Yes, Zeus, you and yours made a great, first impression.
Back then, this 10-year-old was a bit unsure of his place in the big city. It took him a few months before he settled in and became a full-fledged Back Bay dog.
Now you may even spot him taking a catnap under a shady tree while his person chats with the rest of his dog posse.
Glad you came to our neighborhood, Zeus. We love dog people who pick up not only after their dogs, but also after litterbugs. See you in the park.
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
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Duchess Poppy Whitehead here! (Once we're friends, you can call me Poppy.)
Lately, I've been sniffing up with a lot of new members of the Boston Canine Court. So I thought I might let them, and the rest of the dogs who are new to Boston, know what they should put on the to-do list of their human servants.
License
Just like you have to make sure your chauffeur has a valid driver's license, you have to be sure one of your human staff members gets you a Boston dog license. (If Boston is your main residence and you are more than six months old.)
Please don't come running up to me on one of those long, thin, dangerous strings with a pulley. I'm a bit shy and I don't trust those things. You'll make me stamp my little paw down!
Boston's leash law is clearly stated on the city’s site, “When your dog is off your property, it must be on a leash.” City ordinance calls for a leash of 10-feet or less. That makes most retractable leashes technically illegal in Boston. If a person tries to attach one to you, growl at them.
One more interesting aspect of Boston’s dog rules is that while out with you, your retainers, if asked, must be able to show that they are carrying something to pick up dog waste. This makes city dog walks a prime reason to attach a roll of pick-up bags to your leash.
Even if your people use recycled bags to do the majority of clean ups, the roll will give them a back up supplies if you are stopped after your business is done, but the walk isn’t.
Sir Felix is one of my special knights. He prefers a leather leash or halter when he escorts me around the pond.
Dog Parks
I must admit, I'm not much of a dog park dog. I prefer a nice chat on a park bench or a picnic lunch under a shady tree.
But, for those who like to romp, the legal exceptions to the leash law are: the “official off-leash hours” on the Boston Common, and inside the fences at dog parks like Peter’s Park in the South End, DeFilippo Park in the North End, and Ronan Park in Dorchester.
Emergency Services
The one bit of guidance you must be sure your humans note is that Angell Animal Medical Center Emergency Services are available, as they say, “… every day of the year, 24 hours each day.” My people have their number on all our cell phones in case of an emergency. And, it can't hurt to have your chauffeur practice a drive to the location so he or she will know where you are going in a stressful time. You don't want to be giving the driver directions if you have an upset tummy.
Questions?
If you have questions about living in Boston, have your people send them to my people and I'll try to dig out answers. (I do love to dig.) Add your thoughts in the comments below. Tweet them to @BostonZest or send us an email.
Get to know all of the wonderful Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!
Duchess Poppy Whitehead here! (Once we're friends, you can call me Poppy.)
Lately, I've been sniffing up with a lot of new members of the Boston Canine Court. So I thought I might let them, and the rest of the dogs who are new to Boston, know what they should put on the to-do list of their human servants.
License
Just like you have to make sure your chauffeur has a valid driver's license, you have to be sure one of your human staff members gets you a Boston dog license. (If Boston is your main residence and you are more than six months old.)
Please don't come running up to me on one of those long, thin, dangerous strings with a pulley. I'm a bit shy and I don't trust those things. You'll make me stamp my little paw down!
Boston's leash law is clearly stated on the city’s site, “When your dog is off your property, it must be on a leash.” City ordinance calls for a leash of 10-feet or less. That makes most retractable leashes technically illegal in Boston. If a person tries to attach one to you, growl at them.
One more interesting aspect of Boston’s dog rules is that while out with you, your retainers, if asked, must be able to show that they are carrying something to pick up dog waste. This makes city dog walks a prime reason to attach a roll of pick-up bags to your leash.
Even if your people use recycled bags to do the majority of clean ups, the roll will give them a back up supplies if you are stopped after your business is done, but the walk isn’t.
Sir Felix is one of my special knights. He prefers a leather leash or halter when he escorts me around the pond.
Dog Parks
I must admit, I'm not much of a dog park dog. I prefer a nice chat on a park bench or a picnic lunch under a shady tree.
But, for those who like to romp, the legal exceptions to the leash law are: the “official off-leash hours” on the Boston Common, and inside the fences at dog parks like Peter’s Park in the South End, DeFilippo Park in the North End, and Ronan Park in Dorchester.
Emergency Services
The one bit of guidance you must be sure your humans note is that Angell Animal Medical Center Emergency Services are available, as they say, “… every day of the year, 24 hours each day.” My people have their number on all our cell phones in case of an emergency. And, it can't hurt to have your chauffeur practice a drive to the location so he or she will know where you are going in a stressful time. You don't want to be giving the driver directions if you have an upset tummy.
Questions?
If you have questions about living in Boston, have your people send them to my people and I'll try to dig out answers. (I do love to dig.) Add your thoughts in the comments below. Tweet them to @BostonZest or send us an email.
Get to know all of the wonderful Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!
One of the great things about living in the city and being part of the dog community is the opportunity to meet so many puppies and watch them grow.
We met this charming, young girl pup on one of her first days in town. She was discovering the joy of chewing on sticks.
And showed proper respect to one of the Grand Dames of the neighborhood.
Her little nose was busy discovering her world. Leaves must have most interesting smells.
She even ventured up close and personal with the ever puppy-patient Greyhound Greer. Greer's family asked us to add that she is only this patient with very young puppies. Once they grow she'll tell them to back off with their busy noses.
We look forward to following this puppy's adventures along with all of her classmates in the Boston Puppy Class of 2015!
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.
One of the great things about living in the city and being part of the dog community is the opportunity to meet so many puppies and watch them grow.
We met this charming, young girl pup on one of her first days in town. She was discovering the joy of chewing on sticks.
And showed proper respect to one of the Grand Dames of the neighborhood.
Her little nose was busy discovering her world. Leaves must have most interesting smells.
She even ventured up close and personal with the ever puppy-patient Greyhound Greer. Greer's family asked us to add that she is only this patient with very young puppies. Once they grow she'll tell them to back off with their busy noses.
We look forward to following this puppy's adventures along with all of her classmates in the Boston Puppy Class of 2015!
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.
When you clip a leash on your dog and take to the street for a nice long walk, you may have a hundred things on your mind. However, walking through an urban setting means that you need to take a deep breath and give safety for both you and your canine companion some front-of-mind time.
This is Teddy, a Boston Terrier who offered to demonstrate safe walking for us.
Take What You Need
In summer, our walks always come equipped with cool water for me and for our Westie Poppy. In my backpack, I also have some treats for rewarding good behavior and perhaps sharing with friends. And, of course, I have plenty of pick up bags.
Keeping your dog close by your side is never more important than on city sidewalks and in urban parks. Unless you are in an official off-leash area, keep your dog safe with a short, strong lead that keeps her in stride with you. Teddy's person came along when we were looking for a shining example of a great dog walker.
Teddy was allowed to come over and meet Poppy only after we said she was okay with that. Even then, he was kept on a short leash until it was clear that Poppy was really going to be friendly.
If your dog is pulling on a long leash and is feet ahead, you could find your walk interrupted by a trip to the animal hospital with a cut paw, a swallowed bone, or a dog that was attacked by another canine or wild animal before you could gain control of the situation.
Keep a Look Out
As you move along, scan the walkway ahead of you looking for broken glass, discarded food, still burning cigarette butts, uncontrolled dogs, or worrisome people.
In addition, each dog has his own fear factor with some bothered by motorcycles or sirens. Our Poppy is upset by loud noises or the sight of a truck. Our Maggie Mae did not trust any random objects left on the sidewalk.
Knowing and keeping an eye ahead for what will scare your dog and might cause an attempt to run away, can help you react quickly to alleviate that fear.
Take care of one another and be safe out there on the busy city streets.
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.
"I-uh-I-uh-I (open up) hear music, let me in (music)
Oh I heard it just then
Let me in (let me in)
I wanna come in again
I thought you were my friend …"
Sophia works at Bauer Wine & Spirits and loves sitting in the sun, accepting pats and scratches from her fans. But when the music and dancing starts, she wants back in!
"I-uh-I-uh-I (open up) hear music, let me in (music)
Oh I heard it just then
Let me in (let me in)
I wanna come in again
I thought you were my friend …"
Sophia works at Bauer Wine & Spirits and loves sitting in the sun, accepting pats and scratches from her fans. But when the music and dancing starts, she wants back in!
Instead of thinking, “Time to walk the dog,” try turning it around by saying, “Time for my dog to take me outside.” Say it in a tone of appreciation, because being outside can be very good for both of you.
Here are Leo (front) and Wolfgang (rear) taking their humans outside this past spring.
Cameron Woo, co-founder and publisher of The Bark magazine, brought to my attention recently the importance of the time I spend outside with my dog. He wrote, “According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American spends 87% of their life indoors with another 6% spent in automobiles for a total of 93% habitating in enclosed spaces. That leaves only 7% of one’s entire life to spend outdoors. Translated to daily life, we average only about 100 minutes of our day outside”
Even with the cold and snow last winter, Poppy made sure we had some time outside each day. She likes the cold better than the heat and loved those high snowbanks.
Living in one of the country’s most walkable cities (where 15% of us walk to work), Bostonians may do a bit better than average at spending time outdoors. But, Bostonians with dogs have the advantage of taking a few more trips a day to the streets and parks with their canine companions.
Where Do You Walk?
Most days we walk the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. That's our routine dog place. But, we also love to explore the city and discover other great dog neighborhoods. Where do you walk your dog? What places do you recommend that we explore? And, how much time do you spend outdoors each day?
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support. And, we highly recommend a subscription to The Bark. It is one of the few print publication subscriptions we still receive.
Instead of thinking, “Time to walk the dog,” try turning it around by saying, “Time for my dog to take me outside.” Say it in a tone of appreciation, because being outside can be very good for both of you.
Here are Leo (front) and Wolfgang (rear) taking their humans outside this past spring.
Cameron Woo, co-founder and publisher of The Bark magazine, brought to my attention recently the importance of the time I spend outside with my dog. He wrote, “According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American spends 87% of their life indoors with another 6% spent in automobiles for a total of 93% habitating in enclosed spaces. That leaves only 7% of one’s entire life to spend outdoors. Translated to daily life, we average only about 100 minutes of our day outside”
Even with the cold and snow last winter, Poppy made sure we had some time outside each day. She likes the cold better than the heat and loved those high snowbanks.
Living in one of the country’s most walkable cities (where 15% of us walk to work), Bostonians may do a bit better than average at spending time outdoors. But, Bostonians with dogs have the advantage of taking a few more trips a day to the streets and parks with their canine companions.
Where Do You Walk?
Most days we walk the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. That's our routine dog place. But, we also love to explore the city and discover other great dog neighborhoods. Where do you walk your dog? What places do you recommend that we explore? And, how much time do you spend outdoors each day?
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support. And, we highly recommend a subscription to The Bark. It is one of the few print publication subscriptions we still receive.
to your leash.
from here to support this site!
.
. The cover is a drinking bowl for her.
magazine,