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Tag: picking up after your dog

  • Time to Get Your Dog a License

    March is dog license season in Massachusetts. Dogs in the Commonwealth are required to have a 2016 dog license by April 1st.

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    When we met this adorable Boston newcomer "Guinness" recently, he already had his license.

    How to Apply

    I put a reminder on my calendar and usually apply for a Boston dog license online. You can also download an application to mail at that page.

    If your dog, like my Poppy, is already registered, enter the current license number and all your information should be filled in by the system. Next, you upload photos of a spay certificate and current rabies record. Then, you enter your credit card information and complete the transaction.

    If you prefer the snail mail option, you should receive a package in the mail if your dog is currently licensed. If not, and you want to get a license in person, visit the Animal Care and Control Department at 1010 Massachusetts Avenue. Bring a current rabies certificate and a spay/neuter certificate if you have one. A prepared check or money order will save time.

    You can also get your license at the City Hall To Go truck at one of its scheduled spots around town. Just bring the same documents and a check with you. 

    Low-Cost Clinics

    The city has a series of Dog Licensing & Low-Cost Rabies Vaccine Clinics each year. Here's a link to a copy of this year's events. It was in the right-hand sidebar at the time of this writing. 

    2016 rabies clinic flyer

    Should Dogs or People Be Licensed?

    Over the years, the group of dog lovers that walks with us has often discussed an option of having people licensed as legal caretakers of animals rather than attaching the license to the dog. Then the responsible caregivers could register the animals they have under that license and receive tags for each.

    The legislature has a task force looking at a possible statewide Animal Abuse Registry. But, beyond outright abuse, a caregiver’s registry might deny licenses to those who are constant scofflaws or who have a history of dangerous dog offenses.

    Of course some enforcement of the current rules and regulations for picking up after your dog and keeping dogs on a leash would have to be a part of any program like this.

    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.

     

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Thanks to All the Sunday Dog People Who Did it Right & Shame on Scofflaws

    Congratulations and thanks to all of you who made it through this winter and only left footprints and paw prints behind in the snow. 

    IMG_8111 - Version 22015-03-08-poppy-westie-bench-coat-boots-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    The record snowfall this winter was hard on people with dogs. First, there was the task of getting yourself dressed for each outing. Next, came adding a dog coat and boots if your pup is one who needs them. 

    Once outside, you had to find a spot where your dog would complete the task at hand. (Some dogs are fussy about things like that.)

    Even if your dog was quick and would have been happy to return inside, you had to trudge the extra distance to find a waste receptacle for your pick up bag. And, in many cases, you found the trash bucket overflowing.

    Back inside, you had to undress yourself and your dog, wash dirty paws, and attempt to dry wet fur. Plus, you had to do this 3 to 5 times a day depending on the age, size, breed, and overall health of your companion.

    Sm IMG_8134 - Version 22015-03-15-boston-cigarette-litter-commonwealth-avenue-© 2014 Penny Cherubino copy

    Just as it only took one smoker to create this pile of cigarette litter (almost all the same brand) outside a Back Bay residence, it only takes one scofflaw with a dog to mess up an entire block over the course of a few weeks.

    It Only Takes One …

    Shame on those who decided that since they were out there alone with no one in view, they didn’t have to pick up after their dog. 

    As with many social problems, a small number of people are at the core of the issue. As I used to say to one particularly nasty dog hater who expressed her displeasure with dogs to everyone who passed with leash in hand, “If the vast majority of us didn’t pick up after our dogs, you'd be knee deep in it.” 

    April Stools Day

    If dog haters and people without dogs in their lives are upset over this issue, you can only imagine how maddening it is to those of us who do it right. What’s more, many of us with bag already in hand have been trying to clean up after those who give the dog community this black eye. 

    Portland, Maine has addressed this winter scofflaw problem with humor since the year 2000. Each April, responsible members of the dog community declare an “April Stools Day,” when dog lovers come out in force to clean up the parks. Portland’s day is official and includes event extras. But, around here, anyone with a bag can add goodness to the next day of sunshine with a visit to their favorite dog walking area to pick up a few extra droppings.

    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.

    Details:
    Words: Penny Cherubino – part of this post appeared in one of Penny's City Paws Newspaper columns
    Photography: © 2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino

    Related articles
    Get Ready for Amtrak's "All Aboard" for Dogs & Cats
    Snow Drops, Crocus & Daffodils Popping Up in the Back Bay
    Collateral Damage as the Snow Melts

  • Thanks to All the Sunday Dog People Who Did it Right & Shame on Scofflaws

    Congratulations and thanks to all of you who made it through this winter and only left footprints and paw prints behind in the snow. 

    IMG_8111 - Version 22015-03-08-poppy-westie-bench-coat-boots-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    The record snowfall this winter was hard on people with dogs. First, there was the task of getting yourself dressed for each outing. Next, came adding a dog coat and boots if your pup is one who needs them. 

    Once outside, you had to find a spot where your dog would complete the task at hand. (Some dogs are fussy about things like that.)

    Even if your dog was quick and would have been happy to return inside, you had to trudge the extra distance to find a waste receptacle for your pick up bag. And, in many cases, you found the trash bucket overflowing.

    Back inside, you had to undress yourself and your dog, wash dirty paws, and attempt to dry wet fur. Plus, you had to do this 3 to 5 times a day depending on the age, size, breed, and overall health of your companion.

    Sm IMG_8134 - Version 22015-03-15-boston-cigarette-litter-commonwealth-avenue-© 2014 Penny Cherubino copy

    Just as it only took one smoker to create this pile of cigarette litter (almost all the same brand) outside a Back Bay residence, it only takes one scofflaw with a dog to mess up an entire block over the course of a few weeks.

    It Only Takes One …

    Shame on those who decided that since they were out there alone with no one in view, they didn’t have to pick up after their dog. 

    As with many social problems, a small number of people are at the core of the issue. As I used to say to one particularly nasty dog hater who expressed her displeasure with dogs to everyone who passed with leash in hand, “If the vast majority of us didn’t pick up after our dogs, you'd be knee deep in it.” 

    April Stools Day

    If dog haters and people without dogs in their lives are upset over this issue, you can only imagine how maddening it is to those of us who do it right. What’s more, many of us with bag already in hand have been trying to clean up after those who give the dog community this black eye. 

    Portland, Maine has addressed this winter scofflaw problem with humor since the year 2000. Each April, responsible members of the dog community declare an “April Stools Day,” when dog lovers come out in force to clean up the parks. Portland’s day is official and includes event extras. But, around here, anyone with a bag can add goodness to the next day of sunshine with a visit to their favorite dog walking area to pick up a few extra droppings.

    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.

    Details:
    Words: Penny Cherubino – part of this post appeared in one of Penny's City Paws Newspaper columns
    Photography: © 2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino

    Related articles
    Get Ready for Amtrak's "All Aboard" for Dogs & Cats
    Snow Drops, Crocus & Daffodils Popping Up in the Back Bay
    Collateral Damage as the Snow Melts