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Community Corner

Brook Run Dog Park news

New clean up schedule at the park: Be on the lookout for snakes

A new clean-up schedule begins this month at the Brook Run Dog Park. During the warmer months, the monthly clean-up project will be held on the last Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. This new schedule will remain in effect until after the September clean-up.

Please join us at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 29.

Over the years, we've heard many dog park supporters say they want to pitch in to support the park, but our Saturday morning schedule is not feasible for them. So, in an effort to attract more and new volunteers, we're changing to a weekday evening.

Otherwise, clean-up is the same. We'll provide gloves and trash bags. Volunteers simply wander through the park, picking up stray poop and any other trash or debris. The park is not closed for clean-up projects, so dogs are welcome.

Warm Winter Brings Consequences

The ridiculously warm winter may bring consequences that pet owners need to be aware of. Because there wasn't weather cold enough or long-lasting enough, bugs of all varieties were not killed off as they normally would be. And the early arrival of warm weather may mean the early arrival of snakes in and around the park.

Fleas, Ticks and Mosquitoes are Already Posing Problems


A lot of dog owners cease flea, tick and mosquito preventative treatments during the winter, but since this winter has been abnormal, you might want to restart those treatments right away. BRDPA is fortunate to have not one but two veterinarians among our membership, and here are their comments about the risks presented by the warm winter:

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Here in Georgia we tend to have a combination of very mild weather in the winter as well as drastic changes in temperature. Both of these situations contribute to the mosquito, tick and flea populations, so actually it is pretty crucial to use heartworm prevention, as well as flea and tick control, monthly all year round. 

In addition to potentially deadly heartworm disease (transmitted by mosquitoes), fleas and ticks can also cause life threatening conditions in our pets. Even an adult dog or cat can develop severe anemia if infested, as the fleas suck blood from your pet; additionally, tapeworm infections can result from pets that have fleas (tapeworms are caused by the animal swallowing the flea during grooming). Flea allergy dermatitis (itchy skin and hair loss) is also very common especially during the spring and summer; regular treatment can help minimize the severity of signs and sometimes prevent the occurrence altogether. 

Ticks can also transmit several pretty nasty organisms that can cause Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Ehrlichiosis. Nearly all of these conditions can be prevented simply by giving the preventatives every month, all year round. We now have several different types of products available to fit your preferences and budget. [Dr. Christi Jones]
Dr. Christi is a local veterinarian who provides a mobile service; she comes to you! Dr. Christi's website is: www.GentleTouchHomeVetCare.com


I have talked to several veterinarians already this year who were discussing the early emergence of mosquitoes, fleas and ticks in particular. Ticks are particularly worrisome since humans also get tick-borne diseases. Of course as soon as warm weather arrived, so did the mosquitoes. It's already been warm enough for heartworms to reach their infective stage. I'm not sure if this season will be worse, but it sure started earlier than most. It is time for park users to be sure their pooches are protected with flea, tick and heartworm preventatives. [Dr. Tony Fernandez]
Dr. Fernandez is also a local veterinarian, but, as he says himself, he is not a vet you ever want to need. He is typically called in by animal hospitals for specialized attention; he deals with heart failure, cancer, etc.

Snakes Have Already Been Spotted


Because the dog park is situated in the woods and near a creek, snakes have always been a concern. But since the weather has warmed up so quickly, they are beginning to come out earlier than usual. Visitors who walk their dogs through the woods outside our fence tell me they've seen snakes already.

Please be careful and alert! The snakes we have identified over the years include copperheads and timber rattlers, both of which are poisonous.

If you notice a dog that seems exceptionally focused on sniffing at something, especially around the ditch or around a log, go get that dog! Although dogs have been bitten in the park over the years, not one has died, thankfully. But owners tell me that the anti-venom medication is very expensive.
If you bring children into the park, keep them close to you and under constant direct supervision. Do not let them run around out of your sight, particularly in the drainage ditch, and do not let them play on (or touch) the logs and big rocks lying on the ground. Two years ago, a boy who had been turning over logs looking for worms was bitten by a snake and spent an entire day in the Intensive Care Unit at a local hospital.

Now that we have the new gravel walking path, it might be easier to see a snake as you're walking around the park. Their camouflage is exceptionally deceiving, so please watch where you're walking. You might want to reconsider wearing flip-flops or sandals. Snake experts recommend that you walk heavily so that snakes can sense the vibration in the ground and get away before you get too close. (Frankly, I'm not sure our snakes have read those suggestions.)

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Brandon Hall School Cleanup

Twenty-five students from local Brandon Hall School descended on the dog park last week, and did they ever make a difference! All the chairs were taken out to the parking lot and washed; gravel was redistributed and added to the main seating area; leaves that collect against the fence -- and push out the chain link -- were removed, and railroad ties were installed at the main entrance to hold back the gravel, so the asphalt walkway there is not so slippery. Thank you to all of you who donated, and thanks to the students who worked so hard to improve our dog park.

Also, thank you to all you good people who allowed us to use your lawn care tools and who donated rags for the chair washing crew!!

Local Girl Scout Schedules K9 Carnival
A local Girl Scout, working on her Gold Award project, will be presenting a dog festival in April. Her project is to host a dog fair to raise awareness about the importance of spaying/neutering, the effects of abuse/neglect on animals, and to offer information on adoption.

The K9 Carnival will be held on April 22nd at the Smoke Rise Elementary School. For more information or to make donations, email Claire at clairebearsoccer@yahoo.com. A poster about this event is also posted on the gates to the dog park.

In Memoriam
 
One of our long-time regulars has passed away. Belle lived to be 15-years old. She was adopted and spent more than 11 happy, spoiled years in the loving home of her dads, Damian and Shane. In addition to her heartbroken humans, Belle leaves behind her pal, Jasmine. Belle was a happy, friendly little girl, and she will be missed and remembered in this dog park.










 
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