Welcome

Welcome to the cyber home of Callahan Dog Owners Group, an organization of canine-loving humans who mobilized in response to a proposal by the Department of Conservation and Recreation to limit off-leash privileges within the 800-plus acres that comprise Callahan State Park, often called simply, “The Dog Park.”

We remain committed to efforts to retain our hard-won off-leash status in designated areas of the park (see map of Callahan trails, including highlighted on-leash trails); to representing and upholding – as well as enlightening and reminding – appropriate standards of responsible dog ownership; to the preservation, protection and promotion of the pristine nature of the park, and to camaraderie with and respect for each other and all the many varied multi-use neighbors who share its bounty. Check out the About Us  page for more detailed information on our history, our passion, our efforts and our accomplishments.

With off-leash freedom comes responsibility. Please be a responsible dog owner/walker. The existing signs on Callahan’s trails are misleading. These are the facts:

• On-leash: Dogs are to be leashed in all parking areas and on all trails that abut private property. Dogs must not enter private property – ever!
• Off-leash: romping is permitted on most interior trails and in the Eagle Pond area.
• Voice Control: Off-leash dogs must be supervised and under strict voice control.
• Scoop the Poop: Pick up after your dog and discard the poop bag in a trash barrel (located in all parking lots year round, and at Eagle Pond in the summer months). Do not leave poop bags behind on trails, in the woods, at Eagle Pond, or…anywhere!

June 10, 2010

Be aware: there are reports that a man – believed to have mental health issues – has recently been engaged in behavior that was deliberately startling and/or perceived to be threatening to dogs – i.e., leaping from behind brush and bushes – and then videotaping the animals’ reactions. The plan, apparently, is/was to present the dogs as ‘attackers’ to local DCR personnel and possibly local police.

This kind of provocative behavior is unlawful.  Should you experience or witness such unlawful behavior, call the  Framingham Police Department @ 508- 872-1212 (of course, in a real emergency, call 911).

May 11, 2010

We’re on Facebook! Type “Callahan Dog Owners Group” into the search box, and we should pop right up. Don’t forget to “Like” our page to get the latest news in your feed.

May 9, 2010

WARNING: Cocoa mulch may be toxic to dogs and cats.

Sold at Target and at some garden supply stores, cocoa mulch contains theobromine and caffeine (which apparently are present in virtually all chocolate, but higher, more toxic concentrations are found in dark chocolate). According to the ASPCA, “dogs are highly sensitive to these chemicals (called methylxanthines). Low doses can cause mild gastrointestinal  upset (vomiting, diarrhea, and/or abdominal pain); higher doses can cause rapid heart rate, muscle tremors, seizures and death.”

“Eaten by a 50 pound dog, about 2 ounces of cocoa bean mulch may cause gastrointestinal  upset; about 4.5 ounces, increased heart rate; about 5.3 ounces, seizures; and over 9 ounces can cause death. (In contrast, a 50 pound dog can eat up to about 7.5 ounces of milk chocolate without gastrointestinal upset, and up to about a pound of milk chocolate without increased heart rate” – not that your dog should consume milk chocolate either!)

Some manufacturers of cocoa mulch proclaim that their products are theobromine-free and pet-safe, so be sure to check labels, OR choose another mulch form, such as a cedar-based product.

Clarification of an email making its way around the net can be found here:

http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoamulch.asp

Addistional information on this topic from the ASPCA can be found at these links:

http://tinyurl.com/le8m9n

http://www2.aspca.org/site/DocServer/CocoaMulch-NAACT.pdf?docID=1201

March 10, 2010

DCR rules governing use of State Parks/land are under review and in the process of being re-written.  Included will be the admonition that “all dogs are to be leashed…” followed by the clarifier “except when and where permitted.”

DCR supervisors and rangers have visited Callahan to determine whether/where/how off leash restrictions may be working (and conversely, whether on/off leash privileges may be in need of remedy).  They will be making recommendations (that hopefully will include better signage).

Let’s keep up the good work of following the rules and encouraging newbies to follow them too!

Vegas @ Callahan State Park 2008