West County DOGS logo of a fun-loving frisbee player wearing a St. Louis T-shirt and tossing a disc to his leaping dog
September Newsletter
Sept 2005 WEST COUNTY CHAPTER--DOGPARKS OF GREATER ST. LOUIS VOL. 1, NO. 9
Contents: Chairman's report, Community notes, Fun events, Meetings, Help and have fun, Final thoughts, Subscribe, Unsubscribe
Chairman's report
Chairman's icon of a boy running with a pinwheel

No meeting in September so we can go to all the dog swims!

September is packed with dog swims that we all want to attend, so we will not be having a September meeting. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, October 5, at the Thornhill Library.
The next meeting of the West County Chapter is Wednesday, October 5, at the Thornhill Branch of the St. Louis County Public Library, from 7-9 P.M.
Agenda (PDF)
The K-9 Splash in 2004 inspired feats of daring in this very active dog.
The most important dog swim for West County D.O.G.S. is the Chesterfield K-9 Splash. This year all the volunteers are members of West County D.O.G.S. and the proceeds from the swim will benefit West County D.O.G.S directly.

Click here for details about the event.

For those of you who would like to help and have fun too, email Carol Panter, D.O.G.S. Events Coordinator, or Diane Thomas, West County Chairperson.

If one dog swim isn't enough, you can enjoy more swimming with your dogs in September. Click here for a list of all dog swims in the area.

Community notes
icon for community notes

Creve Coeur

Our proposal for off-leash recreation in Conway Park was submitted to the City of Creve Coeur in mid August, and has generated interest and independent research from the Creve Coeur city administration. However, no official results or statements have been issued confirming a project plan.

Creve Coeur did add a page to their website, City Considers Dog Park, announcing their intention to research the concept and offering an email address to those who would like to express interest in having a dog park in Creve Coeur.

So go ahead and do it! Keep interest in off-leash recreation in Creve Coeur alive by contacting the Creve Coeur City Administrator's office. If you live in a community with recreation agreements with Creve Coeur, it couldn't hurt to add your voice to the chorus, too.

Fun events
Icon for fun events September 6--Take the plunge with your dog at the Chesterfield K-9 Splash

The K-9 Splash was awesome fun last year and this year it will be even better because the proceeds will support West County D.O.G.S. Come to swim or just to watch people and dogs romp in the water.

Contact Carol Panter, D.OG.S. Events Coordinator, or Diane Thomas, West County D.O.G.S. chair, to volunteer.
Click on the image above to see a photo gallery of last year's K-9 Splash.
Day/Date Tuesday, September 6, 2005
Time 4:30 P.M. to 8 P.M.
Where Chesterfield Family Aquatic Park
16365 Lydia Hill Dr.
Chesterfield, MO
Cost $10 per dog, limit 2 dogs per handler,$3 each additional person
Learn more Contact Carol Panter, D.OG.S. Events Coordinator, or Diane Thomas, West County D.O.G.S. chair, to volunteer. PDF flyer coming soon.
Back to Chairman's Report
Meetings
Icon for meetings October 5, 2005--West County D.O.G.S. regular monthly meeting from 7-9 P.M. at the Thornhill Branch of the St. Louis County Public Library.

All West County D.O.G.S. meetings are open to the public.

Minutes
of the June meeting (PDF).
Agenda highlights will include planning for the next six months based on the results of the midyear evaluation, upcoming events, and a plan for membership recruitment and volunteer involvement. Click here for the agenda in PDF format.

Peer Training this month will cover "Understanding Nonprofit Status and Tax Exemption," clarifying the differences. If you would like to prepare for the discussion, the Community Tool Box has a couple of helpful pages. Go to the Community Tool Box link, "Understanding Nonprofit Status and Tax Exemption," for an introduction to the process of receiving 501(c)(3) status.
For dates and times of other D.O.G.S. meetings and events check out our complete calendar of meetings and events.
Help and have fun
Help and have fun icon of kids working in the garden and playing tag at the same time Our next event is the Chesterfield K-9 Splash. We are pretty well staffed, but if you want to help, just send us an email. Please say Yes! and help us by volunteering for these jobs:
  • Check in assistants. We need people at the check in table to verify rabies tags on each dog and have people sign waivers.
  • Information table greeter. Greeters offer visitors to our table information about the benefits of off-leash recreation and the features of off-leash recreation areas, or dog parks.
  • Gate monitor. We need people to stand at the main gate to intercept canine escape artists.

The K-9 Splash will be open from 4:30 P.M to 8 P.M. Volunteer for at least an hour or more, if you can. Bring your dog and play in the water before or after your time in our booth.

Contact Diane Thomas to volunteer.
Final thoughts
West County DOGS logo September offers a number of opportunities to have fun swimming with your dog and friends. If you haven't decided whether you can afford to take the time to splash in the water with a pack of dogs, consider the words of T.S. Eliot:

"Time you enjoyed wasting is not wasted time."
So make a promise to yourself now to attend the Chesterfield K-9 Splash, or any of the the many dog swims, and take a swim with your dog or just wade in the water. It's a great way to wind down after work and your dog will thank you for not wasting your time.
Diane Thomas, Chair
West County D.O.G.S.

Email: westcounty@stdogparks.org
Dogparks of Greater St. Louis Home Page: www.stldogparks.org
West County D.O.G.S. page: http://www.stldogparks.org/pages/works_west_county_chp.html
We encourage you to forward this newsletter to interested parties.
To subscribe, join Dogparks of Greater St. Louis by completing the online membership form. It's free! If you are in Ballwin, Chesterfield, Creve Coeur, Manchester, or Town and Country, you will automatically receive it. If you live outside of these municipalities, but would like to receive this newsletter, add a comment in the comment field (after telling us about your dogs) stating that you would like to receive the West County D.O.G.S. email newsletter.

To unsubscribe, reply to this email and put "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the subject line.