SUNDAY, October 30, 2011: The Tenth Annual BPC Halloween Puppy Parade went off a
a day late, because of the snow storm, but everyone had a great time after the storm cleared.
The parade proceeded from the South Cove on the Esplanade to the plaza area
near the North Cove Marina (where the volleyball courts are usually set up). Prizes were awarded for Best Costume - Large Breed;
Best Costume - Small Breed; Best Owner & Dog Combo; Best Dog Team Costume. A Tail-Wagging Contest for
Small & Large Dogs was also held again this year. We'll be posting the info on the winners shortly, but in the meantime, you can click here
for photos of the great event.
Sunday, October 2, 2011 - Blessing of the Animals. The annual BPC Blessing of the Animals
took place on October 2 at St. Joseph's Chapel on Kowsky Plaza. Click here for photos of this wonderful event, welcoming
the fall season with a show of love and appreciation for our beloved pets.
Saturday, September 17: BPC Block Party -- PET PARADE!! Once again, BPC Dogs will co-host the annual BPC Pet Parade with Bobby of Le Pet Spa. We have a new associated event this year: a PET KISSING BOOTH!
The Pet Parade starts at noon at the stage that will be set up on the Esplanade Plaza, next to North Cove marina. Please line up near the stage with your pet at 11:50 am. ALL pets are welcome -- dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, rats, lizards, etc. The pet parade is a fun way to introduce yourself and your pet to the community. And if your pet does a neat trick, show us. Our Pets are special members of our community so let's meet them.
The Pet Kissing Booth will be open right after the Pet Parade. At the Kissing Booth, you will get a chance to have a photo taken of you and your pet smooching.
There will also be many other pet-related activities at the Block Party, including information tables for BPC Dogs (with a sign-up sheet for new members or to update your membership information), the CERT Animal Search and Rescue Team, City Critters and the Delta Society.
Friday, September 2, 2011 - Goodbye Irene! Thank goodness that Downtown dodged Irene's bullets. With life getting back to normal, we want to express our thanks to all of you who helped one another in dealing with pets during the evacuation. We learned 10 years ago that making sure our pets are safe can be one of the most difficult parts of an emergency.
Special thanks go to Gayle Horwitz and Ann Fenton of the Battery Park City Authority, who reached out to BPC Dogs to make sure we were part of BPCA's Hurricane planning; to Mary Cooley and Senator Daniel Squadron, who provided additional information regarding pet-friendly hotels; and to Sara DeLaney of Ciao Bow Wow (on Maiden Lane outside Zone A), who offered her doggie day-care facilities to anyone who could not find a place for their dog during the storm. Sara wants us all to know that she will do the same thing in any future emergency and that she is there for our community.
Finally, we have heard countless stories of individual generosity and help offered by neighbor to neighbor. Our neighborhood spirit got us through 9/11 and it's great to hear that this spirit remains 10 years later.
In order to remain prepared for future emergencies, please take some time to review the NYC OEM website, which has several useful guides available on-line, providing guidance for how to deal with a hurricane and other emergencies.
The OEM guide for evacuating with pets is particularly helpful. STAY SAFE.
Saturday, April 30, 2011 - Spring Party and Fundraiser!
BPC Neighbors Network, of which BPC Dogs is a member, is sponsoring a Spring Party on April 30 that will also double
as a fund-raiser for Japan earthquake relief, continuing the neighborhood tradition of giving back to others in
recognition of all of the help that we received from around the world after September 11.
The party will be at Southwest Restaurant in the World Financial Center, starting at 8 pm.
There will be a $20 per person cover charge, which includes discounted margaritas hors d'oeuvres and a donation for Japan relief.
Click here for flyer.
Saturday, October 23, 2010 - the 9th Annual BPC Dogs Halloween Puppy Parade,
co-sponsored by BPC Dogs and Le Pet Spa, was a great success. We started at noon on the BPC Esplanade at the South Cove Marina and marched north on the
Esplanade to the plaza area near the North Cove Marina, where we were joined by State Senator Daniel Squadron and dozens of spectators. Prizes were awarded for
Best Costume - Large Breed; Best Costume - Small Breed; Best Owner & Dog Combo; Best Dog Team Costume. We also had a Tail-Wagging Contest for Small & Large Dogs.
Click here for
photos of our fantastic winners, and, here for a slide show of the entire event.
Rain date: Sunday, October 24, same time and place. Check this website if the weather looks bad Saturday morning or
call Le Pet Spa at 212-786-9070 for up-to-the-minute weather updates.
Sunday, October 10, 2010 - Blessing of the Animals. The annual Blessing of the
Animals took place at St. Joseph's Chapel on Kowsky Plaza in Battery Park City on October 10.
This non-denominational service was a wonderful community event. Click here for photos.
Sunday, September 12, 2010 - BPC Block Party PET PARADE!!
Once again, BPC Dogs will co-host the annual BPC Pet Parade with Bobby of Le Pet Spa.
There will also be many other pet-related activities at the Block Party, including information
tables for the CERT Animal Search and Rescue team, a sign-up sheet to become members of the
BPC Dog Association, and information about a proposal for official off-leash hours in
Historic Battery Park. The fun starts with the Pet Parade in front of the main Block Party
stage on the Esplanade Plaza (aka the volleyball court).
Please line up with your pet at 12:10 pm, for a parade starting at 12:20 pm.
ALL pet owners (of dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, rats, lizards, etc.) should be near the stage
by 12:10 pm at the latest. The pet parade is a fun way to introduce yourself and your pet to
the community. And if your pet does a special trick, show us. Our Pets are special members of
our community so let's meet them. (Note that, although the Block Party flyer describes the
parade as a "Dog Parade", all pets are welcome.)
July 27, 2010 - Longtime BPC pets pass on. With great sadness, we report that BPC has
recently lost some longtime beloved pets. Shenanigan, the Bernese mountain dog, and Jamie, the Chihuahua passed away over the last few days. We extend
our heartfelt condolences to their owners.
Shenanigan (foreground) and her owner, Angel, at the 2008 Blessing of the Animals
May 30, 2010 - West Thames Dog Run Update. The West Thames
Dog Run has reopened, after completion of construction work within the temporary dog run area. A few punchlist
items remain to be worked out, but we are glad that the new run is able to serve our pets for the summer.
Saturday, October 31, 2009 - the 8th Annual BPC Dogs Halloween Puppy Parade,
co-sponsored by BPC Dogs and Le Pet Spa,
was held on Saturday, October 31, along the Esplanade in BPC.
Pictured above are the winners of the costume contests. Clockwise from top left are: Kelly with her dog, Boo, as Sherlock Holmes (Best Costume Large Breed); Seth, with his dogs,
Mazzie and Miles, as the New York Jets (Best Dog Team); Pito (owners Carol and Thomas), Small Dog Best Tail Wagging;
Jason, with his dog, Otis, as a chef (Best Costume Small Breed); Jack (owner Claire), Large Dog Best Tail Wagging;
Thomas and
his dog, Lucky, as police dog and prisoner (Co-winner, Best Owner-Dog Combo); and Laura and Gary, with their dog, Sadie, as Dracula, Cruella and their retired ballerina (Co-winner, Best Owner-Dog Combo).
Click here to see photos of the entire event.
We would like to extend a special thanks to our judges: Glenn Plaskin, Patti Brotman and Pauline Wolf.
Sunday, October 4, 2009 - Blessing of the Animals. The annual Blessing of the
Animals took place at St. Joseph's Chapel on Kowsky Plaza in Battery Park City on October 4, at 1 pm.
Click here for photos of this wonderful neighborhood event.
June 4, 2009 - Animal Rescue Benefit Event
Two of our members, who are affiliated with Friends of Animal Rescue,
a non-profit organization that provides much needed funding to help
NYC rescuers remove animals from death row at city shelters, have extended an
invitation to a fund-raising event that will be held in our back yard on June 4.
From 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm, the fund-raising party will be held dockside at
the North Cove Marina near Gateway Plaza. Then, at 9:00 pm, the mega yacht Atantis
moves out into the harbor for a one-hour cruise. Click here for details and ticket
information.
* * *
Sunday, October 26, 2008 - the 7th Annual BPC Dogs Halloween Puppy Parade,
co-sponsored by BPC Dogs and Le Pet Spa,
was held on Sunday, October 26, along the Esplanade in BPC. We started on the plaza where volleyball courts are usually set up near the
North Cove Marina, and then paraded south on the Esplanade to the West Thames Street Dog Run, where judging took place and prizes were awarded. This event is
co-sponsored by BPC Dogs and Le Pet Spa. Click here for photos.
Sunday, October 5, 2008 - Blessing of the Animals. The annual Blessing of the
Animals took place at St. Joseph's Chapel on Kowsky Plaza in Battery Park City on October 5.
This non-denominational service was a wonderful community event. Click here for photos.
April 5, 2008 - Intro 13: Important Pet-Friendly Legislation.
Nearly 2 years ago, Councilmember Tony Avella, of Queens, introduced legislation to clarify tenants'
rights to replace a pet who may be lost to old age, accident or disease. This legislation has garnered
30 additional sponsors, including our own Councilmember, Alan Gerson. Unfortunately, Speaker Quinn has
not allowed Intro 13 to come to a vote. On April 5, supporters of Intro 13, including BPC Dogs leaders
and leaders of NYCDOG, the City-wide association of dog-owner groups, held a press conference at City
Hall to demand action on this important legislation. Here is video of the news coverage:
October 28, 2007 - the 6th Annual BPC Dogs Halloween Puppy Parade, was held today along the Esplanade in BPC.
We started at the South Cove, and marched toward the North Cove and on to the Sirius Dog Run at Kowsky Plaza.
It was a beautiful day, and dogs and humans had a wonderful time.
Prizes were awarded for Best Costume - Large Breed; Best Costume - Small Breed; Best Owner & Dog Combo; Best Dog Team Costume; and best
best Small and Large Dog Tail-Wagging. Click HERE for Photos.
August 20, 2007 - Suspected Dog Poisoning in Nearby Dog Run. There have been
reports of dog poisonings at the Chelsea Waterside Dog Park. There have been no reports of similar activity in the BPC dog runs, but please
be on the lookout. If you spot suspicious activity report it, use your cellphone camera to take a photo,
get the attention of other dog owners nearby, and, most of all, be mindful of your dog. Watch for items
left on the ground. If strangers appear to be feeding dogs, intervene.
Here is a link to a WCBS story
on the Chelsea incidents.
February 15, 2007 - Dog Electrocuted in our neighborhood.
The 2/15/07 New York Times, reports that a dog has been electrocuted
in our neighborhood, at Greenwich Street and Rector Street. Unfortunately, electric
shocks from poorly insulated ground wiring are not uncommon.
The problems are particularly severe
on snowy, rainy or slushy
days, especially when there is salt on the ground, because both water and salt can
act as a conductor. Please see our Electric Shock Safety Page for important information on how
to avoid this danger.
October 29, 2006 - the 5th Annual BPC Dogs Halloween Puppy Parade
was held on the BPC Esplanade today, starting at the Volleyball
Court near the North Cove Marina.
Strong winds, threatening to
blow the costumes off our local canines, caused a mid-parade route
change, with everyone heading for the nearby Sirius Dog Run, rather
than the North End Avenue Dog Run, as had been planned.
We had a big crowd of brave, windswept dogs,
with prizes awarded for Best Costume - Large Breed,
Best Costume - Small Breed, Best Owner & Dog Combo and
Best Dog Team - and Best Tail-Wagging Dogs. Click here for photos.
October 1, 2006 - Annual Blessing of the Animals.
On Sunday, October 1, St. Joseph's Chapel in Battery Park City
held its annual Blessing of the Animals in celebration of the feast day
of St. Francis of Assisi. It was a beautiful day and gave us a nice opportunity to welcome
the fall season with a show of love and appreciation for our beloved pets. Click here for pictures.
June 19, 2006 - Gateway residents: Please do not let your dog urinate near the Steamers Landing Restaurant outdoor seating areas.
Steamers is a great friend and neighbor to the BPC community.
February 14, 2006 - Angel on a Leash. One of our members, Greer Griffith, was honored at the Westminster Dog Show , for her work in
coordinating a wonderful program with therapy dogs, called Angel on a Leash,
which is sponsored by the Westminster Kennel Club. Angel on a Leash brings theapy dogs to the
Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital where the therapy dogs not only visit
children at the hospital at their bedside, but they also work in occupational
and physical therapy sessions.
October 29, 2005 - the 4th Annual BPC Dogs Halloween Puppy
Parade was held on the BPC Esplanade, starting at the South Cove, and
proceeding north to the new Sirius Dog Run. Prizes
were awarded for Best Costume - Large Breed, Best Costume - Small Breed, Best
Owner & Dog Combo and Best Dog Team. Click here for photos.
HURRICANE KATRINA - For those of you
interested in the animal rescue efforts going on in the wake of Hurricane
Katrina, and how we might contribute to that effort, we have compiled
information here regarding various organizations
involved in the animal relief work, including links to these organizations'
websites. In addition, BPC Dogs is working with the BPC CERT Animal Search and
Rescue Team and City Critters to amass information and identify people who would
foster and/or adopt animals rescued from the hurricane zone.
May 9, 2005 - The NEW DOG RUN on Kowsky Plaza opened Monday, May
9. If you have not yet visited the dog run, you and your dog are in for a
treat, complete with bathing pool and small hills for the dogs, and benches and
wonderful views for the humans. Kowsky Plaza has become BPC's "town square",
and not just for dog owners. Click here for photos.
January 2005:See ELECTRIC SHOCK for important information about
serious electric shock hazards in BPC.
PEP "Zero Tolerance" Campaign -- UPDATE, March 17, 2003: As a result of
meetings between BPC Dogs and BPCA representatives, we think the PEP situation
should be back to "normal" now, after an ill-starred experiment with a strict
"zero tolerance" enforcement policy. PEPs will most definitely still be on the
look-out for dog-related violations, but enforcement going forward should be
tempered by more common sense, with warnings, rather than summonses, being the
weapon of first choice. Officials have pledged not to re-institute "undercover"
dog regulation enforcement in BPC without prior consultation with BPC Dogs. If
you nonetheless have PEP problems, please email us with
the details. We will try to help.
Our own Bobby Concister of Le Pet Spa talks to the
Daily News about preparing with your pet in these days of terror alerts.
Join BPC Dogs to stay informed, and to show your support for new BPC Dog
runs.
BPC Dogs is a volunteer organization with approximately 600 members
dedicated to responsible dog ownership in the Battery Park City community.
Through our email distribution list, we keep our members informed of news and
developments of concern to dog owners and dog lovers in and near Battery Park
City. From helping pet-owners recover their animals after September 11 to
working to make BPC once again a safe and welcoming neighborhood for dogs and
their owners, we are here to serve you.
We are a member organization in the New York Council of Dog Owner
Groups (NYCDOG).
If you would like to join BPC Dogs, and receive our email updates, please
send an email to Paula Galloway. Include your name,
address and telephone number.
