Clinton Hill Animal Clinic

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Pet owners have a new option for veterinary care in the 'hood!  The Clinton Hill Animal Clinic is now at 476 Myrtle (at Hall).  After more than 20 years of veterinary practice in Park Slope, Dr Pamella Dendtler had expanded her practice.

Looking in, the new facility looks bright and clean.  They do have Saturday hours but are closed on Sundays.

More from the Myrtle Minutes blog:

Dr. Pamella (yes, 2 els) Dendtler and Dr. Monica Johnson will be opening their doors to cats, large dogs, small dogs, birds and exotic pets. They offer internal medicine, soft tissue surgery, orthopedic surgery, digital x-rays, sonograms, treatment of skin disorders, vaccines, Hill's prescription diets, house calls (yes, house calls!) and more!

I think these are the same vets who provided part-time vet services at KiKi's on DeKaln for awhile.  Has anyone gone yet?  The "Grand Opening" is scheduled for March.

718 623.3999

Office Hours

M-F : 9-7

Sat : 9-5

Fort Greene PUPS Holiday Coffee: TOMORROW

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PUPS HOLIDAY COFFEE
At the PUPS Holiday Coffee on Saturday, Dec. 13, PUPS will be taking collections of money and other donations for Sean Casey Animal Rescue, a Brooklyn-based rescue organization (www.scarnyc.org). PUPS will match all donations dollar for dollar. We will also be accepting donations of towels, sheets, dog and cat food, treats, and toys. Come join us in Fort Greene Park between 8-9:00 am for (FREE) hot coffee, bagels, and muffins. We will also have the 2009 PUPS calendar available for $10 donations.

Fort Greene PUPS Calendars on Sale!

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The 2009 Fort Greene PUPS calendar debuted at the Great PUPkin and was a huge success.  I'll say it's one of the best the organization has done (both because I worked on it, and because we accepted user submissions and collected a lot of amazing photos of local dogs!). As always, the calendars will be available locally and will also be sold at the Brooklyn Flea this Sunday:

We're excited to announce that the 2009 PUPS calendar will be on sale at the Flea this Sunday, November 9.  Come and get yours at the PUPS table that will be set up outside the Flea's main entrance beginning at 10 AM.  The calendar is also available at Who's Your Doggy on Willoughby and Adelphi and at Gnarly Vines on Myrtle Avenue.    This year's calendar is filled with more photos of our community canines then ever and makes a great holiday gift.  Plus, the money raised through calendar sales helps support our activities, which include donations to area shelters and to individuals who have rescued dogs in our neighborhood.
See you in the park (and hopefully at the Flea),
Nancy Peterson
President, PUPS
The calendar can also be purchased online here.

PUPkin MOVING TO RAINDATE (SUNDAY)

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(This probably also means the Ft Greene Conservancy activities will also be Sunday, but I haven't received the official word on that.) Due to the rain forecast tomorrow, we will definitely be moving the Pupkin event to SUNDAY, OCT. 26. The Conservancy is also moving their event to Sunday. The time for the Pupkin will be the same: registration starts at 11:30, judging starts promptly at noon.

Set up crew arrive around 10:30. Registration folks please arrive around 11:00. Judges please arrive by 11:45 at the latest. Judging MUST start at noon so it is important that all judges arrive by 11:45.

If there are other volunteers you know of who are coming to help out, please let them know we are changing the date. Also, please spread the word with other dog folks you know who may be entering the contest.

dorothy!

Halloween Events Roundup

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Halloween in Clinton Hill is amazing!  Here's a listing of all the good stuff planned: OCTOBER 25:

Fort Greene Park Conservancy's Halloween Fest Noon to 3:30 pm A day for children, parents, friends and pets.

Noon - PUPS Dog Costume Contest Enter your dog, in costume, or just come and laugh. This is a hilarious event that everyone can enjoy.  See you at the top of the park.

Noon to 3:30 – Games, hay rides, sack races, face painting, entertainment, dancing, pumpkin painting and more.  FREE!

2:30 – 3:30 – Children's Costume Contest and Parade. A delightful ending to a marvelous day for kids and all.

If you can volunteer to help with the fun, call Carol Anastasio at 718-722-3218

fort greene conservancy halloween festival

Habana Outpost

Brooklyn First Eco-Friendly Haunted house! Habana Outpost works is teaming up with The Green School to design a completely “green” haunted house. It’s free fun for kids of all ages. When: October 25th, 26th and 27th 2-7pm Habana Outpost Blood Drive – We want to suck your blood! After a scare in our haunted house, give back to people in need when we team up with New York Blood Center for a blood drive! When: Saturday, October 25th  12-5:30pm

OCTOBER 31:

Free Halloween Dance Party and Costume Contest! Bring your little Goblins and Ghouls to Habana Outpost for a fun and safe night featuring dj John Oliver, candy, games and a costume contest.

Friday, October 31st 5pm – 10pm (costume contest at 6:00pm)

The Society for Clinton Hill Presents The Children's Halloween Walk in Clinton Hill Friday, October 31, 2008 Starts at 5 pm at the Community Garden, DeKalb/Hall Children in costume, under 12, with parents can pick up the map of many homes with generous treats. Clinton Hill residents are getting ready with bigger and more exciting displays and shows than ever.  Check out the amazing block long show at 313 Clinton Ave. between Lafayette and DeKalb.  You will be thrilled!!  Then, check out the other wonderful sights on Waverly, Washington and Clinton between Willoughby and Lafayette.  People are already building stages for their shows.  Then, of course, you will want to visit the even larger neighborhood as residents offer treats, wonderful decorations, and excitement.  The evening starts around 5 pm and ends around 9 pm.

***

Looking for a comprehensive Brooklyn Halloween list? Try this continually developing post from Fort Greene blogger A Child Grows in Brooklyn.

10th Annual Great PUPkin!

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Up next is a Halloween overview, but this amazing event deserves its very own post!

There are few things cuter than dogs in costumes.  Bring your pooch out this Saturday or just come by to watch.  The competition is serious, so if you plan on entering, please bring your "A" game.  I'll be one of the judges, FYI.

Props to the good founders of PUPS who have volunteered their time and energy for ten years!!!

The 2009 PUPS Calendar will make its on-sale debut as well and will feature many of the neighborhood's cutest dogs.  Thanks to all who took the time to help us out and submit a photo!  You won't want to miss picking one up.

Low-Cost Spay and Neuter, TOMORROW

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Sorry this is such late notice, but it's a great opportunity to spay or neuter your pet at a very low cost (or even free!).  A spay at a regular vet can run upwards of $600!  And props to Tish James for being so involved in so many aspects of our community! ASPCA Brooklyn & Council Member Letitia James  Present:

‘Spay or Neuter Your Cat or Dog!’  Get High Quality Vet Care for Free* or Low-Cost

On MONDAY OCTOBER 6TH 2008 at CUYLER GORE PARK in FORT GREENE Atlantic Avenue between Clermont Street and Carlton Avenue

(ASPCA Truck will be parked at Fulton Street and Carlton Avenue)

WHY SPAY/NEUTER?

Ü      Reduces behavior problems

Ü     Eliminates unwanted litters of puppies/kittens

Ü     Helps your pet live a longer, healthier life

HOW: Arrive with your pet by 7:00 am and return on the same day for pick-up. DO NOT give your pet food after midnight the night before the surgery.

Call ASPCA for instructions: 1(877) SPAY-NYC or log on to www.aspca.org/petowners, or call Faye Biggin: 212.788.7081; letitiajames.info

*If you do not have a Medicaid card, please bring proof of public assistance such as TANF, Medicare, disability, SSI, food stamps, a rent receipt from public housing, etc. A donation of $25 is requested for pet owners without proof of public assistance.

Neighborhood Dog Run

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A CHB reader has stepped up to the plate to help make a dog run in the neighborhood a reality.  Here is the info he provided:

Clinton Hill and Ft. Greene needs a dog run. The off leash hours in Ft. Greene park are great, but insufficient for many of us. Besides the hours being inconvenient for many, not all dogs can be trusted off leash in an unconfined space. My dog in particular is still a puppy, and can't be trusted not to chase a squirrel across the street. I in no way wish to undermine the off leash hours at Ft. Greene Park. I just think a dog run in the neighborhood would be a wonderful addition.
I'd like to hear from anyone who is interested in having a dog run in the Clinton Hill/Ft. Greene area. Whether you're ready to volunteer services or just supportive of having a dog run nearby, please feel free to email me with your ideas. I would also appreciate input on how to go about organizing volunteers and actually approaching the community board / parks department with a proposal.

I know someone else tried to organize a similar effort a couple of months back. I've tried contacting the previous organizer several times, but to no avail. I don't want to step on anyone's toes, but I do want to make this happen.  I will do my best to see this through, and will keep everyone informed as to what's going on.

Please email me at:

clintonhilldogrun@gmail.com

I've also started a google group here:

http://groups.google.com/group/clintonhilldogrun

and a website here:

http://www.clintonhilldogrun.org/

I'm looking forward to hearing from everyone.

-Eric

Are These Your Dogs?

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Thanks to all who submitted to the Fort Greene PUPS 2009 calendar!  We received more than 300 photos to the Flickr group. We're nearing completion and have emailed those who submitted chosen photos.  There's one we're still missing!

Did you submit this photo?  Are these your dogs?  If so, please send us the high-res version, along with the dogs' names, to clintonhillblog-at-gmail-got-com. 445197493_4cfd23a885

Dog Fight

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A neighbor informed me that a large dog attacked a small dog last night, near Clinton and Lafayette. The owner of the large dog could not make his/her dog release the small dog, and it was killed. The scene attracted cops and a large crowd. I'm told it was very graphic and disturbing. I don't even want to think about this, being the owner of a small dog.

Dog owners -- we are responsible for our pets. PLEASE exercise caution if you have an aggressive dog. No one should own a dog they can't control. Be a good neighbor, please. We must be accountable for the animals we house in our community.

Friday Photo (PUPS Edition!)

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The PUPS Calendar is printed every other year, and features dogs from the neighborhood.  The cost is usually $10.  PUPS is gearing up for 2009, and are asking for owner submissions!  Upload your shots and see if your pup makes it into the next calendar! The 2009 Fort Greene PUPS Calendar Committee wants to see your best photos of your dog(s). If the Committee likes it, you might just see your dog in next year's calendar.

To submit photos for consideration, upload them to the PUPS Flickr group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/785984@N23/

or, go to http://www/flickr.com/groups/ and search for "fortgreenepups"

Submissions will be accepted up to July 12, 2008. Photos must be 300 dpi to be used in the calendar.

We'd like to see action shots, portraits, mutts, purebreds . . . anything and everything!

The top contributions will be featured weekly on Clinton Hill blog (www.clintonhillblog.com)

THIS WEEK'S BEST CONTRIBUTIONS:

dog1.jpg

dog2.jpg

dog3.jpg

I may be taking photos at the park as well.

More Dog Run Info

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In light of the dog run chatter, the PUPS Prez just emailed this response: Dear PUPS members:

Every now and then PUPS get requests to work to install a dog run in Fort Greene Park. By way of history, keeping off-leash hours legal in the park was the original core mission for PUPS, not installing a dog run. We worked hard for the better part of ten years with many other dog groups in NYCDOG, NYC Parks Department, elected officials and others to get the 9:00 pm to 9:00 am off-leash courtesy rule codified into law, which went into effect citywide in May 2007.

What many people don't seem to know is that the Parks Department generally follows an either/or policy when it comes to off-leash hours and dog runs. A park might have off-leash hours or a dog run, but not both. An exception to this policy is Riverside Park, which happens to be very large.

Funds for installation of the permanent fencing for dog runs must be raised by volunteers. And all city dog runs are maintained by volunteers as well. Fort Greene Park is a landmarked park, so any dog run would need to be approved by the Landmarks Commission. It's unlikely that a dog run large enough to safely and comfortably accommodate the area's sizeable dog population would be approved given the overall size of Fort Greene Park and the many people who use its space for other purposes such as relaxing, picnicking, exercising, etc.

An idea we thought about years ago was to suggest a dog run be installed at Cuyler Gore Park (the small park at Greene and Cumberland). There is at least one part of this small park that seems ideal for a dog run, but a group of volunteers would need to be organized to work with the Parks Department, our Community Board, city officials and local community groups, raise the money, and maintain the dog run after installation.

While the mission of PUPS remains to keep off-leash hours in Fort Greene Park, we wonder if there's someone out there who would want to organize an offshoot of PUPS to help create a dog run in Cuyler Gore Park? Please feel free to get in touch with PUPS if you'd be interested in heading up such an effort. PUPS would be glad to help you find other like-minded individuals by sending out e.mails to the general membership, talking to you about our experience in working with Parks Department, elected officials and some of the local groups whose support you'd need, etc.

It could be a really great solution for the increasing number of neighborhood dog owners to have both options: 9:00 to 9:00 off-leash in Fort Greene Park and a permanent dog run in Cuyler Gore, a few blocks away.

Be in touch if you're a great organizer of people and want to take on a Herculean task!

See you in the park,

Nancy Peterson President, PUPS

To me, this sounds like a GREAT idea. It sounds as though installing a run in FG Park will take years, caught up in dealing with the city. Why not start a committee that works with the expertise PUPS has garnered over the years to petition for a run nearby?  If you're interested in working on this project, email PUPG at info@fortgreenepups.org.

Dog Run

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Based on what I know about Fort Greene PUPS, they at no point ever prevented a dog run from being built at the park.  They have focused their energies on lobbying to make off-leash hours legal, installing a new (and sanitary) dog fountain in the park (which has just been installed!  yay!), volunteering to beautify the park, supplying poop bags, being a source of information and networking between dog owners, etc. Point is, there's nothing preventing those who want a dog run to form a committee and trying to make it happen.  There's a new dog run over in Bed-Stuy (on Lafayette and Marcy, I believe), and there's no reason why we can't have one, too.  But, it won't magically appear.

If anyone starts a group up, I will post about it here.  Just let me know.  (My dog is kind of antisocial, so personally, we probably won't be interested in the dog run.)