Friday, April 24, 2009
Host is temporarily offline due to incident with his health
The host of this site has had a serious incident with his health. I am trying to find a temporary host to this site in the mean time. I thank everyone for the well wishes for his healthy and speedy return to wellness. Thank you all for your support.
Friday, March 20, 2009
What To Do About Fleet Peeples Dog Park
The saga over Fleet Peeples Dog Park has literally gone on for years. Many board members from both the City of Winter Park, and The Friends of Fleet Peeples Park have come and gone. The park has remained, as well as the ongoing bickering between the two entities. There has been a lot of confusion and miscommunication about the intent of the two sides. To put it bluntly, neither group has done a thorough job bringing forth the true intentions of either side and making the public aware of those true intentions. There have been rumors the City of Winter Park was going to sell the property. That has been vehemently denied. There have been accusations the park was going to be illegally closed down, that was not a true fact. There has been less than cordial behavior at the Public Hearings. And, no love lost between the two sides. I've observed things for years, and am going to give you my answer to putting this tireless "Soap Opera" to bed!Move the Park
Here's why I've come to this conclusion. I've talked to City of Winter Park board members and have listened to their issues at length. I've been told they want to keep the park open and working for dog lovers, but they have issues that cost money and create health issues, safety issues, and environmental issues. The number one issue I've understood them to have is that people aren't picking up their dog's poop. It costs a lot of money for the City of Winter Park to deal with it, and it is an environmental concern with decomposing poop running off into the lake. This raises E Coli issues and creates problems for the lake. They are concerned with dogs entering the park that are not properly vaccinated and could potentially spread diseases to other dogs. Additionally, the issue of dogs fighting that are not on leash and controlled by their owner. Budget shortfalls and issues with enforcement have created numerous dilemmas for the City.
The Friends of Fleet Peeples Park is a non-profit group that has helped to raise money for park improvements. According to the City of Winter Park their role is to enforce the leash requirements on the weekends, and to educate the public about cleaning and caring for the park. Board members have told me these two things have never been done. The group has had less and less success raising money, they've been more combative at public hearings, their plan to redesign the park is unrealistically expensive, and they don't want to park to be used for anything but a dog park.
The City of Winter Park has to answer to the citizens of Winter Park. Technically, they don't have to do anything to accommodate people from any other city or state. They don't have to allow the Friends of Fleet Peeples to have a say about anything. Frankly, I think they should consider the positive impact of visitors from other cities. As I pointed out in another article, the visitors to Fleet spend money at nearby gas stations, convenience stores, and fast food restaurants. These things positively impact and contribute to the Winter Park economy. This is why I've been against dog park user fees.
The City of Winter Park has considered moving the park back from the water and fencing it in making it a smaller part of the overall park. They want to make it a multi-use park and accomodate things like triathalons, possible rowing competitions, and other things for human use. I think this is an unrealistic goal. The fact is the City of Winter Park has looked to the Friends of Fleet Peeples to enforce the leash requirements and keep the poop cleaned up. This has failed. Moving the park back and fencing it in isn't going to get people who frequent the park to comply with the leash requirements, nor will they be anymore apt to clean up their dog's poop. Poor precedents have been set and at this point, trying to enforce the leash requirements by writing people tickets will be a PR nightmare. Thinking a fence will keep people from letting their dogs go into the water, and stop their dogs from pooping all over the park, is a very weak expectation.
The only way to stop this endless bickering, and end this power struggle, is to move the dog park to another location. Plain and simple. I was told about a piece of land off Lee Road called the Tree Farm. I took a look at it, and allocating a part of the ten acres to creating the finest dog park in Central Florida is what I suggest. The City of Winter Park has also talked about another piece of land at another location I can't recall, but it was a split piece of property. I'd strongly suggest using the Tree Farm because of its central location and extensive tree cover. I advised them that if they move the park, that they should build the finest dog park anywhere. Make it one with the best amenities, and an example to the country of a well planned park.
Return Fleet to a multi-use people park and end this "Soap Opera!" As I've stated before, fighting for years over a dog park is ridiculous! It is not a nuclear waste dump!
http://www.orlandodogparks.com/index.php
Here's why I've come to this conclusion. I've talked to City of Winter Park board members and have listened to their issues at length. I've been told they want to keep the park open and working for dog lovers, but they have issues that cost money and create health issues, safety issues, and environmental issues. The number one issue I've understood them to have is that people aren't picking up their dog's poop. It costs a lot of money for the City of Winter Park to deal with it, and it is an environmental concern with decomposing poop running off into the lake. This raises E Coli issues and creates problems for the lake. They are concerned with dogs entering the park that are not properly vaccinated and could potentially spread diseases to other dogs. Additionally, the issue of dogs fighting that are not on leash and controlled by their owner. Budget shortfalls and issues with enforcement have created numerous dilemmas for the City.The Friends of Fleet Peeples Park is a non-profit group that has helped to raise money for park improvements. According to the City of Winter Park their role is to enforce the leash requirements on the weekends, and to educate the public about cleaning and caring for the park. Board members have told me these two things have never been done. The group has had less and less success raising money, they've been more combative at public hearings, their plan to redesign the park is unrealistically expensive, and they don't want to park to be used for anything but a dog park.
The City of Winter Park has to answer to the citizens of Winter Park. Technically, they don't have to do anything to accommodate people from any other city or state. They don't have to allow the Friends of Fleet Peeples to have a say about anything. Frankly, I think they should consider the positive impact of visitors from other cities. As I pointed out in another article, the visitors to Fleet spend money at nearby gas stations, convenience stores, and fast food restaurants. These things positively impact and contribute to the Winter Park economy. This is why I've been against dog park user fees.
The City of Winter Park has considered moving the park back from the water and fencing it in making it a smaller part of the overall park. They want to make it a multi-use park and accomodate things like triathalons, possible rowing competitions, and other things for human use. I think this is an unrealistic goal. The fact is the City of Winter Park has looked to the Friends of Fleet Peeples to enforce the leash requirements and keep the poop cleaned up. This has failed. Moving the park back and fencing it in isn't going to get people who frequent the park to comply with the leash requirements, nor will they be anymore apt to clean up their dog's poop. Poor precedents have been set and at this point, trying to enforce the leash requirements by writing people tickets will be a PR nightmare. Thinking a fence will keep people from letting their dogs go into the water, and stop their dogs from pooping all over the park, is a very weak expectation.
The only way to stop this endless bickering, and end this power struggle, is to move the dog park to another location. Plain and simple. I was told about a piece of land off Lee Road called the Tree Farm. I took a look at it, and allocating a part of the ten acres to creating the finest dog park in Central Florida is what I suggest. The City of Winter Park has also talked about another piece of land at another location I can't recall, but it was a split piece of property. I'd strongly suggest using the Tree Farm because of its central location and extensive tree cover. I advised them that if they move the park, that they should build the finest dog park anywhere. Make it one with the best amenities, and an example to the country of a well planned park.Return Fleet to a multi-use people park and end this "Soap Opera!" As I've stated before, fighting for years over a dog park is ridiculous! It is not a nuclear waste dump!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Orlando Dog Parks - Common Drugs Prescribed for Pets
Quick Bite: Many medications prescribed by veterinarians must be given to pets every day for life to be effective. Some if these medications have the potential to cause serious side effects. All pet owners should understand how these medications work and should know what to look for if side effects occur. Your veterinarian needs to be recommending regular blood testing to check for evidence of organ dysfunction. If you get your medications on the Internet you must understand that veterinarians are required by law to check blood frequently for the safety of your dog or cat. Let’s look at some of the more frequently prescribed drugs in older animals.
Carprofen is an anti-inflammatory used for post operative pain and arthritis. It is very safe is small doses for short periods of time. But if your dog requires medication every day there are some important topics to address. Carprofen may irritate the stomach, especially if used with other anti-inflammatories. It may also cause stress on the liver, especially if your pet has an underlying liver problem. For this reason your veterinarian should be recommending bloodwork at least every 6 months to monitor liver values. Carprofen is a safe and effective medication that can and should be used if your pet is suffering from arthritis.
Phenobarbitol is an anti-convulsant used for animals suffering from seizures. It may be used or combined with other medications to control seizuring. Many dogs become resistant to the effects of this medication and often the dose must be increased to be effective. At higher doses, stress on internal organs such as the liver may occur. Regular bloodwork is necessary to document the changes and adjust the dose accordingly. Your veterinarian should also be checking the level of phenobarbitol in the bloodstream to help with dosing.
Many animals with chronic heart disease require a diuretic to facilitate the passage of fluid through the kidneys that would otherwise build up in the lungs.
Furosemide is commonly used for this purpose. It is a safe and effective drug if used properly but it can put a large amount of stress on the kidneys. For this reason, kidneys values must be checked frequently. Treating patients with chronic problems, such as heart disease, can be challenging. Your veterinarian needs as much information as possible to make confident recommendations so that you know that your pet is getting the best care possible.
Many of the aforementioned medications can be purchased on the Internet, sometimes at reduced costs. But the quality of these products has been questioned in the past due to suspect product quality and questions regarding the origin of these medications. If you do choose to purchase products over the Internet you must understand that drug monitoring is equally, if not more important than if you were purchasing these drugs from your veterinarian. Your vet is legally and ethically responsible for the health of your pet. Blood can be collected from your dog or cat safely and painlessly in the exam room. The initial investment will pay off in the long run. And you will have the peace of mind knowing that your pet is receiving the best care possible.
Jason Palm, DVM
Hiawassee Veterinary Clinic
6525 Old Winter Garden Road
Orlando, FL 32835
(407) 299-3969
Subscribe to the OrlandoDogParks.com Blog to get the latest News First!
http://www.orlandodogparks.com/index.php
Carprofen is an anti-inflammatory used for post operative pain and arthritis. It is very safe is small doses for short periods of time. But if your dog requires medication every day there are some important topics to address. Carprofen may irritate the stomach, especially if used with other anti-inflammatories. It may also cause stress on the liver, especially if your pet has an underlying liver problem. For this reason your veterinarian should be recommending bloodwork at least every 6 months to monitor liver values. Carprofen is a safe and effective medication that can and should be used if your pet is suffering from arthritis. Phenobarbitol is an anti-convulsant used for animals suffering from seizures. It may be used or combined with other medications to control seizuring. Many dogs become resistant to the effects of this medication and often the dose must be increased to be effective. At higher doses, stress on internal organs such as the liver may occur. Regular bloodwork is necessary to document the changes and adjust the dose accordingly. Your veterinarian should also be checking the level of phenobarbitol in the bloodstream to help with dosing.
Many animals with chronic heart disease require a diuretic to facilitate the passage of fluid through the kidneys that would otherwise build up in the lungs.
Furosemide is commonly used for this purpose. It is a safe and effective drug if used properly but it can put a large amount of stress on the kidneys. For this reason, kidneys values must be checked frequently. Treating patients with chronic problems, such as heart disease, can be challenging. Your veterinarian needs as much information as possible to make confident recommendations so that you know that your pet is getting the best care possible.
Many of the aforementioned medications can be purchased on the Internet, sometimes at reduced costs. But the quality of these products has been questioned in the past due to suspect product quality and questions regarding the origin of these medications. If you do choose to purchase products over the Internet you must understand that drug monitoring is equally, if not more important than if you were purchasing these drugs from your veterinarian. Your vet is legally and ethically responsible for the health of your pet. Blood can be collected from your dog or cat safely and painlessly in the exam room. The initial investment will pay off in the long run. And you will have the peace of mind knowing that your pet is receiving the best care possible.
Jason Palm, DVM
Hiawassee Veterinary Clinic
6525 Old Winter Garden Road
Orlando, FL 32835
(407) 299-3969
Subscribe to the OrlandoDogParks.com Blog to get the latest News First!
http://www.orlandodogparks.com/index.php
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
OrlandoDogParks.com Unseen Heros Who Kill Trolls
OrlandoDogParks.com currently gets about 4000 visitors a month. That is a lot of people to manage and monitor the behavior of on the Discussion Boards. There are two members other than myself who volunteer as site Moderators...Orlandog Gus and Orlandog Rex! Both have diligently protected the site and members from Trolls such as porn spammers, drug spammers and others who'd like to post garbage to our site. I just thought you should know it is a lot of work and takes a lot of commitment on their part. I genuinely appreciate their constant help keeping the site clean of those jerks. I hope you appreciate them as much as I do!Subscribe to the OrlandoDogParks.com Blog to get the latest News First!
http://www.orlandodogparks.com/index.php
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Orlando Dog Parks - Fleet Peeples Dog Park Endless Drama
If you aren't aware, be put on notice that starting yesterday (2/28/09) and this point forward, the City of Winter Park put out a notice that it will strictly enforce the Leash Policy at Fleet Peeples Dog Park. Yet, today I found out that the Parks and Recreation Board was surveyed last Wednesday and voted 6 to 1 to keep the dog park at Fleet, and to DO AWAY with the leash policy. I just found out further, that this was just a SURVEY as I stated. It was NOT an official motion to do either thing. So, continue to expect the leash policy to now be strictly enforced. Additionally, I found out that Janet Atkins tendered her resignation from the board. Janet Atkins was the founder of the Friends of Fleet Peeples Park. It was also voted by the board to allow the Row Team from Winter Park High School to do a demonstration on the lake. This approval supposedly brought vehement opposition from the Friends of Fleet and Janet Atkins. This appears to be what prompted her immediate resignation.
I've always understood that Fleet has been meant to be a multi-use park, and not just a dog park. So, the endless bickering over the use of the park continues! Frankly, I'm over it! I will write what I've recommended to the City of Winter Park at some point. I've simply tired of the drama, and have had little interest in writing about this ridiculous soap opera. As I've said, "It is a Dog Park!" It is not a nuclear waste dump!
Subscribe to the OrlandoDogParks.com Blog to get the latest News First!
http://www.orlandodogparks.com/index.php
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Orlando Dog Parks - Fleet Peeples Dog Park Poll & Future
A quick entry to inform the many hundreds of you who are following the Fleet Peeples Dog Park drama...Changes are coming! The City of Winter Park has enough information to make decisions to deal with the ongoing issues of dog poop cleanup, health and safety concerns, environmental issues, user fees, park design and more. There will be another hearing in March. I will of course post the date and time of the hearing. Things are supposed to move forward after all the years of deliberation about the best use of the park and the issues plaguing it.I've put up a poll you'll see to your left. It asks many questions, and should be answered with multiple responses from you on each question. Let your feelings be known. People from the City of Winter Park's Board read this blog and take input seriously.
I'll be writing my recommendation about the future of Fleet Peeples Dog Park, and you may be surprised at what I'll have to say.
Subscribe to the OrlandoDogParks.com Blog to get the latest News First!
http://www.orlandodogparks.com/index.php
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Orlando Dog Parks - Orange County Press Release on Downey Closing
Here's the Official Press Release from Orange County Parks and Recreation. Downey is expected to reopen as scheduled on February 19, 2009. It is a good time to be even more vigilant and responsible as a dog owner.
DOWNEY PARK CLOSED DUE TO VIRUS
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange County Parks and Recreation Division has closed the Dog Park located at Downey Park at the recommendation of the Orange County Animal Control Division. A dog infected with the Parvo virus was found immediately outside the Dog Park on Wednesday. The Dog Park will remain closed until Thursday, February 19.
On Wednesday, Animal Control officers transported the dog and test results returned in the evening were positive for the virus. As a precautionary measure the park staff has bleached the dog park area. Parvo virus is a highly contagious, often fatal viral disease of dogs. The disease is characterized by diarrhea, vomiting and fever.
Downey Park is located at 10107 Flowers Avenue, Orlando
Subscribe to the OrlandoDogParks.com Blog to get the latest News First!
http://www.orlandodogparks.com/index.php
Friday, February 13, 2009
Love Pets? Take a Walk at Paws In The Park!
The SPCA of Central Florida is Holding...
What: Paws in the Park - 15th Annual Fund Raising Pet Walk
When: Saturday, February 14th starting at 9:00 A.M.
Where: Lake Eola in Downtown Orlando
Cost: Admission is FREE! There'll be Contests, Refreshments, Vendors and Treats!
SPECIAL NOTE: You ONLY pay $25 if you want to do the Official Walk and act as a Sponsor/Fundraiser. This is also the way you'd participate in their Contests.
Subscribe to the OrlandoDogParks.com Blog to get the latest News First!
http://www.orlandodogparks.com/index.php
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