LI-DOG helped create two new dog parks, including its first official off-leash beach, in 2009, topping our list of accomplishments last year, said LI-DOG President Ginny Munger Kahn at the group’s May 2010 Annual Meeting in Huntington. The new dog parks are located in Brookhaven at the former Robinson Duck Farm and in East Patchogue at the newly created Mud Creek County Park. In the last six years, LI-DOG has helped create six new dog parks in Suffolk County including two at West Hills County Park, one in E. Northport, and one at Blydenburgh County Park in Smithtown.

This year, the non-profit advocacy group is targeting new dog parks in Nassau County. At the top of LI-DOG’s list are a dog park in Eisenhower Park and a dog park in the Town of Oyster Bay. The group is also working on Hempstead Lake State Park. LI-DOG has formed a Nassau Committee to get these initiatives off the ground. This group is “highly motivated and well organized. We have great confidence in their ability to make changes in Nassau County,” said LI-DOG’s President.

The Nassau County Committee meets once a month--on the third Thurs. of the month-- at the Empress Diner in E. Meadow. To join the committee, email us with Join Nassau Committee in the subject line at lidog_news@yahoo.com. Or, come to the next Committee meeting on Thurs., June 17th! [Details available in the article, LI-DOG General Monthly and Nassau Meeting June 17th.]

In addition to working on improvements at Robinson Farm Dog Park, Mud Creek County Park and other existing dog parks, LI-DOG will work this coming year on making sure a new dog park is created in W. Sayville, for which $58,000 has already been appropriated by the Suffolk County Legislature.

The group’s continuing commitment to events like Pints & Paws at Mary Carroll’s Pub in Huntington and plans for similar events at Eleanor Rigby’s in Mineola were also discussed. Besides being a lot of fun, the events are key fund raisers for the organization. Pints & Paws events are held the first Thursday of the month throughout the summer and early fall. Similar events in Mineola are scheduled for the third Tuesday of the month.

Last year, LI-DOG also held its most successful fundraiser ever—a Holiday Pooch Shoot sponsored by Viewpoint Photography in Huntington Village. Viewpoint Photography has committed to holding another Pooch Shoot to benefit LI-DOG this year, again in November. The Pooch Shoot features discounted photo sessions on one of Viewpoint’s beautiful holiday sets.

At the meeting, eligible LI-DOG members also voted in a new slate of Directors to serve on LI-DOG’s Board. The Board is responsible for setting policies and managing the overall business of the organization. In welcoming two new directors to the board, Rich Infield and Anais Leon, Ginny noted that both are “extremely good organizers, skilled in their fields of expertise, and have demonstrated a deep commitment to LI-DOG’s cause. We are very excited to have them join the LI-DOG Board.”

As required by its bylaws, the LI-DOG Board also set new minimum requirements for voting in next year’s elections. Attendance at a majority of regular meetings or committee meetings is still a requirement, but the financial contribution required to vote was zeroed out this year so that members who contribute a minimum of 8 hours of work on behalf of LI-DOG will be eligible to vote for the Board in May 2011.

If you’d like to help LI-DOG with one of its key projects—dog parks in Eisenhower Park, the Town of Oyster Bay, at Robinson Farm or any other location, or if you’d like to help LI-DOG with one of its events, email us at lidog_news@yahoo.com with Help LI-DOG in the subject line. Let us know what you’re interested in!

Thanks again to our fellow dog owners for making 2009 a good year for Long Island dogs. With your commitment and involvement, we’ll do even better things for LI dog owners and their dogs in 2010!