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By Swamp Pundit, 6/18/2009 7:18 am

Congratulations to all those out there who pushed for a dog park here in Washington. What a great idea!

And, to those who will “keep a close eye on it”? This town has more to worry about than some dog lovers who want to exercise and socialize their dogs. As far as fears it will not be properly maintained  - maybe we could shovel a little of that concern for cleanliness towards those who abuse Haven’s Gardens. The “citizens” who leave condoms and syringes under the picnic tables.

SO HOOORAY!!!! A DOG PARK IS COMING OUR WAY.

(and yes, Doug M., it would have been better to have a larger area… but we’ll take what we can get.)

Comments (2)

By Swamp Pundit, 5/17/2009 6:44 am

Okay, enough hooplah. No more hemming and hawing. Jimmy Davis? You do not get to choose for us. Your fear of drug-dealing, jackbooted thugs accompanied by spike-collared pit bulls lugging twenty pound chains  wreaking havoc upon the city’s chihuahuas is ill-founded and ridiculous. About as silly a notion as thinking someone living in town would allow a teenager to ride an ATV in their sideyard — without a helmet — while talking on a cell phone. (oh wait, people do that)

I do not play softball. I do not play basketball. I do not work out at the Senior Citizen Center. But — that doesn’t mean no one gets to play softball, basketball, or do squats with seniors.

For those Washingtonians who decry dog parks… here is how to handle the issue:

Don’t go to the dog park.

Now, isn’t that simple? And yes, we who use the dog park will clean it up.

Come on, City Council. Give us the damn dog park… don’t send it to Chocowinity. Please?

*the opinions expressed on the Endless Chain Pig Club are that of the writer. Not anyone else either in their family, sphere of friends, or internet universe. Just the writer, the Swamp Pundit, who is tired of watching ideas get shot down through inertia and intimidation.

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By Swamp Pundit, 5/6/2009 5:57 pm

…but the Washington Daily News sure does.

Ya’ll oughta’ call the Washington Daily News and ask them how much they charge to publish an obituary. I guess you’d have to call Advertising at 252-940-4233.

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By Swamp Pundit, 4/9/2009 9:47 am

Yes, it will be All About an Off-Leash Dog Park in Washington NC but we must intersperse such information with cultural activities at ECU. Last year’s ECU Fall Homecoming was spectacular - complete with Clyde Edgerton and others! This September will be just as swell, mark my words.

Community Events

Wednesday, January 28, 2009
A poetry reading, featuring Garth Risk Hallberg. Hallberg will be reading his fiction. He is the author of the novella A Field Guide to the North American Family, available now in bookstores across North America. He has published stories and essays in Glimmertrain, Evergreen, Slate, and many other periodicals.
Location: 1032 Bate Building, East Carolina University
Time: 7:30 p.m.

Friday, April 3, 2009
A musical event, “8 Wheels and Nowhere to Go”, featuring Mike Hamer and Marty Silverthorne. Hamer and Silverthorne will perform and present original songs and poems. Admission is free.
Location: Emerge Gallery & Art Center, 404 S. Evans Street, Greenville, NC
Time: 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 16, 2009
EGSO (English Graduate Student Organization) Poetry Reading of Allison Adelle Hedge Coke’s works.
Location: Tipsy Teapot, 409 S. Evans Street, Greenville, NC
Time: 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 23, 2009
Pamlico-Tar River Foundation, The North Carolina Estuarium, and the Eastern North Carolina Literary Homecoming present, “Writing Workshop: Transforming the Visual Experience into Words”, inspired by Bland Simpson’s book (The Inner Islands: A Carolinian’s Sound Country Chronicle). Optional visits to surrounding islands via marine craft available.
Location: North Carolina Estuarium, 223 East Water Street, Washington, NC
Writing Workshop Time: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.; optional visits to islands via marine craft begin at 1 p.m.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Panel discussion about Creative Writing (prose and/or poetry).
Location: Braswell Memorial Library, 727 North Grace Street, Rocky Mount, NC
Time: 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Saturday, August 1 - Monday, August 31, 2009
Month long exhibit of visual poetry by Gabrielle Freeman
Location: Chowan County Arts Council, 200 East Church Street, Edenton
Time: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Monday, August 3, 2009
Writers’ Workshop with Gabrielle Freeman
Location: Bertie County Arts Council, 124 South King Street, Windsor, NC
Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

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By Swamp Pundit, 4/5/2009 2:17 pm

The Dead Mule was proud to have one of its writers here in Washington performing at Saturday’s Bluegrass Flingding. There will be a link to his story online as soon as it’s unearthed.

Comments (1)

By Swamp Pundit, 4/4/2009 6:35 pm

Yes, Virginia, we need an off-leash dog park in this fair small town! Join the rest of North America and move forward…

Pets (dogs specifically, in this case) are fundamental cogs in the wheels of our society.

Read about the value of pets:

“Pets as companions and social lubricants”

“Pets can act as emotional substitutes for spouses, romantic partners and children. Albert and Bulcroft’s 1986 survey of 436 people in the Rhode Island metropolitan area (USA) is just one study that supports this popular view. They found that the people who felt closer to their pets tended to be those without a present spouse or romantic partner, who have no children or have no children present in the home. They found that widows, single people and empty nesters are more likely to emphasise the companionship qualities of pets. In the McHarg et al. survey, 79% of pet owners find it comforting to be with their pet when things go wrong and 91% feel very close to their pet. The McHarg et al. survey also revealed that 58% of pet owners said they got to know people and made friends through having pets, while 62% said that having a pet around when people visit makes it easier to get into conversation and create a friendly atmosphere.

Pets helping to teach children

“Pets are often obtained to help children learn responsibility and how to share. They show that if affection is given it will be returned. McCallum Research Pty Ltd et al. confirmed the significance of the teaching role when they concluded:
“Some parents feel they would be failing in their responsibilities as parents if they ‘deprived’ their children of pets and that what they learn from pets makes them better human beings.”
(McCallum Research et al. 1992, p. 16)”

So let’s do it. Let’s give Washington NC an off-leash dog park. In this space, soon, we’ll have information about what you can do to help. Responsible pet owners need a place for their dogs to socialize. Dog parks create healthier, more people-friendly, better socialized pets.

This website, The Endless Chain Pig Club, is now dedicated to supporting the Washington Off-Leash Dog Park.

“I yearn for the fenced in paradise that would be my park.”  Thompson longs for a place to play, won’t you please help us fulfill his dream of daffodils and puppies yearning to play? It takes so little to give a lot…

We need a safe place for dogs to play. The benefits are lasting and numerous.

And don’t forget - spay or neuter your pet.

Join the Washington Off-Leash Dog Park FACEBOOK group! *hey ya’ll who are working so hard on the park, the group just kinda’ happened, hope no one’s toes are stepped upon by this… ok? And an email? How about: dogpark @ washingtonnc.org? (no spaces, duh)