provide training for people with other disabilities also.

In 1998, NEADS began the Prison PUP Partnership in which inmates foster and train service dog puppies for the first year of the dogs’ training. The film, Prison Pups, tells the story of four inmates as they raise and train service dogs for the handicapped and hearing impaired at Concord Farm, Massachusetts, a minimum-security facility.

“Dexter, and before him, Chico,” MacKenzie said, “have been my ears for 25 years. They allow me to function independently at home, in the community and at work. They tell me the smoke alarm, teakettle, door knock, phone, etc. They do the same sounds at work, plus a different fire alarm. On the street they tell me if sirens are coming, and alert me to other environmental sounds that are above or below the sounds that my hearing aides can compensate for.”

She added: “My service dog allows independence in a way that gives me, a disabled person, control over my safety. Service dogs are more focused and reliable than any human companion. They are always available and willing to accompany me anywhere at any time.”

A donation of $25.00 for adults and $5.00 for students is requested for the screening. More information about NEADS may be viewed at http://www.neads. org/index. php.

Contributions for Betty may be made directly by going to:
http://www.neads. org/about_ us/client_ view.php? id=189

Copyright 2008 – 2012, Arlington Dog Owners Group, all rights reserved
Join the A-DOG group on Facebook, just for fun and to stick together!

If you’re not a member, please join A-DOG today!: Join A-DOG online or by mail, by clicking the appropriate link at the right of our webpage.  Annual memberships run from April 1 through March 31 of each calendar year.  However, if you join in the second half of the year (after Oct 1), don’t worry…your membership will be extended through the following calendar year (currently, 3/31/2013)!  With your new or renewal Full Membership, you will receive a gorgeous full color A-DOG bumper sticker!  (It looks like the logo banner at the top of our website.)  Thank-you to all our supporters! Read why our members support A-DOG here.

Show your A-DOG colors with high quality car magnets! Purchase your magnets using the link at the right or at Firefly Moon (Mass Ave, Arlington Heights).  Multi-pack savings are only available through our website at this time.

Thorndike Fenced Off-Leash Recreation Area (OLRA) is under construction!  As many of you already know, Arlington’s first fenced “dog park” is being built, thanks to a very generous donation from a private foundation.  It is being built essentially as planned by the Dog Park Task Force, and will be approximately 17,500 sq ft (about a half acre) in size, with a separate area for small dogs or “time outs”.  Thanks to the warm weather, construction seems to be advancing quickly.  We anticipate that it will be opening in Fall, 2012.  If you are interested in being part of a volunteer Friends group (made up of users and supporters) to help the Town maintain the Thorndike OLRA, please contact us to get your name on the list.

Higher fines for off-leash violations:  Town meeting voted last spring to increase fines for off leash violations and the Attorney General approved the bylaw change.  Depending on the number of infractions, they are now $75 to $200.  These are much higher than similar fines in many other MA communities (each one we’ve found was $50 or less). While we certainly encourage our members to comply with the new off-leash hours and to never let an out-of-control or aggressive dog off-leash, we also believe that these fines are excessive.  Please sign A-DOG member Wes Beal’s petition to tell our elected officials that we would appreciate their support for more reasonable fines.

Article 36 (2010) Implementation for Morning Off-Leash Hours — the program continues. In spring, 2010, Arlington Town Meeting passed a substitute motion sponsored by A-DOG Town Meeting Members. This bylaw change, now in effect for over a year, allows dogs off leash, under owner control, in parks under Parks and Recreation Commission authority. Certain areas are excluded, including parks right next to school buildings, near playground equipment, and any other site by exclusion of the Parks and Recreation Commission. See further details here.  As we told our members when the program began:  “A great step for responsible dog owners in Arlington!  Please continue to exercise and to encourage responsible practices, including honoring the legal morning hours.”  According to the available records, there have been few substantial complaints about the program and, after a successful public meeting last fall, the Park and Recreation Commission have supported its continuation. Originally, the Town Meeting Warrant Article establishing the off-leash recreation program was supported by Arlington’s Park and Recreation Commission, but not supported by a majority (4 out of 5) of the Board of Selectmen, as shown in this video of the Selectmen’s hearing . A-DOG continues to advocate for the continuation, and potential expansion, of this program (evening hours would require another Town Meeting vote) and urges you to stay in touch with your elected officials to continue to build Town support for responsible off-leash recreation.

A-DOG Car Magnets! A-DOG Full Members receive a gorgeous free A-DOG bumper sticker with their membership.  However, because many prefer not to stick something on their car, we have also had A-DOG Car Magnets made.  These are now available for $3 at Firefly Moon in Arlington Heights, a Friend of A-DOG local business that is donating all profits to A-DOG.  If you’d like a magnet, visit Firefly Moon or contact us to arrange it.

Shop A-DOG! At our A-DOG CafePress shop, you can order fun items such as bumper stickers, magnets and pet bowls imprinted with our logo! Please wear our products to show your support! Keep checking for new items and send us your suggestions. And, please patronize Friends of A-DOG businesses.

A-DOG Wine Party at Menotomy Beer and Wine! See photos here.

A-DOG Marched in the 2011 Arlington Patriot’s Day Parade! More information and photos are shown here.  We plan to participate next year so join us!

Help to Promote Responsible Off-Leash Recreation at Middlesex Fells. More information and details here

Arlington Speaks out for Off Leash Recreation! Arlington residents’ Letters to the Editor in support of responsible off-leash recreation, including the Article 36 Substitute Motion.  Letters here. Information on the Article 36 Substitute Motion here.

Newton Off Leash Park Abutters Fail in Attempt to Challenge its Legitimacy. A group of abutters to an off-leash recreational area in Newton claimed that the city had used federal funding inappropriately. Their attorney said: “It is my client’s position that conversion of Park use for the private and commercial exercise of domestic animals is not a public outdoor recreation use and requires the approval of the US Secretary of the Interior”. Read the article by Michele Biscoe of the Somerville Dog Owners Group.

Listen to the Radio Boston program “Is Boston Going to the Dogs?” aired on WBUR. If you like what you hear, send a contribution to WBUR and remind them of how much you appreciate such balanced and in-depth reporting. For the local perspective, read The Buzz Around Town, public comments on off-leash dogs. And, please add your own words in the “Comments” section.

MassDOG, a coalition of Dog Owner Groups (DOGs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. A-DOG is proud to be involved in the formation of a new coalition of groups like ours from across the state. By joining forces, we will be able to help one another to promote the interests of responsible dog owners in our own communities, and will work to help encourage more dog-friendly policies and facilities in our state parks. See the new MassDOG website, and sign up to receive the MassDOG Woof newsletter!  And, join the MassDOG group on Facebook!

A-DOG granted tax-exempt (501 (c)(3)) status. The IRS has ruled that A-DOG is a public charity that is tax exempt under Internal Revenue Code 501 (c)(3). Contributions to A-DOG, retroactive to May 8, 2008, including membership dues, should be tax deductible. (Always check with your tax professional to confirm.)

***************

PETITION!!
Arlington Residents: Sign our PETITION to help us to continue to demonstrate strong support for legal off-leash recreational options for responsible Arlington dog owners and their dogs. We believe that this petition helped us to gain off-leash morning recreation opportunities an also increased Town support for fenced dog parks, including the new one to be established at Thorndike Field. The Petition says:
“I hereby add my support to Arlington Dog Owners Group’s efforts to gain off-leash exercise and socialization options for dogs and their owners in Arlington. Specifically, I urge Arlington Town Meeting to amend the Bylaws to allow dogs off leash in parks across Arlington, under certain reasonable conditions and at certain reasonable times. In addition, I urge the Town of Arlington to act in a timely manner to establish legal off-leash recreational facilities such as the dog parks already allowed under current Bylaws. ”

Click HERE to access and sign the online petition. If you’d prefer to sign a paper option, contact us by email to arrange it. We have collected many signatures by ink beginning on Town Day and continuing with volunteer efforts. These lists are being merged together to present to Town Meeting and other town officials and employees. (So, you do not need to sign twice but, if you do, don’t worry..we will sort out the duplicates.)

And, please sign your full name, with a separate entry for each person. (If you prefer, you will be able to hide your name from public viewing on the website by choosing “anonymous”. ) Thanks!

***************************************************************************
THE A-DOG WEBSITE BELONGS TO ALL OF US — PLEASE CONTRIBUTE YOUR COMMENTS TO OUR CONTENT!

Welcome to our website! Please read our articles and enter comments wherever you’d like (there is a comment section after each article).

We recommend that you do not post your comments anonymously but that, instead, you sign your name. We believe that’s a nice way to encourage the most constructive dialog possible in our community. But, we are allowing pseudonyms since some people do feel more comfortable posting that way. The comments are moderated and we reserve the right to not publish comments for certain reasons. One reason would be that a valid email address was not provided by the person who posted the comment. (This email address is visible to the moderators but not to the public viewing the site.) If a comment seems particularly rude and disrespectful, we reserve the right not to publish it and will try to inform the author by email with a chance to revise it. We will, however, do our best to allow, and encourage, comments representing all points of view on issues of relevance to our articles.

We welcome submissions of articles on relevant topics. If you’d like to write an article for this website, please contact us at the email given below with your proposal. Unlike comments, however, we will not publish articles written under a “nom de plume”unless there is a good reason for the anonymity

Feel free to contact us at <arlingtondogowners@gmail.com> with questions, feedback, article proposals, or any other inquiry.

Have you ever wondered…

* How can I keep my dog safe when he/she plays with other dogs?
* What does normal dog play behavior look and sound like?
* What are the warning signs that two dogs might be about to fight?
* How do I deal with bullying behavior?
* How do I deal with resource guarding?
* How long should I stay at an off-leash area?
* What can I do BEFORE we meet other dogs to prepare my dog for a fun, safe play session?
* How can I teach my dog to be polite when greeting other dogs and people on-leash?
* What are ways we can build our training relationship?

Come learn the answers to these and many other questions at a dog behavior workshop sponsored by the Maynard Dog Owners Group (MayDOG) on Sunday, May 3, 1:30-3pm. The workshop will be facilitated by Gerilyn Bielakiewicz, CPDT, of Canine University. It will be held at the DOGS! Learning Center, Hudson, MA. The $60 workshop fee admits up to 2 people. A $10 discount is available if you sign up for our mailing list, and if you join MayDOG, the workshop is just $35. Pre-registration is required; register at our website or by calling 978-293-3371.

This workshop is a fundraiser for the Maynard Dog Owners Group (MayDOG), a 501c3 nonprofit community group in Maynard, MA. All proceeds will go toward our mission of promoting responsible dog ownership and building community through safe, legal off-leash recreation in the Maynard area.

We are also delighted to announce the first round of businesses offering discounts to our full members. These businesses, as well as other Friends of A-DOG who have generously donated professional services, goods, and/or funds to us, are listed on our Businesses page.