Gloucester Dog Park-Construction Progress

The Gloucester Dog Park at Stage Fort Park is really coming along. It’s going to be a beautiful, safe spot to bring your dogs.

~Alicia

 

Gloucester Dog Park Receives Generous Donation

A follow up to the fundraising performance of Sylvia from May Lou Maraganis: 

Dusky Foundation Pledges $100,000 with Matching Funds to the creation of Cape Ann’s First Dog Park

Before a group of supporters at a benefit performance of ‘Sylvia’, a play about a rescue dog, a dog park and the relationships that ensue it was only fitting venue for the Friends of Gloucester Dog Park to announce the generous contribution by the Dusky Foundation of $100,000 to create such a park here inGloucester. Mary Lou Maraganis and Judi Masciarelli, co-founders of the dog park, have devoted the last year and a half to making this a reality.  With a core group of volunteers to assist them and the donation by the Dusky Foundation, groundbreaking is under way for phase one.

Although the city council unanimously approved the appropriation of land for the dog park at Stage Fort Park, the park will be built entirely by private donations.

Eighty percent of the $100,000 Dusky donation will be in matching funds making your donation go that much further and the dog park built that much sooner.

This is a recreational park built by and for the community to bring together the dog-loving community.

All gifts designated for the dog park are tax-deductible, and donations can be made through the Gloucester Fund. Checks should be made out to

                        The Gloucester Fund (earmark for theDogParkin the memo section)

                       45 Middle Street

                       Gloucester,MA01930

If you would like to take advantage of limited naming opportunities, or would like to donate materials or services, please contact gloucesterdogpark@gmail.com or call 978- 768 3400 for further information.

Visit www.gloucesterdogpark.org and sign-up for the Friends of Gloucester Dog Park newsletters. 


Sylvia Opens this Week!

 

Don’t Forget to Buy your tickets for the Cape Ann Theatre Performance of Slyvia! Sylvia Runs This week, November 17th-20th.  The Dog Park Benefit show is this Thursday November 17th.


(Julie Cleveland as Sylvia)
You can see more great photos from their rehearsal on the CAT Facebook page

 

 

 

 

 

Dogs up for Adoption- Greyson & Zoey

Mary Lou of All Dog Rescue has two beautiful dogs that she is fostering in Gloucester that are up for adoption. Greyson & Zoey are absolutely gorgeous! I have always had a soft spot in my heart for pit pulls, they get such a bad rap but all of the pit bulls I have ever met are just big cuddle bugs! Let’s help these two find their forever home.

About Greyson: 

“OK, by now you know from Greyson’s pictures that he is an extremely handsome boy. But what you don’t know is that he is as sweet and wonderful on the inside as well. He is new to rescue and we are still getting to know him but we have discovered he loves car rides, toys, playing with other dogs, cuddles and his walks. He has beautiful sparkling amber eyes, beautiful blue/grey fur and a wiggly butt and tail that is constantly going. He is fun, sweet, playful and affectionate. He weighs about 55 pounds and is around 2 years old. Athletic outside, calm and mannered inside the house. He likes to please so will likely be a quick learner. He adjusted very quickly to his new surroundings which is an indication of his adaptability and calm nature. To be the best dog he can be he will need a leader that will help socialize him and re-direct his enthusiasm when new people come to visit. This handsome Blue Pit Bull is waiting patiently for his forever home. He will make a wonderful companion in life. Because of his size, he is best in a household without young children.”

About Zoey:

“Zoey was found tied to the air conditioner shaft outside the pound and quickly became the staff favorite. She is a sweetheart with those real ‘puppy dog eyes’.  She enjoys playing with other dogs, car rides, toys and well, pretty much anything. She is one of those dogs that just enjoys being with her person. She would benefit with some basic training to make her the best dog she can be (as would any dog). She crates well, is housetrained, weighs in at 39 pounds.  She is soft and cuddly and speaking of cuddles can give and receive them all day long. She is being fostered with Greyson another of our dogs and doing very well-even though she is a bit of a prima-donna. She enjoys being the center of attention and needs to learn no matter how cute she is that she must share. She was in the pound for 2 months before we were able to take her. Be prepared for people to stop you on the street if you get this one, she is one of those dogs people just have to pet. She’s a real charmer!!”

If you are interested in meeting Greyson or Zoey, please fill out an application on the All Dog Rescue website. www.alldogrescue.org 

Buy Your Tickets and Support the Dog Park!

Sylvia, on Nov. 17th will have a benefit production to support the Gloucester Dog Park.  It sounds like a fun show, especially if you are a dog owner or a crazy dog lady like me. 🙂

The Benefit Show Tickets are sold locally at The Weathervane, Animal Krackers, Essex Bird Shop & Pet Supply, and A Singing Dog.  Sylvia is also has many other performances starting November 11th, you can reserve your tickets by calling 978-325-3153.  Maybe, you’ll love it so much, you’ll go see it twice!

Gloucester Dog Park at Rockport Harvest Festival

A note from Mary Lou Maraganis of the Gloucester Dog Park and All Dog Rescue sharing her photos from Rockport Harvest Fest…

Hi Alicia,
Attached you will find pictures of the Friends of Gloucester Dog Park at our booth at the Rockport Harvest Festival.  Our 2 special guests, my foster dogs, Kobe and Zoey, both pit bull mixes stole the show.  Everyone enjoyed meeting them, learning about them, finding out more about the dog park and just talking ‘dog’.  It was a fun day.


I am sure it won’t take long for those dogs to find their forever home!

-Alicia

Save the Date- CAT for the Dogs, Nov. 17th


Save the Date: November 17th The Cape Ann Theatre Collaborative Presents “Sylvia” by A.R. Gurney. This performance will benefit the Gloucester Dog Park. Tickets can be purchased for this event at The Weathervane on Main St and at Animal Krackers in both Gloucester and Rockport. 

The Cape Ann Theatre Collaborative’s November performances of “Sylvia,” by A.R. Gurney tells the tale of a dog named Sylvia who endears herself to Greg, deep in mid-life crisis, while he plays hooky from work in the park. Once Greg brings Sylvia home, the love triangle of Greg, Sylvia and Greg’s wife Kate begins to our howling delight!  

“Sylvia” is slated for performance at the Gorton Theatre, home of Gloucester Stage Company,East Main St., Gloucester, November 11,12,13 and November 17,18,19 and 20. The November 17th benefit performance ($25) unites CAT and dogs in support of the Gloucester Dog Park. To reserve tickets at the door for CAT performances ($20) call 978-325-3153.

For Full Press Release: CAT dog press release

Tips to Help Find Your Lost Pet

Mary Lou Maraganis of All Dog Rescue and Co-founder of the Gloucester Dog Park shares some information on the Saber network, and educates us on the Pitbull Breed.

She also shares these tips for helping your find your lost pet. She recommends you keep a copy of this list with your important pet records, incase it ever happens to you, you’ll have the steps to follow:

LOST PET INFORMATION SUMMARY

Pets should always be wearing Collar and Tags

Microchip your pet and update address when you move!!

Get the Word out Immediately. Don’t wait for “Lassie” to come home. Use the
Internet, flyers, posters on cars.

Saber Alert (works much like child Amber Alert)
http://masslostpet.net/

Call Animal shelters, ACO, Police daily- Don’t give up

Search internet for ‘lost dog site’ ‘how to find my lost dog’ ‘recovery tips for
lost dog’ . There are lots of sites where you can not only list your dog but get
wonderful tips on what to do. Doing something constructive like this can often
times empower you. Tips on where to search, time to search, what to bring with
you, different pet behaviors…

Sites to Ultilize:

Craigslist
Petfinder
Facebook
Wwww.missingpetpartnership.org Excellent site with innovation ideas and tips.
Think Lost not Stray- simply not enough time for people to find them.

http://www.fidcofinder.com
http://www.lostandfound.com
http://www.lostandpound.com
http://www.tabbytracker.com
http://www.lostpetnet.com
http://www.petamberalert.com
http://www.missingpets.com
http://www.thepetrescue.com
http://www.pet-detective.com

http://www.lostdogsearch.com Based in Southeastern Ma- one person show

Expecting grieving, brokenhearted people who are not trained or equipped to
search for their own missing pet does not make sense. Lost dog searchers are
often under an enormous amount of stress and tend to forget advice, ignore
suggestions and waste precious time. Owners behavior is often grief avoidance,
helplessness and feeling alone-simply don’t know what to do.

-Alicia

All Dog Rescue- Comes to the Rescue!

Mary Lou of All Dog Rescue and Co-founder of the Gloucester Dog Park, speaks with us today to tell an amazing story of Marta who has been missing from her family for over a year. Marta was in All Dog Rescue’s care since March of 2011 and today she was reunited with her family.

 

Lexus aka Marta waits to be reunited with her family:

And the Reunion everyone was waiting for:

 

Lexus receiving belly rubs from her Mom, Christine:

You can learn more about helping Mary Lou’s passion by donating or adopting from All Dog Rescue at www.alldogrescue.org. You can also donate to the Gloucester Dog Park at www.gloucesterdogpark.org.

-Alicia

Friends of Gloucester Dog Park Early Fall 2011 Issue Is Out!

Meet Up with Old Friends at the Beach!

Although it’s sad to say goodbye to Summer, the good news is dogs will be welcome on the beaches starting September 15th. Once the Gloucester Dog Park is completed, our canine companions will be able to romp "unleashed" year round! 

Back to School
Top 10 Tips for Your
1st Dog Park Visit

My dog/s has never been in a dog park before. How can I expect them to react? Reactions vary depending on a dog’s nature, their living environment, and age. For dogs that are house-bound or who live in small fenced-in back yards, entering a large area like a dog park and being off-leash can be stressful even with no other dogs. They need time to adjust to the new-found freedom.
1. Make your inaugural visit to the dog park a short one
2. Arrive at a time when there are not very many dogs
3. Walk your dog around the park on the outside of the fence
4. Remove your leash once you enter the first gate 
…More…

Pampered Paws
Rosie Lourenco, of the Barking Lot, gave a special treat to some lucky canines at our Visitor’s Center booth recently – free nail clipping. Thank You Rosie!

Pack the Pup!

The number of people who travel with their dogs is growing, and so too are the options for pets on the road — from "ruffing it" at camp-grounds to enjoying fabulous four-star hotels. There’s never been a better time to pack your pet and go.
Cape Ann is dog-friendly, too. Check out the "pet-friendly" accomodations on Cape Ann the next time you, your family members or friends need a place to vacation with your canine companion.http://www.capeannvacations.com/accommodations.cfm

Upcoming Events

9/17
6-8
Gloucester
Block Party

9/18
Stage Fort Park
11-3 PM
Visit our booth for
free paw print tattoos!

Cape Ann
Dog Day

10/15
Rockport
10-6 PM
Rockport HarvestFest



VOLUNTEER
We need volunteers to help with our booths at all of the events listed above.
Meet some of our enthusiastic volunteers, answer questions about the dog park, pass out literature and accept donations for our
signature red bandanas and logo buttons. 
Please Sign up today!


Gloucesterdogpark.org | Friend us on Facebook

Ask the Trainer Thursday July 21st In front of the Visitor’s Center

Gloucester Dog Park Training

The Friends of Gloucester Dog Park will have their Thursday informational booth with ‘Ask the Trainer Thursday’ this Thursday, July 21st from 3 pm to 5:30 pm.  Come with your dog and/or your question and get valuable information on that question you have been dying to have answered.  Meet Laurel Silva, certified dog trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers with extensive experience in working with rescue/shelter dogs.  And as always we will have our signature red bandanas for the dogs and our Gloucester Dog Park buttons along with handouts on Dog Park Etiquette, Dog Behavior and Reasons to Pick Up After Your Dog. Come and learn more about the creation of Cape Ann’s First Dog Park!!!  We need your support.  Visit us at www.gloucesterdogpark.org

PS- We are in need of an event’s planner and PR/Marketing help.  If you can help please contact us at gloucesterdogpark@gmail.com

Gloucester Dog Park Represents At The Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce Home And Business Expo

DSC03709

Gloucester Dog Park Approved at the City Council Meeting Last Night

DOG PARK

design plans at www.gloucesterdogpark.org.

From GloucesterDogPark.org-

image

The proposed site of Gloucester’s first dog park is an under-utilized, overgrown section of Stage Fort Park. The topography, trees, and location make it an excellent choice to transform this virtually unused 2 acre site into a fantastic recreational area.

Dog Park Sections:

· Off-leash Large Dog Area – for large and small dogs comfortable around all large dogs.

· Off-leash Small Dog Area – for small dogs under 25 pounds

· Walking Path Area – on leash area for dogs that do better on leash and for people with strollers and young children.

· Special Needs & Training Area – for dogs not ready for the dog park and need special training and time to adjust. Also an area to hold training, education and adoption events.