Letter From the Editor –Linda J. Waddington

Now that all of us have been warned about SARS and bird flu, news is out about a new dog flu that apparently has morphed out of a horse flu that has been around for 40 years.  The new dog flu has no vaccine yet and the only treatment is supportive treatment, as in IV’s and antibiotics if the flu progresses to pneumonia. The symptoms are the same as kennel cough.

The Humane Society’s web site recommends avoiding dog kennels, dog parks and other places where dogs congregate.  Some dogs have died of this flu, so you have been warned.  Veterinary care is recommended as soon as symptoms are noticed. Do not wait to see your veterinarian if your dog has a runny nose or develops a cough.

A meeting was held on November 1st, 2005, at the Korean Presbyterian Church regarding the county’s plans to build an administrative building for the sheriff’s department on the land currently occupied by the Field of Dogs and the Petanque Court.  Many dog park patrons and most members of the Field of Dogs board were present. Our president Howard Lazar spoke on our behalf.  Although county planners claimed that the plans were not yet “a done deal,” the presentation made it seem that way.  Furthermore, the “Christmas Tree Lot” which had been previously designated as a potential new home for the dog park was identified as belonging to the train right-of-way and thus unavailable for us to move to. No alternative site for the dog park was identified at the meeting.

More neighborhood meetings are planned and we need to appear “in mass” to make our needs known.  This county plan is a serious threat to the continuation of the Field of Dogs. 

The Marin Humane Society is still looking for foster and adoptive homes for dogs they rescued from hurricane Katrina and Rita. Some of the dogs are being treated for heartworm, which is not contagious to your dogs. Please help out one of these dogs if you can.  They have been through a lot.