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Morning Notes

Published May 19, 2014 at 9:15AM

ACPD Participating in ‘Click It or Ticket’ — The Arlington County Police Department is participating in the annual Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement campaign this month. The seat belt use rate in Virginia rose from 78.4 to 79.7 percent between 2012 and 2013. Still, 54 percent of all traffic fatalities in Virginia last year were drivers who weren’t wearing a seat belt. [Arlington County]

Bayou Bakery Opening New Location — Courthouse-based Bayou Bakery (1515 N. Courthouse Road) is expanding to a second location. Chef David Guas’ second Bayou Bakery will be located at 921 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, near Eastern Market, in the former carriage house of the Old Naval Hospital. The historic building is now a civic center known as Hill Center. [Washington Post]

West Coast Tech Meetup Coming to Crystal City — The Bay Area-based group Women 2.0 will be holding its first East Coast tech meetup in Crystal City next month. The “City Meetup” will take place on June 26. In choosing Crystal City, the group cited the recent opening of the $50 million Crystal Tech Fund as evidence that the area has a “budding tech ecosystem.” [Women 2.0]

ACPD K9 to Get Protective Vest — Astor, an Arlington County police dog, will be receiving a new ballistic protective vest. K9 Astor is getting the vest thanks to a national fundraising campaign in honor of K9 Rocco, a Pittsburgh police dog who was killed in the line of duty in January. [Arlington County]

Flickr pool photo by Rob Cannon

The Local Woof: Dining Out With Fido

By ARLnow.com

Published May 12, 2014 at 2:30PM | Updated June 9, 2014 at 1:14PM

Local Woof logo

Editor’s Note: The Local Woof is a column that’s sponsored and written by the staff of Woofs! Dog Training Center. Woofs! has full-service dog training, boarding, and daycare facilities, near Shirlington and Ballston.

One of the best ways to enjoy the warm weather in Arlington is to enjoy a meal outside at one of the many restaurants that offer patio seating. But what about bringing your dog along? Unfortunately, it’s not always a good idea.

In most cases, restaurants require that the dog be tied up OUTSIDE of the fenced area that defines the restaurants seating. This means that your dog is in direct contact with all of the sidewalk traffic. This usually includes men and women, toddlers, strollers, bikes, and other dogs, many of which may not be as friendly as your dog. Asking a dog who has no means of retreat to deal with this constant barrage of strangers may be asking too much. I personally never put my dogs in this situation.

There may be a new option however. Last September Arlington allowed restaurants to apply for a variance that allows dogs to be INSIDE the seating area. This means that your dog can now rest comfortably at your feet, under the table or next to you. At the time the variance was announced 27 restaurants had been approved (see the full list here). Hopefully there are many more by now.

So Arlington dog lovers, here’s what you can do. At the restaurants you frequent, ask to speak to a manager and encourage them to apply for this variance if they haven’t already. The more people who request it the more likely the restaurant manager is to look into it. Also, try out some of the restaurants on the list and report back how it went. We would love to hear from you. Finally, before you take your dog to dinner, please consider how the dog feels about the experience. If your dog is stressed, uncomfortable or if it’s just too darn hot, leave the pup at home. That’s what doggy bags are for.

The views and opinions expressed in the column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ARLnow.com.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published April 7, 2014 at 9:30AM

Arlington Neighborhood Village Initiative Launches — The nonprofit Arlington Neighborhood Villages initiative, which seeks to provide services to seniors who wish to remain in their homes, officially launches today after more than a year of planning. [InsideNoVa]

Dogs Rescued from Fire Doing Well — The two dogs rescued from a house fire across from Yorktown High School were taken off oxygen Thursday and were expected to return home this weekend. The dogs suffered smoke inhalation from the fire. [Twitter]

Rosslyn Pros and Cons — Sophie Pyle, an on-again, off-again Rosslyn resident, has compiled a list of what she sees at the pros and cons of living in Rosslyn. Pros: the views and easy transportation. Cons: airplane noise and a lack of nightlife. [InTheCapital]

DJO Senior Named All-Met Player of the Year — Bishop O’Connell High School senior Melo Trimble has been named the boys’ basketball All-Met Player of the Year. He will play at Maryland next year. Wakefield High School’s Dominique Tham was named to the third-team All Met. No other Arlington athletes were named to winter All-Met teams. [Washington Post]

Arlington Pet of the Week: Penny

Published February 26, 2014 at 1:30PM

Our latest Arlington Pet of the Week is Penny, a nearly two-year-old boxer mix that lives in Ballston.

Here’s what owner Ashley has to say about her sometimes mischievous rescue pup.

Penny is a 55-pound boxer mix who has grown up in Ballston. She was adopted from Lost Dog & Cat Rescue at six months old and will turn two in March. Penny loves jogs and long walks around Arlington, chasing squirrels in the backyard, and going to the dog park. If she finds a dog with as much energy as her, she’ll play until it is time for her to go home.

Throughout her time as a puppy, Penny has enjoyed some occasional mischief. She has never passed a mud puddle that she didn’t like. Besides disemboweling all of her stuffed animals, she also ate half of a duck-mold cake that was cooling unsupervised on the counter. And she consumed 20 unattended hot-dog buns during a barbecue, even taking the wrapped packages to her dog bed so that she could feast in comfort.

In spite of the periodic shenanigans, Penny brings a smile to anyone she meets. She is a wonderful pet and even enjoys getting baths (hooray!). While Penny does love frolicking in the snow, she is looking forward to spring weather so that she can get out more often and make more furry friends!

Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet.

Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $25 in Becky’s Bucks. Becky’s Pet Care provides professional dog walking and pet sitting services in Arlington and Northern Virginia — “Quality Service from a Trusted Friend.”

Arlington Dog Featured in Puppy Bowl

By Ethan Rothstein

Published February 3, 2014 at 11:00AM

Before the Super Bowl last night, Animal Planet aired its annual Puppy Bowl, which featured one puppy from Arlington and another from Falls Church.

Ginger, a 6-month-old Old English Sheepdog Mix, was adopted by an Arlington family from the Fayette (Ohio) Humane Society in September. Ginger’s new home is with Miguel Monteverde and his family, according to the Record-Herald in Fayette County.

Monteverde told the paper that his family was looking to replace its former pet, another Old English Sheepdog, that died in 2012. He suggested that Ginger could be a formidable Puppy Bowl contender.

“Sometimes she can be a handful,” Monteverde said. “Her favorite activities are to play with her neighbors, Morgan and Oscar, our neighbor’s dogs. She’s full of energy and affection.”

Ginger wasn’t the only pup from the area to participate in the Puppy Bowl, which featured 38 dogs on a miniature football field playing with toys. Bach, a Bernese mountain dog/poodle mix, is from Falls Church.

The Puppy Bowl drew an average of 12.4 million viewers last year.

Photo via Animal Planet

Delegate Wants to Nix Dog Death Penalty for Chicken Attacks

By Ethan Rothstein

Published January 9, 2014 at 11:45AM | Updated January 16, 2018 at 2:40PM

The Virginia law that allows dogs to be shot for attacking chickens could be changed thanks to legislation proposed in the General Assembly.

Del. Jennifer McClellan, a Democrat representing Richmond, says she will introduce a bill that would change the law, intended for chicken farms, for urban chickens, according to Style Weekly. Richmond legalized keeping up to four backyard hens in residential areas last April.

“I think we can agree if we’re in a densely populated urban area that it’s not a good idea to have people killing each other’s pets,” McClellan told the Richmond population. She also said that in areas where “chickens are a luxury, not a livelihood, it isn’t clear that a hen’s right to life trumps that of a hungry dog’s.”

Virginia law section § 3.2-6552 allows for citizens to kill any dog caught in the act of killing or injuring poultry. After the fact, Virginia courts have the power to order animal control officers to kill any dog found to be a “confirmed poultry killer.” McClellan’s bill would allow localities to enact ordinances overruling that provision.

There’s a competing law that may also be introduced strengthening chicken protections, which would remove the cap on the amount of money a chicken owner can recoup if its chicken is killed by a dog. The cap is currently set at $10.

The Arlington County Board has been mulling whether to allow backyard hens in denser urban areas for the better part of a year. In November, County Manager Barbara Donnellan recommended against taking action to allow more hens in the county. A plurality of Arlington’s Urban Agriculture Task Force recommended hens be allowed in larger backyards, one of 27 recommendations the task force made in a presentation in June.

File photo

Video: Animal Rescue Doc to Premiere in Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Published January 8, 2014 at 12:35PM | Updated January 8, 2014 at 1:10PM

A new documentary that focuses on the efforts of the Lucky Dog Animal Rescue organization will hold its premiere at the Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike) later this month.

The Lucky Ones will premiere at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 26. Tickets are $10 and the proceeds will be donated to Lucky Dog, which is the subject of the film and was involved in its creation, but did not supply funding, according to adoption coordinator Kristy Buechner.

According to Lucky Dog’s website:

The film centers around our vast network of volunteers and partner facilities. It follows the long journey that many homeless animals take to find their forever homes. It begins in the shelters and on the streets and follows the dogs until they find their forever homes. The film is a documentary not just about the animals but also about the tireless efforts of hundreds of volunteers who touch their lives in that journey.

The Lucky Ones was produced by Alexandria-based Creative Liquid Productions and directed by its founder, Ryan Pratzel, a former producer for Rosslyn-based WJLA. It was filmed on location in South Carolina and Puerto Rico, where Lucky Dog helps to rescue dogs from the streets and shelters, and the D.C. area., where the the organization finds homes for the dogs.

Editor’s Note: The Arlington Pet of the Week feature will return next week.

Photos: Dogs Pose with Santa in Clarendon

By Ethan Rothstein

Published December 16, 2013 at 10:45AM | Updated December 16, 2013 at 12:13PM

Arlington residents took a walk to La Tagliatella (2950 Clarendon Blvd) Saturday afternoon to get their furry friends’ picture taken with a white-bearded friend from the North Pole.

About 30 dogs got their photo taken with Santa Claus over the course of two hours. Santa, looking young for his years, dutifully posed with the pooches on the restaurant’s outdoor patio.

Each photo cost the humans $10, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to Homeward Trails Animal Rescue, which rescues dogs from high-kill shelters, as strays or from owners who can no longer care for them and finds them new families.

Add in the restaurant’s $1 sangria and spiked cider special, and the event raised more than $300.

Photos courtesy La Tagliatella

Arlington Dog Gets Charity-Funded Cancer Treatment

By Ethan Rothstein

Published October 31, 2013 at 4:30PM | Updated October 31, 2013 at 5:32PM

The owner of a cancer-stricken dog in Arlington got thousands of dollars in help this month to pay for the pup’s medical bills.

Kristin Schmeski and her 3-year-old white German Shepherd, Buddy, reached out to The Magic Bullet Fund, a charity that provides funding for canine cancer treatments to owners who cannot pay for it themselves.

According to Schmeski’s Give Forward page, she is a student and works a full-time job, and Buddy’s medical bills — for radiation and the surgery he’s already undergone — are almost $10,000.

Schmeski has already raised $2,065 on her Give Forward page, but after Magic Bullet Fund’s donation, it’s likely the bills will be covered.

Buddy had a tumor on his right hind leg, which after a biopsy and surgery was found to be Spindle Cell Sarcoma, according to Schmelski. With the radiation treatments, Buddy’s doctors estimate that the odds are greater than 75 percent that Buddy will be disease-free in three to five years.

Courtesy photo

Arlington Pet of the Week: Bailey

Published October 30, 2013 at 11:45AM

Our latest Arlington Pet of the Week is Bailey, a Labrador retriever mix who was adopted from a rescue organization earlier this year.

Here’s what owner Julie had to say about her:

Bailey is a 17-month old Labrador retriever mix, whom we adopted from Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation in May. Bailey is originally from Georgia, but she quickly learned to love New England sports, showing her team pride on her collars.

Bailey is a well-behaved dog (thanks to training for her owners) and responds especially well to her favorite treats, including peanut butter, carrots, apples, ice cubes, and rawhide. On occasion she is hesitant to try new things, such as baths, but she becomes more comfortable and confident with each exposure.

During our walks, she loves to sniff everything and snack on anything she finds along the way. We affectionately call her Bailey the Bunny Hunter as she has a keen ability to find rabbits from down the street. She is not much of a napper, unless she spent the day at doggy daycare. When she needs some quiet time, she hides under the bed. Bailey would love to spend her entire day chasing tennis balls, a laser pointer, or her tail. She is a great companion whether we are hiking, dining outside, apple picking, visiting a local winery, or just relaxing at home.

The Arlington Pet of the Week is sponsored by Dogma Bakery, which has locations at The Village at Shirlington (2772 S. Arlington Mill Drive) and the Lee Harrison Shopping Center (2445 N. Harrison Street).

Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet. Each week’s winner receives a $25 Dogma gift card.

Dog Tethering Rules Now in Effect

By Katie Pyzyk

Published October 21, 2013 at 9:55AM

Dog owners must now adhere to new tethering regulations passed by the County Board on Saturday (October 19).

The Board voted unanimously to adopt changes to the Arlington County Code which went into effect immediately on Saturday. Previously, the Animals and Fowl ordinance did not specifically address dog tethering.

Under the new regulations, dog owners cannot leave their pet tethered unattended for more than three hours in a 24 hour time period. Dogs tied to running cables or trolley systems with access to water and shelter can be tethered for up to 12 hours in a 24 hour period. As previously reported, the rules only apply to dogs that are not within physical reach of their owners.

Regarding the running cables or trolley systems, the regulations state:

“A running cable line or trolley system is defined as one that is at least 20 feet in length and is mounted at least four (4) feet, but no more than seven (7) feet, above the ground. Under no circumstances shall a dog be attached to a running cable line or trolley system unless the tether attaching it to the running cable line or trolley system is at least ten (10) feet in length or three (3) times the length of the animal, as measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail, whichever is longer.”

The county staff report on the issue states that the regulations were suggested because tethering an animal for extended periods of time can put the animal’s life at risk.

“The Board’s action today is meant to protect dogs from abuse,” said Arlington County Board Chairman Walter Tejada. “Tethering can put dogs at risk if the tethered animal is unable to get to food, water or shelter. Dogs can also become aggressive if tethered too long. Animal control officers have long made it a practice to respond to reports of dogs being tethered for hours on end. The new rules help responsible dog owners by providing clarity on what’s acceptable and what isn’t.”

The ordinance amendment reads, in part:

“It shall be unlawful for any person to tether a dog to a chain, rope or line of any kind that is too short to enable the dog easily to stand, sit, lie down, turn about, and make all other normal body movements in a comfortable, normal position for the animal, and reach shade as necessary… When the same dog is observed to be tethered in the same location that it was in after an initial observation of the dog in that location, then there shall be a rebuttable presumption that the dog has been continuously tethered in that location since the initial observation.”

The staff report indicates the Animal Welfare League of Arlington supports the new rules. Animal control officers have already responded to resident complaints of dogs being tethered for too long, according to the report.

Violations are considered a misdemeanor and come with a fine of up to $100. Residents who wish to report a violation of the dog tethering rules are asked to call the Animal Welfare League of Arlington at 703-931-9241.