Puptown

Howl-O-Ween Sponsors and Donors Announced

Don't forget to mark your calendar for the 8th annual Puptown Howl-O-Ween party and costume contest on Saturday, Oct. 18!

Pictured here is last year's winning canine duo: Mrs. O'Leary (in the bonnet) and her spotted cow.

In addition to prizes for the best canine costumes, there will be numerous raffle prizes -- including gift certificates to area restaurants and businesses and a grand prize of $300 -- plus a silent auction.

Also plan on plenty of tasty treats for dogs and their owners!

Festivities start at 2 p.m. Come join the fun -- and be sure to thank these great businesses and individuals for their support!

Sponsor: The Bark Bark Club 

Gift certificates and services provided by:
Restaurants
Andie's
Calo
Crew
DaVinci Group Restaurants
Fat Cat
Hama Matsu
Reza's
Tallulah
Tapas las Ramblas
Wilde Pug

Pet Supplies and Services
The Bark Bark Club
The Barking Lot
Blum Animal Hospital
Collins Canine Training
The Houndry
Integrative Pet Care
Loving Hands Dog Massage
Parkview Pet Supplies
Rogers Bark Pet Salon
Ruff Haus Pets
Sam and Willy's
Soggy Paws
US Bones

Etc.
Body Type Fashions
Cook Centers for Medical Skin Enhancement
City Olive
JS Cleaners
Lincoln Park - Primate House - Behind-the-Scenes Tour
MK Czerwiec - Original Lithograph of the “Bean”
River North Dance Company
The Field Museum
Uptown Car Wash
Windy City Adventure Boot Camp for Women
Yoga Now

Vote for Puptown!

If you love Puptown, or have other favorite dog-related services, go to Chicagoland Tails and place your vote!

Other categories include favorite dog walker, veterinarian, dog food, dog boutique, dog friendly bar/restaurant, and more. (Hey, we want to know about the bars and restaurants, too!).

If we're voted Chicago's best dog park, it can only help us with fundraising for improvements and community support. Thanks!

 

Support Fencing Along Lake Shore Drive

Puptown is collaborating with other community groups to appeal to the Park District to install protective fencing along Lake Shore Drive. Attached is the letter from the Puptown Dog Owners Group, and below is a report that John Lenti, P-DOG vice president, filed after attending a recent Park District budget hearing.

If you'd like to add your voice to the list of fence supporters, or if you have any questions, please email John at info@puptown.org. Thanks!

******

Puptown formally petitioned the park district earlier this month to prioritize the design of a landscape buffer where Margate Park abuts Lake Shore Drive as a capital expenditure for 2009. It was our first budget hearing, and it was very interesting. We were amazed at the human energy that was spent by all the various community groups.

Many groups appeared with t-shirts, illustration boards, testimonials ... it was a true sign of democracy in action. It is our hope that Puptown Dog Owners Group can one day be as organized. We will need to be more active in this process if we want to get some of our bigger projects realized.

We were equally impressed by how responsive the park district was in suggesting solutions and putting  groups together with the right contacts. We were referred to a fellow who is in charge of landscape improvements. We were assured that the park district will begin to work with us on getting this problem solved. It is just a beginning, but we left feeling that we had moved a boulder a few feet up the hill.

To date we have garnered the support of the following groups:

Puptown Dog Owner's Group
Lincoln Park Advisory Council
American Youth Soccer Organization
The Margate Park Garden Club
Hon. Mary Ann Smith

We especially owe Janis Taylor and Brian Loll from the Chicago Park District our thanks for their help in navigating us through this process.

If you would like to add your voice to this cause or if you have questions about it, please let us know at info@puptown.com.

Warm regards,
John Lenti
Volunteer, Puptown Dog Owners Group

Safety and Security for Pet Owners Living in Condos/Apartments: Seminar on Sept. 11

This just in: The Chicago Police Department CAPS Implementation Office is hosting a seminar Thursday, Sept. 11, on high rise safety and security for pet owners.

The event begins at 6 p.m. and takes place at the 20th Police District Police Station (5400 N. Lincoln Ave.).

Here's the invite:

The CAPS Implementation Office, along with other city agencies would like to invite you to attend a special forum designed to meet the unique needs of residents and their pets living in condominiums or other types of high-rise residential units.

Speakers will include representatives from 311/City Services, the Office of Emergency Management and Communications; along with animal care professionals who will offer Safety Tips for Pet Owners and Pet Care Providers.

Please contact Marty Cook at (312) 742-0963 or via e-mail to register your attendance.