Since Otis came into my life, I've come to love New York City winters. Up until then, "precipitation" simply meant an inconvenient commute. Nowadays, 'tho, I rush home to get Otis to the park. The dogs racing through the snow, the icy crunch beneath my feet, the powdery echoes bouncing through the night — it all reminds me of my childhood and lake-effect winters filled with sub-zero temperatures, sled rides and snow angels.

Until the snow starts to melt, that is. Even taking into account that memory plays its tricks and that somewhere, in some field, there is some remnant of my youthful winter play, there's no doubt that Kings County kids have a different relationship to snow days than I did. I brought my toys in. I didn't even need a metal detector recently to hit the jackpot while rummaging through this year's post-blizzard debris: a cookie sheet, a foam mattress, assorted cardboard box toboggans, a refrigerator door and even half a surfboard were among my many finds. And while I really do wish people would pick up after themselves, I gotta give Brooklyn folks props for the ingenuity of their downhill creations.

So yes, beneath the promise of spring, the "big melt" leaves behind some grime. But instead of griping, I've just been picking it all up and piling it in the cans. Now, how do I deal with the overflowing trash cans, you might wonder? That answer requires much less bending and lifting. I find myself daydreaming about the next snowstorm.

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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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END OF LIFE AT HOME
by Nancy Peterson

The decision to euthanize a pet is one of the hardest ones faced by many pet owners. When my husband and I decided the time had come to say good-bye to our dog Hudson, my dearest companion for almost 13 years, we decided we'd like to have him die at home.

Our primary veterinarian doesn't make house calls, but they did refer us to a veterinarian who does — George Korin, DVM, a graduate of Ontario Veterinary College and the 2004 President of the New York City Veterinary Medical Association.

We contacted Dr. Korin when the time came, and were fortunate that he was able to come to our house within a few hours. He was extremely compassionate and caring from the minute he walked through our door. After examining Hudson briefly, he went to work on my husband and I about our decision. Without trying to change our minds, he simply wanted to make certain that we had thought everything through and were comfortable with the fact that we were ending Hudson's life. He was extremely patient as we recounted what an incredible dog Hudson was and how much he meant to us. His every word and action was gentle and caring. To make the difficult transition even smoother, Dr. Korin had even arranged for cremation services.

Not everyone is comfortable having a pet die at home or in their presence, and sometimes circumstances prevent this type of arrangement. Our experience, however, was a positive one. And with the proper support, yours can be, too. Spending your last minutes together with your pet at home, surrounded by familiar smells, sights and your love, can be a wonderful way to say good-bye.

Click here for a list of local veterinarians who might also be able to help you and your pet in a time of need.

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ORDER IN THE COURT
by Chris Franko

During the winter months it's easy to think that we dog owners have the whole park to ourselves. Take the tennis courts for instance. From a dog's perspective they look like an oversized playpen, especially without the throngs of summertime tennis enthusiasts. But while the courts are city property and open to anyone who has a permit, our four-legged companions are simply not part of the equation.

Safety is one of the main concerns. According to Fort Greene resident and racquet regular Brian Kerstetter, dogs on occasion do enter the court while a match is in play. A tennis player's swing can be deadly to canine who is chasing a ball and completely oblivious to an approaching racquet. "Dogs could also misperceive a player's swing for an act of aggression," adds Brian, which could result in fear and lot of barking.

A more common — and more easily avoidable — problem is sanitation. The tennis players work hard to keep their court clean and trash free. Dog droppings not only thwart these efforts, but pose a serious danger. A fresh pile of pooh can result in a nasty slip or fall.

But what about outside the court? Tennis instructor Elliot Frank remarks that some early morning tennis spectators simply aren't used to seeing so many dogs off leash, a fact that sometimes puts people on edge. As a solution, he encourages people to "remain aware of their [and their pets'] actions so that together we can all enjoy what is truly one of the best parks in the city." And he would know. He's given lessons in nearly every one.


"In general," observes Elliot, "the relations between the dog and tennis communities are fine." And Brian echoes the same sentiment when he remarks that the dogs running in the park "are a sign of our neighborhood's vitality."

So let's make sure that we return the love by keeping the courts clean and safe, all year long.

To find out more about obtaining a tennis permit, check out www.nycgovparks.org

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