VanMeveren Law Group September 2017

VanMeveren Law Group September 2017

Foundations 9 7 0

September 2017

Hit the Trails With Fido

A ter running through our beautiful Fort Collins’ foothills trails for nearly 20 years, I’ve had my fair share of dog encounters. As much as I love dogs, including our own crazy rescue dog, Bandit, coming face to face with an aggressive, unleashed dog on the trail is still an unnerving experience. What’s the problem with letting your dog run free on our foothills trails, or anywhere else in Fort Collins for that matter? Well, for starters, you risk a fine up to $1,000 for having an unleashed dog. Second, should your dog bite and injure someone else or their pet, you could be exposed to a civil claim for damages that may or may not be covered by insurance. For the past six years, Fort Collins’ natural area park rangers have issued over 200 citations each year. Off-leash citations account for 40 percent of the citations and are the No. 1 reason for the tickets issued by rangers. There is a strong difference of opinion regarding off-leash laws. Many folks believe there should be a zero tolerance policy in order to protect people, their pets, wild animals, and the environment. Other folks would prefer a “voice and sight” program similar to the current plan in Boulder. The “voice and sight” program permits off-leash dogs on specific Boulder-area trails, provided that the dog owner attends a class, pays a fee, meets vaccination requirements, and displays a city-issued green tag on the dog. But the program in Boulder has been difficult to regulate as very few dogs are good under voice control alone. Much like Larimer County, Boulder imposes serious fines for off-leash dogs that do lack the green tags — or for off-leash dogs outside of the designated trails. Fort Collins currently manages three dog parks and the search continues for a suitable large off-leash area for dogs and dog owners. As our community’s love for dogs continues to grow, another dog park is in our future, but until then, be sure to keep your dog on leash. This way, you avoid those steep off-leash fines and the potential exposure to civil liability. If you are looking for a nearby trail to take your dog (on-leash, naturally), here are a few of my favorite dog-friendly trail runs: Timber Trail, Blue Sky Trail, Arthur’s Rock Trail, and Maxwell Natural Area. Maybe I’ll see you and your dog out there!

Bandit and his devoted master, Kendall.

Did You Know?

Larimer County’s animal code can impose penalties of up to 12 months in prison or $1,000 in fines for animal-related offenses. Offenses include letting dogs roam free or at large, failure to remove dog feces, failure to properly fence or leash your dog, and for excessive barking, whining, or howling.

–Bryan VanMeveren

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Socializing Your Favorite Furry Friend

The dog park. Dog parks offer wide-open spaces for play and getting to know other dogs. Keep in mind that not every dog park is the best place to start the socialization process. If you have a puppy, for instance, look for dog parks with a smaller fenced-off area just for younger, smaller dogs. Otherwise, you may want to wait until your pup has acclimated to the presence of other animals so she’s not overwhelmed by groups of other pooches. The classroom. You won’t find a better place to socialize than an obedience class. For puppies, obedience and training classes are an ideal place to socialize with other dogs while learning positive behavioral habits. However, these classes aren’t just for younger classmen. Many obedience schools offer classes for dogs past the puppy stage. The pet store. Many pet stores welcome dogs with open arms. They are a safe place to bring your pup to socialize with other dogs and people. The next time you make a trip to the pet store, consider bringing your favorite furry friend along for the ride.

HelpYourPupMakeNewFriends

A Salute to Freedom When you get a new puppy, or even an older dog, such as a rescue, you may need to take steps to socialize your new companion. Some dogs make friends easily, while others take a little work. With a little proactivity, you can help your pup get used to being around other dogs. Socialization is a great way to mitigate behavioral issues, both toward other dogs and people. Here are four ways to start your pup off on the right paw. The play date. Have a friend who also recently brought a new dog into the mix? Perfect! Scheduling play dates is a great way to get your canine acquainted with other dogs. It’s even better if your friend has a dog around the same age as your own, but that’s certainly not a requirement. Any opportunity to schedule a play date is a socializing opportunity you shouldn’t skip.

Wars are not won by a single person or species. In World War I, many animals served alongside human soldiers, though none was as celebrated as Sergeant Stubby of the 102nd Infantry Regiment. When the 102nd shipped out in October 1917, Private J. Robert Conroy smuggled Stubby onto the ship. It wasn’t until they disembarked in France that the commanding officer discovered him. Skeptical, at first, of the dog’s merit, a salute from Stubby convinced the officer to let the canine remain. The fearless dog accompanied the 102nd on numerous raids through no-man’s land, becoming an expert at finding wounded soldiers. Stubby participated in 17 battles, receiving medals and becoming the subject of newspaper stories. Sgt. Stubby returned home with Conroy as a hero. Presidents Woodrow Wilson, Warren Harding, and Calvin Coolidge all shook hands — paws? — with the brave canine. Not too shabby for a stray from Connecticut.

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A (Dog’s) Home Away FromHome

We love our dogs. We want the best for them — and that includes the love and attention they get when we’re away. Whether it’s during the day while you’re at work, or over a weekend while you’re a few states away, you want to know your best friend is in the best hands. That’s where Camp Bow Wow comes in. A pet care provider, they offer a number of services for dog owners, including day care, overnight boarding, grooming, walking, and even a few services for your home, such as at-home pet sitting and pet care. They’ll even clean up after your pet, if you want. Camp Bow Wow is a great option when you’re going out of town and you need a place for your dog to stay. It’s also great if you have a dog who’s a little too energetic during the day when you’re at work or away from the house.

The pros at Camp Bow Wow are there to give your pup the attention she needs so you don’t have to worry about any chewed up shoes, pillows, or furniture. There’s always plenty to do in both the indoor and outdoor areas. Plus, the camp is a great way for your dog to socialize with other dogs. The pet caregivers are Pet First and CPR- certified. And you have access to live webcams so you can check up on your pooch whenever you’re away. You can check the webcam just for fun, too, if you’d like. For more information about Camp Bow Wow, you can find their website at campbowwow. com/fort-collins.

Camp Bow Wow 4103 S Mason St. Fort Collins, Colorado 80525

HOMEMADE Dog Biscuits

Grid n°1669070380 easy

8 9 3 4 5 9 7

1

7 8 3 5

Ingredients •

•

1/3 cup (75 mL) melted meat fat (beef, lamb, or bacon)

8 1 9 2 4

1 1/2 cups (375 mL) whole wheat flour 1 cup (250 mL) all-purpose flour 1 cup (250 mL) skim milk powder

• •

• •

1 egg

9 3 4 2 8 2 5 1 2 3

1 cup (250 mL) cold water

Directions 1. In a bowl, combine whole wheat and all-purpose flours and skim milk powder. Drizzle with melted fat. Add egg and water; mix well. Gather dough into ball.

2. On lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/2-inch (1 cm) thickness. Cut into dog bone or desired shapes.

Bake on ungreased baking sheets in 350°F (180°C) oven for 40 to 50 minutes or until dark brown and crisp.

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Inside

CELEBRATE FALL IN STYLE in Fort Collins

FORToberfest Saturday, September 16 Downtown Fort Collins 19 Old Town Square Fort Collins, CO 80524

Equinox Half Marathon Sunday, September 17

Old Town Car Show Saturday, September 23 Downtown Fort Collins 19 Old Town Square Fort Collins, CO 80524

Celebrate fall with a run down Poudre Canyon! You may have noticed we didn’t list the address for this one. That’s because there are two different starting points depending on the race — the half marathon or the 5-mile. The half marathon starts at the Mishawaka Amphitheater (13714 Poudre Canyon Road, Bellvue, CO 80512). The 5-mile race starts at Gateway Park, but down Poudre Canyon Road. For more information about the Equinox, including race times and registration, visit equinoxhalfmarathon.com/race-info.

Need a reason to go downtown for a few local brews and bites? Well, here it is! FORToberfest is

We originally wrote about the Old Town Car Show a few month ago, but the event was quietly delayed. Well, it’s back on and set for September 23. The show runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. throughout downtown, making it the perfect way to spend a Saturday. As we said before, you’ll find everything, from street rods and muscle cars to classic cars and rare imports. Plus, the event is free to the public!

the last outdoor music fest in Old Town Square, and you can be sure they’ll be sending off summer in style. Expect over 10 hours of live music, paired with plenty of food and drink. The event begins at 11 a.m. and runs until 10 p.m., and admittance is free!

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