Looking for Dog Park Assoc. Board Members

Would you like to help with the Bloomingdale Ledroit Dog Park Association?  Several of our Board members will be stepping down at the end of the calendar year and we need new volunteers.  The time commitment is minimal and you get to support an important resource for dog owners in our community.  Please email bldpadogs@gmail.com for more information or if you are interested in volunteering.

Some issues we will be working on:

• Getting the city to fix the drainage issue in the park.
• Trying to find funding (private or DC gov't) for lights for the dog park (like in Shaw dog park).
• Fundraising for a sun shade structure for next summer's hot days.
• Bringing dog behavior training opportunities to the community.

Warning to Dog Owners about Leptospirosis

This was included in the latest Bloomingdale Newsletter. We are very sad for the loss of Luna. : (

From: Paul
Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2011 8:51 AM
Subject: In Memory of Luna

Dear family & friends: Our beloved Luna passed away this morning at an animal hospital in Fairfax, VA. She was brought there yesterday fighting for her life - The doctors believe that she most likely had a virus called Leptospirosis, which will be confirmed within a week from blood tests. We are inconsolable with the loss of our little princess - She was the daughter of our first Jack Russell Terrier, Pippo, and the little girl in our family. We would like to raise awareness of ``Leptospirosis`` - apparently, there is an epidemic according to the Veterinarian and the Animal Hospital. Please notify any dog owners that you may know to research this virus and take the highest precautions. Luna first showed symptoms late Sunday night, she was lethargic and had vomitted. It seemed as though Luna had a general stomach virus, which we have experienced before with both of our dogs and thought it would just pass.

To all DC residents - this is a major epidemic, specifically, here according to the Veterinarian due to the rat problem that we have. Leptospirosis is transmitted to dogs primarily through rat/possum/raccoon urine (that could be found in a puddle, stream, pond, etc) as well as from contact with rats and other infected dogs and infected dog urine. It is highly contagious between dogs and transmittable to humans. There is a vaccine for Leptospirosis (speak to your veterinarian), however, like with most viruses with multiple strains - it can be of limited help (there are 7 different strains). Note to cat owners - This does not affect cats. We need to finally resolve the rat issue in DC immediately! We would like to thank everyone for their support, the doctors and nurses at City Paws and South Paws and our dear friends Mat, Melissa and Ragnhild for their tremendous support and love these last few days. Again, please forward this information to any dog owners you may know. This is a very serious virus that is lethal to dogs and humans as well.

More about Leptospirosis here.

Thank You to our "Dog Days" Sponsors

A belated, but heart-felt, THANK YOU to our sponsors from the Sept. 18th Dog Days event at the dog park (click on logos to be taken to their website):

Kings Pet Grooming

(no link)

Also, everyone who become a member at Dog Days was entered into a raffle for a grooming session with Kings Pet Grooming or a photo session with Houndstooth Photography.  The winners were Tracy Reines and Pat Godfrey.  Congrats!!

Buy a DC Dog License, Get a Dog Park Tag Free!

 

BLDPA can help you with that! We are very pleased to be hosting the DC Department of Health at the dog park on September 18, 11AM to 4PM! You'll get an official dog park tag free when you license your dog!

What you need to bring:

• proof of current rabies and distemper vaccination (can usually be found on your vet receipt)
• proof of sterilization (spay/neuter) (can also be found on your vet receipt)
• check or money order to the "DC Treasurer" Cost: $15 for a spayed or neutered dog OR $50 for an unspayed or unneutered dog (sorry, no cash or credit cards will be accepted)

FOUND DOG!

This dog was found at 18th & Lamont this morning. If you know anything, please call (202) 384-4926. There have been reports of the dog running around the Bloomingdale and Ledroit neighborhoods early today, and a guy on a bike was asking whether people had seen the dog in Ledroit this morning.