SLHS Grad Featured in UPenn Video — Princess Aghayere, a 2015 graduate of South Lakes High School, is a basketball player at the University of Pennsylvania. In a new video from the university, she talks about moving to the United States as a child and about her future plans in the field of medicine. The Reston native is the daughter of Anthonia and Roland Aghayere. [University of Pennsylvania]
Dog License Renew Deadline Approaching — Fairfax County dog owners are reminded that their $10 renewal fee is coming up at the end of the month. [Fairfax County]
Local College Students Named to Top Academic Lists — The following students from Reston are among those named to Dean’s Lists at their respective schools in the Fall 2016 semester.
- BELMONT UNIVERSITY: Wesley Edens, Collin Hanley
- HARDING UNIVERSITY: Mitchell Thomas
- JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY: Emily Barbaro, Lauren Canal, Kylie Chichester, Olivia Gentilcore, Susan Patrick
- UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT: Haley Brazier
In addition, five students from Reston were named to the President’s List at JMU: Jacqueline Angel, Elizabeth Barnes, Valerie Beacham, Daniel Gurley and Claire Swinko.
Four-legged friends in Reston may soon have a new favorite place to visit.
Arlington-based pet store Dogma Bakery announced earlier this week that it plans to open a Reston location in the space formerly housed by PetMAC Pet Nutrition Center, which recently closed due to an illness suffered by the owner.
PetMAC had been in the location about two years. Dogma says it plans to keep all three of PetMAC’s employees to work at its new store.
The company’s website advertises the new Reston location as a “grooming salon,” but they have responded to customers on Facebook by saying they plan to offer some of their house-made treats for dogs as well.
“We will have ice cream and some treats. Maybe not the entire selection, but we can always make sure to have your favorites ready for you when you come by.”
Dogma said earlier this week in its post that it is “[k]ind of unofficially open,” but that it would have an official opening soon. No operating hours for the store are being provided quite yet.
The shop is located at 11412 Washington Plaza West, in Lake Anne Plaza.
Have you seen “Sir George?”
This 8-week-old Pit Bull/Yorkie puppy was stolen from the Reston Petsmart on Saturday, according to Wolf Trap Animal Rescue.
The rescue group was holding an adoption event at the store at the Spectrum Saturday afternoon as part of National Adoption Weekend.
Sir George has black fur with a white chest.
The rescue group says they have reported the puppy heist to Fairfax County Police and the suspects could face felony charges if the dog is not returned in the next 24 hours.
If you have seen Sir George, text or call 703-638-2567 or email [email protected].
Wouldn’t it be fun if your dog can hit the bars with you?
Nova Pets Alive and World of Beer are hosting an event just for you and Fido.
Join them for Yappy Hour on Monday, June 6 from 3 to 7 p.m.
There will be beer, treats and fun while supporting Nova Pets Alive, a nonprofit that supports animals and their companions in Northern Virginia.
World of Beer is located at 1888 Explorer St. at Reston Town Center.
Can’t make it on June 6? Nova Pets Alive will also host Yappy Hour at World of Beer on July 4, Aug. 8 and Sept. 5.
Reston Community Center is bringing two activities for dog lovers to Hunters Woods this weekend.
Join RCC for “Mutts Gone Nuts – A Comedy Dog Act” Sunday at 11 a.m. at CenterStage.
Says RCC: “They’ll have you at “woof.” Disorderly duo Scott and Joan Houghton and their hilarious pack of pooches have created a comedy dog thrill show like no other. Expect the unexpected in this top-notch presentation that includes: incredible high-flying Frisbee dogs,tight-wire dogs, dancing dogs, magic dogs and of course, the one and only Sammie the Talking Dog!”
“Mutts Gone Nuts” features nine dogs, all of whom were adopted from animal shelters.
Tickets: $5 ($10 for non-Reston residents). Tickets can be purchased online.
After the show, stick around for RCC’s Paws & Claws Pet Resource Expo from noon to 3 p.m.
Information on pet care, training, nutrition, emergency situations, day care, and more will be available from local businesses. This free expo will take place inside RCC Hunters Woods. Pets, other than service animals, are not allowed inside the building. However, there will be a limited number of volunteers to look after pets, outside, during the event.
Vendors Include:
- Fairfax County Animal Shelter
- Fairfax County Police – K9 Unit
- Rudy’s Friends Dog Training
- Sit!Stay!360
- Julie Roccaburra Trainer
- Red Rover Readers
All bulldogs are Irish bulldogs at Lake Anne Plaza Saturday.
PetMAC at Lake Anne Plaza is holding a fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Stop by the bulldog kissing booth, where the Rebound Bulldog Rescue Foundation will be bringing an assortment of pooches decked out in their St. Paddy’s Day best.
Kiss a dog for dollars and help support the rescue group.
PetMAC is located at 11412 Washington Plaza West.
Fiefighters from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Station 25 in Reston saved Angel, a Chow, when Angel fell through the ice on Lake Thoreau in Thursday morning.
Witnesses said the dog was about 10-15 feet from the shore off of Turtle Pond Drive when the ice cracked and the dog fell in the lake.
Firefighters rushed to scene and dove into the icy water, where they brought Angel back to safety at about 8:45 a.m.
Video courtesy of Fairfax County Fire and Rescue
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue’s Swift Water Rescue Team was called to a neighborhood on Lake Thoreau Wednesday morning to rescue Angel, a Chow who fell through the ice.
Witnesses said the dog was about 10-15 feet from the shore off of Turtle Pond Drive when the ice cracked and he fell in the lake.
Firefighters rushed to scene and dove into the icy water, where they brought Angel back to safety at about 8:45 a.m.
Reston Now will have video of the rescue shortly.
Photo: Swift Water Rescue Team hoses off after saving a dog who fell into Lake Thoreau.
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue crews were called to a partially frozen lake to make a rescue just as the storm picked up Friday night. The citizen in peril was a large dog that had fallen through the ice.
The rescue happened on the other side of the county in Fairfax Station, but we’re posting it here to show the skills and heart of all Fairfax County Fire Rescue medics.
Milo, a Saint Bernard, walked out onto the ice at Woodglen Lake in Fairfax Station as his owners were tubing nearby, firefighters said. At the time of rescue the temperature was 21 degrees with a wind chill of 8 degrees and blowing snow.
When firefighters arrived, the found the dog about 30 feet from shore, so they formulated a rescue plan that included rescuers jumping into the icy water.
Fairfax County medics and firefighters routinely train for ice rescues. They can sometimes be seen on Reston’s lakes (if they are frozen) practicing drills.
The dog was rescued from the freezing pond and placed in the medic unit for drying and re-warming. After about 30 minutes, the dog and owners were taken home and warming efforts continued.
Firefighters said late Friday that the dog is doing well. After rewarming the dog appears healthy and in no distress, they said.
Check out video of the rescue on Fire Rescue’s Facebook page.
Photo: Fairfax County Firefighters recused a St. Bernard from an icy lake/Credit: Fairfax County
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors spent several hours discussing the definition of “dog tethering” on Tuesday before ultimately passing a new ordinance aimed at controlling the practice.
Is it considered “tethering” to tie your dog to the deck while you garden? How about to clip the pet to the groomer’s table or simply keep him from running away?
The Supervisors had been seeking a change to the Code of Virginia’s cruelty to animals provisions, which address the definitions and penalties for neglect, cruelty and abandonment of pets.
The Fairfax County rule now makes it illegal to tie a dog up outside for more than 60 minutes in a 24-hour period.
County officials previously said the dog-tethering proposal is modeled after the City of Richmond’s tethering ordinance, determined to be the best fit based on a survey of jurisdictions across Virginia. Several Virginia cities and counties have enacted tethering legislation, including cities of Fairfax and Alexandria and Arlington and Fauquier counties.
There was much discussion Tuesday about what it would mean if the dog was tied up for 61 minutes rather than the allotted 60.
“I never contemplated this would limit the amount of time you could walk your dog,” said Supervisor Michael Frey (Sully), a lifelong dog owner.
Frey added wording to the new code, which states the 60-minute limit “unless the dog is under direct supervision of his owner or a custodian.”
The motion, and the overall rule, passed.
The supervisors heard from about a dozen citizens and animal groups representatives in the public hearing portion of the meeting.
Gina Lynch of the Humane Society of Fairfax County called enacting the rule “a momentous accomplishment.”
“This will really send a message to those who would possibly abuse an animal — not today; not ever.”
County animal control officials said the ordinance is aimed at educating and stopping dog owners who would leave dogs tethered outside constantly. Tethering is bad for dogs and can cause them harm, such as in an accidental hanging or inability to defend themselves against other animals, the said.”
Not all animal advocates were in favor of the rule.
Alice Harrington of the Federation of Virginia Dog Clubs and Breeders, said “this assumes all tethering is bad, and this is not true.” She cited groomers and “dogs who are escape artists” as situations where tethering would help the pets.
“How do you cite someone for animal cruelty if there is no harm to the dog?” she said.
Said Frey: “This is not intended to solve every single problem that occurs with tethering but a section that will apply in unique circumstances, The bottom line: judgment is always going to be key in enforcing laws.”
Fines and penalties for violating the tethering provision:
- First violation — Class 3 misdemeanor, punishable by fine of up to $500.
- Second violation (whether or not involving the same dog) within one year of first violation — Class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by fine of up to $1,000 and penalty of up to six months in jail.
- All subsequent violations within one year of first violation — Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by fine of up to $2,500 and penalty of up to one year in jail.
Photo: Petfinder
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has postponed indefinitely a proposal to prohibit tethering dogs outside for more than one hour.
The supervisors were slated to hold a public hearing and vote on a new county code for dog tethering at their Oct. 20 meeting.
The change to the Code of Virginia’s cruelty to animals provisions, which address the definitions and penalties for neglect, cruelty and abandonment of pets, would make it illegal to tie a dog up outside for more than an hour in a 24-hour period.
County officials previously said the dog-tethering proposal is modeled after the City of Richmond’s tethering ordinance, determined to be the best fit based on a survey of jurisdictions across Virginia.
Richmond’s rules are endorsed as model legislation by the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies and the Animal Law Unit of the Virginia Attorney General’s Office. Several Virginia cities and counties have enacted tethering legislation, including cities of Fairfax and Alexandria and Arlington and Fauquier counties.
The Humane Society of the United States says continuous tethering is bad for dogs.
“As pack animals, dogs have been bred for thousands of years to form a strong attachment to a human family,” the Humane Society says on its website. “An otherwise friendly and happy dog, when kept continually chained and isolated, often becomes neurotic, unhappy, anxious, and aggressive. In fact, studies show that chained dogs are much more likely to bite than unchained dogs.
Chained dogs also may unintentionally hang themselves if they are tethered too close to a fence and attempt to jump it, the Humane Society says.
Here is what the new Fairfax County code would say:
Fines and penalties for violating the tethering provision:
- First violation — Class 3 misdemeanor, punishable by fine of up to $500.
- Second violation (whether or not involving the same dog) within one year of first violation — Class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by fine of up to $1,000 and penalty of up to six months in jail.
- All subsequent violations within one year of first violation — Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by fine of up to $2,500 and penalty of up to one year in jail.
Photo Credit: Pavel Starikov via flickr
The dock diving dogs are returning to Lake Anne Plaza this weekend.
The Chesapeake Dock Diving Dog Club will hold a demonstration Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. (and will return again on Oct. 17).
The dogs, who perform extreme leaps and jumps into the lake, were last at Lake Anne in May.
That exhibition, as well as the upcoming ones, are part of a partnership with Lake Anne Plaza’s PetMAC Marketplace and Pet Adoption Center.
PetMAC will also have adoptable dogs from New Love Rescue and Homeward Trails available on Saturday, as well as “Ask the Trainer” with Kissable Canine.
There will also be representatives from various pet product businesses such as The Hope Center Advanced Veterinary Care Center and locally-made Golden Nugget Dog Treats; as well as samples of Fromm, Weruva, Answers, Stella & Chewy’s, K9Naturals, Zignature, Wild Calling and The Bear and The Rat probiotic frozen yogurt for dogs.
Chesapeake Dock Dogs/Chesapeake Dock Dogs via Facebook
