This blog is a tribute to Belle, and all the dogs who have come before and after. They are my friends, my companions, my teachers and my students. They bring me both joy and heartache, laughter and tears. There is nothing as sweet as the smell of puppy breathe, and nothing as sad as the final goodbye.


Saturday, October 26, 2019

Good News for Town of Oyster Bay Residents


Town Unveils New Dog-Friendly Neighborhood Parks








“Our pets are like family, and residents have been requesting that we give consideration to allowing them to enjoy our facilities with their dogs,” said Supervisor Saladino. “We are pleased to be able to unveil these new dog-friendly locations for our residents and their furry friends!”
“As a dog lover and owner of two, I understand how enjoyable it is to bring our pets on outings where they can enjoy the nice weather and get some exercise,” said Councilman Labriola. “I’ve spoken with many residents who have expressed their desires to walk their dogs at local neighborhood parks, and I immediately began working with the Parks Department to make that dream a reality.”
The Town Board recently voted to allow pets at neighborhood parks designated by the Town Parks Commissioner. Consideration was given to park utilization, location and usage. New signage has been placed at the designated parks advising residents that leashed pets are welcome. Dogs are only permitted at those locations specified by the Parks Commissioner, with the exception of serve animals. Current parks selected are:
  • H-16, Hunter Lane & Northern Parkway, Hicksville
  • H-18, Tudor Road & Lyon Court, Hicksville
  • F-6, Lincoln Street & Meadow Court, Farmingdale
  • J-1, Maytime Drive & Mellow Lane, Jericho
  • B-11, Flamingo Drive & Caffrey Ave., Bethpage
  • M-15, Burton Lane & Unqua Road, Massapequa
  • M-16, Clocks Blvd. & Bayview Place, Massapequa
  • M-17, Pittsburgh Ave. & Westwood Road, Massapequa
  • P-15, Sylvia Lane & Warren Place
  • S-20, Split Rock Road & Radley Drive, Syosset
  • S-30, Market Drive & Woodbury Road, Syosset
S-17, Townsend Drive & Cold Spring Road, Syosset

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Remembering my Charlotte





















she climbs into my arms and gently lays her head upon my shoulder

the fur on the top of her head gently caressing my chin

i breathe in her scent as i rub my check against the softness of her fur

my hand against her delicate rib cage

just a thin barricade between bone and skin

between life and death

and i understand that this life i hold in my arms

so precious and fragile

will all too soon be but another memory

like all the others

who over the years

have graced my heart

another goodbye to a life i love

                                   written    3/17/2019

Rest in Peace sweet Charlotte. You fought IBD like a brave warrior but the disease was stronger then us both. 6/23/19

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Adorable Ziggy!


  Ziggy was a terror when I first met him last year. Biting guests as they entered his home, or once in, if they dared to get up from a chair or make any sudden movement. He also felt it was his responsibility to bark at anything that walked past his house. A typical fear biter who for many years practiced his craft on a daily basis.

 Fortunately Ziggy had committed owners who worked diligently at his training and Ziggy learned a better, more appropriate way to handle his fear.  As often happens, because Ziggy was behaving in a calm respectful manner, his owners over time became lazy with his training and so predictably, his bad behaviors started reappearing. Dogs, like people will, over time, revert back to old comfortable behaviors unless the new behaviors are reinforced on a daily basis.

   The owners have a toddler running around the house and a new baby on the way. They were worried that Ziggy would bite their child. I was called back to help them get Ziggy back on track. Ziggy was a willing student who remembered his lessons well but needed the gentle guidance of his owners to remind him of what was acceptable and what was not. I came at first weekly, then every other week, and finally once a month for a few months mostly as an incentive for the owners to keep up with the training. We had our last lesson last night. The new baby is due in September. Ziggy was unperturbed by the constant motion of the adorable toddler and happily went to his raised platform when told to go to place to get out of her way. I think this family has learned how important it is to keep up with the training and I believe they will continue.   

Good luck little man. 

It was a pleasure working with you!