Sunday, May 9, 2010
By Nancy Hassel, LIPetPlace.com 

In one week from Sunday, on Sunday, May 16, hundreds of dog lovers will gather at beautiful Belmont Lake State Park to have a dog-gone good time, while walking to raise funds to find a cure for Leukemia & Lymphoma. “Canines for a Cure” www.lls.org/lidogwalk is the Second Annual dog walk for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and will once again be an awesome time for both the dogs and their owners. The event will have contests for the best owner/dog look-a-like contest, “Pawject Runway” – the Best Dressed Dog Contest, pet vendors, goody bags for the first 100 attendees, music and more! The registration fee for all dogs who pre-register (by April 30) is $30 and includes a free parking permit for the day. Each dog registered will receive their own fundraising webpage where they can ask for or woof for donations from family, friends, co-workers, and fellow dog park canines, now how cool is that? 

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is thrilled to have local pet photographer, Michael Korol of Furry Paws Pet Portraits, www.furrypawspetportraits.com, as the Official Photographer. Michael will be taking photos of the dogs, the walkers, candid photos of the event and will be offering free keychain photographs at his booth, while supplies last. 

Registration for the dog walk starts at 9am and the walk starts at 10:15am, so be sure to get there early. Belmont Lake State Park is in North Babylon, off of Southern State parkway. The event is held rain or shine. So gather up Lucy, Buster, and Max and don’t miss this, not-to-be missed dog walk of the season!  (And stop by and see our table, we will have giveaways and a raffle too!)

HorseAbility’s program has been relocated from the facility that they have been housed on. The riding rings they spent many years developing for use for their programs are no longer available for HorseAbility to use. Without a ring they cannot continue to function and offer the amazing programs they do. HorseAbility will be unable to provide the safest and most beneficial therapuetic riding lessons and hippotherapy treatment sessions for children and adults with special needs. By building a new ring for their program, approximately 60′ x 120′ or larger, constructed with proper drainage with all weather footing for their horses, this will ensure their programs can run year-round. HorseAbility needs your help, and all you need to do is vote, once a day until the end of May. To have this incredible grant awarded to them, they need to be in the top ten of the voting. They are currently in 15th place, and are competing with 288 other organizations nationwide. 

With the new ring they can ensure saftey for the horses, riders and volunteers. This ring will provide a place for their beautiful equines to be turned out to roll, run and play with the herd when they are not at work. 

HorseAbility’s founder Katie Kilcommons McGowan said, “I am very excited to have this opportunity from Pepsi. I am thrilled to have the community be a part of this by voting everyday. We offer programs to people with special needs in the surrounding communities. It is wonderful for the communities to give back and help us be successful. Vote for HorseAbility!” 

HorseAbility is one of the only North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) Premier Accredited Centers on Long Island. This prestigious title is awarded to centers that demonstrate excellence in providing quality, professional equine assisted activities. This voluntary process recognizes NARHA centers that have met established industry standards. 

So the next time you crack open a can of Pepsi or pour a glass to enjoy, think about how easy it is for you to help a local, much needed organization just by the click of a mouse. HorseAbility needs your vote! Simply click the link below to vote and ask your friends and family to do so also. Come on Long Island we can do it! 

http://www.refresheverything.com/connectpeopleofspecialneedswithhorses 

May 7, 2010
By Nancy E. Hassel of LIPetPlace 

Did you know that FEMA has declared May 8 as National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day? 

With the current oil spill in the gulf coast, recent failed terrorist boom scare in NYC, it brings awareness to Long Island pet parents that they need to be prepared.  It is smart to have a plan for your family and your pets in case of a disaster or emergency situation.  If you have to leave in a hurry or are forced out, are you prepared for your pets to come with you?  

On Long Island most human disaster shelters don’t take pets, mainly in Nassau County – Suffolk does have shelters prepared to take you and your pet in case of an emergency (http://suffolkcountyny.gov/departments/firerescue.aspx).  But you still need to be prepared, regardless of what county you live in. Where would you take your pet if it happened to you? How would you get him there? Did you know that a pillow case could be used to transport your cat safely in an emergency though it is better to accustom your cat to a carrier.  Did you know if your pet is housed with other animals they must have their rabies paperwork? A rabies tag will not suffice since sometimes people transfer dog collars from one pet to another. If your pets take any medication, having the paperwork with you is important. Even better is a file of your pets medical history, special needs, food fed to the pet and any other pertinent information is vital if you have to house your pet somewhere you are not.  Always have extra leashes, collars and a first aid kit ready to go, in case you need to grab it and run. 

“Sheltering plans in disasters will accommodate only a fraction of the pet population in Nassau County so the most important thing an individual pet owner can do is to make plans for their own pets,” said Nancy Lynch President, of Pet Safe Coalition. For ten years Pet Safe Coalition http://www.petsafecoalition.org/ based in Locust Valley, NY, has been helping pet owners in disasters across Long Island. 

Lynch also stated, “Disasters are as tough on animals as on their owners. Pet owners who fail to include pets in their plans to evacuate or shelter-in-place are putting themselves, their pets and rescuers at risk.”  

Contact the Pet Safe Coalition, Inc. for more disaster tips then send us your plan and you could win a prize in this month’s Pet Safe Families contest while helping others plan. FEMA has declared May 8 National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day and hurricane season kicks off June. Now is the time to plan. Call 516-676-0808 or log onto www.petsafecoaliton.org. Check out Pet Safe Coalition on Facebook for weekly tips and updates.  Pet Safe Coalition, Inc., is a recognized “501 c (3)” non-profit organization.

May 3, 2010
By Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

Did you know that the Town of Islip offers a FREE! Dog Education & Training Class?  Entering into the 3rd year of offering this service to its residents and non-residents, the class is offered completely free of charge. What’s the catch? Attendees are rewarded for coming with a goody bag, i.e. doggie bag, loaded with treats and learning materials for owners and their dogs. This class is geared as a one-time only class, (although there have been some repeat attendees), and covers many important topics by local dog experts such as: basic training advice and techniques; puppy and dog behavior; dog park etiquette; health and well being; and NYS dog laws. 

However, this class is for people only, dogs are not permitted in the class. Why? Because this is a class aimed to teach and educate humans on how to better understand their dogs, their dog’s behavior, learn about training tools – taught by trainers with over 20-years experience – and help deter owner turn-in rates at local shelters. Many dogs relinquished to animal shelters are due to the owners’ lack of understanding to a dog’s particular behavior or ‘problem.’ Many times it is a simple fix, (training, or education on the owners part), and the owners are the ones that need to learn how to help the dog. (Sometimes what an owner thinks is a ‘problem,’ is just a natural dog behavior!) 

The class offers tips and techniques, insight on normal dog behavior, health and nutrition issues and so much more. The class is a lot of fun, and there is always a lot of laughter, note taking and of course learning. Believe it or not, the class has had dog owners from all walks of life, levels of dog experience and participant age ranges have been from 6 to 86!  Over 700 participants have come to the class over the last two years. This class may be free for the attendee, but a lot of work, dedication and love is put into each class to help anyone who may have a dog issue or who just wants to learn. (Please remember that when RSVPing!) 

Parents are encouraged to bring children 10 and up, although there have been younger participants. Children tend to be very interactive in the class, and often whisperers of, “See Mom, I told you that,” are heard! 

The Town of Islip offers this class once-a-month, with the next class on Wednesday, May 12, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Local excellent dog trainers from either Doggie U K9 Academy (www.doggieuk9.com) or Dog Training-101 (www.dogtraining-101.net)  and often a guest speaker or veterinarian are on hand as well.  An RSVP is required as space is limited for each class. To reserve your seat call (631) 224-5660 or email Nancy@LongIslandPetProfessionals.com. 

Classes are sponsored by: The Town of Islip and Invisible Fence (www.caninefence.com).

Sunday, May 2, 2010
By Nancy Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

A Barking Good Time!

The first annual “Bellmore Barks,” on Sunday, May 2, was a barking good time for all that attended. The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores did a great job organizing the event, getting a ton of excellent pet vendors and hosting many fun and unique dog activities. The “Four Legged Fashion Show” was huge hit with many owners and their dogs dressed up for the occasion and strutting their stuff down the red carpet. From the pack of Bassett hounds that were dressed for the “Kentucky Dogby,” complete with “dogby” bonnets, to a Hawaiian pooch ready for a lulu or ride on a boat, to the tiniest of decked out pooches. One cutie pie Pit Bull was dressed in the only “Tae Kwon Do” outfit – adorable!

Other activities the dogs and their owners participated in was a game of “musical sit,” (think musical chairs), in which the owners had to walk their dogs around a large square of grass and when the music stopped, the dogs had to sit on a mat. Just like with musical chairs there was not enough mats for all the dogs. This was pretty funny, because the owners kept stopping with their dog on the mat, so not loose, but they had to be nudged along by the announcer, “the music has not stopped folks, keep moving!” I don’t know what the prize was for the winner, but it must have been amazing since the humans seemed to really want to win.

With so many breeds, sizes of dogs and personalities, it was great to see hundreds of dogs gathered in one location having a dog gone good time.

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If you are a resident of Nassau County you know that it is not the most dog friendly place to own a dog. Unfortunately there are not too many parks where you can bring your dog, go for a hike, or socialize with other dog owners. However, the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores recognizes that and this year is offering there very first “Bellmore Barks” on Sunday, May 2nd. They wanted to offer dog owners in the area a fun-filled day to spend with your dog. Held in the Dellamore parking lot, (entrances from Bedford Avenue and Grand Avenue), from 12 – 4pm, the activities at the event will include: a Four-Legged Fashion Show; doggie look a like contest; Fido says; ugliest dog; musical sit, agility; vendors and so much more! The entry fee for dogs is $10 per dog and free for all humans and participants will get complimentary doggie gift bags.

The Chamber is very excited about this event and looking forward to starting this as an annual event for our Four-Legged friends! They are expecting hundreds of dogs and their owners in attendance.

Also if you are interested in adopting a dog, or looking for a new friend, the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter will have adoptable dogs on location.

So if you are a Nassau resident (or Suffolk!), head over to Bellmore with your well behaved pup and enjoy the day of festivities made just for you, your family and of course your dog!

To find out more, check out there website http://www.bellmorechamber.com