Stop petting stranger's dogs - great article that should be read.

Stop petting stranger's dogs

Good Canine Citizens

Please, if you choose to use the larger Colonel Sam Smith park remember we must share the area with everyone, man and animals alike. That means making sure that your beloved pet does not jump on, chase or attack any other species in the park, nesting birds included. Bad behaviour is bad behaviour.  And if individuals do not ensure their dog behaves in public, then people talk of banning dogs in public places. We never like to hear that.

To reiterate what Mary Lou Leiher said;
 “We advocate for making sure your dog is a good canine citizen, which doesn’t include killing small animals in the park.”

The comments are based on this article in the Toronto Star on August 12, 2013.
Star Article about dogs at Sam Smith Park

Winter and Dark Nights

 I recently recieved this letter from a local resident, that I would like to share with you.
"We take our dog often to the park at Sam Smith, but now we get home too late and it is very dark.  During the summer I heard talk of indoor dog park in this area?"

After a quick search I did find info on an indoor venue located near Dixie and Dundas - but it was is paid venue. They also have a smaller facility in Port Credit. 

I think it would be nice if the Sam Smith park had lights- and I believe some of the Mississauga ones do. Jack Darling states it has lights so maybe it is a good choice until we can get lights in Sam Smith. Check out http://www.leashfreemississauga.com/  


In the mean time- I suggest that we contact our local councillor to ask about lights- as well as the promised trees and other features promised long ago.

Stay warm and safe this winter- and enjoy the dog play 
M 

Do you know this man?

Recently there was a tragic incident at the Colonel Sam Smith dog park. We ask if you know the owner or dog to report it to the police: 22 Division- Officer Purvis 416-808-2222

On July 15th around 8 or 9 pm a young woman entered the fenced dog run with her small 6lb Morkie. Upon entry, an uncollared greyhound dog, unprovoked, attacked the small dog. The young woman managed to separate the two dogs but the owner of the greyhound left as the woman called the Vet ER for aid, with no regard for the injured animal and the grieving owner. The seriously injured dog was taken by the young woman and a kind passerby to the local vet hospital where the dog unfortunately died of his injuries.

We are asking if anyone knows of a white male, mid 30's, with dirty blonde hair and stocky build who drives an older model (2002-04) burgundy Audi and has a tan greyhound with a scar on the back- to contact the police.  

22 Division- Officer Purvis, 416-808-2222

Or you can email me directly and I will forward the information. 

Unneutered Animals

For the record, unneutered animals are not allowed in the dog park. It is part of the city policy. If you notice an increase of these dogs and they are causing trouble you may want to call bylaw enforcement and have them come out –especially if there is a particular time that it is occurring. Another tactic is to mention to the owner, before there are issues, that the park is restricted to fixed animals,it makes it clear the park has rules before problems arise. Essentially the onus is on everyone- as park users- to keep the area safe.

Below is an excerpt of a letter that I recently received about the issue that highlights our concerns.

"We love the park, it's only 10 mins drive away from our house. Ever since this summer started, we have been going there early evenings around 8pm during the week. Our dog made many friends there, however, over the past couple of weeks or so we have noticed there are more and more unfixed dogs at the park. They pick fights and run around mounting other dogs. These are adult dogs, not puppies. We have been trying to avoid those dogs every time we were there, eg. we went to the opposite end from them, but the experience this evening was very frustrating and I decided to write this email to you.

This 18 month old Doberman Pitcher (uncastrated) kept coming after our young neutered dog, trying to dominate him, and our dog then fought back, and it kept escalating to a nasty level. The worse part was the owners being very irresponsible, they didn't call the dog over or do anything to get their dog off my dog, and I had to break up fights  many times.  We were at the opposite end, and the dog still kept coming at him. For the entire time at the park, I had to keep an eye on that dog, and every time it came near, I firmly corrected the dog and asked him to go away. This should not be my job, people who bring their dogs to the park should monitor their dogs!! It was a very frustrating night. I know my dog, he is always tense with unneutered dogs coming at him which is very normal. When I asked the owners of that Doberman why he is not fixed, they told me he is a show dog, which to me means he will NEVER be fixed.

Here is my question, should there be a rule against unfixed adult dogs in the park? It is very unfair for other dogs especially when there are some irresponsible owners involved. They bring so much negative energy to the park, and now I get nervous going to the park. If this keeps happening, someone will get hurt one day. " 

Signed: A nervous dog owner 

Grass.....

Well, just so you know I too was dismayed at the lenght of the grass surrounding the dog park, as well as the length inside the fence too. I had asked again several weeks back about having it cut, but was bumped to another staff member.

I decided to wait a little while to see if something would happen, and when I had finally decided to give up- lo and behold the grass was cut. That isn't to say I don't think it still looks dishevelled and abandoned but at least I can see the balls when Frida doesn't bring them back.

I am still waiting to hear about other park items like a notice board or wood chips for the wet days. Hopefully they call me before I finally give up and start call up the chain to get a reaction.

I would like to remind everyone about cigarette butts. Please do not throw them onto the very dry, long grass outside the fencing- I am afraid it will catch. And please do not drop them in the park- some of our furry friends don't have enough sense to not eat them.

Till next time,
  Enjoy the heat!

Spring is Here!

It is so nice to see the warm, wonderful weather back again for the season. Frida has sure enjoyed getting back out to the park and visiting with all her doggie friends. We hope everyone is having a great time and has managed to visit the park at least once in the last while.

I would like to say a hearty thanks to the folks who have been putting out mulch to keep down the mud, all at their own expense. I have asked the City about helping out, but so far I've had no response. Maybe Councillor Grimes can help us there?  hint, hint

Also on the wish list is a notice board. It has also been asked for, and again no word as yet. I would like to hear from the park-goers if they could be interested in contributing to a few amenities like a board and an umbrella. And how much are you willing to donate. Maybe we could even get corporate sponsors? Send me a message or make a comment to let me know.

As the snow has cleared, there have also been a few Timmie's Cups and other garbage left behind. I would like to remind everyone that we need to pickup after both ourselves and our dogs. As well, I would ask any smokers to wet your butts and dispose of them in the bins if possible. We all need to help keep the area safe and clean.

Have a safe and happy summer, and see you at the park.

Merry Christmas from Frida

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

A new friend

A hearty welcome to Ben and his friend Niki to our group. We always love a new addition. Ben tells me he loves to take Niki to the dog park so he can sniff and play while Niki huddles over a hot coffee with the other people. Now that its getting colder Ben should make sure Niki dresses warm!

Happy romping Ben!

Great Tale about Moving with Dogs

A friend sent me this link. I highly recommend it for anyone who needs a good laugh, or wants to know how to calm an anxious dog.

Dogs Don't Understand Basic Concepts Like Moving

Proposed Tree Planting at Dog Park

I received the following notice today about Colonel Samuel Smith Park off leash tree planting;

"As part of the Trees Across Toronto/Toronto Water tree planting program, Urban Forestry is proposing a naturalization planting adjacent to the dogs off leash area at Colonel Samuel Smith Park. I have attached the proposed planting plan. The proposed plan is intended to increase the urban forest canopy, increase habitat and biodiversity and reduce stormwater.
The planting is proposed for this Fall 2010 pending approvals and utility clearance.
The planting is on the perimeter as there are water tanks beneath the area."

I have also attached the drawing the shows the area concerned. If you have any questions please forward them directly to Councillor Mark Grimes office, Ward 6.

Col Sam Smith Planting Area

New Doggie Care in the Area

A local home is now taking care of our Dogs. See attached Flyer for details.
If you are interested also contact Jaime directly at 905-510-9057.

Doggy Daycare Flyer

Park Opening

Although at this point I have not confirmed it, the Councillor Grimes newsletter has announced the opening of the Colonel Sam Smith Dog Park on August 31, from 5-7pm. Apparently there is some sort of ceremony but at this point we have not been informed of the event. If we hear more we will post details on the blog. Hopefully we can find out something soon and let you all know more.

Hope to see you all there.
Maria

The Dog Talk Project

All are welcome to visit the Dog Talk Project to learn more about this project.
See below for details.

We would like to invite members of your dog group to participate in a new on-line survey research program involving dogs and their people. The Dog Talk Project is a web-based system of surveys that studies a wide range of dog-related topics, including dog owners’ daily activities and routines, dog health care practices, behavior and training, breed preferences and attitudes, the social effects of dogs, and nutrition and feeding practices. We currently are collecting data with seven surveys. Interesting results are regularly updated and posted on our “Results Pages” and are also being used for a book project and for several research studies.

Participation is free and is completely voluntary and is open to anyone who lives with and loves dogs! Participating dog owners have a wide variety of dog interests and professions, and include dog sports enthusiasts, professional trainers and behaviorists, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, breeders, shelter and rescue professionals, dog sitters/walkers, and of course, pet owners who simply love spending time with their canine companions!

Please feel welcome to visit the Dog Talk Project to learn more about this project. If you find Dog Talk to be of value, please invite your group’s members to join Dog Talk and share their dog-related experiences and knowledge.

Fencing is coming

I love the personal touch some of our park users have added. A bench under the only shade tree, a gate at the street side, and a 'Welcome' sign at the side. It really speaks to the good people and dogs who are enjoying the space.

In a recent conversation with the City I was told that fencing is coming. I am not sure what kind or how much exactly, but it is on its way. I was also assured that the City will supply us with proper benches and gating (not that the home made ones have not been well appreciated).

I was hoping for some feed back on other things we could add to make it more welcoming. The idea of some agility equipment and maybe a watering trough (preferably a facet) has been mentioned. Although the City will supply some things, we will need to have a fund raiser to add other items.

Please drop me an email or send me a note about ideas for the park and options for fund raising. I would love to hear your ideas. Maybe a summer meet and greet at the park for members - and others - with sponsorship from local pet stores and maybe a major supplier? Anyone have a connection?
LET ME KNOW!
and have a safe and happy summer.

Open invite to local Planning meeting

Dear Members of the Lakeshore community:

You are invited to attend Lakeshore's fourth Community Planning
Conference. This special event will take place on Saturday May 1st,
2010 at the 'New' Toronto Police College (70 Birmingham Street) from
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Keynote Speaker will be John Sewell, former Mayor of Toronto.

The Lakeshore is composed of a mosaic of community groups, businesses,
agencies and individuals. Come hear what these individuals and
community groups are doing to improve the Lakeshore, more importantly;
come tell us what is most important to you. What should we do to
improve the Lakeshore, what are your priorities, how do we make a
great community even better?

Participants will take part in discussion groups on various topics:
arts, heritage, environment, economic development, governance,
planning, parks, transportation, housing and community safety. The
discussion group titles are suggestions only, if you have a suggestion
for a better topic please let us know. The objective for the day is
to identify what makes a liveable community, and decide on at least a
strategy on how to move forward together.

We will provide breakfast, lunch and daycare. Come meet your
neighbours and help plan for an even more liveable community.

You can register for this conference:
a) visit our website at: www.lakeshoreforum.ca or,
b) call 416-252-9701 ext. 795

Please circulate this flyer to your neighbours and community group
members, everyone is welcome.

RSVP as soon as possible,

Carole & Andrea
Tel: 416-252-6471

Support Bill 222 NOW!

Re-printed from Speaking of Dogs Newsletter.

NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo is fighting to overturn the BSL that discriminates against our good “pit bull’’ friends – and any dog that may look like a “pit bull.’’

This form makes it very easy for you to register your support for Cheri. Just pick your MPP from a list and fill in your coordinates.
The sample is in the link. Sample Letter

The web site also contains valuable information.
More info here: Broadsides Blog

You Have a Voice!
You have the power to make a difference for those who can’t!


My Thoughts.
I think this is a great bill and hope that everyone takes the time to write you local MPP. In our area (Etobicoke-Lakeshore) it is Laurel Broten. Drop her a line and make you voice heard.
Maria

Open Letter about Coyotes

Recently a resident of New Toronto emailed me and said he frequently took his small dog to Sam Smith park. He mentioned that over the winter he'd heard reports that coyotes were in the park and also that coyotes had snatched or attacked dogs in other parts of Toronto.

As an animal lover, he was wondering wonder if they can be humanely trapped and transported somewhere up north? Because as he said it may only be a matter of time before a small dog is attacked in Sam Smith park.

So the question is how are other small-dog owners coping with this?
Is anyone else avoiding Sam Smith?

My Response;

According to the Toronto Wildlife Centre they say that most coyotes will not approach a human. I assume they mean that a small dog is not a target if they are on leash or with their owner. That being said, a coyote attacking a cat or small dog is completely within normal activity. I guess that means keep your dog on leash and your cats indoors if you are concerned. Essentially, they offer no other real solutions because as the website points out, wild animals are wild and as long as they pose no threat to humans they will not be trapped or removed from the park.

I hope that helps and all our dogs, big and small, stay safe.

Best of luck
Maria

Comments from our Members

It is always great to hear from our members- so feel feel to drop me a line and I'll try to post it for everyone to enjoy. Photos are also welcome.


From Ott's Mom 'n Dad

"Our first time @ the park today & we met some great owners and their Pets! Otto had a great time chasing his tennis ball w/o his owners worrying about the 'Federales' coming to take him away......Thank you to Maria and Jane for establishing this!. Jane - Tx for pointing out some of the sharp stuff (cans, etc) on the ground that we need to watch out for. Was hoping to meet Frida or Memphis. Maybe nxt time? Ott is sleeping like a log as I type this.... Till nxt time, Regards all."

Dogs and cats at risk as epidemic kills raccoons
Published On Thu Feb 18 2010
Raveena Aulakh Staff reporter

If you see a raccoon lying on a sidewalk in the middle of the day, call Toronto Animal Services – and keep your dog on a tight leash.
The animal is likely sick and dying, and could infect your pet with a lethal strain of distemper, an epidemic that has killed hundreds of raccoons and skunks in the GTA since May.
"It's not transferable to humans but there is definitely a high risk to unvaccinated cats and dogs," said Eletta Purdy, manager of Toronto Animal Services. "It's not rabies but it kills quickly."
Distemper is a potentially fatal viral disease similar to measles that affects animals, especially dogs. Puppies and older dogs are more susceptible to the disease, which is spread by food, water, body fluids and feces. Cats are not as susceptible.
Distemper hits dogs in two phases: initially, they experience vomiting and diarrhea, dehydration, excessive salivation, coughing and/or laboured breathing, loss of appetite, weight loss and even pneumonia.
If the animal survives, the virus winds up in the brain. "That's when you see the neurological signs," said Doug Campbell, a pathologist at the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre in Guelph.
"The dog will be wobbly on its feet, the teeth will be chattering."
While most dogs are vaccinated against distemper, if an unvaccinated dog gets infected, its chances of survival are still quite good, Campbell said.
"It's the raccoons and skunks who won't survive this flu."
The outbreak among skunks and raccoons started in the Etobicoke area in early spring last year, Purdy said.
"It is now moving to the south of the city and I anticipate it will move to the others parts of Toronto, too."
Smaller epidemics killed dozens of raccoons and skunks in the early 1990s, but this is one of the biggest and most widespread outbreaks, she added. "This strain has knocked out quite a few raccoons."
Animal Services hasn't compiled numbers yet to compare 2008 with 2009, but Purdy says there was a significant increase in the number of calls to pick up sick or dead raccoons and skunks last year.
Researchers don't yet know if it's a feline or canine distemper strain that is infecting the skunks and raccoons, but the disease has spread quickly because these wild animals range over wide areas.
"It could also be that a (sick) animal was transported from another area and it infected others," said Nathalie Karvon, executive director of the Toronto Wildlife Centre.
"It's hard to say how it spread, but it has killed hundreds every year," she said. How long an infected animal survives depends on its strength, she said.
While the city says it has seen a spike in the number of cases since last spring, Karvon said the new strain is at least four years old. "We've been battling it for a few years."
The wildlife centre, near the Downsview Airport, receives more than 30,000 calls every year concerning wild animals. Karvon couldn't say how many were related to raccoons and skunks.
Winters are tough on vermin scrounging for food, said Ralph Toninger, senior project manager with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.
The population of raccoons and skunks will take a hit, but it's nothing to worry about, said Toninger. Coyotes were hit by a mange outbreak some years ago and many died, he pointed out.
"But they will make a comeback," he said.