INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW...  ;)


I'd like to hear from YOU - any/all ideas you may have for future
D.O.G.I. events, including fundraisers.  What do we think would draw
people to participate in an event and/or draw more active group
members?  If you attended an event last year that you really liked,
tell what it was and why you liked it.  If you attended an event and
have an idea for an addition or improvement, tell me about it.

Thanks for helping kick off a great 2007!

Carol
V.C. - West County D.O.G.I.

I really enjoyed the dog wash last year, but I think our location was
not ideal. We need something with a major road frontage and possibly
more pre advertising, because people can't stop on impulse if they
need to have their dog and shot records with them. Maybe Silkies on
Manchester road? And maybe have it 2 days in a row, so if people see
us on Sat, but can't make it back with their dog, we can tell them to
come back on Sunday.

I think we would have had even more customers if people had known
ahead of time so they could schedule to bring their dogs.

My thoughts,
Sheila Shelley

__________________________________________________
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This is really good example of why planning ahead (several months) is
critical to the success of events.  If anyone would like to be
involved with event planning and promotion, give me a shout!

Here's what went on behind the D.O.G.I. Wag 'n' Wash scenes:

(1) We felt, although a road-front location is ideal for a car wash,
we weren't comfortable with that because our precious pups would be
too close to danger, should one inadvertently slip away.  Lots of
liability issues.

(2) We did pre-advertise, placing color posters and flyers at as many
local businesses as we three officers could reach (i.e. groomers,
vets, coffee shops, at Sheridan's itself).  The posters were put up at
a few high-traffic locations instead of a flyer.  Flyers were also
available online (announced and on this site) for members to hand out
or post.  Emails were sent out to the community coordinators for all
chapters of D.O.G.S., in addition to all members on this list.  I
believe I sent invitations to several dog clubs, too.  A press release
was sent to all major media outlets in metro St. Louis (incl. The
Post, West Newsmagazine, the Journal papers, etc.).  Channel 5 came by
and filmed us in action, too.

(3) We chose Sheridan's because it's near a major highway intersection
and in the middle of our target, geographic population base;
Sheridan's has successfully hosted "washes" before; and they let us
have "free two-scoop cone" coupons as incentives.

(4) We only had it on one day because we couldn't get any more people
to volunteer for a second day.  Lack of volunteers is a major issue
for most non-profit groups.

(5) When picking dates, we have to find ones agreeable not only to us
and the host, but also avoiding dates coinciding with other major
events (sports, fundraisers, etc.).

By the way... I believe we made three or four hundred dollars, which
is pretty good for the first time out.


--- In westcodogi@yahoogroups.com, "Sheila" <sheilashelley@...> wrote:
>
> I really enjoyed the dog wash last year, but I think our location
was
> not ideal. We need something with a major road frontage and possibly
> more pre advertising, because people can't stop on impulse if they
> need to have their dog and shot records with them. Maybe Silkies on
> Manchester road? And maybe have it 2 days in a row, so if people see
> us on Sat, but can't make it back with their dog, we can tell them
to
> come back on Sunday.
>
> I think we would have had even more customers if people had known
> ahead of time so they could schedule to bring their dogs.
>
> My thoughts,
> Sheila Shelley
>

I think the event at Forest Park was successful and many people enjoyed
it.  I do not know exactly what it was for but I think it was for the
dog parks.  People were able to bring their dogs to the tennis court
and the dogs were able to play.   I think this is a good way to
introduce people to dog parks.
                                 Thanks,
                                 Diane Favier

That was an event for our parent organization, Dogparks Of Greater St.
Louis.  We had the event at the invitation of the family who runs the
tennis center, but we were unsuccessful in reaching them to make
arrangements for an event this past November.

If anyone knows the owner of and/or would like to help research
potential West County locations for such an event (it would have to be
complete fence-enclosed, for safety), LET'S TALK.

Carol

--- In westcodogi@yahoogroups.com, "Diane Favier" <flowerbear@...>
wrote:
>
> I think the event at Forest Park was successful and many people
enjoyed
> it.  I do not know exactly what it was for but I think it was for
the
> dog parks.  People were able to bring their dogs to the tennis court
> and the dogs were able to play.   I think this is a good way to
> introduce people to dog parks.
>                                 Thanks,
>                                 Diane Favier
>

In last Friday's St. Louis Business Journal, there was an article
saying the two men (J.J. Mills and Graham Hill) who own the
Bentley/Maserati dealership did so well last year ($41 million in
sales) they applied for, and received, one of only 100 Lamborghini
dealerships in the U.S.  The store will be situated directly across
(west) from the Bentley dearlership building in the valley.

Does anyone in this group know these men?  Do you know anyone who
might know them?

It sure couldn't hurt to try to figure out a way to approach these two
well-financed people, eh?  We'd just have to learn what the CORRECT
was is to do this before talking to them so we don't blow our chance
(IF we have one!).

Carol
V.C. - West County D.O.G.I.

West County D.O.G.I.'s popular "I Want A Dog Park!" wet and muddy paws
towels are at Treats Unleashed (Clarkson-Wilson Center in
Chesterfield).  Special winter pricing is still available - only $5.00
each!  Not only is this a great gift for your furry little Valentine,
but also for golfers, folks who are fanatic about their car, and
more!

www.hsmo.org/bark

Bark In The Park and Country Fair

To join Dogparks Of Greater St. Louis' walking/fundraising team for Bark in the Park, click on "Join an Existing Team."  I'll be asking dog-parkers from all over the metro area join our team; perhaps we could come up with a way to make our group stand out, like matching bandanas for our pups?!  D.O.G.S. will also have a booth at the event, as we have for the last several years.  If you'd rather help run our information table (booth), you're welcome to volunteer for that, too.

Come, Walk, Stay and Play to Celebrate Missouri and its Animals!

All the doggone fun starts at 10 a.m. in Cricket Field in Forest Park on May 19, 2007 and it's all for the animals at the Humane Society of Missouri. So, fetch your family, friends, co-workers and canines and get registered for THE canine event of the year. Bark in the Park is the Humane Society's largest fundraiser and we need you to make it a bark-riffic success.  This year, the more money you raise, the more prizes you receive - and all the proceeds benefit the Dr. Doolittle Fund which provides veterinary care for homeless animals. Now, that's something to bark about!

Thank you for supporting D.O.G.S.' 

Sincerely,

Carol Panter                                                                            President, Dogparks Of Greater St. Louis Vice-chair, West County D.O.G.I.) 

Due to inclement weather last week, this meeting has been rescheduled
for early March.  Please check our Group Calendar for details.

Carol

--- In westcodogi@yahoogroups.com, westcodogi@yahoogroups.com wrote:
>
> Reminder from: westcodogi Yahoo! Group
>  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/westcodogi/cal
>
> Wildwood Parks & Rec. Input Session - Wards 5-8
> Tuesday February 13, 2007
> 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
> Location: Fairway Elementary School
> Street: 480 Old Fairway Drive
> City State Zip: Grover, MO 63040
> Phone: (school) 636-458-7300
>
> Notes:
> Wildwood Residents: Here's your chance to tell the city of Wildwood
you want a dog park! Parks and recreation public input session for
wards 5-8 tonight.  Questions?  Call Kathy Arnett with the city: 636
458 0440
>
> The school is on Fairway Drive, off the west side of Old State
Road, about halfway between Manchester and Hwy 109.
>
>
> All Rights Reserved
>  Copyright © 2007
>  Yahoo! Inc.
>  http://www.yahoo.com
>
> Privacy Policy:
>  http://privacy.yahoo.com/privacy/us
>
> Terms of Service:
>  http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>

EASTER EGGS-TRAVAGANZA 2007!

Back due to popular demand, this fun (and funny) dog and owner event
will return, co-hosted by Treats Unleashed.  The date has tentatively
been set for Saturday, March 31st.  If you couldn't make it last
year, it was a HOOT!  Some dogs came wearing bunny ears, others
brought their own decorated easter basket.  We filled two baby pools
with brightly-colored plastic Easter eggs; owners let their
dog "pick" several eggs (10 eggs for each $5.00 donated West County
D.O.G.I.).  Some dogs had so much fun, they took two turns!

HELP US RUN THE EVENT
If you have a couple of hours to help host or prepare, please contact
me by sending an email reply to this post.

DO YOU KNOW A POTENTIAL DONOR?
If you own a business or know someone who owns a business and would
like donate a prize, please reply to this post via email.  The item
itself doesn't have to fit in a plastic egg; we can put a slip of
paper in it with the name of the prize and guests can retrieve (dog
vocabulary!) the actual prize inside the store.  For example, prizes
from last year included Treats Unleashed dog cookies, a certificate
for a full-service dog grooming from Petropolis, one free dinner
entree from a local restaurant and a Drinkwell recirculating pet
water fountain.  Please, no dollars-off or percent-off coupons.

Thank you in advance for joining the fun!  Isn't it nice to plan for
SPRING?!

Carol
Vice-chair, West County D.O.G.I.

Since September I have been immersed in family and lifestyle changes, but I wanted to come up for air to give you an update on the dog park under construction in Creve Coeur.

At the invitation of the city, I attended three meetings (as a source
person) related to Parks planning for the city of Wildwood.  Since
the city is so young (ten years old), this process is to establish
residents' needs and wants for current and future park planning (and
potentially, acquisition of property for future parks).

Several people at these sessions expressed an interest in dog parks.
I will say, however, the most vocal and well-represented contingency
was (no surprise) the horseowners.  We "dog-parkers" need to be sure
we show up for these meetings, no matter what city we live in, to
ensure our interests are represented.

4,000 randomly-selected Wildwood households will receive a copy of
the Parks Survey (it will be available online - for viewing only - at
the city's website).  One of the items on the survey's original draft
was "dog park."  At my suggestion, the board re-worded the entry to
something more like "canine off-leash recreation area," since there
are many residents who are still unfamiliar with the concept of a dog
park.  IF YOUR HOME IS CHOSEN FOR THE SURVEY, please make sure you
check YES next to this proposed amenity!

ALSO, The Citizens Committee for Park Progress is seeking input from
Wildwood residents regarding the future of Parks and Recreation.  If
you would like to provide comments, you can use the on-line form
found at:

https://www.cityofwildwood.com/egov/apps/action/center.exe?
action=form&item=22


Hope to see some of you soon.

Carol Panter
V.C. - West County D.O.G.I.

If you didn't attend this event last year, you missed out on some
great, photo-worthy moments; some dogs wore bunny ears, some dog-
parents decorated a special Easter basket just for Fido or Fifi.

PRIZES
Prizes last year ranged from yummy Treats Unleashed dog cookies, to
coupons for free cones at Sheridan's Frozen Custard, to a Drinkwell
recirculating pet water fountain.  As of today's date, the top prize
is a Boarding/Grooming package from Petropolis.

HELPERS
Helpers at this event can supervise the egg-gathering area (a couple
of baby pools) and/or help run the information table for West County
D.O.G.I.  We ask that volunteers donate at least one hour, but you
can certainly stay the whole time!

If you'd like to volunteer, please email me privately.  If you'd like
more information about the event, you can ask me about that, too.

Spring has sprung, so we need to get more folks involved in the dog
park cause!


Carol Panter
V.Chair - West County D.O.G.I.

We'd like to hear your ideas!  What can/should our group do to get more people involved?

Carol
Vice-Chair, West County D.O.G.I.

We'd like to hear your ideas!  What can/should our group do to get more people involved?

Carol
Vice-Chair, West County D.O.G.I.

Great idea - all it takes is SOMEONE to organize it!!

Make the phone calls, print flyers, collect MONEY, etc., etc.,

The question was (& still IS!)  HOW do we get people to participate!!



>From: Sheila Shelley <sheilashelley@...>
>Reply-To: westcodogi@yahoogroups.com
>To: westcodogi@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: Re: [westcodogi] Your Ideas Are Needed!
>Date: Sat, 31 Mar 2007 16:37:51 -0700 (PDT)
>
>I think it gets kind of old only participating in fund raisers all the
>time. Is there a place we could use once in a while for a temp dog park
>just for group members to meet and let their dogs play for an hour? Perhaps
>we could find a West County tennis court or fenced field if we promised to
>pick up all the bombs.
>
>   Sheila Shelley
>
>panter636 <panter636@...> wrote:
>             We'd like to hear your ideas!  What can/should our group do to
>get more people involved?
>   Carol
>Vice-Chair, West County D.O.G.I.
>
>
>
>
>
>Sheila

_________________________________________________________________
Live Search Maps – find all the local information you need, right when you
need it. http://maps.live.com/?icid=hmtag2&FORM=MGAC01

----- Original Message -----

From: Sheila Shelley

To: westcodogi@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2007 6:37 PM

Subject: Re: [westcodogi] Your Ideas Are Needed!

I think it gets kind of old only participating in fund raisers all the time. Is there a place we could use once in a while for a temp dog park just for group members to meet and let their dogs play for an hour? Perhaps we could find a West County tennis court or fenced field if we promised to pick up all the bombs.

 

Sheila Shelley

panter636 <panter636@yahoo.com> wrote:

We'd like to hear your ideas!  What can/should our group do to get more people involved?

Carol
Vice-Chair, West County D.O.G.I.

Sheila

A regular play day for member dogs IS a great idea, but hard to
actually carry out. Here is a long, possibly boring, explanation of why:

Last year I tried to interest a few of the public/pseudo public tennis
courts in such a meeting, but all are reluctant due to perceived
liability and health issues. Waivers ease concerns for injuries if
someone fell down, for instance, but the health issues (for them) are
another story. Most tennis courts have no water source nearby so
hosing down after a pack of dogs is not possible, creating what the
facilities believed was a health hazard. (I don't know why the Forest
Park Tennis Court is okay with dogs on the tennis court and Creve
Coeur Tennis Club was not.)

To arrange a play day/member meeting, it would have to be on private
property anyway, unless it were an on-leash walk together (yawn),
because it is illegal for a dog to be off leash in a public place,
including our public parks.

In addition, to ARRANGE a gathering with the blessing of a public
entity such as the county or a city, the county or city would demand
proof of private liability insurance, because of the language in the
Missouri statute that protects public park "owners" from liability.
(It's called landlord liability.) A municipality or county (the
landlord) is not liable for injuries to visitors because no directed
invitations to use the park are ever issued. They just open it. In
other words, enter at your own risk. The statute says that since
anyone can come to the park, the city or county is not legally
responsible for what happens to the individual visitors. Only a gross
example of negligence on the part of the landlord (such as open
ditches partially hidden by brush that someone could accidentally
stumble into) would constitute liablity.

So, when a municipality or county gives approval for a group, and
allows a group to publicly advertise their event, they are in effect
inviting the public into the park, and losing their landlord liability
protection under the Missouri statute.

We could have on-leash walks at any park we want. We just can't ask
permission or expect help from the park "landlord" to get the word out.

That means a play day would have to be at an individual's property, a
church or school yard, or corporate property. (I already mentioned why
pseudo public places like churches and schools don't want to do it.)

In addition, those places with a nice big open area don't seem to be
fully fenced, a necessity IMHO because even our members don't always
have their dogs trained for voice control. In a less urban area it
would be okay, such as Babler State Park (illegal to be off leash
there), but more often than not, there is too much traffic around here
to be safe.

Our only choice, then, is to journey to one of the OLAs in St. Charles
parks, Quail Ridge or Dusable, until St. Louis County gets onboard (it
could happen!). We could set a time and a place to meet, even make it
a regular date, weather permitting. We could program an automatic
reminder on this group to mark the regular date and time, have
everyone put a bandanna on their dog so we know who to look for, etc.,
etc.

How about Sunday afternoons at 1 PM, weather permitting, at the St.
Charles dog park in Dusable Park?

Also, beginning on April 2 anyone who is a resident of Creve Coeur can
purchase a membership to the new dog park opening in May.
Non-residents can purchase memberships starting on April 16. If those
group members who manage to get a membership want to start having a
regular play day after the Creve Coeur dog park opens I am totally on
board with that!

When you find a place, let us know!!  I'm sure everyone would be glad to
join you!
Barb


>From: Sheila Shelley <sheilashelley@...>
>Reply-To: westcodogi@yahoogroups.com
>To: westcodogi@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: Re: [westcodogi] Your Ideas Are Needed!
>Date: Sun, 1 Apr 2007 14:17:03 -0700 (PDT)
>
>I don't know why it would take any money. When I lived in TN, the Greyhound
>adotion group had several ball fields they were allowed to use if a game
>was not going on. I would periodically get an email that said "Hey several
>of us are going to ____ at 9am Sunday morning for anyone who wants to join
>us". It wasn't complex or over organized, just spontaneous and fun. There
>were no dog parks there. Even if someone had a large back yard, that would
>work! I have 0.14 acres and no fence or else I would volunteer to do it
>here.
>
>
>
>Sheila

_________________________________________________________________
Get a FREE Web site, company branded e-mail and more from Microsoft Office
Live! http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/mcrssaub0050001411mrt/direct/01/

Barbara
Do you live in Chesterfield?
If you do, please "join" me at some --or all-- of the Park and Rec meetings!
They are softening---but much too slowly--and I have been the only person
showing up so they certainly are not feeling any pressure!

Linda McDonald and Chief
----- Original Message -----
From: "Barb Hughes" <babahug@...>
To: <westcodogi@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 01, 2007 7:46 AM
Subject: Re: [westcodogi] Your Ideas Are Needed!


>
> Great idea - all it takes is SOMEONE to organize it!!
>
> Make the phone calls, print flyers, collect MONEY, etc., etc.,
>
> The question was (& still IS!)  HOW do we get people to participate!!
>
>
>
>>From: Sheila Shelley <sheilashelley@...>
>>Reply-To: westcodogi@yahoogroups.com
>>To: westcodogi@yahoogroups.com
>>Subject: Re: [westcodogi] Your Ideas Are Needed!
>>Date: Sat, 31 Mar 2007 16:37:51 -0700 (PDT)
>>
>>I think it gets kind of old only participating in fund raisers all the
>>time. Is there a place we could use once in a while for a temp dog park
>>just for group members to meet and let their dogs play for an hour?
>>Perhaps
>>we could find a West County tennis court or fenced field if we promised to
>>pick up all the bombs.
>>
>>   Sheila Shelley
>>
>>panter636 <panter636@...> wrote:
>>             We'd like to hear your ideas!  What can/should our group do
>> to
>>get more people involved?
>>   Carol
>>Vice-Chair, West County D.O.G.I.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>Sheila
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Live Search Maps - find all the local information you need, right when you
> need it. http://maps.live.com/?icid=hmtag2&FORM=MGAC01
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

I'm not sure we "must have" additional insurance (etc.).  When we
(West County D.O.G.I & D.O.G.S.) have the dog swims, our organization
has never been asked (I feel I'm tempting fate by typing these
words!) to carry additional insurance.  Perhaps for our theoretical
dog play day - wherever it may be held - we could also get by with a
detailed Waiver of Liability (approved by the property owner), much
like the ones used for the dog swims.

Carol
Vice-chair
West County D.O.G.I.

--- In westcodogi@yahoogroups.com, "westcodogi" <president@...> wrote:
>
> A regular play day for member dogs IS a great idea, but hard to
> actually carry out. Here is a long, possibly boring, explanation of
why:
>
> Last year I tried to interest a few of the public/pseudo public
tennis
> courts in such a meeting, but all are reluctant due to perceived
> liability and health issues. Waivers ease concerns for injuries if
> someone fell down, for instance, but the health issues (for them)
are
> another story. Most tennis courts have no water source nearby so
> hosing down after a pack of dogs is not possible, creating what the
> facilities believed was a health hazard. (I don't know why the
Forest
> Park Tennis Court is okay with dogs on the tennis court and Creve
> Coeur Tennis Club was not.)
>
> To arrange a play day/member meeting, it would have to be on private
> property anyway, unless it were an on-leash walk together (yawn),
> because it is illegal for a dog to be off leash in a public place,
> including our public parks.
>
> In addition, to ARRANGE a gathering with the blessing of a public
> entity such as the county or a city, the county or city would demand
> proof of private liability insurance, because of the language in the
> Missouri statute that protects public park "owners" from liability.
> (It's called landlord liability.) A municipality or county (the
> landlord) is not liable for injuries to visitors because no directed
> invitations to use the park are ever issued. They just open it. In
> other words, enter at your own risk. The statute says that since
> anyone can come to the park, the city or county is not legally
> responsible for what happens to the individual visitors. Only a
gross
> example of negligence on the part of the landlord (such as open
> ditches partially hidden by brush that someone could accidentally
> stumble into) would constitute liablity.
>
> So, when a municipality or county gives approval for a group, and
> allows a group to publicly advertise their event, they are in effect
> inviting the public into the park, and losing their landlord
liability
> protection under the Missouri statute.
>
> We could have on-leash walks at any park we want. We just can't ask
> permission or expect help from the park "landlord" to get the word
out.
>
> That means a play day would have to be at an individual's property,
a
> church or school yard, or corporate property. (I already mentioned
why
> pseudo public places like churches and schools don't want to do it.)
>
> In addition, those places with a nice big open area don't seem to be
> fully fenced, a necessity IMHO because even our members don't always
> have their dogs trained for voice control. In a less urban area it
> would be okay, such as Babler State Park (illegal to be off leash
> there), but more often than not, there is too much traffic around
here
> to be safe.
>
> Our only choice, then, is to journey to one of the OLAs in St.
Charles
> parks, Quail Ridge or Dusable, until St. Louis County gets onboard
(it
> could happen!). We could set a time and a place to meet, even make
it
> a regular date, weather permitting. We could program an automatic
> reminder on this group to mark the regular date and time, have
> everyone put a bandanna on their dog so we know who to look for,
etc.,
> etc.
>
> How about Sunday afternoons at 1 PM, weather permitting, at the St.
> Charles dog park in Dusable Park?
>
> Also, beginning on April 2 anyone who is a resident of Creve Coeur
can
> purchase a membership to the new dog park opening in May.
> Non-residents can purchase memberships starting on April 16. If
those
> group members who manage to get a membership want to start having a
> regular play day after the Creve Coeur dog park opens I am totally
on
> board with that!
>

We'd have to see how the leash law is written in whatever
municipality/town/county our event might be held.  At the very least,
this type of activity would have to be in a fence-enclosed area, due
to St. Louis County leash laws.  If the city in which it's held
doesn't have an ordinance which makes a leash-law exception, allowing
dogs off-leash in fence-enclosed areas or dog parks, we might have to
get special permission (or we might not be allowed to do this at
all).  The other option would be if someone has private property; we
could put up a snow fence (that orange plastic stuff we see on
constructions sites).

I encourage each of you to ask your municipality (via your councilman
or alderman) to amend its leash law, to allow for the possibility of a
future dog park in their community.  Maybe this approach will help
soften the way for an ACTUAL dog park to be built in one or more of
our cities.  Please cite Creve Coeur as an example; if your city
official would like to speak with a peer at Creve Coeur, send a note
to me or Diane Thomas and we'll make sure your representative
gets "hooked up."


Carol
Vice-chair
West County D.O.G.I.


--- In westcodogi@yahoogroups.com, Sheila Shelley <sheilashelley@...>
wrote:
>
> I don't know why it would take any money. When I lived in TN, the
Greyhound adotion group had several ball fields they were allowed to
use if a game was not going on. I would periodically get an email that
said "Hey several of us are going to ____ at 9am Sunday morning for
anyone who wants to join us". It wasn't complex or over organized,
just spontaneous and fun. There were no dog parks there. Even if
someone had a large back yard, that would work! I have 0.14 acres and
no fence or else I would volunteer to do it here.
>
>
>
> Sheila
>