2009 Furry Friends Special

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Who, Who, Who Let The Dogs Out?! No Winter Blues at the Manchester Dog Park

A Hersam Acorn Newspapers Publication Jen Hathaway, cover & page design

Berkshire PennySaver 154 West Park Street, Lee, MA 01238 413-243-2341 Yankee Shopper 20 Cleveland Road, Dalton, MA 01226 413-684-1373 TriState Pennysaver News 109 South Street, Bennington, VT 05201 802-447-3381

It’s cold and snowy but what do they care?! Our furry friends - canines, in this case - joyfully play, sniff, and do what dogs do when they are off-leash at the Manchester Dog Park. Yes, the dog park is officially open. Dozens of people and their animal companions braved the cold and ignored the flurries to participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony in early December. Since then, area residents and visitors alike have been coming to the park in droves, enjoying the opportunity to socialize with each other at this new community resource. “I’ve taken Tuppi, my cairn terrier, to the park a few times already,” says Gert D’Eredita who has found it easy to strike up a conversation with others who share her interest in socializing with their dogs. “Even though I’ve lived in Manchester for 40 years, I’m still eager to meet new people, especially in a relaxed and friendly setting like this one.” Gert brought Tuppi and her eight-year-old granddaughter Rachel Wood to the dog park opening where Rachel had the honor of cutting the ribbon.

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Vermont News Guide 99 Bonnet Street, Manchester, VT 05254 802-362-3535

Renee Tassone, General Manager

The Manchester Dog Park, an enclosed area for off-leash canine activities, is at the Dana L. Thompson Memorial Recreation Area, between the Dorr property and the walking track, just outside Manchester Center, Vermont on Route 30N. Robin Green has found a creative way to connect with those who share her love of daschunds. She set up a Manchester VT Dachshund MeetUp Group on meetup.com so that she and her beloved Frankie can find others to socialize with at the dog park. “We just moved to Manchester from the Boston area last spring,” explains Green, “and the park is going to become a wonderful gathering place for newcomers like Frankie and me.” Those interested in connecting via this dog breed group are encouraged to contact Robin at 802-768-8089 or LaFemmeVerte@msn.com. In addition to planning upcoming “fun”raisers to complete the park’s construction, volunteers

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Furry Friends 2009

A Hersam Acorn Newspapers publication

Who, Who, Who Let The Dogs Out?!

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have been involved in a host of activities to build community isfy the needs of travelers with pets. and support the park’s ongoing operations. One major project “We are always interested in expanding our reach not only has been the revamping of the dog park’s website -- http://www. to the business community but also to people who want to manchestervtdogpark.org/ -- to make it more robust and easier get involved,” comments Sylvia Carpenter, President of the to use. Once it goes “live” in early March, this site will become Manchester Dog Park Foundation. “We encourage people to conthe centralized portal for all things dog-related in the Northshire tact us, whether they have one hour or dozens of hours to help out.” area, including a comVolunteer tasks include prehensive listing of monitoring the park and dog-friendly hotels and its supplies, updating the motels along with merwebsite, helping with chants and vendors who fundraisers, organizing provide canine services special events, writing and products. Included dog-focused articles for in this list are busithe local newspapers, nesses such as Wagatha’s and taking dog pictures. Dog Biscuits -- manuTo become a part of this wonderful community, factured right here in email manchesterdogpa Manchester Center and rkvt@gmail.com or visit distributed nationwide http://w w w.manches- and Casablanca Motel on Route 7A, which has tervtdogpark.org. ten individually themed cabins with a variety of Opening Day at the Manchester Dog Park. accommodations to satPhoto by Diane Pouliot.

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A Hersam Acorn Newspapers publication

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Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter: The Little Shelter That Could Tucked away at the end of Downing Four, in Pittsfield’s Downing Industrial Park, is a small building surrounded by kennels of various sizes. If the weather is decent, you will probably hear the sounds of barking as you approach. Even in the worst weather, you will probably pass people walking dogs of all shapes and sizes. Those people are almost all volunteers, and you have reached the Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter. The Sonsini Shelter is Pittsfield’s municipal shelter. It takes

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in stray dogs and cats, and, as room allows, accepts voluntary surrenders of dogs and cats. You may not have heard of it, and it may be physically small, but in 2008 this little shelter found new homes for 390+ cats and 170 dogs, and returned another 230+ lost dogs to their homes. And it was voted “Berkshire’s Best Place to Get a Pet” by Berkshire Eagle readers. The shelter is a place where animals and animal lovers truly converge. Overseen by the Friends of Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter, Inc., itself a non-profit volunteer organization, volunteers play a role in all aspects of the shelter’s day-to-day operation. They work with the small, dedicated staff in cleaning and feeding, socializing, handling adoptions and surrenders, and providing foster care for young or sick animals. Volunteers also help with the continuing efforts to improve the lives and surroundings of the animals as they await their new homes. They played major roles in building the eight large outdoor dog runs and the new play room for the cats. Adoptions are made to homes throughout Berkshire County and well beyond. The shelter’s animal alumni reside as far away as Gloucester and Cape Cod in Massachusetts, and in continued on page 5 ��

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Furry Friends 2009

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Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter

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several other states (New York, New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont, among them). Before adoption, every animal is temperament tested, spayed or neutered and brought up to date on vaccinations. All the animals get a physical exam and any health problems are addressed. The shelter welcomes volunteers, adoption inquiries, donations, and visitors. You can call the shelter at 413-448-9800, or visit in person at the Downing Industrial Park off Hubbard Avenue in Pittsfield. Directions and current hours are available online at www.pittsfieldanimals.org. Animals currently available for adoption can also be seen online.

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Deb and Kaci at the Sonsini Animal Shelter. Far Right: The new cat playroom at the shelter.

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Humane Society of the U.S. Awards Grant to Second Chance Animal Center ��

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Shaftsbury, VT (January 26, 2009) - Second Chance Animal Center (SCAC) in Shaftsbury, VT has been awarded a generous grant in the amount of $2,000 from the Humane Society of the U.S (HSUS). The grant is in support of Second Chance’s Spay/Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) which is designed to help families who otherwise would not be able to afford to have their pet spayed or neutered. Nancy Boardman, president of SCAC, said “The

All Paths Lead to the Berkshire Humane Society Children’s Educational Programs

Low Cost Spay & Neuter Programs

Volunteer Opportunities

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Pet Adoptions

Family Dog School

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Community Pet Food Pantries ��

SafePet Foster Program

214 Barker Road Pittsfield MA 413-447-7878 www.berkshirehumane.org S6

economic crisis is taking its toll in many ways. Here in Vermont, where winters are particularly severe, many families are afraid they won’t be able to afford to heat their homes or have enough food to eat and, of course, their pets will be needing help too. Just one of the ways Second Chance is helping is by providing low-cost, and in some cases no-cost, spay/neutering for income-eligible families”. Pet overpopulation is a very real problem with many tragic consequences – starcontinued on page 7

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Furry Friends 2009

A Hersam Acorn Newspapers publication

Humane Society of the U.S. Awards Grant to Second Chance Animal Center vation, abuse and death for the innocent victims. The sad fact is that there simply are not enough homes for all the litters of kittens and puppies born each year. That is why it is so important for people to have their pets spayed or neutered. Another benefit to having pets spayed or neutered is that they tend to live longer and lead happier, healthier lives. The Humane Society of the U.S. is the nation’s largest animal protection organization – backed by over ten million Americans. For more than half a century, the HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through

advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Second Chance has been serving the needs of the tri-state area for almost 50 years and is dedicated to improving the lives of companion animals by providing shelter, care and adoption services for homeless and unwanted animals. The shelter also provides spay/neuter assistance, humane education, and investigative services to handle complaints concerning neglect and abuse of animals.

Bella is the pet of the month for February, 2009 at Second Chance Animal Center ��

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Berkshire Executive All Airports, Train Stations, Private Events d Airport o o w & Excursions x • Fo un S n a eg Express Inc. • Moh 29 Church Street Lenox, MA Phone: 413-637-4677 Fax: 413-637-4633

All major credit cards accepted

John A. Gelpi President

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Furry Friends 2009

A Hersam Acorn Newspapers publication

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