Greetings, people of Fort Greene, and welcome to the first-ever issue of the quarterly PUPS newsletter. The purpose of this newsletter is to communicate with you, our members, and the Fort Greene community.
  I'm a bit of a loner by nature. So, when I adopted Otis a few years back I had to come to terms, both literally and figuratively, with "being part of the pack." Now, I can honestly confess to you, my pack mates, that I love being part of the pack here in Fort Greene. True, I'll probably greet your dogs first and maybe even forget your name, but I know each and every face. (Admit it. You know mine, too.) We are a community. We look out for each other, and I find comfort in that.
  But I've been feeling a little frustrated lately realizing that other Fort Greeners don't necessarily share the warmth of our community and, even more frightening, don't see the value we bring to the neighborhood.
  I'm in the park 365 days a year, sometimes three times a day. That's a huge investment of time and emotion. I consider myself an unofficial care-taker for the park. I've picked up Monday morning trash that wasn't my own. I've scooped up other dogs' poop (and not even during the PUPS pick up). I've helped lost children. I've taken pictures for tourists. I've reported (and stopped) vandals who were trying to break streetlamps. And I'm not trying to toot my own horn. I've seen many of you doing the same. It's part of what makes us "us."

  Chris' number one pack mate, Otis

  But with so many people who so clearly care, why do some people still want to disband our pack? Because if off-leash hours go, so does our home turf.
  I don't have an answer to that, but our recent meeting with the Fort Greene Association and the dialog that's sure to follow gives me hope. I know this, too, 'tho. Our pack still has a lot of work to do. We need to learn how to talk to those who oppose off-leash hours. We need to make them aware of our importance; that we keep the park safe and clean for everyone. Not just dog owners.
  It's also important to note that as a collective, we are an economic force. Sure I'm talking about Walkers and Kiki's and the dozens of dog-walkers in the neighborhood. But think about your Saturday morning dog run without a cup of coffee from Tommy's Blue Corner or The Green Apple or Connecticut Muffin. Even when it comes to the bottom line, our pack makes a difference.
  So, pack mates, talk to your friends and neighbors. Let them get to know you...and your dog. Invite them to the park and into "our community." Show them how vital we are and how our vitality is, in fact, a barometer for the well-being of everyone in the neighborhood, not just the dog owners. OUR enjoyment of the park just might depend on it.
  To the many of you who came out to the Fort Greene Association meeting, we greatly appreciate your support. Let's keep the momentum rolling!
  This newsletter will replace general meetings held by PUPS. Feel free to contact PUPS here with your comments, concerns, story ideas and anything else you'd like to get off your chest: frankophonic@hotmail.com. We'd love to hear from you.

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OFF-LEASH UPDATE
by Nancy Peterson

As you all are most likely aware, there's been a tremendous amount of discussion among various individuals and community groups regarding the off-leash privileges in Fort Greene Park. Here are the recent highlights:
  On September 13, 2004 Community Board 2 Parks and Recreation Committee held a meeting to discuss the off-leash privileges for dogs in Fort Greene Park. This meeting was held at the request of NYC Parks after receiving correspondence both in support of, and in opposition to, off-leash hours in the park.
  The meeting included a public information forum where people (including PUPS Board of Directors, a representative from the Carlton Willoughby Block Association and community members) spoke both for and against off leash privileges and the idea of replacing off-leash with a dog run.
  A written recommendation that off-leash hours remain unchanged until a full and impartial study can be done was published by the Parks and Recreation committee in October.
  On November 15, PUPS made a presentation at the Fort Greene Association's (FGA) monthly meeting. The purpose of its presentation was to clarify what has occurred since early this spring, primarily between PUPS and FGA, and to make available a number of documents that have been circulated, both in favor of and in opposition to off-leash privileges. It was also PUPS' intent to make a clear statement that it would not support the creation of a dog run and the abolishment of off-leash hours, a position that had previously been put forth by some members of FGA.
  There was a question and answer/open forum period after the presentation. PUPS was well represented by its members, many whom spoke on behalf of dog owners and off-leash privileges. Non-PUPS members also spoke of the benefits of having dogs and their owners in Fort Greene Park. During the open forum Councilperson Tish James stated her hope that FGA and PUPS could settle their differences and work together.
  PUPS believes there are many opportunities to collaborate with FGA and would welcome the chance to do so should FGA decide to no longer pursue the abolishment of off-leash privileges.
  Due to an impassioned response on both sides of the issue, we expect this debate to continue. PUPS supports off-leash privileges and will keep working for their continuation. To this end we ask for your assistance in keeping Fort Greene Park clean and safe for all users by:

• Always cleaning up after your dog and letting others know to do the same.
• Keeping your dog off park paths and walkways while he or she is off-leash, especially on weekdays when people are walking to and from work and school.
• Keeping aggressive dogs on-leash at all times and being extra attentive if you have an unneutered dog.

If you want to contact Community Board 2 you may write to:
Joan Thorne-Manning,
Parks & Recreation Committee
Community Board 2
350 Jay Street, 8th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201

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6TH ANNUAL GREAT PUPKIN WRAP-UP
by Kath Hansen

The 6th Annual Great PUPkin Halloween Costume Contest for Dogs was a fun time for everyone, despite rather foggy weather on Saturday, October 30. An amazing 52 dogs turned out in costumes to pass before the judges, while hundreds in the audience watched the spectacle unfold.
  Honorable judges, Randy Hyten (Clinton Hill Society), Pat Mulcahy (owner of Tillie's) and Kara Gilmour (Fort Greene Park Coordinator) had a tough task: to root out the most creatively costumed canine. Past years' contest judge and PUPS supporter Councilperson Letitia James was on hand to watch the proceedings. And velvet-voiced emcee Justine Keefe was easily heard, thanks to PUPS workhorse Nancy Peterson who secured a professional P.A. system for the day courtesy of The Brooklyn Hospital Center.
  This year, judges favored humorous costumes over spooky Halloween fare. The third place prize, for example, went to the "Empire State Building and Godzilla", with second place going to "Guido in a Speedo." (You may remember his surprise "elimination round" in front of the judges). "Café Puppé", a hilarious trio of dogs dressed in cafe dishes, took first prize. And this year's Best in Show prize went to "Goldilocks and the Four Bears", four adorable tiny dogs dressed as bears carried in a wagon by "Goldilocks." So cute, how could they lose?

            
From left: Best in Show, 1st place, 2nd place, and 3rd place costumes

  This year's costumes were the most elaborate in the event's six-year history, with more hand-made costumes than ever before. Perhaps this surge in creativity can be linked to the lure of the coveted Pupkin prizes, which this year included a gift certificate to The Tailored Pet, dinner for two at Loulou, and copies of the new book, For the Love of Dog. PUPS also awarded custom-made deluxe rosette ribbons to all the winners and Honorable Mentions. And our friend April Walker of Walker Pet Shop was on hand once again to distribute goodie bags to all the entrants.
  The 2004 Great Pupkin had a great crew of volunteers, including Joseph Kovack, Bo Rosser, DK Holland, Michelle Lewis, Rachel Bentley, Barry DeFoe, Alex Sniderman, Robert Moskal, Sara Stopek, Dawn Prentiss, Amy Hecht, Maurice van Swaaij, Allegra Millan, and various spouses and friends who helped out. An event of this size requires a group effort, so a big thanks to everyone who volunteered their time and energy.

  My personal favorite contest entrant this year was the "Last Camel in Brooklyn," whose owner somehow got the dog to wear a double camel hump. Truly bizarre! And yes, I'm lazy, and I recycled my dog Cameron's "Big Bird" costume, which he last donned in 2001. But we're already thinking of a new costume for next year: a Geisha? A postal worker? James Bond? We have twelve months to ponder.

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