Information on Animal Control you never really cared to know about.

Okay, I have to admit, being staked out by Animal Control makes me wonder all kinds of things, like shouldn't they be rescuing a wounded animal somewhere versus staking out homeowners who just want to socialize and throw their dog a ball? How much does it cost the taxpayers each time an Animal Control Officer investigates a single complaint? And, how often does Animal Control come out to our quiet gated community? So I went on-line and found out that all information is available to the public and if they don't have to mail it to you.. it's free information. So I sent in a request and this is what I found out. Based on fiscal year 2008-09 and figuring in overall cost associated with each individual visit by a Animal Control Officer (Salary, benefits, supplies, services, transportation, equipment, etc) the overall cost per visit is $87.42. Currently 60% of OC Animal Care's annual budget is funded by fee's such as licensing revenue, permits, and various fines. 40% is funded by contracts with the cities in their jurisdiction.

Now an interesting fact is that in 2009 OC Animal Control visited Dove Canyon on calls only for stray and roaming dogs (which includes off-leash dogs)only 11 times the entire year and 5 of those calls were generated from the same street within a 5 day period. From the months of January through the end of March of 2010, Animal Control responded to calls, again for roaming dogs for a total of 12 times, 3 of those calls came from the Gate. 10 of the calls were in March. So, if the 2009-10 budget did not increase and the cost per visit stayed the same, it cost Animal control over $1,000.00 to visit Dove Canyon in two months vs. the entire 2009 year.
It also takes an average of 58 minutes for Animal Control to respond to a call. Quickest time it took 11 minutes.

So although I'm glad that Animal Control doesn't have to respond to too many wounded dogs, only 3 calls for RSM/Trabuco Canyon/Coto area last year, I am now wondering how Dove Canyon will effect their budgets for this fiscal year. Make sure you license your dogs, as long as calls keep getting generated from our community, OC Animal Control is going to need the revenue.

PARK FOR PAWS SURVEY

Dove Canyon Master Association has placed a survey on the www.DoveCanyonLife.com website to gauge the interest of homeowners for a possible future Dog Park. You can access the survey by clicking on New Announcements once you are on the website. Please take the time to complete the survey and add any comments, suggestions or idea's that you may have. THIS IS THE TIME TO LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD. I encourage you to tell your Dove Canyon friends, neighbors, golfing buddies, school parents, etc. to take the time and fill out the survey.

The green link at the top of this page will take you directly to the Dove Canyon Life website.

The Real Dogs of Dove Canyon group's position is that a new community amenity be added to Dove Canyon, A "Park for Paws", a fenced, off leash play area for dogs. We would like a place for where the well-behaved canine citizens can exercise in a clean, safe environment without endangering or annoying people, property or wildlife. To develop a beautiful, well-maintained space open to all dog lovers and friends who are willing to uphold the park's rules and restrictions. To view this park as a community project designed to satisfy the needs of dog-owners and non-dog owners alike. A "Park for Paws" allows the dogs to socialize and get the exercise and playtime that is not possible while they are on a leash. As dog owners we know how important this is for their health and well being. A tired dog is a happy dog. It also gives homeowners a chance to meet other dog owners and build a sense of community with them, while monitoring the dogs interaction and of course, doing clean up duty.

Ways to Hug the Earth Today

Today is Earth Day and I've thought of three ways we can reduce our dogs carbon paw prints on the earth. Can you come up with more?

1. Recycle pets. Don’t buy—adopt one of the 70,000 puppies and kittens born every day in the United States.

2. Scoop the poop. Scoop up your doggie doo in biodegradable poop bags so your dog's No. 2 doesn't take hundreds of years to break down while deep-sixed in a landfill.

3. Reuse and recycle. Donate to local shelters. Call and ask if they need old newspapers, towels, bedding, leashes, litter boxes, pet toys or other gently used items that you plan to throw away.

WARNING: Cocoa Mulch

Please tell every pet owner you know. Even if you don't have a pet, please pass this to those who do. Over the weekend, the doting owner of 2 young lab mixes purchased Cocoa Mulch from Target to use in their garden. The dogs loved the way it smelled and it was advertised to keep cats away from their garden. Their dog (Calypso) decided the mulch smelled good enough to eat and devoured a large helping. She vomited a few times which was typical when she eats something new but wasn't acting lethargic in any way. The next day, Mom woke up and took Calypso out for her morning walk. Half way through the walk, she had a seizure and died instantly.

Although the mulch had NO warnings printed on the label, upon further investigation on the company's web site, this product is HIGHLY toxic to dogs and cats* *

Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey's, and they claim that "It is true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees (depending on each individual dog). However, 98% of all dogs won't eat it."

*Snopes site gives the following information: http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoamulch.asp

Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Home Depot, Foreman's Garden Supply and other Garden supply stores contains a lethal ingredient called 'Theobromine'. It is lethal to dogs and cats. It smells like chocolate and it really attracts dogs. They will ingest this stuff and die. Several deaths already occurred in the last 2-3 weeks.

Theobromine is in all chocolate, especially dark or baker's chocolate which is toxic to dogs. Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline. A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions and died 17 hours later. Analysis of the stomach contents and the ingested cacao bean shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts of theobromine.

Call Out for Summer Pet Sitters

I am adding to the Blog! If you have a pre-teen or teen who is looking to make money pet sitting or walking dogs, e-mail me their names,ages & phone numbers and which neighborhood they live in (i.e. Sterling Heights, The Oaks, etc) and I will create a section to promote their business.

New Real Dog: Moki

Introducing Moki, a new Dove Canyon resident! Moki's a rescue dog and is slowly being introduced to all the regulars around Dove Canyon. Still a little shy, Moki's personality is starting to emerge and is beginning to play with other dogs. Brothers William and James are taking great care of Moki and walking him everyday. Looks like Moki found a great home and deserves all the attention he gets.

Mamma Chewy Needs a Home.

Mamma Chewy is a 3 year old terrier mix who needs a home! She has all her shots, de-wormed (both types), and clean bill of health (thank you Dr. Silvia Stone’s Mobile Pet Vet). She delivered seven terrier poodle mixed pups early March. Her spay will be scheduled for May. She loves to play tennis ball and is very sweet with kids and other pets. She will be a great family member for someone who doesn’t want to go through the puppy stages! If you know anyone who is looking for a family pet, please call Carey Smith in Coto de Caza, 949.636.2857

HOA General Board Meeting Update

On behalf of Real Dogs of Dove Canyon, Chip Lindley, Harold Wong and I attended the board meeting this past Tuesday. The HOA Board is doing their own research at the moment in regards to the Paws Park. They agreed to place a survey on www.dovecanyonlife.com to gauge homeowners interest for a Paws Park. I will let you know once it's posted. Please encourage your friends and neighbors to complete the survey. If there is overall interest in the park, a committee will be formed to go to the next steps of determining design and cost and then it will most likely be put up for public review and they will need 67% homeowner approval to move forward. Minutes from the meeting will be approved at next months meeting and then posted on the community website.

Up Close and Personal - Need photo's of your Dog

I would like to feature more Dove Canyon Dogs on this blog so it's a call out for pictures and a little information about your dog, Tell us about your dog's personality, if it's their birthday, is your dog a rescue dog? Anything so we can get to know and admire your favorite pet. e-mail me a photo in a jpg. format along with your sweet, funny or real story.

Animal Control is in 'da House

As many of you are aware that after twenty years, the Dove Canyon HOA is enforcing the leash law and have instructed security guard to call Animal Control the minute they see a dog off leash. Animal Control is now regularly patroling Dove Canyon looking for violators. This means you can't walk your dog off-leash, you can't throw your dog a frisbee or ball to run on any area other than your yard. You can't let go of your leash. You should be careful about having your children walk your pet, because if Animal Control decides that your child is not capable of handling your pet, it can be determined they do not have the proper control over your animal. If you or your child doesn't pick up after the dog and Animal Control see's it, you will be issued a fine. (We sure hope you are teaching your children to pick up after your pet). Say good-bye to retractable leashes, because your dog can not be on a leash longer the 6 feet. And since Animal Control is setting up Patrols, meaning they will sit and wait for a violator, you should make sure your dog has a license hanging from it's collar, because it's the law that all dogs be licensed. Because Animal Control has been called out so often to Dove Canyon, they will no longer give you a warning, they WILL give you a citation and they will fine you.
Please let your friends and neighbors know.

Slideshow has been updated

Real Dogs of DC Slideshow has been updated to include today's pictures.

Happy Birthday Diva

Two years ago we were a Cat family, however after years of daily begging from our daughter for a dog, Harold and I decided that at the age of 8, my daughter was finally ready for the responsibility of a puppy. So, we all researched the type of dog we wanted. We wanted a dog that didn't shed and was fairly active so it would force me to walk more. We debated size, breed, shelter vs. breeder, etc.. so finally we went to the OC Pet Fair and decided to check them all out. After looking at so many dogs, we came across the Portugese Water Dog and finally Harold said he loves this dog, Maya instantly and whole heartedly said she did too, so we came home and I went on-line and found a Breeder in Arizona whose PWD had recently given birth to 9 pups. She sent pictures and we were hooked. In June, we drove to Scottsdale, had a mini-vacation and picked up our new 9 week old puppy. Diva stayed in Maya's lap pretty much the entire way home and our lives had been changed forever.

Now I never considered myself much of a dog person, but walking Diva opened up a whole new world for me. Of course her personality won me over and we came to meet and know so many wonderful people and their dogs. Two years ago I would never have thought that in a million years I would start a dog blog, but here we are. Thanks to my birthday Puppy Diva!

Sunday Morning PR

Sunday, April 11th at 9:00 a.m., bring your doggies down to the grass area by the pool for an opportunity to be interviewed by the OC Register. Kristy Chu, local reporter is interested in doing a story on The Real Dogs of Dove Canyon and is coming by to talk with homeowners and take some pictures of their dogs. Here's a chance to show off our beautiful and loved dogs. Hope to see you in the morning and as a bonus, we are bringing cookie treats to celebrate Diva's 2nd birthday.

Real Dogs of the Weekend: Bella and Uzi

Bella and Uzi are the real dogs of this weekend. These two are the happiest bulldogs in Dove Canyon. Uzi is a little older and wiser while Bella is younger and lapping up all she can learn. They love their Dove Canyon canine buddies and Bella is happiest when she can play with Cha Cha the little black Havanese. Uzi and Bella always makes you smile.

FaceBook Fan Page

I have created a face book fan page for Real Dogs of Dove Canyon to give everyone another option of interacting with other Dove Canyon Homeowners. If you have a facebook account, you can post comments, links, pictures, and information. I encourage you to promote this page to your Dove Canyon friends and neighbors. You can click the link to the left of this site to access the fan page.