Paw Print News Bits
A publication of the Pensacola Dog Owners Association, Inc.
October 2006
***Note: with this newsletter is an attachment, enjoy it.***
We Love Dogs
Your Association: So, what's your Organization up to lately? We are working on lots of good things: pet friendly shelters, finding foster homes for dogs, keeping our off-leash dog parks clean, getting water in the small dog parks, extending the fence 30 feet into the water at the Dog Beach Park, building a walkway from the parking lot to the fresh water area at the Dog Beach Park, Rejuvenating the new brick program. getting ready for Barktoberfest (October 28th), working on the November program, getting ready for the Pensacola Christmas Parade, (December 9th), helping other dog Association's work to get an off-leash dog park, looking for volunteers, reuniting lost dogs with their owners, organizing a Disaster Animal Recovery Group (DART) in Escambia County, encouraging people to get their dogs and cats micro chipped for ID purposes, planning for next years events. As you can see, we are busy!
Thank you for your Support! To every one who attended the Association event in support of Pet Friendly Shelters during Disasters held September 23rd at Bayview Park, we want to say thanks! Also a huge debt of gratitude to our many volunteers, The Organizations that displayed and put information out on their projects and to Safe Harbor Animal Hospital, PetsMart, PetSupermarket, Petland, Central Bark Bakery, the Pelicans Baseball Team and many others for their donation of prizes. We owe our success to you all!
This newsletter will be shorter, visit our web site for the most current information: www.pensacoladogowners.org
While at our website, check out the message board. More and more people are using it for all of its good timely information.
Dog of the Month: Hi everyone, my name is Scooter and I
live with Jane and Randy Crower. I am from Ireland and they say I am a sitter,
but I never sit (I'm an Irish setter, get it?). I am just one happy dog.
I love it here in Pensacola. I go to the parks all the time and get to see all
my buddies and play. I love the water park most of all. Randy takes me for a walk
everyday, (or should I say I take Randy for a walk!). I am the one leading
and he picks up after me. Jane gets mad at Randy if he tries to leave the house
without a pickup bag. One day she told Randy that I could not go
with him if he did not have a poop bag. Randy understood, but he pouted all day
about it. When Jane takes me to the park she is always picking up things; you
would think she was the clean queen! I have the greatest life anyone could
wish for; good food, lots of love, good play pals and I live in a great city.
Volunteers and Dogs that
give so much to the Community: Frankie Van Horn is truly an asset to
this City and to dog and cat lovers everywhere. Frankie is the driving
force behind the Junior Humane Society. The organization was started
over eighteen years ago. The Jr. Humane Society goals were and still
are, " to teach compassion for all living creatures and to instill a respect
for the earth we share." What makes this organization stand out
is that they are a total volunteer driven organization, placing over 50 dog and
cats in permanent homes monthly. Week after week they can be seen at
PetsMart on Davis or at local events promoting adoption of dogs and
cats. The devotion to the welfare of dogs by the Jr. Humane Society is
remarkable. Remember no one gets paid; they do it for the love they have for
dogs and cats. The time they spend on these animals is overwhelming, but
rewarding especially when they put a smile on someone’s face with a
new dog or cat. For information on how you can help/volunteer call
Frankie Van Horn at: 968-3260
Barktoberfest: Saturday, October 28th, 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Seville Square. Fun for dogs of all ages; Contests for best Pet Photo, Best Trick, Cutest, Smallest and Largest Pet! There will be Dog Square Dancing and much, much more. So, get busy and come up with the best costume for your dog. While at the Barktoberfest, visit the Pensacola Dog Owner's Association's tent and pickup some treats for you and your dog.
What’s going on with Pet Friendly Shelters: September 21, 2006 -- The ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) hailed the passage of the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act, as a significant move in ensuring that the needs of those with pets and service animals are taken into account while planning for disasters and emergencies. The bill was passed by the House of Representatives in May and the Senate in August. Last night, the Senate amendment to the original House bill, which authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Authority (FEMA) to make financial contributions to local and state plans that factor the needs of those with pets and service animals into such planning, was unanimously approved in the House. The bill has been sent to President Bush for his signature into law. Now the American people know that in event of an emergency, they will not have to choose between their personal safety and that of their pets simply for lack of planning. By passing this bill, American legislators have shown that they are listening to their constituents, and acknowledge the importance of animals in our lives and the unique nature of the human-animal bond.
Warped Humor Version of Off
leash Dog Park Rules: As those of you who've been reading this newsletter for a
while may have noticed, we frequently remind people of the Off-Leash Dog Park Rules. Sometimes people just need a reminder, but it isn't uncommon
that we find people who have been using the dog parks for some time and still
don't know the rules. Maybe this version of the rules will prove more
memorable than the dry and humorless rules at each off-leash dog park entrance.
1. Pick up after your dog, lickety split, we don't want our shoes to get covered in... Offer people a bag, no one should slip by.
2. Leash your dog when you arrive at the park; Or the parking lot traffic may hear his last bark.
3. If you let your dog bully and make other dogs cry; get out, kiss the park goodbye.
4. If a smoker is throwing his butts on the ground; show him and his hound the gate!
5. Kids love to scream when they play; too bad some large dogs may mistake them for prey.
6. If your male dogs has not had the snip; then to the park try not to make a trip.
7. Coming to the park with female in season, proves you're completely lacking reason.
Pensacola City Parks and particularly the Off-Leash Dog Parks are wonderful, come, enjoy, have fun and follow the rules.
Make your pet the next pin
up and support a great cause! Do you think your pet is the cutest around or do you think you’ve
got the next Mr. October or Miss November? If so, enter your most
adorable picture in the “Paws and Purrs” 2007 Calendar contest. Don’t
miss this chance to guarantee your favorite animal companion a spot in the much
sought after "Jury-Duty 2007 calendar." Go to www.jury-duty.org
and download an entry form and mail it in with your $25.00 entry fee (deadline
for entry is September 30th). All entries will receive a free 2007
calendar and your pet is guaranteed a spot. Enter as many times as you
like. All proceeds go to Jury-Duty spay and neuter program.
Mark
your calendar for a huge dog event. Ft Walton Beach Dog Daze at The
Landing - September 30th, from 9:30 am until 4:30 pm. Bring your dog,
your family and friends for a great day of dog events, displays and
food. Check the Dog Daze website for more information www.fwbdogdaze.com
Foster Homes for
Dogs: We,
as are many other organization are in dire need of foster homes for
dogs. As a foster home you house a dog until a permanent home can be
found. It is a rewarding, needed function. Many dogs are given up
due to the owner's illness, divorce, medical problems or death. Sometimes
people aren't allowed to have a pet when they move. The reasons for owner
surrender are endless, but the bottom line is that these dogs need a temporary
foster home until they can find their "furever" homes!. Please, if
you have a yard, can spend a little time with a dog in need of fostering,
please let us know. Call 432-8323.
Dog Memorial Bricks: The new dog memorial brick program
kicks off October 1, 2006. If you haven't visited the Dog Walk of Fame
located at Bayview Park, you need to do so today. We are going to
extend the "Dog Walk of Fame", all the way to the street. So,
if your dog does not have a brick honoring, him or her, you have another
chance. To get your dogs memorial brick, go to info@pensacoladogowners.org and
request an application. What a great Christmas gift for a friend or
relative. 
New Scholarship Program: Starting, October 1, 2006, The Pensacola Dog Owners Association will
begin awarding scholarships to needy students. If your dog runs away when you
say come, if he/she eats furniture or if you think he/she has lost a few
marbles, then a scholarship to a dog training school may be just the
thing. Scholarships include all tuition and books. Write the Association a
letter and tell us about his/her problems and attach a photo. All requests for
scholarships must be received or postmarked by October 31st, 2006. The
Association Board will select the neediest candidates and award the
scholarships in December.
.
Humane Society Bath-in: A
clean dog is a happy dog. Don’t forget, your dog called and wants a
bath. The Humane Society will have a bath-in Saturday October 21th. No need to bring water,
or soap, they have everything needed. Volunteers that don't mind getting a
little wet and soapy are welcome. For more Information, call 432-4250.
Get ready for
Christmas in July: We still need owners and dogs to walk with us
in the Annual Pensacola Christmas Parade. This year you must be a member
of the Association to walk with us. Why? Because our insurance will not
cover you and your dog if you are not a member. Visit our web site to
sign up: www.info@pensacoladogowners.org
.
We need you!: Yes, we
need you to join the Pensacola Dog Owners Association. Only through a
strong membership can we achieve results in our many projects to help our
community be the best dog loving responsible city in America. Whether you own a
dog or you are simply a dog enthusiast who wants to help us achieve
our goals, you can join PDOA. Joining or renewing your membership is
easy: call 432-8323 
or go to www.pensacoladogowners.org and
using our secure website to register, or mail an application to us. We
accept cash, checks and all major credit cards. Memberships and donations
are tax deducible.
Suggestions: If you know a
way to improve the dog parks or our Association, please let us
know. We are always looking for ways to improve. Email us at: www.info@pensacoladogowners.org
Please feel free to give, post or show this as well as any other Association Newsletters/emails to friends, neighbors, coworkers or anyone you know. If you know a member or dog owner who does not have e-mail, make a copy for them. Copies are also posted on Off-leash dog park bulletin boards. Remember, this is OUR organization; it is community driven and community-oriented.
Thanks for your Support!
The Pensacola Dog Owners Association