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Join MDOG on Saturday, October 17th
THE 2nd Annual Dogtoberfest sponsored by the Manchester Dog Owners Group (MDOG) will be held at the former 8th Utilities Fire House at the corner of Main & Hilliard Street from 1 pm to 3 pm.
Which mutt has the winning waggle butt and who will come as old King Tut? If your pup’s smooch is not to miss, then maybe a prize will earn a kiss. Fun and games for everyone, until the fest is nearly done. Only at Dogtoberfest, put your dog to a spooky test. Fido dressed in his droolish best to win the MDOG costumecontest… only at DOGTOBERFEST!
Admission: $5 MDOG Members, $7 Non-Members
Visit www.MDOGCT.comfor more info.
Sponsored by Manchester Dog Owners Group, Inc.
Thank You, Thank You, Thank you !
The MDOG board members would like to thank all of the sponsors, friends, volunteers, members and everyone who came and/or participated in the Manchester Dog Festival. It was a great success on so many levels. The weather (rain date) was beautiful, the dogs were well behaved, and we added 31 new members to the Manchester Dog Owners Group. Your participation keeps us going and moving toward our ultimate goals of a Manchester Dog Park and encouraging responsible dog ownership.
Join MDOG On The Mountain…..Case Mountain!
Keeping with the Halloween theme, there is a hike on Case Mountain scheduled for October 31st and friendly dogs are welcome. The hike is easy to moderate so everyone can participate. It is 1.8 miles but begins with significant incline which leads to the summit (so bring your camera). Owners are responsible for their dogs and must be able to keep them under control at all times. Please refer to this
link for directions: http://recreation.townofmanchester.org/CaseMountain.cfm
The hike begins at 10:30 a.m.• Saturday, Oct. 31 (Halloween) Spring Street lot
If interested in attending or leading a hike rsvp:
Chris Rusack labsct@yahoo. com
Lauracappellucci goldenretriever@ yahoo.com
October 11th is Dogs Rule Day and what better way to celebrate this day with your pooch than with a very special hike. Hiking with Dogs to the Heritage Trail Vineyard starts at 10:00 a.m.
Website: http://www.meetup.com/hikingwithdogs/calendar/11479297/
The Heritage Trail Vineyard owners are dog lovers just like us, so we can hike through the winery and then enjoy lunch and a tasting at their restaurant. They will let us eat at their outside seating with our dogs!! They have an excellent restaurant and excellent wine! They have also recently acquired a cheese farm and they have different types at their restaurant. So please plan on hiking and then enjoying the tasting and/ or some excellent lunch!!! BTW their homemade Gelato is AMAZING. If you plan on attending, please RSVP with an accurate headcount so the vineyard is ready for this dog lovin’ group. 860-376-0659
Website:
http://www.heritagetrail.com
Directions:
http://maps.google.com/?saddr=&daddr=291%20N%20Burnham%20Hwy%2C%20Jewett%20City%2C%20CT%2006351%2C%20USA
Menu:
http://www.heritagetrail.com/Heritage_Trail_Cafe_and_Vineyard/Cafe_Menu.html
Wine List:
http://www.heritagetrail.com/Heritage_Trail_Cafe_and_Vineyard/Wine_List.html
MDOG is a non-profit organization. We have received non-profit status from the I.R.S. designating us as a 501(c) (3) public charity. Please check out our website for ways to contribute and get a tax deduction!
Training Tips
Tip #1
We all want our puppies to be happy, and friendly. Some pups may be shyer than others, or more afraid of new situations. There are many factors that contribute to shy and fearful behavior in dogs. You can help your pups by positively exposing them to new things, but keep in mind that you may be adding to the fear if you are petting, and trying to "comfort" the dog. Your behavior may be reinforcing the nervous or fearful behavior that your puppy is displaying. This is not good for either of you. It is always best to be calm, ignore a hiding or nervous puppy, or just give the dog something else to do. Serious fear responses should be discussed with your trainer and/or veterinarian.
Tip #2
Dogs must be taught to generalize learned behaviors to perform in a number of different places. Generalization practice should be part of your training process. Go to as many different places as possible to practice. Be aware that your dog may have difficulty performing in new situations at first. It is not because the dog is ignoring you or
being disobedient. You simply haven't finished teaching a behavior to the point where it has
become generalized.
Remember: It is easier for a dog to learn to do something rather than to learn not to do something.
Message from the President
October 11th is Dogs Rule Day. Since adopting each of my dogs, my life has been filled with noise, litter (toys & garbage), and poop; lots and lots of poop. I wouldn't give it up for anything, because my life has also been filled with joy. Many may criticize, but my dogs Gryphon & Zuzu were both pet shop pups. I knew the chance I was taking and continue to encourage people to adopt from a shelter or a breeder. Gryphon was five months when we adopted him. He had lived in a cage for three of those months. He’s the good dog and I had to remind myself every day for three years that if I ever got another, I would not be so lucky. Zuzu, well she's a different story. Originally an impulse purchase, I had her for 24 hrs before she became violently ill. She diagnosed with Parvo so I had to return her to the store where two days later it was determined that it was a false positive from the vaccine she had been given the three days prior. During her recovery, she developed kennel cough which in turn became an upper-respiratory infection. I visited her while she was sick and she would blow snot bubbles in my face (very endearing). Both dogs are now happy, energetic goofs. Gryphon & Zuzu bring so much laughter and happiness to my life that I can't imagine it any other way.
Please share your dog’s adoption (or any other) story with us by posting at http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ManchesterDogs.
And don’t forget to celebrate Dogs Rule Day on Sunday, October 11th. Take your dog out for a jaunt in the park and a DQ kids cone (at least that’s how we plan to celebrate).
Sincerely yours,
Alysia Duke
President, Manchester Dog Owners Group
To learn more about International Dogs Rule Day on October 11th, 2009, visit www.pedigree.com/dogsruleday/celebrate.aspx
Where’s the beef ?
Where do you dine with your dog in the Manchester area? Please let us know by contacting
with the subject Dog Dining.
Speaking of food….. Paula Dean has nothing on MDOG – We have plans to publish a recipe book as a fundraiser and we need your help!
We need your best people and dog recipes no later than October 18th so we can organize them and submit them for publishing as a winter fundraiser project. There is a limit of 5 recipes per person. For your donation, you will receive 10% off of your first recipe book purchase. The books will be available by Mother’s Day 2010. Please email your recipes to with the subject: cookbook or you can send your recipes to Manchester Dog Owners Group PO Box 1448 Manchester CT 06045-1448 (c/o cookbook).
You Can Now Leave
$12 Million to Your Dog Too!
Assuming you have it, you can now leave $12 million for the care of your dog or pet in a Pet Trust. Connecticut passed new legislation effective this year that allows for the creation of a trust in which you can place assets to be used for the care of your dog or pet. Prior to this new law, such trusts were not allowed in the State of Connecticut. Other states, such as New York, where the infamous Leona Helmsley left $12 million in trust for her dog, have allowed these trusts for years.
Connecticut pet owners have been clamoring for years for the right at their death to “leave” some of their assets for the benefit and care of their dogs or pets. Under Connecticut law, a pet is treated as “property.” As property, a pet cannot be a beneficiary of your estate but rather is treated as part of your estate that is passed to your heirs. As a result, prior to the new law pet owners were forced to leave assets to individuals whom they trusted to “do the right thing” and care for their pets, or to establish a contractual relationship with one of the many of the wonderful pet care organizations who for a donation, would agree to care for and provide shelter for the pet until its passing.
The new Pet Trust law allows you to create your own trust and place assets in that trust for the benefit of your pet. The terms of the trust are created by you and you select the trustee of the trust. The trustee is someone whom you select who has an obligation pursuant to the terms of the trust to use the trust assets as you instruct – for the benefit of your pet! So, if you have $12 million or some other amount that you feel should be used for the care of your pets upon your passing, talk with your attorney about creating a Pet Trust here in Connecticut and provide for your pet’s continued care in the manner you deem appropriate.
Stephen F. Sutton, Esq.
Kahan, Kerensky & Capossela, LLP
45 Hartford Turnpike
Vernon, CT 06066
860-646-1974
Dog Breed of the Month
Everyone loves to talk about their dog and some believe that their dog breed is the best dog breed in the world. We would love to have you share your experiences with your breed of dog. Even mutts have stories to tell. Please email your stories and photos to with the subject: Dog Breed or you can send your stories and photos to Manchester Dog Owners Group PO Box 1448 Manchester CT 06045-1448 (c/o Dog Breed).
Miniature Poodles: In 2001, I adopted, Coco Chanel, a 6 year old mini poodle to help a neighbor when her elderly great aunt became ill. I agreed to keep her for a couple of weeks until she was able to find the dog a home. Well, 8 years later….. I had no idea how smart poodles can be. They are definitely needy and love to be with you every minute. I found her to be a very healthy breed with none of the typical illnesses you often find in a pure bred dog. I recently lost my dear Coco to a severe case of Vertigo, but I have great memories and remind myself that she had 8 years she might not have had if I had not adopted her. I highly recommend miniature poodles as a great pet and companion. Check out http://poodlerescuene.org
Or just send us a photo of your dog to be the featured star of our next newsletter! Send your photo and information to: with the subject Dog Photo.
Our Cookie Dough and More fundraiser was a huge success for our non-profit group last year so we are repeating it. The goodies include cookie dough, pretzels, pizza and more. This opportunity is available through Wednesday, October 14th. If you would like to place an order, please contact Tammy
Castonguay at: 860-268-3195 or via email at
New Class!
Brenda Stoeke will be starting a new class called "The Metaphysical Mutt" Everything is about energy and this class is about your dog's energy. Learn about animal communication, meditation, modifying behavior through energy exchange and how your dog mirrors your vibrations. Enjoy an evening with your dog and learn about yourself at the same time. Come play. This class is drop-in and will meet one Sunday a month. These sessions start on Sunday, October 25th and run from 7:00pm - 8:30pm at a cost of $15 per session. FMI email: or call Brenda at (860)643-4841
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Meet great people and join the fun, VOLUNTEER FOR MDOG! Don’t let the name fool you; you don’t have to own a dog or live in Manchester to be a volunteer for MDOG. We need passionate people who can help with all aspects of running our organization. We are currently looking for a Treasurer and loads of volunteers. For more information on volunteering and positions available,
please go to our website at WWW.MDOGCT.COM or contact Laura at: .
Business owners, consider becoming a Friend of the Canine Community by contacting us at WWW.MDOGCT.COM
You will receive benefits such as:
ü reduced fees for vendor/exhibitor booths at our events
ü reduced entrance fees at MDOG activities for their employees
ü invitation to MDOG only events
ü opportunity to reach the community by:
o stuffing our goody bags
o being listed on our website
o and more.
PLUS, the contribution our Friends make to MDOG, benefits the entire community by helping us to spread the word about responsible dog ownership and the benefits of canine recreation.
A list of our current Friends of the Canine Community can be found at:
WWW.MDOGCT.COM/FriendsofCanineCommunity.htm
Please help to support MDOG by supporting our Friends. Also visit this site to find out more about becoming a Friend of the Canine Community.
For more information about MDOG, please check out our website at WWW.MDOGCT.COM
We are looking for ideas for articles or simply items of interest that you would like to see in the newsletter. Please send all ideas to: with the subject Newsletter.
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