{"id":5664,"date":"2009-11-30T07:44:00","date_gmt":"2009-11-30T07:44:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lbpost.com\/articles\/life\/pets\/uptown-girl-dog-playground-opens-in-scherer-park\/"},"modified":"2009-11-30T07:44:00","modified_gmt":"2009-11-30T07:44:00","slug":"uptown-girl-dog-playground-opens-in-scherer-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/hi-lo\/pets\/uptown-girl-dog-playground-opens-in-scherer-park","title":{"rendered":"Uptown, Girl! Dog Playground Opens In Scherer Park"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"As the postman\u2019s motto reads, \u201cNeither rain, nor sleet, nor gloom of night will keep me from my appointed rounds.\u201d On Saturday, Nov. 21, an overcast sky that threatened (but did not deliver) a chilly rain didn\u2019t keep a goodly number of people to bring Rover on his own rounds either at the opening of the Uptown Dog Park, the latest of the number of canine recreation venues that have been popping up like dots on a Dalmatian in our dog-lovin\u2019 town. Eager participants and their leash-straining companions arrived at Scherer Park earlier than the advertised 10 a.m. event time to enjoy hot dogs (meat and veggie) cooked by the fire department and dog treats donated by the Uptown Animal Hospital, browse the booths and play around as they waited for 8th District Councilmember Rae Gabelich to cut the ribbon.<\/p>\n

\"\"\u201cWe all understand what the need is,\u201d Gabelich said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.<\/p>\n

During a February meeting<\/a> held to discuss creating a \u201cBixby renaissance\u201d and chaired by Gabelich, a dog park was one of several things that residents requested. The Uptown Dog Park was established in a section of Scherer Park; it is surrounded by the wave-design fence that is being used in a number of Long Beach projects. The fenced area is located near picnic areas and a parking lot. The entry gate, as with the two other dog parks in Lincoln Park and K-9 Corners on Pacific Avenue and Ninth Street, has a holding area for entering and exiting dogs to prevent escape. Unlike the other two parks, there are separate play areas, one for small dogs and one for large dogs (medium-size canines are, we imagine, selected at the human companion\u2019s discretion). It makes one remindful of lower- and upper-elementary-grade recess.<\/p>\n

After a prepared speech by Long Beach Animal Care Services manager John Keisler (and a glib impromptu address by Keisler\u2019s small son, Benjamin) Councilmember Gabelich cut the ribbon and the fun began. Dogs romped and enjoyed themselves as if there were no tomorrow (actually, dogs do live in the present). Clean-up bags provided by the Uptown Animal Hospital helped to put Gabelich\u2019s message of responsibility into practice, and people were using them.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone here is so responsible,\u201d said Kim Peterson of Mrs. Doolittle\u2019s Pet Sitting. Peterson said that even though she was wearing sandals, she didn\u2019t feel that she needed to look down.<\/p>\n

\"\"
It\u2019s become customary for the Pet Post to snap a photo of the responsible Councilmember demonstrating responsibility. In an instance of d\u00e9j\u00e0 poo, Councilmember Gabelich shows that she\u2019s quick on the pickup.<\/em><\/p>\n

Dog parks are fast becoming a Long Beach brand and, as with visits with children to \u201chuman parks,\u201d it must be remembered that a visit to the dog park should not replace the daily walk or primary exercise. It is a good idea to walk your pooch first for the amount of time you both usually take then visit the park. Again, as with children, dog parks are a good way for sociable dogs to play and be clubby with one another as the \u201cparents\u201d gather and socialize as well. Dogs should be supervised at all times and, of course, cleanup is mandatory.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s very important to take ownership of the park,\u201d Gabelich said, adding that she encouraged residents to volunteer to keep the park clean and to become members of the Dog Park Advisory Committee.<\/p>\n

After the Dog Park Advisory Committee is established, committee members will more firmly establish park rules, and we want to put in a cautionary note about children. Although many kids are pretty responsible and can look after the dogs very well, parents need to be aware that it could be difficult to watch a younger child and dog at the same time. For this reason, many dog parks do not allow children inside. We feel that children need to be educated about how manage dogs (and themselves) in a dog park, and certainly to ask an owner\u2019s permission before they touch a dog they haven\u2019t formally met.<\/p>\n

At the Uptown Dog Park, it\u2019s no walk in the park\u2014it\u2019s a romp.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Some just like groovin\u2019. \u201cI\u2019m so glad this is here,\u201d said Maxine Titus. \u201cWe used to have to go all the way to Second Street.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Uptown Dog Park will be open from 5 am to dusk. If you\u2019re interested in volunteering for the park\u2019s Dog Park Advisory Committee, call the office of Councilwoman Rae Gabelich at (562) 570-6685.<\/p>\n

Check the bottom of this post for more photos from the dog park grand opening!<\/p>\n

Pet Projects<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether Naughty or Nice, They\u2019re on Our Lists<\/strong><\/p>\n

During the holidays, remember the pets who aren\u2019t as lucky as yours. Add any one of the charities we\u2019ve mentioned in \u201cAll I Want for Christmas<\/a><\/em>\u201d to your holiday list: ACS\u2019s Wish List; Friends of Long Beach Animals Cat Comfort Campaign; a Food Donation Partnership sponsored by Food Finders, Friends of Long Beach Animals and Mayor Bob Foster; and Community Action Team\u2019s Santa Paws. Click on the link above for information.

City Municipal Code Change is One More Step to Making Long Beach \u201cthe Safest City for People and Animals\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Approximately 1,500 initial barking complaints will be handled more quickly and effectively in 2010 with recent changes to the Long Beach Municipal Code, Title 6: Animal Laws. Beginning with the new fiscal year, Animal Care Services (ACS) will begin enforcing violations of the municipal code with the administrative citation process.<\/p>\n

A step-by-step guide to the complaint process for common issues of off-leash, defecation and barking is available online. Evidence of a violation is still critical; residents are encouraged to begin documenting violations as soon as they are aware of them. With adequate evidence and an affidavit signed by witnesses to the violation, an administrative citation may be issued for common violations without the presence of an officer.<\/p>\n

\u201cNeighborhoods are safer when we have the tools to respond and enforce the laws quickly,\u201d said Ronald R. Arias, Health and Human Services department head. \u201cThe administrative citation process is an example of progressive thinking in the City of Long Beach.\u201d<\/p>\n

The new approach expedites response times, reduces costs for processing complaints and eliminates fees paid to the courts for criminal citations. All fines collected support further enforcement activities at ACS.<\/p>\n

More information about the new complaint process is available online at this link<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Virtually Pets: Online Adoption<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"
This is Dannie<\/strong>, a female tortie-and-white domestic shorthair about 8 years old. She would love to grace your household. She\u2019s been at the shelter since Nov 11, 2009. Ask for ID#A391122.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Of course, if you want a matched pair, there\u2019s Sammie<\/strong>, another 8-year-old DSH female cat about the same age as Dannie. Sammie and Dannie\u2014nice ring to it! Ask for ID#A391125.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Chase<\/strong> is a cutie-personality petit poodle with tan and white coloring. The shelter staff thinks he\u2019s about 6 years old. Just right for a lightweight lapdog! Ask for ID#A391276.<\/p>\n

Below are additional photos from last week’s dog park grand opening!<\/p>\n

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