July 10, 2008

Alderman Mary Ann Smith to Visit Puptown

Alderman Mary Ann Smith (48th Ward), will be at Puptown Tuesday, July 15, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. to discuss constituent concerns.

A member of DAWG, the Dog Advisory Work Group, will also attend with information on their programs, and information will be available about Puptown's fundraising efforts for park improvements. Hope to see you there!

July 09, 2008

P-DOG Meeting July 9

Tonight's quarterly P-DOG meeting has a full agenda. Below are some of the items for discussion:

- Membership
- Fundraising Events, including Howl-O-Ween and the Puptown Around-Town Trolley Tour
- Facilities: Park Improvements, Landscape Proposal and other safety concerns
- Organization and Bylaws

We're also expecting a couple of guests -- one from Wiggly Field and a local resident looking to develop a dog park off Montrose.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the Margate Field House and is open to everyone -- P-DOG members, Puptown supporters and our park neighbors!

June 22, 2008

Puptown T-Shirts - Join the Pack

Puptown_tshirt_small

We unveiled these t-shirts last month at the Puptown Membership Kick-Off, and they were such a hit we're making them available at every park clean-up.

The cost is only $15, and all proceeds benefit the park. Cash or check welcomed.

Just come by the park between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. on cleaning days -- every other Saturday -- and pick up a shirt in your size (extra love if you also pick up a rake!).

Upcoming summer cleaning dates include: June 28, July 12, July 26, Aug. 9, Aug. 23. For a full schedule through October, click here.

Not only does the logo make a hip statement, but the t-shirts are 100-percent organic cotton and the manufacturing is both socially and environmentally responsible.

June 19, 2008

Purina Awards Puptown $2,500 Grant for New Fencing

We're thrilled to announce that Purina Dog Chow has awarded Puptown Dog Owners Group a $2,500 grant to install a barrier to prevent small dogs and puppies from escaping through the fence.

Grant recipients will be announced in Times Square on the Reuters/NASDAQ Digital Tower Billboards between Thursday, June 19 at 5 a.m. CST and 1 a.m. Friday, June 20. You can watch online -- during or after the live broadcast.

Purina received dozens of proposals from dog park organizations across the United States. Purina said that Puptown, with its active membership, was one of the few that demonstrated an ability to responsibly designate the funds.

We are working with a landscaper to develop a solution that is both effective and consistent with the aesthetics of our beautiful city parks. Our proposal will then have to be reviewed and approved by the Park District. We will share the timeline with you as soon as we have it.

Want to learn more about the fencing and other Puptown projects? Come to the July 9 meeting at Margate Park field house at 7 p.m.

Dog Flu Arrives in Chicago

The first known cases of the "dog flu" (technically, canine influenza) have been reported in Chicago

Spacious dog parks like Puptown are not common places for contraction of the virus, which spreads most easily with large numbers of dogs in close quarters. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) notes that almost all cases have occured in "animal shelters, humane societies, rescue groups, pet stores, boarding kennels, and veterinary clinics."

But clearly the risk exists -- so we wanted to point to some solid information about the virus. The ASPCA and a nice, concise Q & A. For more detailed information, visit the AVMA's Public Health pages.

May 28, 2008

Raise a Glass to a Dog Park in Clarendon Park!

Clarendon Park Neighborhood Association hopes to designate a dog friendly area in Clarendon Park to do what Puptown has done for Uptown: enhance a sense of community, provide for the well-being of dogs and their guardians, and improve the safety of the park and surrounding neighborhood.

They're holding a benefit Friday, May 30, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Driftwood, a very cool dog friendly bar (1021 W. Montrose -- get directions). Suggested donation is $15. 

For more info, contact cpnassoc@gmail.com. And check out an active discussion on the dog park issue at Uptown Update.

May 21, 2008

Thank You and Welcome Members!

A big thanks to Soggy Paws and Lisa Collins of Collins Canine for helping to make our Membership Kick-Off a success! And a big welcome to our new members!

Our next Puptown meeting is July 9 -- we hope to see members there!

May 02, 2008

Join the Pack! Membership Kick-Off May 17

Puptown is celebrating its membership kick-off Saturday, May 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

We've got a bunch of fun, free activities planned:

• Dog Facials, featuring the Growl and Meow Foaming Face Wash

• Doggie Footprints (fingerpaint your pup's paw image!)

• Dog Park safety seminars

• Dog training sessions with Collins Canine

• Raffle prizes including Soggy Paws gift basket

Member donations from new and renewing members will support a "puppy guard" to keep our pups and small dogs from escaping through the fence.

No need to wait until May 17 to join -- click here to join or renew online now! Annual member donations are $30 and fully tax-deductible.

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