Letter From the Editor: By Linda J. Waddington, Editor

Those of you who have visited the field of dogs after the recent rains have enjoyed the grass greening up and the dust settling. A new crop of boisterous puppies is also sprouting. Their enthusiasm is contagious. Even my fourteen-year-old shepherd Andy wants to play with them. Every day I am grateful that there is a place where dogs can run and play safely. Thank you for your donations in 2004. Donations and contributors of time and effort are what keep the dog park open.

Our late summer bar-b-que was lots of fun. The dogs had a blast, and the humans had a good time too. Thanks to the volunteers who made the bar-b-que a success: Mike Hogan who cooked the food; Jennifer La Garde and Roland Drilsma who ran the fund-raising "picture booth" for dogs and their guardians; Amy Hutcinson who helped organizethe bar-b-que. I know several people who plan to use their dog park photos as Christmas cards. This event was an effective fundraiser thanks to Jennifer and Roland's efforts. Those of you who missed the bar-b-que will have to wait until next year. The bar-b-que is an annual event and is becoming better each year. Plan to attend next time!

Now that winter is approaching it would be helpful if people who use the rackets for hitting balls for their dogs to chase would be sure they leave them under the canopy when they are finished. The rackets get muddy and unusable if they are left out in the rain. Rackets with cord handles may be hung on the canopy bolts to keep them clean and handy. I often buy rackets at resale shops for a few dollars a piece. I like the hand ball rackets the best because they are made of metal which doesn't warp like the wooden tennis rackets do. Donations of tennis balls are always welcomed. We never have too many balls. Sometimes resale shops have used tennis balls for sale too. Please think about purchasing some for our canine friends if you see balls available. It takes all of us together to keep this park going!

Y Best wishes for a pleasant holiday season and Happy New Year too. Keep your doggy companions out of the holiday candy (especially chocolates) and don't feed them turkey skin either. You want your dogs to enjoy the holidays and not have to spend them at the vet's getting their stomach pumped . I speak from experience!