Oct 29 2010 lunchtime broadcast

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From this week's so fresh off the press it's burnin' Westmount Independent. Contestants! Start your costumes!

Not dog run related but VERY ODD INDEED

This is the second time I've seen this ad, and again I am struck by how outrageously un-politically correct and bizarre it is.

The 'original' parts are represented by the sled dogs; tough, loyal, in harness, ready to work, ready to pull, clearly frustrated as to why they are being held up. The 'non-original' parts are represented by the cat calmly licking itself. No evidence of any desire to share the load or work.

Let's see. Big, tough,  ready to get it done dogs? Volkswagen. Small, fussy, indifferent, non-working cat CLEANING ITSELF!!!!?  Japanese car makers and part producers. Ouch! How nasty is that? I'm surprised the cat isn't licking it's bum.

Westmount's going to the dogs!

One week to go (more or less) to the Bark in the Park - and things are getting H O T.

To date we have 20 confirmations, including Murdoch - yes indeed, hang onto your costumes my dears, our very own light-fingered Louie is making his debut next Thursday! He might be in the company of a Devil Dog or two, perhaps some fairy tail characters and maybe even a few criminal elements. Whatever the costumes, it is sure to be an entertaining event!

Halloween costumes here I come! Not sure Chaucer has any idea what is about to happen....

ah my boy. How I love him so. So much so that I am waffling on the idea of putting him in a costume as I'd hate for him to be embarrassed. After all, Great Pyrenees are dignified dogs, masters and mistresses of their rugged domains, hardly the breed likely to done a sailor suit and pompoms.

All that to say, we are going to be in costume, exactly what is really anyone's guess at this point, but that will keep it fun.

In case anyone else is wiffling about with a case of zero creative vis-a-vis dog costumes for the party, take some inspiration from these dogs (and one very cute cat).

For the full story and all the images, click:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/14/the-best-pet-halloween-costumes_n_762247.html?ref=fb&src=sp#s156650

Hello hello? Anyone out there? Some musing on social media

As we rapidly head - dare I say lurch, pull, lean and lunge for those of us with that sort of dog - toward the Bark in the Park - I am so energized by the conversations in the dog run about costumes and treats and climate change vs global warming and who can be judge number three, and then I come home to....

nothing! Zero comments on the blog! No subscribers! No followers! On the facebook (Friends of the Lansdowne Dog Run) page - by - you guessed it - nothing! No RSVPS! No comments! No "hey I'm willing to help here's what I can do" - no "here's what I've done".

Does this make me think that no-one gives a rat's fadoodle? NO! Absolutely not. One of the things I feel is so valuable about the dog run, and indeed other community gathering spots, is that there is an active exchange of information, of views, opinions, and slobber. sorry! Drool.

So interest, action and response in person at the run, wasteland of 'new media-ness' out of the run, leads me to reflect on several possibilities;

1) this idea of social media isn't as pervasive, effective, engaging or as motivating as I had thought (is this what Obama is realizing too?);

2) that maybe personal communication is more effective;

3) and, that maybe alerting and informing is enough. No more action needs to be taken.

I can't stop myself here - what do you think?

By the by, I am poised to invite Councillor Lulham to be judge number two. Is she refuses it will not reflect well on the olive brand of outreach, and if she comes she will be making personal contacts with many of her constituents, whom, unless many things change, will likely be voting in her district come the next election. It seems a win-win for all concerned - but I am open to other views.

Bark in the Park update

Dr. Jessey Bernstein, psychologist, McGill University professor and dog-lover, has agreed to be our second judge! So far we have one businessperson, one academic and one to-be-determined as judges. Now - the onus is on you, the readers and community members of the Lansdowne Dog Run to suggest judge number three....Idea: what do you think of asking Councillor Cynthia Lulham as Judge #3?

I also need to know who might be willing and interested in helping with the organization and things to do on and for the day:, goodie bag making, word-of-mouth awareness gathering, on-site herding and sheparding, photographing, chatting, fun-making and enjoying. Let me know by email if any of this interests you - we already have one expert-dog-cookie-maker (thank you Joyce and Watson!) - we need others! Greeters, herders (oh yes, you go HERE for costumes please) and general helpers. Let me know!

amycreighton@bell.net

Hallowe'en Party!

How many of us are coming to the party? It's hard to tell at the moment - since we seem to be a community shrouded in silence! Little Bear is our official sponsor- and Chuck himself is going to be one of our judging panel, we are looking for two more judges. I am awaiting confirmation from a well-known Montreal-based psychologist and a TV personality - any other suggestions welcome.
I am looking for volunteers: to carve pumpkins, to guide people and participants, to hand out prizes and goodie bags. Any takers?

Westmount the "Nirvana of dog runs"

While the results from the meeting last night were less than overwhelming, Mayor Trent, bless his pointy little heart, announced several times that "Westmount is the nirvana of dog runs. People come from all over the island to walk their dogs in our dog runs!" I refrained from pointing out that this is, no matter how enthusiastically meant, way off the mark. Miniscule fences aside, our runs are missing some of the amenities that the other buroughs and municipalities have - dog pools, grooming stations, poop composting - and hey! concerned politicians! - that can take a run of the mill dog run, and turn it into something that breathes...extraordinary.

My understanding of the Mayor's response to the query on what will happen to the dog run during construction is status quo. No decisions have been made on whether or not it will be moved, where it might be moved to, or if it might close or remain open. Councillor Lulham expressed interested in meeting with some "dog people" about the dog run, and provided assurance that a snow fence would be installed at both Lansdowne and King George Park. No details on when.

It was also announced that Cynthia Lulham has a new title - Commissioner of Parks and Urban Planning - completely in charge of all green spaces, including the nine dog runs (according to Mayor Trent), the summit, all horticulture, grass, greenery and dog parks. Tot lots too I imagine.

Take a look at the official Westmount dog runs map. Find nine win a prize!

October Council Meeting Tomorrow Night! Come out to support your dog run!

Council meets tomorrow night and I will be there to ask about the dog run - status, fence status, snow fence status, the whys and why nots, and all in a friendly yet meaningful manner. Here is your (as in the group collective) chance to come out and show the governing bodies what matters to you as dog run goers - that your canine and biped community really matters. Given that the construction on the new arena seems to have already started (looked at the pool lately?), it seems timely to ask the tough questions now - like what exactly is going to happen to the Lansdowne Dog Run during construction of the new arena project? Can we expect to continue to use our space? If not, where will we be redirected? And when, and if, can we be expected to reclaim our space?
Come on out to the meeting - at 8 PM tomorrow night at City Hall. It would be great to create a visible and audible presence for the Lansdowne - and indeed all of the Westmount dog run - communities. I will be at City Hall at a quarter to eight.

See you - and hear you - there!