Dear A-DOG MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS,

Thank you for the support you’ve given A-DOG during our first 7 years! It is now time to renew your A-DOG membership, so that we can continue our mission. (And, to supporters who have not yet joined, please join us!)  Renewals are due April 1 of each membership year. A-DOG is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so your membership dues are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.  If you joined last year with our new 2-year option, you do not have to do a thing, of course!  If you accidentally “join” again, we will extend your membership another year and send you a new card.

JOINING AND RENEWAL IS EASY…

*** NEW DUES OPTION ***

You always have the option to join or renew for two years at $35. Or you can continue to renew for one year at $20.

Simply go to Join A-DOG or, if you prefer, print and mail our renewal form. You can renew as a full paid member or an associate member.

In May 2008, A-DOG was established with a mission that includes promoting responsible dog ownership and advocating for the rights and interests of Arlington dog owners.

A-DOG’s accomplishments include:

• Successful advocacy leading to off-leash recreational activities for dogs in Arlington where, when we were first founded, there were NO legal off-leash options. A-DOG’s advocacy resulted in: a new bylaw allowing off-leash morning hours in many Arlington parks; and a new fenced dog park at Thorndike Field
• Educational programs including on therapy dogs, canine first aid/CPR, and dog training and behavior, including “Dog Park Etiquette”
• Social events such as our annual “Whine and Wine” wine tasting party at Menotomy Beer and Wine
• Opportunities for our  members to participate in fun community events such as our Town Day booth and annual march, with our dogs, in the Arlington Patriots Day parade
• A monthly email newsletter, Wags and Tags, encouraging contributions from all our members and supporters!
• Friends of A-DOG businesses who offer discounts and promotions to our members

WHY JOIN A-DOG OR RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP?

“We need your support to continue to offer exciting educational and social programs.  The Town has recently hired a new K9 Recreation Activity Director, Daria Pannesi!  We look forward to working with Daria, our Animal Control Officer, Amanda Kennedy and others to bring new programs to Arlington dog owners and their supporters. Many dog owners would like a second fenced dog park in Arlington, since the first one has been so popular. And, unfortunately, there will always be pressure from opponents to return to restrictive leash laws.  So, we must continue our strong advocacy.

With your involvement and support, A-DOG can continue to carry out our mission, to keep Arlington a wonderful place for all of us, including our canine family members!”

YOUR  MEMBERSHIP IS CRUCIAL…………

Thank you in advance for your support,

A-DOG Membership Committee

For the second year in a row, A-DOG members and their dogs marched in the Arlington Patriot’s Day Parade!

Here are some photos (click on each for a larger view):

Arlington’s Board of Selectmen (BoS) held a final hearing on Article 24, to enable the Park and Recreation Commission (PRC) to establish off-leash hours from 6 pm to park closing. The Selectmen voted unanimously to support “no action” on this article at Town Meeting. Town Meeting may still pass this Article, but without support of the Selectmen. Without their support, it will be an uphill battle.

Article 24 Background

The proponents of Article 24, represented by its sponsor, one of us (M.H.), put forth a warrant article for the 2012 Town Meeting with the same wording as the 2010 Article 36, which allowed morning off-leash recreation hours. The proposed language of Article 24 would allow evening off-leash recreation on:  “lands under control of the Park and Recreation Commission except: A. those lands directly contiguous to school properties; B. within 15 feet of playground equipment; C. by specific exclusion of the Park and Recreation Commission.”

This language was recommended by PRC, and allows the PRC complete flexibility in establishing, modifying, or discontinuing off-leash hours to respond to evolving community needs. Proponents of Article 24 met with the PRC Chair before putting forth the article for approval and language and scheduled discussion with the full PRC shortly thereafter. Proponents also stated that they would not bring forth the Article if PRC didn’t feel the timing was appropriate or had any other reservations about implementing evening off-leash hours.

Procedural History

Warrant Article 24 was submitted to Town Warrant with the signatures of 10 registered Arlington residents, as required.

Feb 27, 2012: First BoS hearing on Article 24. PRC provided a short paragraph to BoS on the Article. The BoS decided to postpone consideration of this Article to allow the PRC more time to provide more detailed information. On Feb 27, members of the public, who had waited until after 9 pm, were not allowed to speak after the sponsoring proponent. It was our impression that we would be able to participate at the next hearing.

Mar 26, 2012: Second BoS hearing on Article 24: PRC provided a 2-page response to Article 24, indicating support for the Article. Again, the Article came up late on the Agenda, and the supporters of the Article waited past 9pm for an opportunity to talk. Again, the sponsoring proponent was allowed to speak, but the BoS refused to allow any other members of the public to speak saying “This isn’t a hearing” and “We already know what you’re going to say.”  The BoS unanimously voted “No Action” on Article 24.  See the video for the full discussion.
(A link to obtain the PRC’s 2-page memo and a link to a video of the hearing appear at the end of this article.)

In their memo to the BoS, the PRC also recognized the community interest in off-leash hours, and said the article, if passed, would be “very workable.” The memo anticipated a more limited number of parks, as compared to the morning hours, and perhaps seasonal restrictions.  But, as is appropriate, the PRC memo explained that specific details (e.g. which parks, which times of year) would not be determined until there was a transparent public input process, involving dog owners and other concerned users of each potential park. This was exactly the kind of process used to establish the morning off-leash hours, after the Article 36 substitute motion (with wording analogous to that shown above) passed at TM in 2010. Allowing discretion on off-leash recreation by a Park and Recreation Commission, or its equivalent, is in keeping with its typical role. For example, Brookline’s Green Dog Plan is allowed by a general bylaw that leaves the park-specific details, including the hours, to its Park and Recreation Commission.

Even though Article 36 passed in 2010, and had been supported by the PRC, the BoS had voted “no action” (4 to 1).  The passage of the Article at TM was very close, and we believe this was in part because of the lack of BoS support.

At the March 26 Hearing all five Selectmen were present, and each presented his or her reasons for voting  “no action.” Next to each objection are the arguments of Article 24 proponents, who would have raised these in response had we been given a chance to speak.

–        Too soon (Dunn, Rowe and LaCourt): Matter of personal opinion—has been 2 years since Article 36 passed, this one goes either way

–        Too much pressure on PRC (Rowe): PRC has indicated support, and did not tell Article 24 proponents that this was either too soon or too much pressure when asked.

–        Positive action not supported by PRC (Greeley): We disagree—memo indicates community need for evening hours, calls plan “workable”, and suggests acceptable wording for a motion

–        Plan not detailed enough (Mahon, Rowe): Plan is detailed exactly as Article 36, which PRC has implemented and considers a successful program. BoS seem not to trust their PRC with the responsibility to implement this program, as has been done in Arlington and other towns. In addition, having a more detailed plan in the bylaws would render evening hours less flexible, reduce discretion of PRC, and would require act of Town Meeting to change.

In addition, at the Feb 27 Hearing, this argument was also raised:

–        Warrant Article should be submitted by PRC, not by 10 Registered Voters: This argument is puzzling, at best. Arlington’s bylaws allow warrant articles to be submitted by the public, and indeed, every year many articles appear before TM that are submitted by 10 Registered Voters, on everything from leaf blowers to chickens.

While their reasons for voting “no action” were stated, at least one Selectman supported the idea of evening off-leash hours, and others were supportive of bringing the issue before Town Meeting.

The Selectmen have a practice of holding public hearings on Warrant Articles, but have not been consistent in allowing the public to speak, as was evident at the hearings that evening. We would have liked the opportunity to be heard on this issue. We note that, in addition, dozens of our members wrote letters in support of Article 24 to the BoS, but that there was no “correspondence received” for this Article as there often is for others.

Please watch the video of the final Article 24 BoS hearing and judge for yourself.
Also, see the PRC’s 2-page memo here

by A-DOG Members:

S. Doctrow (TMM, Pct 21), J. Goebel  (TMM (2008-2010), Pct 21), A. Goldstein (TMM, Pct 14), M. Henning (TMM, Pct 19), and R. Varghese

The photos above shows the site of Arlington’s new fenced dog park, taken in mid-April during construction. It was open in May, 2012 and is now very popular!  (thanks to Arlington resident Larry Krupp for sending us these photos — we will post more current photos of the open dog park soon!)

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Fenced dog parks in Arlington have been allowed by law since 2003, but have not yet been established.  At A-DOG’s request, the Town, through its Recreation Department and Park and Recreation Commission, formed a Dog Park Task Force, that began  meeting in 2009, with at least three fenced dog parks on it’s “wish list”.  Through a generous grant to Arlington from the Stanton Foundation, our first fenced dog park, at Thorndike Field in East Arlington, has become a reality!  Visit the dog park today with your well-socialized dog to enjoy the agility elements (tunnels and “dog walk”) and running and wrestling with new doggy buddies.  There is, also, a separate fenced area for small dogs, puppies, or others whose owners might choose to keep them away from the main action.

Below, we publish an article by Bette Yip, whose Arlington based business, Picture Perfect Pets, is a “Friend of A-DOG”. Bette described how the dog park would be coming soon to Arlington, and how we can all work together to make it a success!  (This was originally published as her “Weekly Yip” column in the Arlington Patch).

As Bette points out, A-DOG has organized a Friends of Thorndike Dog Park group of users and supporters. Contact A-DOG to learn more.

Facebook users: Join our Friends of Thorndike Dog Park page!

For regulations and other information please see the Arlington Recreation Department website. Comments and suggestions may be directed to Joe Connelly, Director of Recreation via the Town site.

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Arlington’s First Fenced Dog Park

Here are some ways you can help to make it a success for our town.

by Bette Yip

For as long as I’ve been an Arlington business owner, there has been talk about the possibility of a fenced dog park one day being built in our town. In fact, Town Meeting voted to allow fenced dog parks in 2003, I was reminded when I recently sat down to discuss our current dog park situation with Sue Doctrow of the Arlington Dog Owners Group (A-DOG) who is also a member of Arlington’s Dog Park Task Force. Still, at times, the notion of a fenced dog park in Arlington has felt more like a fantasy than a possibility. Now, almost a decade after Town Meeting voted to allow fenced dog parks in Arlington, that’s all about to change. Thorndike Dog Park is currently under construction, and is expected to open sometime this spring.

The road leading to this point has been long. Doctrow explained that Arlington established The Dog Park Task Force in 2010 to identify potential sites, designs & costs for fenced dog parks in town. Last year, a generous donation from the Stanton Foundation made construction of our first dog park a reality. Considering what a struggle it’s been to get this fenced dog park, it’s all the more critical that we all do our part to ensure its success.

Here are some ways dog owners can help:

• Know your dog, and be realistic about whether a fenced-dog park is the right socialization and exercise option for your particular dog. Some dogs love to play with other dogs in groups. Others prefer long walks with their humans in places where they may encounter and briefly socialize with a variety of other dogs, but probably wouldn’t linger long to frolic as a pack. Still others prefer the company of humans and do better when kept away from areas where unleashed dogs might approach them. If your dog might not play well with others in a fenced dog-park, a different type of recreation might be a better and safer fit.
• Familiarize yourself with and obey the posted rules. The town and the Dog Park Task Force are in the process of finalizing the rules which will be clearly posted once the park opens.
• Learn to read canine body language. When a dog asks another dog for space but doesn’t get it, trouble could erupt. Dogs use intricate and subtle body language to communicate with one another. If you know what you’re looking for, you can read the conversation among dogs, and better anticipate when you should intervene in their interactions to prevent scuffles. There are a number of great resources available on this subject. Two I like are a DVD set from Sarah Kalnajs called The Language of Dogs and a book by Robin K. Bennett & Susan Briggs called Off-Leash Dog Play : a Complete Guide to Safety and Fun. As I looked up links to these resources, I came across another promising book with good reviews titled Visiting the Dog Park : Having Fun, Staying Safe by Cheryl Smith.
• Brush up on your dog’s training. “Come when called” is perhaps the most critical skill to work on. I also find these additional cues very useful: Red Light/Green Light (meaning stop and focus on me/now you’re free to frolic), Leave It, Sit/Freeze and Down/Freeze (Freeze is my version of Stay).
• Contact A-DOG about joining Friends of Thorndike Dog Park. This is a group for users and other supporters of the dog park. It will work with the town to set fundraising goals, organize volunteer efforts, etc. to ensure the long-term success of the park.

It’s so exciting to think that our first dog park will probably be open within a matter of months! This will be a big boost to quality of life for many Arlington dogs and their owners. I have high hopes that park visitors will rise to the responsibility this amazing new privilege brings.

Everybody had a great time at the A-DOG Wine Tasting Party at Menotomy Beer and Wine (80 Broadway St., Arlington) on the evening of June 15. Thanks so much to all the organizers, especially Roslyn and Ann Smith and Susan Ruderman. And, many thanks to Menotomy Beer and Wine, a Friend of A-DOG for hosting the event for A-DOG members and their dogs! Drawing prizes were donated by several A-DOG members and by Lakota Bakery, Arlington Heights. Delicious refreshments were donated by our hosts. Members brought dog food to be donated to Pound Hounds, to help feed shelter dogs. Don’t forget, members, when you buy your wine at Menotomy Beer and Wine tell them you’re with A-DOG and 5% will be donated to A-DOG.

On our membership form, we ask our members why they choose to support A-DOG. You can add your own reasons in the Comments section!

If you sent us a comment on your membership form, and don’t see it here, let us know.  We might have missed it our you might not have checked “Yes” for permission to quote.  But, we want everybody to be included who wants to be!

Here, with their permission, is what our members are saying:

2015:

“Just moved to Arlington, A-DOG seems like a great group!”

Carly and Matt C., Arlington

2014:

“LOVE that there is an organization here in town advocating for dogs and dog owners. The off leash opportunities to socialize our 4 legged family members is so important, I hope that there will be more all around town someday.”

Melanie C. and Ed W., Arlington

“I assume this is a good way to stay informed on all dog related happenings in/around Arlington.”

Jessica G., Arlington

“I think it’s great that there’s a group in town for dog-owners, given that there are so many of us and lots of issues that go with. Maybe I’ll learn something and have opportunities to give and receive support!”

Suzy and Chris N., Arlington

“Great program at Robbins Library last night!”

Jess W. and Gabi T., Arlington

“To support and promote quality of life for dogs and their owners.”

Eileen O., Arlington

“Because I love my dog and am happy there is a group in town to support and connect dog owners.”

— Jennifer J., Arlington

“I support A-Dog to support the our dogs, who are an important part of our community.  I especially want to advocate for access to green space for our dogs.  Thanks!…”

— Dorothy H., Arlington

“I have been coming to the dog park since I first got my puppy (a little less than a year ago). Great place, great dogs, and nice responsible dog owners.  I wish we had a dog park in Lexington.”

— Sean and Donald M., Lexington

“As Roger Caras, former president of the ASPCA says, “Dogs are not our whole lives, but make our lives whole.” Companion animals bring so much to a community as well as to a home, and I proudly support organizations such as A-DOG that foster community activism on behalf of our companion animals, as well as support responsible canine caretaking (I don’t like to say “pet ownership”). 

A huge step would be to work with Arlington landlords on allowing people to rent with dogs. When my partner and I moved here from Somerville two years ago, we were able to find exactly one — ONE! — apartment (in our price range … there are very expensive ones available) here in Arlington that would accept a dog.”

— Janice Z. and Rob K., Arlington

2013:

” I love my dog, Cozmo, and I’m a new resident of Arlington.  I moved to this town from Boston, which is a surprisingly un-dog-friendly city.  It would be nice to be connected to events and opportunities to have fun w Cozmo while making it possible to better the well being of others’ furry friends!”

Lindsey Z., Arlington 

“Our company fetch(.) is a family and locally owned and operated labor of love.  We’ve been in business in Somerville, Cambridge and Arlington for two years and have a growing list of clients who use and love the Thorndike Off-Leash Rec Area.  We take our own pup, Gracie, the Frenchie there as well and would really love to become more integrated in what we see as one of the most involved, responsible, and hard-working canine communities around.”

Mel R. and Michelle B., Somerville 

“I respect what A-DOG has done to improve awareness of dog training and the responsibilities of canine ownership. I’m interested in programs like Me & My Dog fitness course; also potentially interested in agility training and competition. I have a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, born Nov. 9, 2012.”

Charlotte P., Arlington

“I [went] to the Dog Park meeting the other night and was impressed.”

Dianne S., Arlington

“My husband and I are excited to be new home owners in Arlington and now new puppy owners as well! We look forward to meeting other dog lovers in the community and socializing our good little girl, Penny with her new dog neighbors.”

Joanna H., Arlington

“I am a brand new dog owner and thrilled to find this group.  I feel like I was just invited into a new world with new rules, as a dog owner.  I have had cats for years (and love them dearly) but this dog world is far more social and complex!!”

Sonia and Jean-Francois H., Arlington

“I’m a life-long dog lover and a newish dog owner to Maisie, a mischievous Scottish Terrier who will be one year old in May.”

— Margaret P. and Wilbur K., Arlington 

“New resident to Arlington, excited to see the dog park efforts and community!”

— Melissa and Bohdar H., Arlington

“I’ve been hoping to join ever since I received your first mailing……Especially recently, in support of the Thorndike dog park, I hope to include our voice in the importance of our dogs in our community. They are family in our household. I look forward to maintaining a membership with A-Dog. Thanks for the opportunity Joan.”

— Melanie C. and Ed W., Arlington

“I like receiving the A-Dog email updates, and especially appreciate  the work done to enact and support the …..offleash program in Arlington (of which I benefit).  Also, I do not think the dog park at Thorndike would have become a reality without the dedication of A-dog members.  It is projects like the dog park that emphasize how useful an association like A-Dog is.  Thanks for all that you do.”

— Gayle N., Arlington

“Thank you for the work you do for pet owners in Arlington. There is power with solidarity.”   — Janet D., Arlington

” LOVE off-leash hours at Turkey Hill.
HATE neighbors who don’t pick up after their dogs ……(and who give the rest of us a bad name)
Wish to support legal off-leash alternatives for those of us who obey the law!”                      –Ruth S., Arlington

“A-DOG brought off leash hours to Arlington, which is a life-changing difference for me and my dogs.  A-DOG continues to advocate for dogs and their people and works to enhance the human-dog relationship in Arlington.”
— Ellen D., Arlington

“I appreciate the work A-DOG and its members have done on behalf of dog owners in Arlington to help establish off-leash hours in our town parks and through its activities attracting the support needed to fund and build the Thorndike Off-leash Recreation Area.  There is still much work that needs to be done to help address additional needs for off-leash recreation for those that are unable to use the morning hours.”                                             — Robin V., Arlington

2008 – 2012:

“I have been reading a lot about dogs, about their need for early socialization, how much better they do when they have good training and time to be off-leash. I see so many people treating their dogs badly and I want to support responsible ownership. I’m getting a dog very soon and I’m happy that there is now a dog-park and many places that are dog friendly.”

Christine A., Arlington

“We love our dog and our community!”

Allison and Andy S., Arlington 

 “Thanks for all the things you do for all the dogs and dog owners here in Arlington.”

— Cris S.C. and Manuel M., Arlington

“We just got our little mini-schnauzer puppy and would like to know about different events and activities for dogs in the area. We would also like to have her socialize with other dogs.”

— Julie S. and Dustin T., Arlington

“We are moving to Arlington in July and have a dog.  We’ve heard it’s been a struggle to allow off leash and other basic dog enjoyment regulations to proceed.  We love the new dog park!”

— David V. and Sarah R., Arlington

“I’d like to think that Arlington is a dog friendly place but haven’t always felt that way in the few years I’ve lived here.  That’s why it’s heartening to see organizations like A-Dog which support dog ownership.  I just lost Winston, one of my dogs, and as painful as that is, I’d like to do as much as I can to support other dogs and dog owners.  I know he would have liked that.”

— Deborah G., Arlington 

“Among other things, we are looking for a community that understands the bond between members of a human/canine family……” 

— Brett G. and Deborah F., Arlington

 “Dogs do so much for us, it’s nice if we can give them good places to play off leash with their friends!”

— Pamela S., Medford

“We just adopted a rescue dog, and would love to give him a chance to run around outside in a fenced in area, off leash.”

— Angela and David S., Arlington

“Five or more days a week my friends and our dogs enjoy an off-leash romp at Turkey Hill.  Thank you for making this possible and legal.”

— Ruth S., Arlington

“The off-leash hours that A-DOG helped establish has created a nice community of neighbors at our local park, in addition to making our dog more sociable and better behaved.  We’ve changed our morning routine to be a part of this community.”

— Amy G. and Doug G., Arlington

“I really appreciate the value of dogs in our lives and how to establish “rights” and environments to meet their needs to just be DOGS!”

Ellen C., Arlington

“We love Arlington and love our dog.  We want to support ways to enjoy both!”

–Heather and David A., Arlington 

“The off leash hours are life-changing. I so appreciate the advocacy for dogs and their people. The leadership is sophisticated and strategic–needed when issues are charged.”

— Ellen D., Arlington

“You all do such a great job supporting dogs and their families in arlington!!”

— Michele S., Arlington

“for all of the hard work and persistence in getting off leash hours passed and keeping us informed about dog related town-wide concerns”

— Louisa B., Arlington

“I am excited to learn more about the possibility of a dog park in Arlington!”

— Margaret M., Arlington

“We support A-DOG because we enjoy being able to enjoy the parks with our dog Estella during off leash hours and think it’s important that this continue to be allowed.”

— Dustin and Ellen T., Arlington

“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

The Board of Selectmen recommended that town meeting vote in favor of the Green Dog plan this year. This represented a tremendous show of support by two Selectmen (Ms. Annie LaCourt and Mr. Kevin Greeley), who added their votes to the positive vote of Green Dog plan co-creator Selectman Clarissa Rowe. However, when the Article was debated at Town Meeting (May 13), it was defeated by 5 votes. See a video on the TM session, including TMMs speaking for and against at the break here. While incredibly close, it still did not pass, which means that there are still no legal off leash exercise options in Arlington. As many of you know, there were quite a few Selectmen’s meetings on the Green Dog Plan and other dog-related warrant articles. Many of our members, as well as other proponents, have attended and spoken, along with opponents, in these meetings. Insightful comments by member Everett Shorey are published below. Several letters to the editor and letters sent to the Selectmen are reprinted here. Our Petition, with over 600 signatures, was presented to TM members and the Selectmen. If you haven’t already signed it, please sign it and ask other Arlington residents to sign it as well. We will continue to update the signature list, and will use it as we continue the drive for legal off leash opportunities for responsible dog owners in Arlington. (More history of the Green Dog plan is given in the article below . Contact us (arlingtondogowners@gmail.com) with any questions about the process, including those about Town Meeting.)

Our beautiful new logo was designed for us by A-DOG member and graphic artist Lisa Berasi. Our gratitude to Lisa and to her dog Alfredo who, we’re sure, helped to inspire her!

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.

(Left to right) Commissioner Kathleen Dennehy, Bristol County Sheriff’s office volunteers Deputy Robert Clavin, Major Laura Brook and Deputy Paul Douglas, with Shine, Superintendent Lynn Bissonnette, and film maker Alice Bouvrie (all photos by Roslyn Smith)

by Sue Doctrow on behalf of A-DOG board

A-DOG’s screening of Prison Pups on May 22 at the Regent was a great success, with over 150 humans, and a few lovely service dogs, coming out on a rainy evening to join us. We were able to raise funds for our organization, as well as to enable A-DOG to send a contribution to NEADS. In addition, we believe that several attendees were so moved by the film that they made private contributions to NEADS with the envelopes provided on site. (For those who haven’t read the previous May, 2008 post on this, please do so to learn more, but here is a summary. NEADS is a Princeton, MA based organization dedicated to training dogs to assist the disabled and hearing impaired. Prison Pups is an award winning documentary film that follows four inmates of a local minimum security prison as they participate in a program to train dogs in basic obedience in preparation for their advancement through the NEADS training program.)

We want to thank our special guests who volunteered their time to make this evening the success that it was. None of this would have been possible without the generosity of Arlington film maker Alice Bouvrie, who not only shared her film with us, but also participated in a very informative discussion with the audience and other guests. We’re also most grateful to Kathleen Dennehy, former Correction Commissioner of Massachusetts, for her truly riveting talk introducing the film and describing how the training program benefits not only the clients who will receive these NEADS service dogs, but also the inmates themselves who found so much satisfaction through their work, and the bonds they formed, with their canine charges. These themes were echoed by the remarks of Lynn Bissonnette, MCI Framingham Superintendent who described her own experiences with the challenges and benefits of this program. We also are most grateful to volunteers from the Bristol County Sheriff’s office who made the long trip from North Dartmouth to appear and provide their own insights, and to introduce us to the beautiful yellow lab Shine. These include Major Laura Brook, administrator of the women’s unit, and K9 Officers Deputy Paul Douglas and Deputy Robert Clavin. There were other volunteers in the audience, including those who brought NEADS dogs in training. If anybody can identify volunteers that we’ve not named, please do so in the comments section so that they can be properly acknowledged.

In addition, we are most grateful to the businesses who so generously donated gifts for our door prizes. These are, in no particular order: Go-Play (Arlington), Starbucks (Arlington Heights), Lakota Bakery (Arlington Heights), Animal Spirit (Cambridge), Trader Joe’s (Arlington Heights), Dogma and Catma Too! (Somerville), AcmeCouture handcrafted doggy apparel (Lincoln), and Bonprise Designs handcrafted jewelry (Arlington). We thank the Regent Theatre, too, for making their venue and their friendly staff available to us at a nonprofit discount.

We thank our A-DOG family member, Michael Ruderman, for serving — with his usual poise and wit — as our Master of Ceremonies. We are very grateful to our sister organization SomDog of Somerville, for helping us to promote the screening. We have so appreciated the advice and encouragement of SomDog’s Lisa McFarren and were delighted to see Lisa and her husband Justin at the event. And, finally, we thank all of you who attended our screening and appreciate your interest in this topic and your support of A-DOG and NEADS.

Several people have told us that they were unable to attend this screening, but that they’d love to see Prison Pups. The A-DOG board has voted to buy the licensed copy of the film to sponsor future showings at smaller community sites, perhaps in collaboration with dogowners organizations in other communities. Stay tuned for announcements of these events!

We’re sponsoring the Arlington premiere of Prison Pups, a film by Arlington resident Alice Dungan Bouvrie, on May 22, at 7:30 p.m. at the Regent Theatre. Prison Pups is a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the life of four inmates at New England Correctional Center, a minimum-security facility in Concord, as they raise and train assistance dogs for the NEADS (Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans) program based in Princeton, Mass.

By taking on the responsibility of caring for a puppy, the inmates develop self-confidence and the capacity for nurturing and affection. This film, produced in cooperation with WGBH, won Best Documentary Award and has been the official selection at several other festivals.

In addition to a Q&A session with Ms. Bouvrie, the event will include an introduction by Kathleen M. Dennehy, the first woman appointed Commissioner of Correction in Massachusetts. Ms. Dennehy, who served from 2004 to 2007, has been called by one politician, “the best corrections official in the country.” Ms. Dennehy is currently a corrections consultant and is enrolled in a doctoral program in social policy at Brandeis University.

Also available for questions at the event will be Superintendent Lynn Bissonnette of MCI-Framingham who appears in Prison Pups and was instrumental in bringing the prison dog program to Massachusetts. Prison Pups is a natural choice for A-DOG to showcase because the film echoes the group’s guiding principle that relationships with dogs and other companion animals have numerous benefits to individuals of all ages, and to the community at large.

Tickets are available in advance for $8 from the Regent Theatre box office at 7 Medford Street in Arlington Center (call 781-646-4849 or visit their website) or at the door May 22. Proceeds will benefit A-DOG and NEADS.

Arlington Dog Owners Group, or A-DOG, was organized by a group of concerned dogowners and friends to address issues around dogs and people in Arlington, MA. We incorporated as a new not-for-profit organization in the spring, 2008.

Our guiding principles are:

• Relationships with dogs and other companion animals have numerous benefits to individuals of all ages, and to the community at large.
• With dog ownership comes responsibility, not only to promote the health and welfare of one’s dog, but also to ensure that one’s dog does not adversely affect the safety of others.

A-DOG’s mission includes:

• Advocating for the rights and interests of Arlington dog owners.
• Promoting responsible dog ownership, emphasizing respect for the rights and interests of neighbors and the community and the welfare of our companion animals.
• Educating the community about dog behavior and other factors influencing canine-human interactions.
• Working to promote safe, healthy recreational venues for dogs on- and off-leash in Arlington, enabling responsible dog owners to exercise and socialize their dogs.

Please join us in our inaugural year! Click here for a form that can be printed and mailed to us.

Founding directors: Susan R. Doctrow and Susan C. Ruderman (co-Presidents); Andrew Fischer; MaryAnna Foskett; Brenda Kokubo; Carrie Moore; Mary Mangan; Ann Smith; Roslyn Smith; and Judy Weinberg

Copyright 2008 – 2009, Arlington Dog Owners Group, all rights reserved