17975 W. 64th Parkway, Arvada | www.westarvadadogpark.org | www.facebook.com/WestArvadaDogPark

NEWS FOR THE (HUMAN) FRIENDS OF WEST ARVADA DOG PARK

The Unleashed NewsWINTER 2012

West Arvada Dog Park is operated by volunteers on city land, but is 100% donation funded.The park depends on the support of its users and volunteers—dog lovers like you!

Edited by the volunteer board members of Friends of West Arvada Dog Park (the nonprofit organization that manages and raises funds for the dog park): Debbie Phillips, Vivian and Wayne Brooks, Lori and Garry Johnson, Amber Johnson, Mark Halebsky, Linda Tangy, Bill Doran,

and Arvada Animal Control Officers, Becky Robison and Malia Perez. Designed and published by Lisa Padgett at Green Dog Graphic Design, LLC.Contact us at Friends of West Arvada Dog Park, c/o City of Arvada Police Depar tment Animal Management, 8101 Ralston Road, Arvada CO 80002 or WADP@comcast.net

Welcome to the First Edition of The Unleashed News!Since opening in June of 2005, the West Arvada Dog Park has grown in more ways than just land. This is due to the support of its users, volunteers, and the efforts of Friends of West Arvada Dog Park, the nonprofit organization that develops, maintains, and raises funds for the dog park. The Friends of West Arvada Dog Park have been busy developing even more ways to raise funds, educate the public, and host special events to make this beautiful park even better. Boy Scouts have completed Eagle projects, community service hours have been fulfilled, and the community has supported and attended our events. Thank you for doing YOUR part to make the park a success!

Do you “LIKE” the dog park?Stay up-to-date on fund raising events and happenings at the park! Find us on the web at www.westarvadadogpark.org and atwww.facebook.com/WestArvadaDogPark

Facebook Website

Past Event ResultsJan. 10th at 3 Sons Italian Restaurant Unfortunately, we did not get the 80 people minimum in attendance to receive 20% of food sales for the night, but 3 Sonsis still donating $100 to the park. Weappreciate their hospitality and generosity!

Santa Paws for Foothills Animal ShelterWe collected a truck full of donations, valued at around $250. Thanks to everyone who braved the cold weather to make this happen. Foothills sends a big thank you!

Animal Urgent Care Sponsors New Park BenchesA special thank you to Dr. Liz O’Rourke and staff for the beautiful new red benches! They have been a wonderful addition to Phase Two.

Open nights, weekends and holidays! 7851 Indiana Street | www.aucvet.com

303-420-PETS (7387)

Building a Park, Brick by BrickCustom engraved bricks are placed at the message board at the park. Honor a friend or remember a lost loved one with this special gift. Mini brick paper weights are available too. See the website or a park brochure for order forms. Please note that orders take a few weeks to process.

Dear Diego and DiabloHello! We just got our own email address so that our dog park pals can send questions to us: diegoanddiablo@hotmail.comWe hear this question a lot at the park, so we’ll start here.Question: When are we going to get running water or a water feature at the park?

Answer: Sorry, paws down. The cost associated with installing water lines, paying a monthly bill, and winter maintenance all make this prohibitive. If everyone does their part by bringing water to help refill the water bowls, the dogs will stay well-hydrated. Thanks to everyone who does this!

Upcoming EventsSunday, March 25th 5:30-9:00 p.m.BOWLING FOR BISCUITSWestern Bowl at 10000 Ralston Road$10 per person for Open Bowl & Shoes

Friends We Will Miss

10% Off Food, Treats & Supplements

20% Off Everything Else!SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH

Our 9th Anniversar y Sale is the same day as the Dog Park fund-raiser

at the D Note. Please stop by and take advantage of our storewide sale!

Diesel

Gabe & Abby

Thank you Paws ‘n’ Playfor sponsoring the first issue of

The Unleashed NewsPaws ‘n’ Play7403 Grandview AvenueArvada, Colorado 80002

303-420-2525www.pawsnplay.com

Like us at www.facebook.com/pawsnplayoldetownarvada

Store Hours:Monday–Friday 10a.m.–6p.m.

Saturday 10a.m.–5p.m.

Paws ‘n’ Play in Olde Town ArvadaServes Up High-Quality Dog Food and Friendly Service

Big John Blowing in the WindDuring a January wind storm, “Big John,” our port-o-let, took a tumble weed style journey down to the disk golf course...ewww! Thank you to our super Arvada Parks Maintenance crew for building the structure around Big John. It’s a very attractive “anchor.” Thanks also for turning the trash cans upright after wind storms and for emptying them on a regular basis.

WAGGING TAILS from Arvada Animal ManagementQ: What is complete joy for an Arvada Animal Management Officer? A: The West Arvada Dog Park of course! Who couldn’t be happy seeing all the wagging tails running around? Big dogs, little dogs, and every dog in between can legally enjoy the freedoms of off-leash play within eleven fenced acres! Q: What makes an Arvada Animal Management Officer distressed?A: When dog owners let their dogs run loose in the Dog Park parking lot! The confine-ments of the park are where it is safe to unleash your dog. Do not get lulled into a false sense of security that your dog will never take off. Everyday, Animal Management Officers answer calls for dogs being hit by a car and the owners often say “He never has run off before!” Even with you there, dogs are unpredictable and it is up to you, the dog owner, to provide safe entry into the park. Q: Are there any other helpful hints Arvada Animal Management have for park users?A: Yes! Please watch your dog at all times and do not get distracted or complacent with monitoring their play time. Dogs’ play can get too rough at times and often this is where we see injuries happen. Teaching dog park manners to your dog is essential for keeping it fun for everyone! If your dog is consistently not getting along with other dogs, then the dog park may not be the right environment for training. Seek help from a dog trainer and/or take your dog to basic obedience training so they can have a more controlled social encounter. Remember to be consistent with your dog, they are like a two year old that needs constant reminders to use their manners!Stay tuned! In the next issue, we share some stories about unusual calls we have responded to.

This month Paws ‘n’ Play celebrates their 9th anniversary!

When our doors opened, healthy pet foods were a niche product known to very few people. Now, more pet owners are more educated about pet foods and want to feed a quality food.

Let the buyer beware! Food manufacturers want you to think that their foods are “healthy” or “natural” even if they are low quality. You need to check them out and not believe the pictures on the bag. You can look up on-line reviews of various foods on websites like dogfoodanalysis.com or dogfoodadvisor.com. You’d be surprised how many popular brands (and prescription foods!) get the lowest ratings. Come to Paws ‘n’ Play and we’ll spend as much time as you want discussing and finding the right food for your dog or cat.

But aren’t the really good foods too expensive? Well, yes and no. The price of the bag might be more, but you’ll feed a lot less of the good food because the cheaper brands have fillers. For example, it would cost you only a quarter more a day to feed a 50 pound dog Evo Turkey / Chicken, a top rated food, versus Iams Healthy Naturals, which gets the lowest ratings.

Surely your dog is worth that extra quarter!

Diesel Gonzales (2) crossed the Rainbow Bridge on Jan. 19, 2012. In his short life he was loved and adored by his family, Gabriel, Jamie and Alivia.

He was a loving and loyal boy and will be missed and remembered with love.

Gabe and Abby were a mother and son pair of Weimaraner’s that crossed the Rainbow Bridge within weeks of each other. They spent many happy hours running and exploring at the dog park. They will be fondly remembered forever by their family, Mike and Lynne Przestrzelski.

Friends We Will MissFriends We Will MissFriends We Will Miss