The dog days of summer deserve a day just for the dogs before the pool season ends.
Reston Association is hosting a dog paddle next weekend. Residents can bring their dog for a dip in the pool at North Hills on Saturday, August 29 and at Dogwood on Sunday, August 30. Both events take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Access to the pool is reserved on a 45-minute visit that begins at the top of each hour. Although people are not allowing in the water with the dogs, four people can accompany each dog to the facility. Dogs must remain under control at all times or will be asked to leave without a refund. Female dogs in heat are not allowed.
Face masks — for humans only — are required at all times. The fee is $10 per dog for RA members and $15 for all others.
Registration is open via RA’s Webtrac system. Pre-registration is required and the event will be cancelled in the event of rain.
Active dog licenses are required before entering the facility. RA reserved the right to density admission to any patron or dog owner.
Photo courtesy Sammy Monaghan for RA
The Fairfax County Park Authority has launched an in-depth study of dog parks in the county.
The study will examine current and future needs for dog parks throughout the county and include strategies for long-term planning, development, and management.
Currently, FCPA is seeking feedback through an online survey, which is available through Dec. 15.
Residents can also submit comments via email at [email protected]
More information about the study is available online.
Photo by Jay Westcott
County’s New Glass Recycling Program Shatters Expectations — “In just a few months, Fairfax County’s new glass-recycling program is reportedly getting great results. Since the county started its “Purple Can Club” last spring, 2.8 million pounds of glass have been dropped off in special collection bins, one official said.” [WTOP]
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department Accepts Toys for Donation — The department is participating in the region-wide toys for tons campaign. Children served by this campaign include toddlers and youth through age 17. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department]
County Launches Dog Park Study — The Fairfax County Park Authority is conducting a comprehensive study of off-leash dog areas in the county in order to assess current and future needs and opportunities for dog parts throughout the county. [Fairfax County Government]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Updated at 12:25 p.m. on Friday (March 29) — The grand opening will be held on April 27 at Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern between 11 a.m.-3 p.m. There will not be a soft opening on Monday (April 1).
A pet care service called Woofie’s plans to hold a grand opening near the end of April for its new Reston location.
Established by pet owners in 2004, Woofie’s currently serves locals in Ashburn, Pomotac Station and Lansdowne with more than 70 pet sitters and dog walkers, along with offering seven mobile pet vans, according to its website.
The new spot at 1897 Preston White Drive is right off of the Dulles Toll Road and close to Lake Thoreau.
Woofie’s also plans to open another franchise location in Leesburg.
Photo via Woofies/Facebook
A group of Reston and Herndon residents has come together to form a grassroots local dog-walking group.
According to the Meetup page for Herndon/Reston Walking With Dogs Morning Exercise, the 23 member group is open to the public — not just for people who own dogs, but for people who would like to walk with them as well.
“I would love to form a morning walking group for people who have or don’t have dogs,” the group’s organizers said on the page. “This would be an hour or so walk on the pathways in the surrounding area.”
The group was formed in late November, according to its Meetup page.
The group’s next walk is scheduled for this Friday (March 29) at 8 a.m. at the Foxclove Road trail. Sturdy shoes are suggested, and leashes are required.
The hike is estimated to be around an hour and a half.
Photo via Meetup
(Updated at 9:35 p.m. on Feb. 21) Woofie’s, a pet care service that offers a mobile pet salon, pet sitting and dog walking, plans to open one of its two upcoming franchise locations in Reston.
The Facebook page for the Reston location says it is “coming soon” to 1897 Preston White Drive. The spot is right off of the Dulles Toll Road and close to Lake Thoreau.
“We are shooting for an opening date in early April,” Renee Ventrice, the vice president of Marketing for Woofie’s Pet Ventures, told Reston Now.
The second franchise location is set for Leesburg.
Established by pet owners in 2004, Woofie’s currently serves locals in Ashburn, Pomotac Station and Lansdowne with more than 70 pet sitters and walkers and seven mobile pet vans, according to its website.
Photos via Woofies/Facebook, Google Maps
“Dog Days of Summer” sessions are back again at the Reston Town Center pavilion starting today (July 11).
The pavilion will be transformed into an off-leash play area every Wednesday through September 26.
Treats, toys and pet-friendly giveaways will be offered during the sessions.
Sessions take place from 4-7 p.m. The series is sponsored by Healthy Hound Playground, a dog daycare and boarding kennel and a grooming salon and spa located at 45910 Transamerica Plaza.
Photo via Reston Town Center
Fairfax County parks are offering classes to socialize and train four-legged members of the family.
The classes, known as Puppy Kindergarten, will begin June 23-28 at Frying Pan Farm Park. Puppies between 10 to 23 weeks will learn the fundamentals of discipline and socializing, as well as chewing and jumping.
Dogs who are advanced can participate in Dog Obedience I or II. The first class features management, discipline, problem-solving, affection and restraint. Dogs must be at least six months old to attend. Classes meet from 10-10:55 a.m. for eight weeks.
The level one class must be completed prior to taking the level two class. Dogs must be eight months old and will learn how to perform the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test.
Each class costs $109. Humans who participate must be at least 14 years old.
File photo via Chesapeake Dock Dogs
Calling all pets and pets owners: The Pet Fiesta is coming to Reston Town Center on Saturday, May 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m..
Sponsored by RTC and NOVADog Magazine, the outdoor festival brings together business, rescue groups and pet owners for activities and demonstrations. The event, which is open to all, also includes face painting and onstage entertainment. Animals will also be available for adoption.
This year, a dog walk around Reston Town Center and the Washington & Old Dominion Trail was cancelled due to a lack of registrants.
Volunteers can sign up online. More information is available online.
The event benefits GoodDogz, a non-profit organization that aims to educate future dog owners on dog selection and supports rescue groups.
Photo via Gooddogz.org
With another snow day upon us, we asked for some great dogs-in-the-snow pictures for a photo contest.
Here are some of the best entries.
Reston Now picks Syd at Lake Newport as the winner. Congratulations to owner, Anna Atkinson, who wins a Reston Now water bottle.
But let’s pick a fan favorite too. Scroll through the pictures and tell us your favorite in the comments. We’ll count the comments by 9 a.m. Friday and give a second lucky dog owner some swag too.
Thanks for playing!
Reston Dogs Inc., the volunteer group that helps maintain the county-run off-leash dog area at Baron Cameron Park, is in the midst of a fundraising effort to help pay for legal expenses related to saving their dog park.
In March, a group of homeowners in the Longwood Grove subdivision filed suit against the Fairfax County Park Authority and Reston Dogs. The injunction calls for the park to be shut down because of excessive noise.
The dog park, which is open during daylight hours, is the only off-leash dog run in Reston. The neighbors that filed the suit in Fairfax County Circuit Court call it a “private nuisance.”
“The dog park noise, mainly from unruly dogs barking and fighting, has grown to intolerable levels over the last two years and is likely to become even more severe in the spring and summer months,” reads the court document.
Reston Dogs Inc. administrators are trying to raise $3,500 to pay for attorney’s fees. The group has retained Reston lawyer Michael Horwatt.
As of Friday morning, the group’s Go Fund Me page has $1,880 in donations.
“If we fail to defend ourselves the case will be won by the plaintiff by default and the dog park will be closed and removed from BC Park,” administrators said in an email to dog park regulars. “Since we certainly do not want this to occur, we have no choice but to defend ourselves. We, the litigation committee for Reston Dogs, have retained an experienced lawyer to represent us, one who actually attends the dog park. …”
“Since the case is about to enter a more intense period of discussion during the next month as we try to find a mutually agreeable solution, this will probably be the most critical month of the lawsuit. What this means is we are in desperate need of an injection of funds totaling about $3,500 during the next month to retain our attorney.” Read More
