The Lions Club Dog Park is located at 25 Talbot St., just west of the Jumbo statue in St. Thomas.

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News

Dog Show looking to return to St. Thomas

Times Journal– After 38 years, the Elgin County Kennel Club is hoping to return to St. Thomas. The move would be contingent on several factors, including a possible new wooden floor for special events such as the Home Show in the Timken Centre. More on Saturday’s Dog Show … London Free Press

Photo courtesy London Free Press

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can help–at no cost to you

Your help is needed in voting for ABCR in the Helping Lost Pets Shelter Challenge.  The winner gets funds that will aid in their rescue efforts–in this case to help ABCR pay the vet bills in their ongoing rescue work.  It is easy once you register (they have to verify you with an email) and you can vote every day.

Thanks.

 

 

Under One Woof

CBC — An innovative co-op program at a Mississauga, Ont., high school has students looking after dogs during the school day, while picking up business skills that will help them when their school days are done.  The program is called “Under One Woof,” and it revolves around a newly established dog daycare that operates out of West Credit Secondary School and also involves autistic kids.  Continue… Under One Woof

Spay and Neuter Awareness

Beaver Creek Animal Hospital is having a Spay and Neuter Awareness for dogs and cats January 16 – 31.  Call for details–it’s worth your while.  519-637-0966

Caring Pet Cupboard donations hit 10,000 lbs

   

The 2011 totals are in for the Caring Pet Cupboard that was started only a year ago in January of 2011, and as of December 31, the people, vets, and pet stores of St. Thomas and area have donated an incredible 5705 lbs of dry kibble, plus 539 cans, 110 bags of treats, and miscellaneous items.  Add to that the 4355 lbs. of corporate donations from Darford and Royal Canin, and it brings the total amount of kibble to an incredible 10,060 lbs!

And this doesn’t include food dropped off directly to the Caring Cupboard office on Talbot St.  Thank You St. Thomas!

Even more astounding is that it all has been and is being used.  Use by local Food Banks is way up with the economic hardship many people are having to endure, and Rescue Groups are feeling the strain with unprecedented numbers including a huge surge of puppies starting in the early spring of 2011, followed by equally large surge of kittens in the early fall.

We now have 11 businesses participating in the Caring Cupboard Food Bank program.  Please take a moment and look at the businesses that are participating in this worthwhile program–

Below - K-9 Concepts, Elgin Animal Hospital, Beaver Creek Animal Hospital, and Goliath Pet Supplies.

   

   

Above – Tabby’s Treasures beside Animal Aide of St. Thomas, Elgin Pet, Pets/Friends for Life, and Pet Valu.

   

Above - Aylmer Veterinary Clinic, Imperial Road Animal Hospital, Talbot Tail Bakery dog bakery & pet store, and The Caring Cupboard Food Bank at 803 Talbot St. (corner of Manitoba and Talbot St).  Below -  just some of the donations we’ve received.  We make it easy, you drop it in the collection box, we collect it, re-bag and distribute it.  You may also drop it off directly to Caring Cupboard.  They are open Monday & Thursday 9:30 am – 3:00 pm and Tuesday Noon – 3:30 pm.

More on our Pet Food Donations Page, and also The Cupboard is Open, Half a Ton of Food, Corporate Muscle, Call and Response, So This is Christmas, and They Shouldn’t Have Pets.

Foster Homes Needed

    

These are just some of the animals needing foster homes from All Breed Canine Rescue.  You can also view them on Facebook or phone 519-633-6226. Thanks.

Washable Blankets & Towels Needed

We have an urgent need for washable old blankets or towels for rescue animals at two locations in St. Thomas.

K-9 Concepts has rescue dogs awaiting foster homes.  They can use old sheets, towels, or blankets + any good quality canned dog food.  K-9 is located between St. Thomas & Talbotville –9830 Sunset Dr. across from Elgin Animal Hospital–and items can be dropped off there.  Ph. #519-631-9100 or 519-453-6632.

The St. Thomas Animal Shelter also needs washable blankets and towels and they are located at 100 Burwell Rd. .  Your help is appreciated, and they are open 8am – 6pm Mon to Fri, and 8am – 3pm on Weekends.  Thanks.

Winter Wonderland

Above– the scene at Steen Park in Aylmer the week of January 3rd as Southern Ontario woke up to a spectacular snowfall and shoveling.

The Year in Review

Here’s a look back through 2011 with some of the photos we’ve posted.  It’s been a gut-wrenching year for a lot of people, animals, and the world in general.

 

More… Year in Review 2011

You can be an Angel this Christmas

There is a very sick dog, appropriately named Comet at this time of year, that was taken from the Pound to a local vet for treatment. The cost of treatment will not be covered by our taxpayer dollars and our local rescue groups are so deep in financial stress that they cannot handle the cost either (despite raising over $5000 collectively during the recent Telethon).

One of our STDOA executive has shown real leadership by foregoing the usual amount (about $30) she spends on doggy treats and “Christmas Stuff” on her own pets and instead is dropping the same amount off at the vet’s office in Comet’s name.  We think that is a fine idea, and hope you will consider it as well.  The dog’s name is Comet, and he is being treated at Beaver Creek Animal Hospital on Sunset Dr., 519-637-0966. Thank You and God Bless.

These animals below were saved because of people like you. Your helping made this possible.

   

Long Road to Rehab –

The CBC is now reporting on some of the extensive rehab required for some of the 600 dogs rescued from Quebec’s Paws-R-Us puppy mill that was busted in September 2011.  Of the 14 dogs France Turcotte took in at her Valley Boxer & Mastiff Rescue in Masham, Que:  “Basically, they had never been pet, never been touched, never been walked on a leash, never felt the wind on their face, never felt raindrops, snowflakes. Everything was new.”  Bear, the dog pictured above right, could only sleep standing up.  “It took us a few days to realize he was actually sleeping. I thought he wasn’t, but he was actually standing up sleeping” she said.

Chicken Jerky Treat Warning making the rounds

You will probably get a Facebook message or email that will look something like this:

Before you re-post or forward the email on you might want to read this first from Snoops.com:  snoops.com/chicken-jerky.  You will see that the Warning has not been proved at all, and “appears to be a misparsing” of a 2007 complaint about 70 dogs getting sick from treats.

Please consider checking out the 25 Hottest Urban Legends before automatically re-posting alarming messages or emails.  Your friends will thank you later.

Telethon Raises Over $5000

St. Thomas’s first ever Animal Telethon raised over $5000 to assist the dire need of local rescue groups to help abandoned and homeless animals.  The money, raised by the newly formed Animal Coalition, will be split between the 5  groups comprised of  All Breed Canine Rescue, Animal Aide of St. Thomas, Another Chance Wildlife, Pets Friends for Life, and the St. Thomas Dog Owners Association.

Thank You to everyone who participated in any way and gave up part of their Sunday for this great cause.  And Thank You to the Mayor Heather Jackson-Chapman and an anonymous donor for covering the rental cost of the arena.  More pics on our Animal Coalition Telethon page and the St. Thomas Dog Blog.

Lost & Found Pets

Here are links to three main sites for Lost or Found Pets: City Animal Services, The St. Thomas Blog, and London Lost Pets.

Luanne Demers, Founding President

It was with much sorrow that we learned of the passing of a lovely woman – our friend and founder of STDOA Luanne Demers.  Luanne died of cancer, too young, last weekend.

Those of us on the executive of the STDOA met Luanne three years ago when she began bringing her dogs, Lab crosses named Katie and Buddy, to play with our dogs.  I remember her watching Katie and Buddy wrestling with each other and anyone that would play, and saying “what we need in town is a proper dog park.”  The response of some, like me, was “yeah, like that’s going to happen!  Been tried, hasn’t worked.”  She said, “well, it’s gonna happen this time.”

Continue…St. Thomas Dog Blog

Also see Grand Opening and Memorial Bench

Santa Claus Parade Well Attended

The 2011 St. Thomas Optimist Santa Claus Parade was well attended despite the threat of rain, and considered a success by the participants and crowd alike.  One of the best times for those participating in the parade is the lining up of floats as seen below.  We also want to give a big Thank You to McGregor Auto Parts of St. Thomas for their generous donation of truck and driver for the Animal Coalition float.  More pics on Santa Claus Parade 2011.

The story of Miles (some don’t end so well)

[original story] Myles is a dog in the St. Thomas pound.  What he’d like for Thanksgiving is to get out of it.  He’s about 3 years old, a Golden Retriever/Lab/Husky cross (described on website as Shepherd/Husky/Lab).  He’s been there a few weeks now, an owner-surrender case.

But he needs someone special, someone with experience with fear-aggressive dogs.  He’s a big dog, between 65 and 80 pounds, and he’s scared.  He needs someone who can reassure him, not baby him but not frighten him further.  His self-defence is aggressive behaviour.

He needs a calm person and household to show him that it’s ok.  Sudden movements, loud noises and aggression toward him will get the same from him.  Being in the pound – cement floors and walls, clanging of cage doors, the noise of other dogs and cats – not good for him.  He’s losing weight fast and he’s maybe growing more fearful.

Some dogs adjust to an institutionalized environment like a pound and some, like Myles, don’t.  A long stay in the pound is not an option for him.  He deserves a happy ending, or at least a humane one.  Institutional life, for him, is certainly not happy, and isn’t even humane.  Myles needs out – fast.

All Breed Canine Rescue can’t take him because there are no foster homes available and boarding him at a kennel wouldn’t provide the stable and personal environment that he needs.

He’s got the potential to be a lovely dog, if he can learn it’s ok to trust someone.  If you’re familiar with handling troubled dogs, and have a calm household with no small children, would you have room for Myles?

If you think you can help Myles, please contact St. Thomas Animal Control. On the website, under “adoptions – dog,” he is listed as Web ID 648.  Here’s an interesting blog I came across on the question of shelters and ‘euthanasia’.  Food for thought, in the post and comments, about quality of life.

Update November 8, 2011 – Miles was put to sleep, euthanized, killed, put down, whatever you want to call it on Nov. 1. No home was found for him.

 

Avalanche of Dogs–

Local shelters and rescue groups have gone from “raining puppies” (see Raining Puppies – Feb. 2011) to an “avalanche of dogs” filling the pound.  The situation is so dire that All Breed Canine Rescue has incurred major costs covering expenses the City will not cover for the recovery of these animals so they can be adopted.  If you can help with the cost please contact ABCR or you may contact Beaver Creek Animal Hospital at 519-637-0966 to make a payment on their behalf.  There is also an All Breed Canine Rescue Facebook page for more info.
The dog shown on the left is Blueberry, one of many animals that ABCR is trying to restore to health.

New Dispensers Installed in Park–

The 4 dispensers, Made in Canada by Practica in Cambridge, Ontario, are installed throughout the Park and equipped with bio-degradable bags. It is hoped they will assist in efforts to keep the park clean and make it a pleasant place to visit.  Your co-operation is greatly appreciated.

 

Please Note: Your membership fee of only $20 per year and donations helps pay for items such as this and other improvements.  The City of St. Thomas does not pay for these, nor do they clean the park at all on a day to day basis.  That is done by your neighbors, and people like you.

We are currently working on a 2nd Dog Park for St. Thomas with the City.  There is no way we will be able to fund $1500 per year to provide poop bags for two parks without your membership fees stdoa.ca/membership and public contributions.  Thanks.

 

11 of the Bravest Dogs in History

These are great.  Mother Nature Network (MNN) has put together a list 11 of the bravest dogs in history.  And we’ve added the story of Smoky, “the Four Pounds of Courage,” to our Dogs in War page.

Current Projects -

1. 1. Fundraising for improvements to the Lions Club Dog Park such as poop bag dispensers and benches.
2. 2. Working with the City of St. Thomas to improve conditions at the St. Thomas Animal Shelter.
3. 3. Caring Pet Cupboard donation and distribution program of pet food to local Food Banks and Animal Rescue Groups.
4. 4. Working with the City of St. Thomas to create a 2nd Off Leash Dog Park.
5. 5. Working with local Animal Rescue Groups to assist relocation of animals.

Current Issues -

1. 1. People not cleaning up after their dog.
2. 2. Children in the Dog Park.
3. 3. The state of The St. Thomas Animal Shelter
4. 4. Puppies being sold on Kijiji and by backyard breeders.
5. 5. The overwhelming number of animals hitting the shelters.

What giving a damn can do-

Hard to believe it’s even the same dog.  On the left – Bosco, Sept 30, 2010, left tied to the fence at the St. Thomas Animal Shelter.  On the right, Bosco Jan. 2011 in his new home.  This is due to the efforts of ABCR and people like you who contribute to the vet care of these animals.  More on our page The Bear & Bosco Story and on the St. Thomas Dog Blog– Bosco’s New Year, Dumped and Found, and Bear and Bosco go to City Hall.

Did You Know?

The City of St. Thomas provides no vet care for any dog that comes to the pound (St. Thomas Animal Shelter).  That would include basic vet care if the dog was sick or injured.  We are talking about the most basic care such as antibiotics or pain medication.  At the present time, the City is relying on volunteer and charity groups to fill the void.  So if some jerk leaves a pup with a broken leg in a cardboard box out in the country (above left), and it is taken to the pound, the only money that is currently allocated by the City for vet care is for its execution, not healing and placement in a foster home.  It is totally up to the kindness of people like you to contribute towards vet care for these sick, injured, lost, or abandoned animals.

Because of people like you, Mika, as she is now named, has survived (above right).  More on our Rescue Dogs page.

Update Feb. 9 – article on this whole mess on the St. Thomas Dog Blog – Raining Puppies.

Animal Welfare Committee Presents Findings to City Hall

Simply put, it is not working.

– Almost 5000 cats and dogs were in the St. Thomas Pound in the last 7 years.  The claim and adoption rates were dismal.

– The number of abandoned cats and dogs create an enormous stress on City resources and volunteer groups.

– That more money, more resources, more staff, and more infrastructure has not been successful.

– We need to change how we provide Animal Control services to the community.

– The Pound must be managed in a cost effective manner while being sensitive to the community and providing animal care.

– How can we do this?  By re- allotment of resources and Turbo-charge operations at the pound.

We’ve moved full coverage on this issue to our Animal Welfare Issues section under Recommendations for the St. Thomas Shelter.  Although the report was well received, it remains to be seen what real changes will be implemented.   More… The St. Thomas Dog Blog.

Children & the Dog Park

There continue to be incidents with small children in the park which is mainly due to a lack of understanding of the purpose of an off leash dog park.  The Lions Club Dog Park is a park for dogs, hence the name.  A children’s playground is for children and most parents would find it unacceptable if dogs were running wild in a designated kids playground.  There is ample information on this, here is one example from About.com:  “There are many good reasons to keep children out of off-leash dog parks, and no good reasons to bring them in. The possibilities for accidents are staggering.”  And from Suite.101:  “Your child should never be allowed to run, scream, chase dogs or even approach them unless given specific permission from the owner.

Update Oct 4- City installs signage regarding children

The City of St. Thomas has installed new signage regarding children in the park which is posted on our page Children and the Dog Park.    See also article Whose Park is it Anyway?

St. Thomas Dog Blog

My Dog’s Arthritis

by Dorothy Stewart – December 30, 2011

My Standard Poodle Leo has arthritis in his left hip.  His running, jumping and dancing on hind legs must be curtailed.  I am very sad and furious.

He’s maybe 9, no longer a young dog.  So you might say, he’s had good years.  Aging happens.  I’d agree, normally - but.  He’s only had 3 “good years.”

Leo spent 5 years of his life in a cage, not running, probably not even walking much.  When he came to us, he had trouble climbing steps.  At first, he just didn’t know how to, he’d clearly never seen steps before.  But even when he figured out how to, he didn’t have the strength in his legs to do it.  He gained strength.  He loves to run fast, climb hills and dance.

He’d been a breeding dog in a Georgia puppy mill…

Continue… St. Thomas Dog Blog

 

Jim’s Notebook

Economics Explained with Cows

by Jim Stewart  -  December 19, 2011      (original source unknown)

In these hard economic times, most people are confused and wondering just what the hell is going on.

Here is an old standby floating around the internet for years, updated for our times, that makes things so simple even YOU can grasp complex world economics in 2012.  It uses the old standard of cows that was taught in economic classes back in the 40s…

 

 

Continue…  Economics Explained

Dog Urban Legends

We’ve started a page on Dog Urban Legends.

Canine Cardiomyopathy

Canine Cardiomyopathy is a dreadful heart disease can afflict dogs, especially Dobermans, Boxers, Wolfhounds, Golden Retrievers and other large breeds. Some small breeds seem to be disproportionately affected too, the Cocker Spaniel being one.  More about this on the St. Thomas Dog Blog.

Shown here is Mya, one of the 5 masthead dogs at the top of this site whom we recently lost to this disease. Mya was a big fan of the dog park. 

 

Contests

The Shelter Challenge allows you to vote for your favorite animal rescue organization with $300,000 up for prizes.

Interesting Links

Above left - Ontario Dock Dogs claims to be Ontario’s fastest growing dog sport.  Right - Unchain Ontario’s Dogs is a group formed to advocate against continuous chaining of dogs.  Below left, here’s one we missed: Ice Dogs Festival in Waterloo which took place on Feb. 19.  Below right –  Something you don’t think about every day:  Deaf Dogs in Ontario.

The KisMutt Small Dog Rescue does extensive rescue work out of St. Marys. KisMutt “was created to help counteract the pet-overpopulation epidemic facing North America today.”  They also have an excellent section on puppy mills.

New Businesses for St. Thomas-

Above -  Custom Critter Care is a pet sitting business started by Scott Monteith.  Scott would like to know what you think, what your preferences are for your pet, and has a survey where you can give your input if you want.  No right or wrong answers.

Above - Waggs to Whiskers Pet Grooming & Boutique of St. Thomas offers pet grooming, boarding, training and behavior classes, and pet care products.  And Mary Griffith of Muddy Paws Photography has been doing a lot of volunteer work using her craft to promote the adoption of foster animals.  She has an eye for this, and approaches it as a portrait rather than a dog at play.  If you are interested, her phone is 266-373-1498 and email is muddypawsphotography@gmail.com.

New Pet Store & Dog Bakery in Aylmer

Aylmer has a new Pet Store and Dog Bakery downtown–the Talbot Tail Bakery & Boutique at 38 Talbot St. East (across from Hill’s Pharmacy and Johnny’s Restaurant).  We are also pleased to announce they are our latest and 11th local business to act as a collection point for our Caring Cupboard Pet Food Donation Program, and newest member of our 10% club which offers a 10% discount to STDOA members. Drop by and see Ronda and Yankee (seen above in the window).  Phone: 519-773-3899.

 

Local Places to go…

Above–one of the many great spots in our area– the Fingal Wildlife Management Area.  On the left side of this page under “Local Places” we also have info on Archie Coulter Conservation Area, Waterworks Park, Dalewood Conservation Area, the Aylmer Park System, Aylmer Wildlife Management Area, and Pinafore Park.   And please, don’t forget to pick up after your dog.

 

Our little dog park in the woods.

Incredible aerial photos by Corey Casimir of St. Thomas from his flying machine, a powered Para Glider.  Looking south, in about the center of the photo, you can just barely see people standing in a small clearing.  Right above them to the south is the Old Talbot Rd. with the trails curving off the end into the Lions Club Dog Park.  A white van is in the parking lot due southeast, and Kettle Creek is to the north, which is the boundary of the park.  In the background to the south is the old CASO train trestle.  This is a historic part of town going back well over 150 years, at the intersection of creeks and roads.  More photos on the Lions Club Dog Park page stdoa.ca/lions-club-dog-park/.

Pawlooza!

 

Good weather brought out a record crowd to the 3rd Annual Pawlooza at the fabulous Plunkett Estate in London.  An estimated 5000 dogs and 20,000 humans attended the event August 20.  Top: just one of the great photos taken by John Blake at the event; you can see more of his photos posted on Shutterfly.  We also have coverage on the St. Thomas Dog Blog before the event and afterwards at Pawlooza: Rescue Me! More pics on our Pawlooza 2011 page.

The Cat Show 2011

The Pawsitive Paws Cat Show was held October 16th at the Western Fairgrounds.  A serious yet informal event, they had a great turnout and we had fun just walking around with a camera.  More on the St. Thomas Dog Blog and more pics on our page The Cat Show 2011.  This was the 12th annual Cat Show for the Pawsitive Paws Cat Club of London.

Jack Russell Terrier Club of Canada

One of the groups we encountered at the Pawlooza was the Jack Russell Terrier Club of Canada.  They will be having their 20th National Trial in Paris, Ontario this year September 23rd – 25th.  We also found out there is a Jack Russell Terrier Rescue Ontario group if you’re interested.  One of the advantages of an event like the Pawlooza is you see a lot of vendors and non-profits in one place.

 

Your Photos

~Diesel~

Diesel is a 1 1/2 year old Cane Corso who enjoys the dog park.  More on the Your Photos page.

Dog Power!

 

You never know what someone is going to come up with. The concept of dog powered scooters and bicycles uses a rig harness developed by Mark Schuette in Oregon of dogpoweredscooter.com.  Great website with lots of photos, links.  The rigs are custom fitted for most scooters and trikes and are shipped out of Bend, Oregon.  The scooters, such as the Willy Scooter shown above right, are available fromsidewalkscooters.com in Toronto and another good source in Canada is bellizebike.com.

City Launches New Animal Services Website

A new website has been launched by the City of St. Thomas to centralize information on lost and found pets and animals up for adoption.  The website, called cityanimalservices.ca is fairly easy to use–you can upload a photo and description of a lost or found pet yourself and easily see what animals are available from the City Pound, ABCR, Animal Aide, and Pets/Friends for life.

This is a great idea whose time has come and we have to compliment the City of St. Thomas for listening to ideas about making the best of our available resources. Hopefully this will make a positive contribution to the already overcrowded shelters in our area.  We will also add a link on our Lost & Found page.

The Face of a Volunteer

Great picture of Yolanda, one of the enduring volunteers we’re blessed to have at the Lions Club Dog Park, who has worked tirelessly along with others to try to keep the dog park clean.  Like other volunteers in St. Thomas, none of these people expect a thank you or take anything from the public purse.  Without them our society would be poorer place to live.  Perhaps a thank you and maybe a bit of help wouldn’t go astray.

Our Purpose

St. Thomas Dog Owners Association promotes off-leash dog parks and supports responsible dog ownership and the welfare of dogs.

For information on Membership please go to our page http://stdoa.ca/membership/