Dog shot by MPD officer at 14th and Tuckerman

From the Post:

The dog was shot near 14th and Tuckerman streets NW, about a half mile south of the old Walter Reed Army Medical Center, about 5:45 p.m., police said. The dog, a German shepherd, got loose from a yard and bit a man and woman. The dog then attacked a man in a wheelchair, but did not bite him, a police source said.

Watch NBC4's report here.

Petition: let's build a dog park at the Takoma Rec Center

This is a project that's been developing with the Department of Parks and Recreation for a while now. Though we have circulated paper petitions, we could use more signatures, so I'm taking the online route. DC residents, please sign this petition if you're interested in having a dog park built at the Takoma Recreation Center!

WARL, Ward 4, and the pit bull dilemma

I've become fond of Dr. Gary Weitzman's Huffington Post DC blog. Weitzman is the CEO of the Washington Animal Rescue League, which is a haven for homeless animals here in Ward 4 (one which you should really visit, if you've never done so). Yesterday's post hit close to home for me, as it focuses on a rescue effort of pit bulls from Baltimore's animal shelter, and my own girl happens to be a pit rescued from Baltimore by WARL.

Excerpt:
"Any pits?" I asked our shelter director, Maureen, when she got back from the Baltimore shelter with the transfer animals and was parking our rescue truck in front of the shelter.

She smiled sheepishly at me.

"Oh, no. A bunch of lab mixes and a mixed shepherd or two. And the cutest puppies you ever saw."

I knew what that meant. She had a truck full of pit bulls.

There are two reasons for this: One, we're an urban shelter north of the Mason-Dixon Line. And two, Maureen, like me, loves pit bulls and knows they need our help more than any other animal in this country. Because of the public's misperception of this often gentle, loyal, and intelligent breed -- and due to the absolutely unconscionable breeding for criminally inhumane uses that this breed has endured by the most irresponsible humans among us -- there are just so too many pit bulls for the system to absorb.

Backyard breeding of pit bulls is such a deeply ingrained part of many peoples' lives in Brightwood (and in many other places, of course). A woman on my block told me that she was reluctant to get their family's pit neutered because her son wanted to breed him at least once. Another neighbor stared at me incredulously when I told him that my dog was spayed. "You mean you don't want her to have puppies? Why not?" he asked in all seriousness. I refrained from explaining that she was spayed because I didn't want to contribute to the pet overpopulation problem; it didn't seem as though he would have easily understood that point of view.

Attention owners of photogenic pit bulls: the Big Bad Woof wants to take your pet's photo for charity!

That's my girl.

When I went into Takoma's The Big Bad Woof the other day with my beautiful pit mix in tow, an employee of the store, who is also a pit owner as well as a professional photographer, told me that she was creating a 2012 pit bull calendar, the proceeds from which will benefit a local pit rescue organization.

A photography session will take place at the store (117 Carroll Street NW) on Sunday, October 16. To sign your dog up, visit the store or call them at 202-291-2404 to reserve a time slot. A $25 participation donation will be required, with the proceeds going to the rescue organization. After your photography session, you'll receive a framed photo of your pet. The photo will then go before a panel of discerning judges, who will pick the photos that will illustrate the 2012 calendar.

Sounds like a fun event, a good opportunity to get a nice portrait of your dog, and a great possibility for your pet to raise funds to help his/her pit brethren in need!

Doggie Swim Day at Upshur Pool is on for tomorrow, rain or shine!

I was concerned that this year's Doggie Swim Day might get rained out, but DPR says that the event will go on rain or shine. So bring yourselves and your dogs over to Upshur Pool, 4300 Arkansas Avenue NW, on Saturday from 12 noon through 4 pm!

Doggie Washerette self-service dog wash opens at 7714 Georgia Ave. NW

City dwellers who own dogs, and who more often than not live in very small spaces, know that giving a dog a bath in a small house or apartment is usually a pretty messy experience. An alternative is paying a groomer to do the dirty deed, but that can get costly over time. There's a DIY dog wash at Fur-Get Me Not in Adams Morgan, but that's Adams Morgan; it'd be nice to have a DIY dog wash in our own neighborhood, right? Well, now we do! The Doggie Washerette opened at 7714 Georgia Avenue NW on Saturday, August 13.



The interior is quite nice, decorated with graphics designed by the owner, Ethel, a resident of Shepherd Park.



The tubs are typical of what I've seen at other DIY dog wash businesses, with one big exception: they're automated. So the experience is sort of similar to going to a laundromat, only you're washing your dog instead of your clothes.

When you finish washing your dog in the tub, you can bring him or her over to a grooming table for a final beautification treatment (grooming materials are included in the cost of the wash).

The Doggie Washerette is also equipped with lots of swag displaying their logo, including doggy water bottles, frisbees, and t-shirts. Here's a doggy enthusiastically modeling her Doggie Washerette t-shirt:

Ward 4 Animal Health Fair, this Saturday @ Upshur Dog Park

What: Ward 4 Animal Health Fair
When: Saturday, May 21, 9:00 am - 12 noon
Where: Upshur Dog Park, 4300 Arkansas Avenue, NW

Join the DC Department of Health and the Friends of 16th St Heights Parks for an Animal Health Fair!

- Free vaccinations
- DC dog and dog park licenses
- Microchipping
- Learn about DC's animal laws and emergency preparedess
- Ask the veterinarian
- Learn about the Friends group and join the Upshur Dog Park community
- Free dog treats!

The cost of a dog license is $15 for a spayed or neutered dog and $50 for an unspayed or unneutered dog. Pay with checks or money orders payable to "DC Treasurer." NO CASH ACCEPTED.

If your pet has been vaccinated before, please bring the vaccination records.

Cats and dogs must be at least 3 months old to receive a rabies vaccination.

All pets must be brought by a responsible adult. Dogs must be secured on a leash and cats must be secured in a carrier box.

District law requires that all cats and dogs over 4 months old be vaccinated against rabies and that all dogs be licensed and wear the license tag.

Today in DC wildlife: a black vulture munches on carrion by McMillan Reservoir

Saw him on the sidewalk on Fifth St. NW, between Howard University's Greene Memorial Stadium and McMillan Reservoir. I believe he's a black vulture (any ornithologists who happen to read should feel free to correct me if I'm wrong). Bizarre; cool.

Foster orphaned kittens; what's up with stray dogs?

An e-mail sent out today by the Washington Humane Society:

Kitten Season has already started and the Washington Humane Society is quickly filling up with orphaned kittens, pregnant females, and nursing moms with kittens. If you have ever considered fostering, NOW is the time to open up your home to a cat, litter of kittens, or mom and nursing kittens. We could REALLY use your assistance to find these cats homes and keep our shelter open for more cats.

If you would like to foster, please contact Alyson by email: aburgess@washhumane.org. I'll email you an application and talk to you about getting started.

Foster Cat Training for Nursing Mom and Kittens and Orphaned Kittens is this Wednesday, April 14th at 6:30 pm. If you have never fostered kittens or nursing moms and kittens, we will train you and provide all the information you need to get started. Email Alyson to RSVP and for training location; Email: aburgess@washhumane.org.

Remember, a short time in your home for fosters, Saves Lives!


If you've got room, and if you think kittens are adorable, sign on. I've fostered in the past and it's rewarding and fun.

Also, I saw a small white male dog (he might be a Westie) without a collar running around the neighborhood yesterday, and a male French bulldog (also with no collar) running around the neighborhood today. Neither would let me approach them.