Please disregard, the meeting was canceled

To the group:

I was contacted by Nicole from Brian Gibons office.

he's the attorney for Leonia.

Only Susan and myself are on the list to be contacted.

I insisted that we all be included.

There is a meeting to discuss the Mr and Mrs Wright issue.

6pm

12/30

Leonia Annex

I believe we should have a large turn out

of well spoken,

behaved and thoughtful people

That leaves me out

David Shapiro
DPS53@aol.com

The Leonia Municipal Annex is located 305 Beechwood Place. It is on the corner of Broad Avenue and Beechwood Place. Behind the sculpture garden.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Leonia&state=NJ&address=305+Beechwood+Pl&zipcode=07605-1712&country=US&latitude=40.863519&longitude=-73.986483&geocode=ADDRESS

15 Homemade Holiday Pet Treats: ‘Bone-afide’ Christmas Recipes for Fido & Fluffy

With the holidays right around the corner, many people are scouring the crowded stores in hopes of finding those last-minute gifts, busy wrapping presents and/or preparing for that big holiday meal. But in the hustle-and-bustle of a busy and hectic holiday season, many folks overlook other valued members of the family – our furry, four-legged friends.

Whether your family consists of a Fluffy or a Fido, it’s important to remember our beloved pets during the holidays too! And you don’t need to spend a fortune either. Why not whip up a batch of homemade pet treats that are safe to eat and guaranteed to be tail-waggin’ “bone-afide” hits? Grab a few of your favorite holiday cookie cutters and you are on your way to being the cat's meow and the top dog in your house!

While the holidays can hold additional hazards and dangers for our furry friends such as tinsel, certain table scraps and poisonous plants, it is important to remember certain ingredients humans consume can cause serious illness or can be deadly to pets!

Recipes for Homemade Holiday Doggy Treats

• Gourmutt Holiday Peanut Butter Treats – This simple recipe sounds dog-gone good! You’ll need molasses, natural peanut butter and oil! There is also another recipe for ChristmasCarob Mint Dog Cookies too!
• Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Dog Treats – This top-rated recipe calls for canned pumpkin, peanut butter and ground cinnamon.
• Peanut Butter Slice and Bake Biscuits – Besides smooth peanut butter, this recipe also calls for whole wheat flour, molasses, wheat germ and shredded dried beef for the topping.
• Holiday Peanut Butter Bites – Speaking of peanut butter…
• Christmas Cheese-a-licious Cookies – You’ll need low-fat Cheddar cheese, low-fat cottage cheese, whole wheat flour and canola oil. I’d skip the nuts since some nuts can cause serious upsets in pets.
• Homemade Dog Biscuits – This recipe, from Martha Stewart, has gotten some hair-raising reviews! You’ll need wheat germ, brewer’s yeast, low-sodium chicken stock and all-purpose flour for this one.
• Dog Christmas Cake Recipe – This recipe calls for wheat germ, whole wheat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, molasses, canola oil, vanilla extract, an apple and 2 eggs.
• Christmas Dog Treats – Just in case Fido is watching his waistline, this minty recipe is low in fat and low in calories! You’ll need whole wheat and unbleached flour, oats, bran, dry milk, dry yeast, spearmint leaves or peppermint extract, applesauce, spinach powder or green food coloring.
• Gingerbread Bones – You’ll need all-purpose and whole wheat flour, molasses, canola oil and ginger, cinnamon and cloves for this recipe.

http://www.examiner.com/article/15-homemade-holiday-pet-treats-bone-afide-christmas-recipes-for-fido-fluffy

Making sure our canine companions have a health and happy holiday.

We don't need any surprises when it comes to health and welfare of our companions. Here is some suggestions from the American Kennel Club on how to keep our pets safe during the holidays.

DOGS AND HOLIDAYS

Thanksgiving

• Turkey bones can pose a choking hazard for dogs. Do not give turkey bones to your dog.
• Keep an eye on the holiday table and secure leftovers and garbage to prevent your dog from foraging among the holiday foods.

Christmas

• Holly, mistletoe and poinsettia plants are poisonous to dogs. Make sure they are kept in places your dog cannot reach.
• Do not put lights on the lower branches of your tree. They may get very hot and burn your dog.
• Watch out for electrical cords. Pets often try to chew them and get badly shocked or electrocuted. Place them out of reach.
• Avoid glass ornaments, which break easily and may cut a dog's feet or mouth.
• Do not use edible ornaments, or cranberry or popcorn strings. Your dog may knock the tree over in an attempt to reach them.
• Keep other ornaments off the lower branches; if your dog chews or eats an ornament, he can be made sick by the materials or paint.
• Both live and artificial tree needles are sharp and indigestible. Keep your tree blocked off (with a playpen or other "fence") or in a room that is not accessible to your dog.
• Tinsel can be dangerous for dogs. It may obstruct circulation and, if swallowed, block the intestines.
• Keep burning candles on high tables or mantels, out of the way of your dog's wagging tail.
• Review canine holiday gifts for safety. Small plastic toys or bones may pose choking hazards.
• Your dog may want to investigate wrapped packages; keep them out of reach.

Winter Care for Canines

General Concern

Winter's cold air brings many concerns for responsible dog owners. Keep the following precautions in mind:

• Don't leave your dog outside in the cold for long periods of time. Wind chill makes days colder than actual temperature readings. Be attentive to your dog's body temperature, and limit its time outdoors.
• Adequate shelter is a necessity. Keep your dog warm, dry and away from drafts. Tiles and uncarpeted areas may become extremely cold, so make sure to place blankets and pads on floors in these areas.
• Be extra careful when walking or playing with your dog near frozen lakes, rivers or ponds. Your dog could slip or jump in and get seriously injured.
• Groom your dog regularly. Your dog needs a well-groomed coat to keep properly insulated. Short- or coarse-haired dogs may get extra cold, so consider a sweater or coat. Long-haired dogs should have excess hair around the toes and foot pads trimmed to ease snow removal and cleaning. If you do the trimming, take care not to cut the pads or other delicate area of the foot.
• Feed your dog additional calories if it spends a lot of time outdoors or is a working animal. It takes more energy in the winter to keep body temperature regulated, so additional calories are necessary.
• Towel or blow-dry your dog if it gets wet from rain or snow. It is important to dry and clean its paws, too. This helps avoid tiny cuts and cracked pads. A little petroleum jelly may soften the pads and prevent further cracking.
• Don't leave your dog alone in a car without proper precautions. If the car engine is left on, the carbon monoxide will endanger your dog's life. If the engine is off, the temperature in the car will get too cold.

Health Tips

Dogs cannot talk to us when they are sick. As a responsible dog owner, it is important to pay special attention to your dog's well-being during the winter season. Remember the following health concerns:

• Antifreeze, which often collects on driveways and roadways, is highly poisonous. Although it smells and tastes good to your dog, it can be lethal.
• Rock salt, used to melt ice on sidewalks, may irritate footpads. Be sure to rinse and dry your dog's feet after a walk.
• Provide plenty of fresh water. Your dog is just as likely to get dehydrated in the winter as in the summer. Snow is not a satisfactory substitute for water.
• Frostbite is your dog's winter hazard. To prevent frostbite on its ears, tail and feet, don't leave your dog outdoors for too long.
• Be very careful of supplemental heat sources. Fireplaces and portable heaters can severely burn your dog. Make sure all fireplaces have screens, and keep portable heaters out of reach.
• Like people, dogs seem to be more susceptible to illness in the winter. Take your dog to a veterinarian if you see any suspicious symptoms.
• Don't use over-the-counter medications on your dog without consulting a veterinarian.

Holiday Safeguards

The winter season brings lots of fun holiday festivities, but pet-owners should keep in mind the following special precautions:

• The holidays are not ideal for introducing a pet into your family. New puppies and dogs require extra attention and a stable environment, which the holiday season doesn't permit. Also, a puppy is not a toy or gift that can be returned. Instead, the AKC suggests giving a gift representative of the dog to come, such as a toy, a leash, or a bed.
• Holly, mistletoe and poinsettia plants are pet poisons! Make sure they are kept in places your dog cannot reach.
• Review holiday gifts for dogs to make sure they are safe. Items such as plastic toys and small rawhide sticks may be dangerous.
• Remove holiday lights from lower branches of your tree. They may get very hot and burn dogs.
• Watch out for electrical cords. Pets often try to chew them and may get badly shocked or electrocuted. Place wires out of reach.
• Avoid using glass ornaments. They break easily and may cut a dog's feet and mouth.
• Refrain from using edible ornaments. Your dog may knock the tree over in an attempt to eat them. Also, commercial ornaments may contain paint or toxins in the preservatives.
• Whether your tree is live or artificial, both kinds of needles are sharp and indigestible. Don't leave your dog unattended in the room with the tree.
• Tinsel is dangerous for dogs. It may obstruct circulation and, if swallowed, block the intestines.
• Alcohol and chocolate are toxic for dogs, even in small amounts. Keep unhealthy, sweet treats and seasonal goodies out of reach.
• The holiday season is a stressful time for dogs. Try to keep a normal schedule during all the excitement.

Winter Care for Canines

WINTER CARE FOR CANINES

General Concerns

Winter's cold air brings many concerns for responsible dog owners. Keep the following precautions in mind:

• Don't leave your dog outside in the cold for long periods of time. Wind chill makes days colder than actual temperature readings. Be attentive to your dog's body temperature, and limit its time outdoors.
• Adequate shelter is a necessity. Keep your dog warm, dry and away from drafts. Tiles and uncarpeted areas may become extremely cold, so make sure to place blankets and pads on floors in these areas.
• Be extra careful when walking or playing with your dog near frozen lakes, rivers or ponds. Your dog could slip or jump in and get seriously injured.
• Groom your dog regularly. Your dog needs a well-groomed coat to keep properly insulated. Short- or coarse-haired dogs may get extra cold, so consider a sweater or coat. Long-haired dogs should have excess hair around the toes and foot pads trimmed to ease snow removal and cleaning. If you do the trimming, take care not to cut the pads or other delicate area of the foot.
• Feed your dog additional calories if it spends a lot of time outdoors or is a working animal. It takes more energy in the winter to keep body temperature regulated, so additional calories are necessary.
• Towel or blow-dry your dog if it gets wet from rain or snow. It is important to dry and clean its paws, too. This helps avoid tiny cuts and cracked pads. A little petroleum jelly may soften the pads and prevent further cracking.
• Don't leave your dog alone in a car without proper precautions. If the car engine is left on, the carbon monoxide will endanger your dog's life. If the engine is off, the temperature in the car will get too cold.

Health Tips

Dogs cannot talk to us when they are sick. As a responsible dog owner, it is important to pay special attention to your dog's well-being during the winter season. Remember the following health concerns:

• Antifreeze, which often collects on driveways and roadways, is highly poisonous. Although it smells and tastes good to your dog, it can be lethal.
• Rock salt, used to melt ice on sidewalks, may irritate footpads. Be sure to rinse and dry your dog's feet after a walk.
• Provide plenty of fresh water. Your dog is just as likely to get dehydrated in the winter as in the summer. Snow is not a satisfactory substitute for water.
• Frostbite is your dog's winter hazard. To prevent frostbite on its ears, tail and feet, don't leave your dog outdoors for too long.
• Be very careful of supplemental heat sources. Fireplaces and portable heaters can severely burn your dog. Make sure all fireplaces have screens, and keep portable heaters out of reach.
• Like people, dogs seem to be more susceptible to illness in the winter. Take your dog to a veterinarian if you see any suspicious symptoms.
• Don't use over-the-counter medications on your dog without consulting a veterinarian.

Holiday Safeguards

The winter season brings lots of fun holiday festivities, but pet-owners should keep in mind the following special precautions:

• The holidays are not ideal for introducing a pet into your family. New puppies and dogs require extra attention and a stable environment, which the holiday season doesn't permit. Also, a puppy is not a toy or gift that can be returned. Instead, the AKC suggests giving a gift representative of the dog to come, such as a toy, a leash, or a bed.
• Holly, mistletoe and poinsettia plants are pet poisons! Make sure they are kept in places your dog cannot reach.
• Review holiday gifts for dogs to make sure they are safe. Items such as plastic toys and small rawhide sticks may be dangerous.
• Remove holiday lights from lower branches of your tree. They may get very hot and burn dogs.
• Watch out for electrical cords. Pets often try to chew them and may get badly shocked or electrocuted. Place wires out of reach.
• Avoid using glass ornaments. They break easily and may cut a dog's feet and mouth.
• Refrain from using edible ornaments. Your dog may knock the tree over in an attempt to eat them. Also, commercial ornaments may contain paint or toxins in the preservatives.
• Whether your tree is live or artificial, both kinds of needles are sharp and indigestible. Don't leave your dog unattended in the room with the tree.
• Tinsel is dangerous for dogs. It may obstruct circulation and, if swallowed, block the intestines.
• Alcohol and chocolate are toxic for dogs, even in small amounts. Keep unhealthy, sweet treats and seasonal goodies out of reach.
• The holiday season is a stressful time for dogs. Try to keep a normal schedule during all the excitement.

Reprinted from

http://www.akc.org/public_education/winter_care.cfm

Thanksgiving Treats for our four footed pals.

Published on ASPCA (http://www.aspca.org)

Home > Pass the Pumpkin Pie—Thanksgiving Treats for Pets!

---

Pass the Pumpkin Pie—Thanksgiving Treats for Pets!

Publication Date: 

Tuesday, November 19, 2013 - 16:00

Image: 

thanksgiving-safety-tips.jpg

As you gather around the table this Thanksgiving and give thanks for good food and good friends, don't forget the furry members of the family. Check out these easy-to-make, festive treats for your pets.
Pumpkin Pie Stuffing
1/2 cup canned or freshly cooked pureed pumpkin
1/2 cup yogurt or cottage cheese (only use plain)
1/2 cup cooked oatmeal
2 tablespoons low-fat graham cracker
• Put a spoonful of cooked oatmeal at the bottom of a Kong or other toy to seal the small hole.
• Put two spoonfuls of pumpkin into the toy. Follow with a spoonful of yogurt or cottage cheese.
• Repeat, layering the pumpkin and yogurt or cottage cheese until the toy is almost full. Then cram a few pieces of graham cracker into the end of the toy. Serve warm or frozen.
Pumpkin Pie Cookies (for cats and dogs!)
2 cups rice flour
1/2 cup oatmeal
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup grated carrots
1/2 cup unsweetened plain applesauce
1/4 flour for rolling
• In a food processor blend carrots, applesauce and pumpkin until smooth.
• Mix rice flour and oatmeal in a bowl.
• Add wet ingredients to the dry and mix gently until dough forms.
• On a floured breadboard place dough and roll out to about 1/4 inch in thickness.
• Use cookie cutter to cut out little cookies.
• Place cookies on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for seven minutes.
• Flip treats over and cook for five more minutes. Remove from oven and cool thoroughly.
Special Note
Remember, these recipes are treats and should not replace your pet’s regular meals. Please check with your veterinarian if your pet has special dietary needs or food allergies.

Tags: 

Holiday

Pet Care

---

Source URL: http://www.aspca.org/blog/pass-pumpkin-pie-thanksgiving-treats-pets

Here's a link from Arthur, sleeping pets.
I bet you can catch your companion doing something cute. Just email the clip or picture to me at Leoniadog@gmail.com and I will post it here on the blog for all to enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?feature=player_embedded&v=VRgQaOOZRo4

Barry

Homemade treats

Thank you Audrey and Trooper for giving this recipe a wag of the tail.

 

A little something for the Leonia Dog blog:

http://www.petguide.com/health/dog/carrot-and-banana-dog-cupcake-recipe/

....just in case anyone spoils their dog as much as I spoil Trooper!  :)

Cheers, 

Audrey

Cupcakes are awesome! They are cute little cakes that are just the right size. And there’s no reason why our dogs can’t enjoy a pupcake when the occasion calls for one. That’s why I’m sharing this Carrot and Banana Dog Cupcake Recipe. There’s some carrot and banana – healthy fruits and veggies that are good for our dogs. And a little something sweet – that would be the honey and apple sauce. And you don’t need a special occasion to make these pupcakes. We think that any day of the week calls for cupcakes!

Carrot and Banana Dog Cupcake Recipe

Makes 24 cupcakes

Ingredients

2 cups water

1 cup unsweetened applesauce

2 carrots, grated

1 egg

2 Tbs honey

2 ripe bananas, mashed

4 cups whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp cinnamon

Icing Ingredients

¾ cup cream cheese

2 Tbs peanut butter

2 Tbs honey

Cupcake Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F (180C).
2. In a large bowl, mix together water, carrots, apple sauce, egg, and honey. Once mixed together, add the mashed bananas.
3. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and cinnamon.
4. Combine dry and wet mixture and mix thoroughly.
5. Spoon into cupcake tins (lined with cupcake papers) about ¾ full. Handy tip: Spray inside the paper liner with a bit on non-stick spray (Pam) or lightly coat with butter. Otherwise the cupcake will stick to the liner. I learned this the hard way.
6. Bake for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre of a cupcake comes out clean.
7. Cool cupcakes on rack before frosting.
8. Frost pupcakes, if desired.

Icing Directions

1. Beat cream cheese, peanut butter and honey until smooth.
2. When cupcakes are cooled, ice with mixture.

PLEASE PICK UP THE POOP!

Hello Everyone,

At this time of year with all the leaves on the ground it becomes even more important that you keep your eyes open when our companions are relieving themselves.

If we do not pick up their droppings right away the leaves quickly make it almost impossible to find; until someone steps into it.

Part of our pledge to the town when they gave us the use of the park for off leash hours, was that we would keep the park free of excrement. Please if you see another owner's dog doing his business, let them know. If you see something already on the ground, help us all, and pick it up.

Thank you all for your diligence in this matter.

Sunset times for November 2013

November 2013
Leonia, New Jersey, USA
Latitude, Longitude: 40 51.7' N, 73 59.5' W     Time zone: -5:00 (Eastern)     DST observance: North America

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
					1 Sunrise: 7:26am Sunset: 5:53pm	2 Sunrise: 7:27am Sunset: 5:52pm
3 DST Ends Sunrise: 6:29am Sunset: 4:50pm New Moon: 7:51am	4 Sunrise: 6:30am Sunset: 4:49pm	5 Sunrise: 6:31am Sunset: 4:48pm	6 Sunrise: 6:32am Sunset: 4:47pm	7 Sunrise: 6:33am Sunset: 4:46pm	8 Sunrise: 6:35am Sunset: 4:45pm	9 Sunrise: 6:36am Sunset: 4:44pm
10 Sunrise: 6:37am Sunset: 4:43pm First Qtr: 12:58am	11 Sunrise: 6:38am Sunset: 4:42pm	12 Sunrise: 6:39am Sunset: 4:41pm	13 Sunrise: 6:40am Sunset: 4:40pm	14 Sunrise: 6:42am Sunset: 4:39pm	15 Sunrise: 6:43am Sunset: 4:38pm	16 Sunrise: 6:44am Sunset: 4:37pm
17 Sunrise: 6:45am Sunset: 4:37pm Full Moon: 10:17am	18 Sunrise: 6:46am Sunset: 4:36pm	19 Sunrise: 6:48am Sunset: 4:35pm	20 Sunrise: 6:49am Sunset: 4:34pm	21 Sunrise: 6:50am Sunset: 4:34pm	22 Sunrise: 6:51am Sunset: 4:33pm	23 Sunrise: 6:52am Sunset: 4:32pm
24 Sunrise: 6:53am Sunset: 4:32pm	25 Sunrise: 6:54am Sunset: 4:31pm Last Qtr: 2:29pm	26 Sunrise: 6:55am Sunset: 4:31pm	27 Sunrise: 6:57am Sunset: 4:30pm	28 Sunrise: 6:58am Sunset: 4:30pm	29 Sunrise: 6:59am Sunset: 4:30pm	30 Sunrise: 7:00am Sunset: 4:29pm

Latitude and longitude are not for navigational purposes.

Courtesy of www.SunriseSunset.com Copyright © 2013 Steve Edwards. All rights reserved.

How a dog wags its tail may say a lot -- to other dogs

Megan GannonLiveScience

15 hours ago

Michelle Parks

Is that pooch a lefty or a righty? The direction its tag wags has plenty of meaning, a new study has found.

Tail wagging could convey more meaning among dogs than previously thought.
Dogs have different emotional responses to their peers depending on the direction of a tail-wag, a new study found. Seeing a fellow dog swing its tail to the right keeps canines relaxed, while a wag to the left side of the dog's body seems to induce stress, the researchers say.
For their study, a group of researchers recruited 43 pet dogs of various breeds. The animals were outfitted with a vest that monitored their heart rates, and they were shown videos of other dogs either wagging their tails to the left or to the right. [7 Surprising Health Benefits of Dog Ownership]
The pets that watched left-side tail wagging behaved more anxiously and their heart rate sped up, the researchers said, while the dogs that watched one of their peers wag their tail to the right stayed cool; they even began to approach the dog on the screen, suggesting they saw the right-side wagging as a signal of companionship, the researchers said.
But right-left tail wags may not be a form of secret dog language, the researchers say. They think the direction of tail wagging — and other dogs' responses to it — could arise from automatic responses rooted in the different hemispheres of the canine brain.
Just like the left and right sides of the brain in humans are thought to control different emotions and behaviors, the direction of wagging might match hemispheric activation, explained study researcher Giorgio Vallortigara of the Center for Mind/Brain Sciences of the University of Trento in Italy.
"In other words, a dog looking to a dog wagging with a bias to the right side — and thus showing left-hemisphere activation as if it was experiencing some sort of positive/approach response — would also produce relaxed responses," Vallortigara said in a statement.
"In contrast, a dog looking to a dog wagging with a bias to the left — and thus showing right-hemisphere activation as if it was experiencing some sort of negative/withdrawal response — would also produce anxious and targeting responses as well as increased cardiac frequency," Vallortigara added. "That is amazing, I think."
Vallortigara and colleagues say understanding these responses could help improve dog welfare, and perhaps even help develop new strategies to keep them calm at the vet.
The research was detailed Thursday in the journal Current Biology.
Follow Megan Gannon on Twitter and Google+. Follow us @livescience, Facebook and Google+. Original article on LiveScience.

FDA proposes strict new safety rules for animal food

From NBC News this morning;

http://www.nbcnews.com/health/fda-proposes-strict-new-safety-rules-animal-food-8C11462915

FDA proposes strict new safety rules for animal food

JoNel AlecciaNBC News

Food produced for domestic pets and other animals will have to follow strict new standards under a proposed rule issued Friday by the Food and Drug Administration.2 hours ago

The new regulation, part of the FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act, would require for the first time that companies that make pet food and animal feed follow good manufacturing practices that encompass basic issues such as sanitation and hazard analysis.
“We have been pushing feed safety for a number of years,” said Daniel McChesney, director of the office of surveillance and compliance at the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine. “It’s not, ‘Oh, we’re just making food for animals.’ They’re the first part of the food chain. We're a part of the overall food industry.”
The new rules will be open for public comment for 120 days, and would be adopted as law within 60 days after the comment period closes.
They would apply to all domestic and imported animal food, including pet food, pet treats, animal feed, and the raw ingredients that make those products.
That means, for instance, that the producers of chicken, corn and sweet potato jerky treats made in China and blamed for the deaths of 600 pets and illnesses in about 3,600, will have to meet strict new requirements before their products can be sold, officials said.
FDA has always had rules in place that prohibit adulterants in pet food. That’s why the agency has issued company-initiated recalls for salmonella-tainted bird food, for instance, or dog food contaminated with aflatoxin, a naturally occurring mold by-product.
But, until now, there’s been no requirement that companies analyze the potential food safety hazards of their products or that they follow current good manufacturing practices, or CGMPs, that specifically address animal food.
“We’re not starting completely from scratch,” said Michael Taylor, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for Foods and Veterinary Medicine. “What’s important is that FDA take a comprehensive approach to food safety that covers the food supply comprehensively.”
The challenge for firms that produce animal foods and pet products will be in meeting the deadlines for compliance, McChesney said. Times will vary according to the size of an operation, with small and very small businesses being allowed more leeway.
The FDA will hold three public meetings in November and December to seek input on the proposed rule.

LeoniaDog Database

One of my goals with this blog was to create a database of all the dogs that come to the park. This database would make it easy for the authorities to reunite dogs that have become separated from their owners. Through out my tenure as custodian of LeoniaDog, LDog, I have been asked many times to assist in locating the owners of a dog that has been found strolling through Leonia unattended.

It is my hope with LeoniaDog maintaining a complete databases of owners and their dogs we will be able to reunite the wayward canine with their frantic owner. 

By clicking on this link;  Dog Owner's Information Form

and filling it in, we will have the necessary information to assist in reuniting you with your loved ones.

Barry 

Reasons for Dog Treat Deaths Remain a Mystery, FDA Says

This was a story on NBC news yesterday. The topic of these jerky treats has come up before. I thought you would like to see that the FDA is still working on it.

The FDA is still investigating a mystery illness linked to pet jerky treats that has killed almost 600 dogs and sickened over 3,000 more.

The treats in question are sold as jerky tenders or strips made of chicken, duck, sweet potatoes and dried fruit and have been linked to Chinese manufacturers, according to the FDA.

Despite rigorous testing, U.S. officials cannot find the reason the foods are causing symptoms as severe as kidney failure, gastrointestinal bleeding and urinary issues.

"This is one of the most elusive and mysterious outbreaks we've encountered," Center for Veterinary Medicine Director Bernadette Dunham said in the FDA release. "Our beloved four-legged companions deserve our best effort, and we are giving it."

With no known leads as to what is causing the sickness, the FDA is asking consumers to be wary when feeding pets treats.

Owners are also encouraged to reduce the amount of dog treats given to pets because "treats are a treat" and not a "necessary part of a fully-balanced diet," according to an FDA consumer fact sheet.

Since 2011, more than 1,200 treats have been tested for contaminants known to cause symptoms and illnesses reported in pets including salmonella, metals, pesticides and antibiotics. Trace amounts of antibiotics have been found on some treats but they are negligible according to the FDA and likely not a cause for the mystery illness.

Hoping to prevent future cases, some retailers launched self-imposed recalls in January due to the antibiotic residue found on treats. While the FDA claims the antibiotics are not an issue, recalls on brands like Nestle Purina Pet Care Co's Waggin Train and Del Monte's Milo's Kitchen Chicken Jerky have had positive effects none the less.

The recall has put fewer treats on the market which may be part of the reason under 400 jerky-related illness cases have been reported in 2013, the first notable decline since the link between illness and the treats was made in 2007.

The FDA has also inspected the facilities in China that produce the jerky treats in question but, like the lab tests, no cause of illness could be identified. Now, the organization is launching an investigation into the ingredient supply chain with regulators in China.

An effected pet is likely to display symptoms such as decreased appetite, decreased activity, vomiting, diarrhea and increased urination that, if untreated, could lead to death.

The problem has mainly impacted dogs but ten cats have also fallen ill. No cat deaths have been reported to date.

Effects of deforestation

Global warming is one thing, but see below and look at what might happen if we continue to clear our

forests. We have to stop cutting down trees before it’s too late!

Thanks David Shapiro for the levity.

Somethings should just be seen and not commented on.

Arthur sent this link.
Somethings just need to be seen. Words just don't have a place.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/13/jerk-cats-love-stealing-dog-beds_n_4093467.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

NOVEMBER 3, 2013 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS

Please remember to set you clocks back one hour Saturday night November 2, so that you don't get to the park too early on Sunday November 3.

Daylight Savings Time ends at 2AM on Sunday November 3, 2013

As a reminder the off leash hours are;

Morning hours;

Weekdays 7:30AM to 10:30AM

Weekends 8:30AM to 11:00AM

Evening hours;

EST 3:30PM to Sunset

EDST 5:00PM to Sunset

Ok, I'd really like to make this whole blog thing a little more useful.

An idea has been put forth by a few people; Through the years the Leonia Police have been very helpful in reuniting dogs with their owners. It has been suggested that it would be helpful if there was a central listing of pictures of our dogs with their owner's information, it would speed up the process of locating stray owners.

What I would like to ask is that you take the time to send to leoniadog@gmail.com, a picture of your companion, your contact information, and chip ID number. I will make this a part of our LeoniaDog data base, and if the need arises will make the information available to the police.

Along the lines of making this blog useful to all of us; please feel free to send in your helpful hints, secrets, suggestions.

Barry
LeoniaDog@gmail.com

Sarah took these the other day, just got around to seeing them.

Dixie guards her ball

Glory looking for someone to pet her.

Molly on vacation from her owners. Molly shared quality time with Dixie for a few days.

Swain, it always looks like she wants to ask you a question.

Zooie was not happy, but she needed the trim and she did look better afterwards.

Some more Pictures

It is nice to get all these pictures from Deborah Shapiro. Anybody else like to contribute? How about sending in the names of the groomers you use?

I'm not really sure who all these guys are! 

Cheyenne, Maybe?

This looks like Moose with his short hair cut

Teaching a Wippet to sit

Looks like success.

Deborah has sent some more pictures of our companions at the park.

Here are some more pictures of our four footed friends enjoying the last days of summer at the park.

Feel free to write captions for these pictures. One of  us surely can come up with a witty comment to add to these photos.

Last few summer days at the park with our companions.

Thanks to Deborah Shapiro we have a picture of Zooie, and Don, with Lucy underneath the table. In the background is Bridget, on the  left, who looks tuckered out from keeping Clover entertained. Samantha is on the right waiting for Dixie to say when they can go home.

I hope nobody minds me posting candid pictures.If it does let me know (LeoniaDog@gmail.com) and I will take it down.  Even better, send in your own pictures and embarrass someone else.

Barry
LeoniaDog@gmail.com

Question to the group; How should I send out emails?

Hello,
Hope you are all enjoying the great weather we have been having.
The turnout at the park for the evening's off leash hours has been great. It is nice to see so many people and dogs enjoying the park.

The reason for this post; in the beginning we were sending emails to everyone we could think of to garner favor for the off leash hours. This included people from different political persuasions. So as not to offend anyone, it was decided to send blind copies of the email so no one would see who else was on the email list.

Since I have taken over the email list, I have left the politics out, and I only send to people who have requested to be on the list. At this moment the only political names on the list are dog owners, who just happen to hold an office.

Now I ask for a consensus of opinion; Should I continue to send the emails via blind copy or would you like to see the email addresses of the other recipients?

Send your comments to LeoniaDog@gmail.com.

Respectfully,
Barry

Help make the LeoniaDog Blog more interesting.
Send pictures of your activities at the park to LeoniaDog@gmail.com and I will post them to the Blog.
For that matter send LeoniaDog@gmail.com anything that you think would be of interest to dog owners.

Dixie trying to be incognito, you all know how shy and retiring she is.

The Current Rules for use of the off leash hours at Dudley Allen Park

Dudley Allen Park- LEONIA
DAILY DESIGNATED HOURS FOR OFF-LEASH DOGS- 6:30 AM - 10:30 AM
EVENING HOURS CHANGE ACCORDING TO THE SEASON
Weekdays 7:30am to 10;30am
Weekends 8:30am to 11am
ESP hours 3:30 pm to sunset
EDST hours 5pm to sunset
PARK CLOSES AT SUNSET
Individuals who use this multi-use park do so at their own risk and acknowledge that the Borough of Leonia bears no responsibility or liability with respect to the use of this park or the actions of any individuals or their pets. Individuals who fail to comply with the below rules may be issued a summons and are subject to fines and loss of privileges. By signing off on these rules, you become a member of the Leonia Dog Owners Group (LDOG) with all the rights and responsibilities that entails.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. Owners are responsible for cleaning up, bagging, and disposing of dog waste properly.
2. Dogs must be removed from the park at the first sign of aggression.
3. Female dogs in heat are prohibited from entering the park.
4. Owners must monitor and control their dogs at all times.
5. Keep small children and infants under close supervision.
6. For safety, remove all pinch, prong, choke and spike collars.
7. All dogs must have a current license.
8. All dogs must be healthy, properly vaccinated and have no contagious conditions or diseases.
9. Because this is a multi use park, Owners must call and HOLD their dogs if any resident without
a dog walks through the park, so they may walk through without incident.
10. Dog owners must have a leash at all times. Dogs must be on the leash when entering and
before exiting the gated area.
11. Owners must prevent their dogs from digging holes.
12. Owners must put away all tennis balls, etc. when done playing.
A REMINDER THAT THERE IS NO SMOKING IN ANY LEONIA TOWN PARK AS STATED IN TOWN ORDINANCE # 197-11, Article III

Why a blog?

I have always wanted a method of sharing the joys and tribulations of owning a dog in Northeastern Bergen County, NJ. Being more specific, about what goes on at a small park in Leonia, NJ.

Below is the story of the rebirth of park land.

         On October 31, 2010 Lakeview Park in Leonia will be renamed Dudley Allen Park. Our past mayor Mr. Allen worked tirelessly to have Route 95 deterred from coming through our lovely community to run south of our town, which it does today.  This significant effort by one individual enhances our quality of life in Leonia every day.  And we are thankful.

         Lakeview Park has had a long and quiet history of being a small and underutilized park and many would agree that for several years no one frequented this little fenced-in open space.  In 2003 a groups of taxpayers requested a space for off-leash recreation with their dogs.  At the time the council investigated creating a “Dog Park” in different areas of town.  The area on Grand Ave, behind the pool was considered. The price at that time = $30,000. – This price was considered and rejected by the council.

         In 2004 the Recreation Commission granted permission to this same group of residents the use of Lakeview for off-leash recreation for a few hours each day, as part of the “multi-use” nature of the park.  Known to be an underutilized park, already fenced, this off-leash usage was added at no cost to the taxpayers.

         In 2006, an ordinance was put in place to clarify the hours.  Hours are limited to approximately 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the evening. At that time, the Recreation Commission created a Code of Conduct, which is posted by the entrance.

         This recreation proves not only to be healthy for our dogs, but those of us who gather to enjoy the company of friends and neighbors. We honor the park rules posted by the Recreation Commission, we self-police the area and encourage each other to supervise their dogs and take responsibility for the condition of the park.

         Unfortunately, after 2 years of quietly using this space, once the ordinance was passed in 2006, our presence during these limited hours caused certain residents to put forth false statements claiming that the off-leash usage is unhealthy, unsafe and the participants unfriendly.  Complaints by local residents have been thoroughly investigated and found unsubstantiated.  Leonia’s Board of Health – Health Inspector reported the area clean and safe to use (The report is available at the Borough Hall). The Recreation Commission conducted a lengthy investigation on noise issues among other complaints.  Their summary stated the complaints were unfounded.  (The report is available at the Recreation Building). All of Leonia Parks are part of NJ Green Acres.  This designation states that our parks cannot be limited to Leonia residents only.

     The park is a clean, safe, and friendly place that is currently enjoyed by many taxpaying members of our community. The Recreation Commission is currently applying grant money to improve the park for all Leonians including adjusting the playground equipment for use by younger children as well as separating the off-leash recreation area from the playground area so that all residents can enjoy the park.

         Lakeview Park’s revitalization by the Recreation Commission is long overdue and we hope that all Leonians have an opportunity to visit and enjoy the new and improved space.  Although there is a “dog park in Overpeck Park, we believe the job of those in the governing sector is to serve all of Leonia’s taxpayers by trying to accommodate the needs and requests of a very diverse community.  Overpeck Park offers many facilities including tennis courts, swings, and fields, so does that mean the Town of Leonia shouldn’t? 

         The dog owners of Leonia and neighboring communities have brought life back to Lakeview Park.  Where there was no energy, there is now an active community and spirit enjoying this open space.  We have fun there. We would like to thank the Mayor, Council, and Recreation Commission for enhancing the park this fall.  Mr. Allen, who worked so diligently to guard and protect our quality of life, would be please to know that Leonia parks are for all people and recreation is whatever any law-abiding taxpayer wishes it to be.  Whether you bring your dog during off-leash hours, your child, your book or just yourself, Lakeview, soon to be Dudley Allen Park is for everyone.