The Buffalo Off-Leash Area, Inc. Board of Directors, operators and overseers of The Barkyard, would like to thank everyone for their continued support over the past year. Each year we are pleased to see growth in our Barkyard family, making it a second home to more people and their pooches.

This past year we gave an identity to our beloved mascot. We needed your help in this important task; giving a name to this forever running dog. Through our hugely popular, open to all, contest we selected a winning name from over 1,000 submissions—Lola. It suits her perfectly. She is happy to have a real identity and I believe in 2013, she will finally find her voice. So keep watching—I think Lola will have lots to say!

We spruced up our benches this year with help from our friends on Mitzvah Day, as well as installed new bulletin board cases. We also made the decision to do away with poop bags that we purchased, in favor of recycled grocery and newspaper bags that park users bring. We thank everyone for their assistance in this new system.

We have more plans for 2013, including improved signage, new benches, and some great educational events are planned as well.

To continue to manage the park safely and make the necessary improvements we really do need your help. Our biggest challenge is to remind people that we are a not-for-profit group that runs solely on donations from pet-loving individuals like yourself. We cannot do it alone.

Thank you again for continuing to make Buffalo’s first off leash area a great success.

Joseph Lonzi
President
Buffalo Off Leash Area, Inc. – The Barkyard

The heat of the summer is here! To keep our canine friends comfortable, please follow the suggestions below, and avoid a trip to the emergency vet.

Plenty of water

When your dog pants, he is cooling off by evaporating saliva and water on his tongue. This cooling process requires water. So always be sure your dog has plenty of fresh water.

Avoid midday sun

Plan your trips to The Barkyard (or other dog-friendly park) early in the day or late in the afternoon to avoid the heat of the day—especially if you have a dog with a “smooshed” face (such as a Pug, Bulldog, Boston Terrier, Shih Tsu or Pekingese).

Also, be careful if your dog is dark brown or black, since dark fur absorbs heat quickly. If you doubt it, next time you and your dog are with other canine friends in the sun, place your hand on your dog’s back and feel the heat. Then place it on the back (with the owner’s permission of course) of a light-colored or white dog—you will notice a big difference!

Never leave your dog in a vehicle

Even with windows open, parked cars can quickly—within 10 minutes—reach temperatures that cause heatstroke for a dog. I know your dog looks at you with those doe eyes and begs to come with you on car rides, but don’t buy it! He’s safer and comfortable at home.

Festivals and street fairs are no place for dogs

Unless it’s a dog festival, leave your dog home when you go to local summer events and concerts. Hot pavement, such as asphalt, cement, and tar / blacktop, can burn a dog’s paws—many dogs will lie down to avoid it.

Take breaks

If your dog is particularly exuberant and loves to run and play without taking breaks, be sure he does take a break every few minutes to avoid overheating. Early signs of heatstroke can include any of the following symptoms: bright red tongue, heavy drooling, heavy or rapid breathing, or reduced coordination. If you see any of these symptoms in your dog, use water at the fountain to cool him off, then head to the nearest veterinary hospital to take good care of your best friend.

Thanks for bringing your dog to The Barkyard!

And her name is Lola! The winning name was submitted by Kathleen Hackford, who won our grand prize of $400.
The runner up, Dash, was submitted by Don Mitchell, with a prize of $100 to Dash’s Market (completely a coincidence).
Both prizes were donated by a Friend of the Barkyard.
Thank you to the over 1,000 people who submitted names!

From the Barkyard!!!

We would like to thank all of you for enjoying the Barkyard with your canine friends.  Also thanks for picking up after your dogs and clearing out old toys and litter.  What would we do without you?

Watch our website and Facebook page for news on our upcoming Fundraiser!

There is a resolution before the Common Council of the City of Buffalo, sponsored by Richard A. Fontana, asking that parks close at sunset. The Barkyard would be affected by this new rule, as many users visit after work, when it’s dark. Please contact Richard Fontana’s office at 716-851-5151, or by email at rfontana@city-buffalo.com, to voice your concerns.

Thanks,
The Barkyard Board of Directors

May is National Dog Bite Prevention Month. Treat man’s best friend with kindness and teach your family how to identify signs of stress in your dog. Let’s prevent dog bites!

The Barkyard will be the venue for a Bully Breed Awareness event, April 30, 2011. For more details, contact action@animalallieswny.org.

Please note: The Small Dog Area will be closed during this event.

The Board of Directors of Buffalo Off Leash Area Inc., operators and overseers of the Barkyard, would like to thank everyone for their support over the past year. 2010 was a terrific year for the Barkyard. We saw a great increase in our user base and people continue to come from near and far to use our beautiful park.

Representatives from the Barkyard marched through slush in the first annual Powder Keg Parade, and participated with our pooches in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, taking home the trophy for Best Community Float. Watch for us again in this year’s parade. We continued to be a part of the many wonderful events around town, including the marketplace at Pride Buffalo, as well as two fundraising events for the SPCA of Erie County: Wine & Wags and Paws in the Park.

2010 was also the beginning of the Barkyard’s 1st annual Mitzvah Day—a park project day shared between the folks at Westminster Presbyterian Church and Temple Beth Zion. Last year they painted the old benches and the new kiosks—they’ll be back again this year for another project.

The Barkyard also held a dog bite prevention seminar at the Falk School as part of our education program, and held a successful fundraiser at the neighboring Buffalo Yacht Club. Most excitingly, we spoke with representatives from Hamburg , Lewiston and Chautauqua County regarding their interest in creating off-leash areas in their communities. I am very happy to say that Hamburg has already broken ground and Lewiston is up and running!

We are only a few weeks into the New Year and we have exciting news to report: We now have a shelter for inclement weather. It will keep us cool in the summer and warm (or at least less cold) in the winter. We have big plans for the interior, to be announced later this spring.

The Barkyard is also excited to launch our Friends of the Barkyard membership program. To continue to run the park and make necessary improvements, we need your help. Please remember that we are a not-for-profit group that runs solely on donations from pet-loving individuals like yourself. We can’t do it alone, so please consider becoming a Friend of the Barkyard.

Thank you again for continuing to make Buffalo’s first off-leash area a great success.

Joseph Lonzi
President
Buffalo Off Leash Area, Inc. (The Barkyard)

The Barkyard will have a booth at this year’s Paws in the Park, September 11, 2010 at Beaver Island State Park. Stop by, say hello, and pick up a sticker or a t-shirt to show your support!

Buffalo Spree voted the Barkyard as the 2010 Best Place to Hang Out with Your Dog. The award was presented at the Best of WNY 2010 Party (benefiting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Upstate New York Chapter) on June 24, 2010 at Shea’s Performing Arts Center in Buffalo, NY.

The Barkyard will be on-hand at the Pet Emergency Fund’s Run for Rover, this Sunday, July 11th, at LaSalle Park. Visit us at our booth during the event, or at the Barkyard afterward. We’ll be available to answer your questions, and we’ll have Barkyard T-shirts and stickers available. See you then!!

As you may have noticed, there is construction taking place in both sides of the Barkyard. We are very excited to report that the Buffalo Water Authority (managed by American Water) is installing water lines for fountains which are expected to be in place before Summer 2010.

Work is taking place as weather permits, so we can not predict when either (or both) areas of the Barkyard may need to be temporarily closed. We appreciate your patience, and ask that you pardon any inconvenience (and mess) while these improvements are in progress.