Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Monday, April 25, 2011

Benefits of an off-leash dog park

Provides a safe place for dogs - A dog park is a safe place for dogs to run off-lease without the concern of being hit by a car or other hazard.
Dogs need to run to stay healthy – Not many people can run with their dogs on a leash. Veterinarians tell us it’s important for their health.
Enhances community safety – dogs who have the opportunity to use dog parks become better socialized (more familiar and friendly with other dogs and people) thereby raising community safety in general.
Encourages by-law enforcement – for municipalities with by-laws requiring dogs to be leashed, an off-leash area encourages compliance by providing a legal alternative.
Lessens complaints –Well-exercised dogs are better neighbours who are less likely to create a nuisance, bark excessively and destroy property.
Social opportunity for dog owners - Dog parks are a great place for owners to meet other people with common interests. The love people share for their dogs reaches beyond economic and social barriers and helps to foster a sense of community.
Peer advice for dog behaviour - Dog owners can also benefit from the advice and peer support re: problems they might have with their dogs.
Reduces crime – The presence of owners and their dogs within a park may help to deter crime and vandalism in adjacent areas.
Protects wildlife – Exercised dogs are less likely to search out wildlife to chase.
Importance to seniors & disabled - the use of off-leash parks offers not only a social avenue, but also a safer way for those with mobility problems who find it very difficult to walk, much less exercise, a dog on lead.
A positive amenity for those considering a move to Gravenhurst – Canadians love their pets and pets are now being recognized for their physical and mental health benefits to their owners in addition to their traditional role as companions. Having a dog park will add to Gravenhurst’s list of attractions for those considering a move to the area.
Personal security - dogs provide a measure of security, both perceived and real, to single women and elderly or handicapped persons who most often fall victim to crime in parks.
A draw for people to visit the Town – other municipalities report that their dog parks are a draw for people to come to visit their town, and often these visits mean engaging in other activities while they are here.
A common request – Staff members at Gravenhurst Veterinary Services are repeatedly asked by cottagers and visitors for the location of the local dog park.
A popular park space for municipalities – Due to the incredible public response to dog parks, over 40 other Ontario municipalities have at least one dog park within their jurisdictions, many have multiple parks. Our neighbours to the south Orillia (and apparently Midland as well) are currently building their second dog park.

Amazing movie of Love dogs and dolphins

Friday, April 22, 2011

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Rangers in Cadi Park

Hi Everyone,

Tonight at about 5.00 pm 2 rangers were in Cadi park.

They said that a neighbour had complained about dogs off leash. Stella and Pat had their fierce animals off leash and were caught!

As you can see the offending people and animals are a real threat to our society.

This mess is caused by a bunch of people calling themselves “Pyrmont action group”.

Jan would be most upset if she saw what was happening at her bench.

If there is such a thing as a sacret site this is it.

We have to write individual letters to the council expressing our disappointment

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Dogs Living In the City

October 1, 2008, 7:24 am Provided by Your Pet Magazine pets

With more than 60 per cent of Australian households owning pets, demand for pet friendly apartment developments is growing. Your Pet Magazine visits two pet friendly developments that are being embraced by dog lovers.

Dogs

Urban sprawl, land scarcity and high-density living around transport and retail centres have changed our urban landscape forever. These elements, combined with an influx of cashed up baby boomers who are up-shifting' from the family home, are putting pressure on property developers and body corporate managers to cater for pets.
"The great cities of the world have pet friendly apartments, namely Paris, New York and London," says David Pradella, joint director of construction and property development company Pradella.
"These high-density cities have no choice but to build upwards. Brisbane is heading down the same path and pets need to be factored into the development equation."
David is a self-confessed animal lover whose personal passion is evident throughout his landmark Parklands developments overlooking Brisbane's Roma Street Parklands.
"The pet friendly policy across our five buildings in Parklands has certainly paid off with a number of residents bringing their much loved pet with them," David says.
"Many residents who moved into Pinnacle had downsized from homes or as I like to call it, up-shifted', for reasons including children leaving home and to be closer to their work.
"It's not surprising that many had the family dog or cat to take into consideration which can seriously impact on purchasing decisions.
"The pet business is worth billions to the Australian economy, indicating that pets play a major role in our society ... in fact Australians have one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world."
With his own dog Eddie, becoming well accustomed to apartment living after gaining approval to reside in a recently-purchased Gold Coast apartment, David says only a few new inner-city developments coming on stream in Brisbane could be considered pet friendly.
"Parklands success in the market is evident by the fact that of the 60 apartments in our landmark Pinnacle development, only 20 remain for sale," he says.
While there is a size limit for pets at Pinnacle of 10 kilograms and under, David says size alone does not automatically guarantee resident' status.
"Pets must be well behaved and not too noisy for the comfort of other residents," he adds.
Boo Brett has lived at Pinnacle since mid-2006 and couldn't be happier after the family moved from acreage at Fig Tree Pocket in Brisbane's western suburbs.
"We wouldn't have moved here if we couldn't bring Ellie, our much-loved five-year-old King Charles Cavalier Spaniel. The apartment is huge and Ellie has adapted very well," Boo says.
"She's actually lost weight due to three walks a day ... I'll walk her early in the morning and the children will take her for a couple more walks and a play when they get home from school.
"Apartment living suits Ellie down to the ground because she's quite lazy, and if she's not sitting on the lounge or one of the beds, she's out on the balcony with the family.
"Having the Roma Street Parklands on our doorstep is a major bonus."
It's not just the Brisbane climate and lifestyle that is driving dog-friendly developments. Almost 200 dogs live at Jacksons Landing, a harbour front community in Sydney's Pyrmont Point.
"While apartment-dwelling dogs and cats have been accepted in Europe and the US for some time, it is a relatively new concept in Australia," says Rob Deck, project director of Jacksons Landing, a prestigious waterfront development that encourages residents to keep pets.
"If developers disallow pets they're excluding a significant number of potential buyers."
Almost 200 dogs live at Jacksons Landing, which is located near Darling Harbour, and this fondness for pets is considered to be a factor in its sales success.
"We have advertising campaigns devoted to attracting residents with pets, setting us apart from most other developments in Sydney," Rob says.
Complete with ample open parkland, special doggy-do bins and even a handful of dog-sitters, four-legged friends are well catered for at the harbour front community. Residents have even formed a group called the Pyrmont Pooch Party', which meets regularly in Cadi Park - one of several parks within Jacksons Landing and one of the area's most popular dog-walking spots.
Resident and Pyrmont Pooch Party coordinator Gaye McLean says the adjoining parklands give dogs and their owners some exercise while providing a great opportunity for social interaction.
"The group also comprises Pyrmont residents from outside Jacksons Landing and we always run into each other when we're walking our dogs."
The first stage of another expansive waterfront park has recently been completed at Jacksons Landing, providing a myriad of new facilities and amenities for the public and providing a green, organic space for local residents to share with their children and their pets.
Despite catering to the needs of pets, it's not just the pooches that are enjoying the pampered lifestyle.
Rob says Jacksons Landing has attracted people who want a change of lifestyle; who like the idea of living close to the water, parkland and entertainment facilities; and who use the comprehensive transport systems to get to and from work.
"They like to be among the hum of the city while not always being confronted by it."
Pet friendly property developers are clearly meeting a market need, but to ensure people and pooches live happily together, responsible pet ownership is essential. This means cleaning up after your pooch; ensuring it gets plenty of exercise and stimulation to avoid boredom (which can lead to barking); and teaching your dog good manners and behaviour.
Things to look for in a pet friendly apartment:
- large safe balconies
- extensive tiling or floorboards throughout
- good insulation or soundproofing
- floor to ceiling windows so pets can look out
- interior doggy doors to allow freedom to move through the apartment
- close to dog-friendly parks and walking trails
- a pet friendly body corporate.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Puppy Love

Survey finds women prioritise dogs over partners
Four out of five give dogs more time and money
Owners spent almost $3.6 billion on dogs in 2009

FORGET a man's best friend, in Australia it's more like a woman's best friend and a man's worst enemy, a survey has found.

The PawClub.com.au survey of more than 80,000 dog owners revealed four out of five Australian women spend more on their dog than their partner.
But it's not just money, with 77 per cent of women surveyed saying their dog also wins more of their precious time.
Sunnybank's Tegan Bensley found this easy to believe.
She said her dog Banksy was her highest priority and got most of her spare time.
"I work 10 hours a day, but when I get home I devote my three hours before bed to spending time with Banksy," she said. Tegan said she also spent most of her spare money on Banksy.
"I buy him collars, leads, toys, food, treats and I also put $50 away each week to cover any unexpected medical costs," she said.

The Australian Companion Animal Council estimates dog owners spent almost $3.6 billion on their pooches in 2009, a whopping $850 million more than in 2005.
Tegan said owning a dog was a big commitment, and should be treated as such.
"I think having a dog is like having a child," she said.
Tegan said her female friends were just as dedicated to their dogs when it came to spare time and money.
"When it comes down to it, dogs need more time and money than partners do."
Survey results, which have been broken down by postcode, are available at pawclub.com.au

Interesting information for Pyrmont << Click to see

To see these results more clearly click on the heading above

Benefits of off-leash dog parks

Friday, April 08, 2011

Video - Sydney to trial portable urinals - The Sydney Morning Herald

Video - Sydney to trial portable urinals - The Sydney Morning Herald: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Pirrama Park needs these facilities as dog owners are fed up with Human droppings!

Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Just for licks ... Sarbi, an explosives detection dog with the Australian Army, shows her affection to a dog trainer, Corporal Adam Exelby, after receiving her Purple Cross. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen