Park Slope Reader

dogs

Dog Fight

By Filed Under: Community, Park Slope Life Tagged With: , ,

Advocating for a Dog Park in Prospect Park: The Start of a Journey 

Why doesn’t Prospect Park have an off-leash dog run? And how do we get one? Let’s find out. 

Though all the ways— both big and small— in which COVID changed the flow of life can hardly be quantified, one category with some concrete data revolves around pet adoptions. The Animal Care Centers of NYC shared that about 25 percent of people who had taken in dogs to foster at the start of the pandemic had adopted them permanently by June 2020. In May of 2021, a nationally representative poll of over 5,000 respondents by the ASPCA revealed that since the start of the pandemic, close to one in five households acquired a dog or cat. Based on the 2019 U.S Census, that would account for around 23 million households— with between 85-90 percent of those households reporting that they weren’t considering rehoming their pets. 

Another quantifiable change in lifestyle: as of November, only 28 percent of Manhattan office workers had returned to their desks. While we can’t predict how and when that number will change, there is an undeniableness in the ubiquitous embracement of more flexible hours and remote work. 

So what do these two things have in common? Well, with more dog owners and fewer in-office hours, it begs the question: Are there enough places where their pets are able to roam free? In some areas, yes. The Kensington Dog Run, which allows dogs to roam off-leash, opened in July 2020. The 7,000 square feet fenced-in space in the Parade Ground along Coney Island Avenue has separated areas for large and small dogs and canine-friendly turf. Though smaller in size, Jemmy’s Dog Run (currently undergoing renovations) in Madison Square Park, located near 5th Avenue and 24th street in Manhattan, is a year-round dog run with double-entry and exit gates, a ground of smooth pebbles, plenty of trees for shades, and lined with spigots to keep dogs hydrated. 

One park glaringly absent of this kind of area reserved for off-leash recreation is the hub of Prospect Park itself. And the question posed by the publisher of the PSR was: Why? The 586-acre park is surrounded by families with dogs. Yet the off-leash rules are surprisingly rigid. In the designated areas for dogs, dogs are only permitted to run free between 6am–9am, and then from 9pm–1am. Particularly in the winter, when daylight hours dwindle, the opportunity for people in the neighborhood to give their dogs off-leash exercise throughout the course of the day is a difficult task. Why exactly is this the case? Or perhaps, to jump ahead, a better question would be: How does a community— like other communities around NYC have done in the past— go about establishing a fair and proper dog park. 

That’s the mission we’ll be starting with this article series. Namely, the steps that have to be taken, the people and groups who are part of the process, the money involved, and the time scale for which a project like this needs to come to fruition. Talking to advocates and officials, digging into data, and examining past precedents along the way. 

As per the American Kennel Club, the initial stages involve creating a proposal that contains the goals, proposes location, funding, maintenance, and enforcement. According to The Bark, an award-winning publication that was started in 1997 after the two founders adopted a dog and discovered it was illegal for her to go unleashed at their local park, a task force is helpful in centralizing the process, while conducting open, public meetings.

Demonstrating need and support are vital as well. With valid statistics on dog owners, the community, and park-goers, a worded request, as well as a circulating petition, are strong documents that can be brought to the attention of local officials in a concise way, which could lead to the request for a hearing. Ultimately, patience seems to be a key component throughout. As anyone who has advocated and fought for something before knows, the combination of various opinions with the nuances of bureaucracies and the process of congealing support into a cohesive unit can feel time-consuming. It can feel frustrating.  Futile, even, at times. But something worth championing doesn’t always come easy. And hopefully the people and groups we talk with along the way will help in streamlining the major things that need to be done. 

“The new Kensington Dog Run is a testament to what our community can achieve when it comes together over a shared interest, like providing a space for our canine companions to enjoy,” Borough President (now mayor-elect) Eric Adams said in the press release when the dog run opened. He also added, “Amid an unimaginably difficult period for our city, it’s a small — but powerful — reminder that empowering communities at the grassroots level can deliver results.”

“The new Kensington Dog Run is a testament to what our community can achieve when it comes together over a shared interest, like providing a space for our canine companions to enjoy. I was so proud to work with my colleagues in government and the local community to help fund this project through the participatory budgeting process. Amid an unimaginably difficult period for our city, it’s a small — but powerful — reminder that empowering communities at the grassroots level can deliver results,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.

Stay tuned as we continue to dig down, and “bone” up on this topic. Hopefully in the end every dog will have its day. 

We Don’t Deserve Dogs: Park Slope Documentary Filmmakers Connecting The World

By Filed Under: Park Slope Life, The Arts Tagged With: , , , ,

What connects us? What makes us different? What’s it like being a shepherd in the isolated mountains of Romania? Or an evening with a dog walker under the streetlights of Istanbul? And how does listening to these stories help us grow together?

From Park Slope filmmakers Matthew Salleh and Rose Tucker the new documentary We Don’t Deserve Dogs travels around the world beautifully capturing the lives of everyday individuals and their dogs. While we may never truly know what we did to deserve the unconditional love of our four-legged friends, there are sure to be life lessons in this special relationship.

The filmmaking duo of Urtext Films began their career in their home city of Adalene, Australia; and soon began developing and perfecting their own DIY hands-on way of documentary filmmaking. “When we started doing the documentary work we realized how much we could achieve just the two of us,” reflects Producer Rose Tucker. During production, Rose also manages Sound Recordist, while Matt takes the role of Director and Cinematographer. Together they’ve traveled the world intimately capturing the daily lives of individuals you may not normally see on screen. With just the two of them and sometimes a local translator as the crew, Matt and Rose are able to create a non-disruptive and personal filming experience, which reflects greatly in their work. The small, quiet details as incense smoke fill a prayer space. The rhythmic jingles of a dog’s collar tag. The friendly looks between patrons at a local pub. These natural moments make Matt and Rose’s first-person filmmaking style that much more mesmerizing, unique, and maybe a bit familiar.

Familiarity is always a starting point for Matt and Rose. Subjects that people are passionate about, things that get people talking. Their previous award-winning feature film, Barbecue (2017) covered BBQ culture across the planet. By capturing how everyday things manifest they can explore contrasts in cultures, while simultaneously connecting the things humans have in common. “It’s important to me because I come from a mixed-race background, so I’m always questioning what comes from each side,” says Director Matt Salleh. “We live in a seemingly very fractured world, and post-pandemic even more fractured. We can give insight and show commonalities in people’s lives while celebrating our unique differences.”

Of course, Park Slope is no stranger to the connective joy between fellow dog lovers. “One of the inspirations for this film is just looking out our window in Park Slope,” Rose remembers. “There are always people walking their dogs. People having relationships with each other based on their pets, visiting each other, and going to Prospect Park together.”

Filming for We Don’t Deserve Dogs took our fellow Park Slopers around the world. Traveling to 11 different countries in 9 months finding remarkable stories that would normally go untold. From Italy, Turkey, Uganda, Pakistan, Chile, Finland, Romania, Peru, Vietnam, Nepal, and Scotland; featuring 10 different languages, including some rarely seen on screen like the Acholi/

Lou language of Northern Uganda. “I think traveling when making a film is so different than traveling for tourism because you get that insight into what real life is like for people. You travel to neighborhoods you wouldn’t normally go to,” says Rose, who coordinated their travels and connections in each country.

By working with locals as tour guides, translators, and researchers they successfully sought out interview subjects and narratives. These tour guides, dubbed ‘fixers’ came from all walks of life. Some journalists, photographers, or students, all people who were embedded in the local community in some way and offered a bridge into that specific culture. For example, Matt tells about working with a female street performer in Santiago, Chile. “She created these street tours that took us to hidden parts of the city. She knew the lesser popularised history, like LGBTQ history, which meant she had to talk to people, understand the culture and people’s stories.”

Spending about 2 weeks in every country, the duo worked tirelessly, on foot, by car, and even on motorbike to capture the immersive terrains, complex soundscapes, and individual narratives. They didn’t seek to create the cliché cutesy dog film, nor interview celebrities or the boldest of personalities, but rather everyday individuals and their canine companions. Whether energetic or melancholy, spiritual or quirky, We Don’t Deserve Dogs shifts with each location’s distinct rhythms and pace of life. In Miraflores, Peru, you’ll meet young women throwing birthday parties for their adopted dogs. In Turku, Finland, support dogs for the elderly and disabled bring needed joy and cheer. In Gulu, Uganda, former child soldiers help rehabilitate street dogs as a form of trauma therapy. While directing Matt trusted subjects to share their experiences in their own voice and view. “We are not a voice-over saying what people should think about other people’s lives, we just want to show people’s lives as they are.”

While Matt and Rose feel privileged and bless to have their nomadic filmmaking lives, they have continued to find comfort in returning to Park Slope. A place that again brings together community and familiarity within the much larger New York City setting. Having immigrated to the United States four years ago, Rose expresses her appreciation, “We are lucky to have landed in Park Slope. We joke that we are more connected with our neighbors here than we were in a smaller city back in Australia. It’s a different kind of community living. In Australia everyone is in their house or in a car, here everyone is walking, sitting outside, everyone knows their neighbors and knows who works at the shops.” This aspect has also influenced the couple creatively. Not only reflecting on the immigrant experience, but the ability to find affinity, support, and friendship through genuine connection with those around us.

So here in their one-bedroom apartment, the editing process commenced for 3 months; reviewing hundred of translated transcripts, determining detailed story structure, meticulous color grading, and adding the beautiful score by composer Blake Ewing. Matt and Rose emerged from the editing cave in February 2020 (unfortunately only to return a month later for quarantine), and We Don’t Deserve Dogs made its virtual world premiere at South by Southwest 2020 Film Festival. The film is now digitally available for everyone to enjoy.

And it’s the perfect film for Park Slopers. Yes, of course, because of the dogs; but equally the showcasing of different cultures, religions, genders, and generations. “I think people in Brooklyn have a strong interest and deep respect for other cultures and want to know what’s happening around the world,” says Rose. “We made a very intentional decision to not film stories in Western countries like the U.S. or Australia. All of the stories are coming from lesser-known places. And I think people in Park Slope would be very interested in seeing for example what the relationship between a Muslim woman and her dog in Karachi [Pakistan] is like, and how that can relate to their own experience back here.”

There are no doubt commonalities seen right here in the melting pot that is Brooklyn. Every corner has a little – or more likely a lot – of history, culture, and influence from around the world. Matt expressed, “I don’t think Brooklyn would function in the way it does without all these different cultures coming together.” Matt and Rose even express how that if they find a food dish they love while traveling they have good faith in Brooklyn’s diversity they’ll be able to get it when they return home. “In filmmaking, we have this love and opportunity to travel and meet people from dozens of cultures, and they are all also right here in Brooklyn.”

If there is something special to be said about our ability to come together and blend cultures in our neighborhood, there is equally something to be said about how we can distinctly set each other apart. “We always start our films off with this positive hypothesis that there’s more good in the world than bad. Over and over again we meet people who prove that and amaze us with their stories. Their courage, their bravery, their insight into the world, how they preserve their history, how they celebrate their cultures,” Matt says when reflecting on what he hopes people will get out of the film. “So the fact our film is just listening to people talk about their lives, where they come from, and what is important in their culture, I think it’s a good first step to greater cultural understanding.”

In documenting these genuine stories, valuable kinships, and heartfelt moments from around the world, Matt and Rose’s film We Don’t Deserve Dogs follows the thread that connects us to the humanity, companionship, and unconditional love we may have with dogs and with each other.

Visit wedontdeservedogs.com to watch

Follow @urtext

READER CINEMA: Isle of Dogs

By Filed Under: READER CINEMA Tagged With: , , , ,

Isle of Dogs

Dir. Wes Anderson

 

“Will you help him, the little pilot?”

“Why should I?”

“Because he’s a twelve year old boy. Dogs love those.”

With all the same wry humor and pleasantly symmetrical compositions characteristic of a Wes Anderson film, Isle of Dogs spins a tale of loyalty and love between a boy and man’s best friend. Anderson’s newest film features a familiar cast (among them Bill Murray, Edward Norton, and Frances McDormand) and marks the director’s second adventure in stop-motion animation after Fantastic Mr. Fox. 

Set twenty years in the future in Japan, Isle of Dogs follows the story of a young boy named Atari as he tries to find his lost pet on an island of exiled dogs. Due to a dog flu epidemic that has taken over the city of Megasaki, Mayor Kobayashi, a vehement anti-dog proponent, decrees that all dogs be sent to a “trash island” just off the coast, transported via creaky metal baskets. The dogs quickly form feral packs in search of food, where we meet a ragtag group of dogs made up of King (Bob Balaban), Duke (Jeff Goldblum), Rex (Edward Norton), Boss (Bill Murray), and their rough around the edges leader Chief (Bryan Cranston). After crash-landing on the island, Atari sets in motion a revolution to save all dogs on trash island and help reform the surly Chief in the process. 

As with all Wes Anderson films, there is a certain unattached quirkiness that lends itself to the script and makes for delightfully dry humor. The stop-motion animation lends itself to Anderson’s ability to create a beautiful shot but this time with a new color palette of more muted browns and reds. Anderson’s strongest choice in the film is probably his refusal to subtitle anything said in Japanese, relying on the audience’s ability to pick up on body language and tonality. So while all dogs can speak English, Atari speaks in only Japanese, and Western audiences rely heavily on context to glean meaning from what the young boy says. While a unique idea when approaching a setting outside of the United States it does make one wonder how the film is to be presented outside of the U.S. and if perhaps the film was crafted with too Western a lens. After all, the character of Tracy, a blonde foreign exchange student from Ohio and studying in Japan, speaks, even to her Japanese classmates, in English throughout the entire movie, save for a ten second interval where she speaks hurriedly in Japanese to her host mother. 

Although the film was an enjoyable and aesthetically pleasing experience overall, as an Asian American, I found myself sinking into my chair at the very idea of Tracy, a character who could have very easily been Japanese. While I understand the “rules” Wes Anderson seems to have created for this world in order for an English-speaking audience to understand the film, I wonder how the film translates, quite literally, to non-English-speaking countries. There is something so underhandedly infuriating as well when a movie about talking dogs insists on having the dogs characterized as love interests all be blonde or light-haired. 

Isle of Dogs’ greatest strength is in its sentiment and its biggest downfall is unfortunately in the way it seems to use Japan as a backdrop more than anything else.  

 

To Get A Dog Or Not To Get A Dog

By Filed Under: Sally Kohn Tagged With: , , ,

One thing leads to another

Building a more perfect Park Slope!

I’ve written my first two columns for the Park Slope Reader about whether to get a family dog and, if so, what dog to get.  Suffice it to say that we don’t have a dog yet, but I believe it may happen any day now.  Which led me to start thinking about things like dog beds and dog walkers and the general dog infrastructure of Park Slope.

And then I realized what’s missing—Why aren’t there any dog runs besides Prospect Park?  Am I missing something?  Is this just one of those things you don’t notice until you have a dog, sort of like how I didn’t notice kid’s menus until I had a kid?  Or are there unofficial, underground dog runs about which only the chosen few in the neighborhood know?

I’m not saying dog runs are great things—I remember when I lived in Manhattan thinking they were dusty, smelly wastes of otherwise-nice park land.  But I suspect if/when I have a dog, on those days when I just don’t feel like slogging up to the park or can’t get there in time for off leash hour, it would be nice to have a place to let the dog run a little closer to home.

And this, in turn, led me to thinking about other things our neighborhood lacks.  Let me be clear, I love Park Slope.  If I were the tattoo-getting type, I’d have 11217 written somewhere on my left bicep below “Sarah Forever” and above a portrait of Cher.  So I think Park Slope is damn near perfect.  But what might make it even more perfect, beyond the obvious things like more affordable housing stock and racial and economic integration in public schools and social spaces?  Here is a rough list of ideas:

• A co-working space.  Or maybe a co-working café, where you could buy a day pass and nab a desk and not feel guilty because you’ve only drank one cappuccino.  There are so many transient hipster creatives working “at home” crammed into the current stock of Park Slope coffee shops, I can’t believe someone hasn’t created this.

• A coffee shop with a kid play and programming space.  There are things like this in Manhattan, where moms and dads can grab a drink and a snack while the kids take in a puppet show or something.  Again, there are so many parents with young kids crammed along side the hipsters trying to get their work done, I don’t know why this doesn’t exist either.

• More mimes.  Silent but entertaining.

• More places with prepared foods.  There’s the BKLYN Larder, which I love, and at the other end of the slope, Gather, which is also great.  But what about when I’m feeling really lazy and only want to walk one or two blocks to get a dinner somebody else pseudo-home cooked?

• A place that opens early for brunch.  I love you, Dizzy’s and Cousin John’s, but I mean a more fancy brunch establishment that caters to the fact that my child us awake and hungry at 8:00 a.m.

• Participatory budgeting where community residents get to prioritize how city money is spent.  Oh wait, we already have that in Park Slope!  Thank you, City Councilman Brad Lander!

• All the chains to go away.  You can get your books for the same price at the Community Bookstore instead of Barnes & Noble.  You can get your coffee at Grumpy or Gorilla for less than Starbucks.  Local businesses are what make a community unique.  Plus when we spend money in local Park Slope-owned businesses, that money stays in and strengthens Park Slope.

• Bike racks on residential blocks.  I would love to park my bike on the street but my neighbors aren’t so keen on the aesthetics of my bike locked to our front gate.  Want to encourage more biking?  Put up more bike racks, everywhere.  And some Citibike stations would be awesome, too.

That’s just a quick list.  I’d love to hear your thoughts.  Except about mimes.  Please don’t send or post your thoughts about mimes.  They’re very divisive, I’ve learned.

It’s Summer, Dog. Get Moving!

By Leave a Comment Filed Under: Bark Slope Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

As the temperature grows warmer and the days grow longer, many of us feel the urge to get outside and increase our level of activity. What better way of doing this than getting some exercise with our canine companions?

Exercising with your pet is a great way to bond and has health benefits—physical and psychological—for both of you. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, more than 54 percent of America’s pets are overweight or obese. Starting an exercise routine with your pet is an important step toward maintaining a healthy weight.
Exercise can also help your dog burn off the excess energy that can lead to behavioral problems such as hyperactivity, destructive chewing or digging, and attention-getting behavior such as barking, whining, and jumping up on people.
The additional activity is good for people, too. Did you know that studies have shown pet owners walk an average of 300 minutes per week, whereas non-pet owners only clock about 168 minutes? That translates into a greater number of calories burned, improved cardiovascular fitness, as well as better mental and emotional well-being.

Warm-up/Cool
down

Just like humans, there are some warm-up and cool down routines that may benefit your dog. Launching immediately into strenuous exercise increases your pet’s risk of spraining or pulling a muscle or developing cramps. And by cooling down, you allow your dog to catch his breath. His heart rate will return to normal, and the likelihood of post-exercise soreness will decrease as lactic acid is removed from his system.
The length of your warm-up or cool-down depends on you and your dog’s individual requirements, but five to ten minutes should be enough for your dog’s body to adjust. It can be as simple as taking a light jog or a brisk walk with your dog before and after engaging in any intense exercise.
Routines suitable and safe for your dog will depend on aspects such as age and pre-existing orthopedic conditions, so it is essential to consult with your veterinarian prior to starting a warm-up or cool down/stretching routine.

IMG_0496
Get
 Moving!


Are you or your pet new to exercise? The first step is to schedule a check-up for your pet to ensure there aren’t any heart or respiratory problems that should be addressed.
Once your pet has a clean bill of health, get started by introducing a ten minute walk into your daily routine. Try taking a stroll around Prospect Park and gradually build the length and intensity of your sessions as you and your pet adjust to the increased activity. Be sure to vary your route occasionally to give your pet new places to smell and explore.
For those who are already more active, on-leash running, inline skating, and bicycling are fun activities to do with a canine companion.

Here are a couple of important points to keep in mind:
• Dogs aren’t all well suited for jogging or running long distances. Many are built for short, intense bursts of speed. If you do decide to run with your dog, be careful not to overextend her. If she seems sore or exhausted after a jog, cut back next time.
• Be sure to check your dog’s paws after a run. Dogs are susceptible to blisters, just like humans. Hot pavement can also be damaging to a dog’s paws. Consider running or cycling on soft surfaces that won’t be as harmful, such as dirt or grass trails. You can also purchase booties to protect your dog’s pads.
• Sustained running or jogging isn’t recommended for young dogs whose bones are still growing. If you have a young dog, be sure to check with your veterinarian before taking her on a run.

If you’re looking for something more structured, try an exercise class designed specifically for dogs and their owners, such as Go Fetch Run (gofetchrun.com). Classes meet on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. and on Saturday mornings at 9 a.m. in Prospect Park.

Heat-Related
 Illness

As we enter the “dog days” of summer, it’s important to be aware of the heat-related illnesses that have the potential to turn a fun afternoon activity into an emergency trip to the veterinary hospital.
The most common heat-related illness people hear about is heatstroke. Heatstroke occurs when the body’s core temperature rises to a high level, inciting inflammation and organ failure. Avoid heatstroke by knowing limitations of your dog, breed specific problems and giving your dog time to adjust to the heat.
Our dogs dissipate heat through their skin and through evaporation from their respiratory tract via panting. They cannot sweat in the same way we do. Humidity makes heat loss through evaporation even more difficult, so be especially careful on humid days.
If your pet does become overheated, contact a veterinarian immediately. You can spray the animal down with room temperature or cool water, but never ice water. Ice cold water causes a decrease in blood flow to the skin and heat can’t escape the body, which makes heat exhaustion symptoms worse.
Don’t give sports drinks or electrolyte supplements to pets. Supplements like sports drinks can actually harm animals and make pets sick.
Lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and dark red gums are all signs of heat-related distress. If your pet is panting uncontrollably or collapses, take the animal to your veterinarian or nearest emergency veterinary hospital immediately.
Pet owners should also remember to make sure their pets have access to plenty of water at all times. It’s also good to stay near shady spots where a dog can rest and cool off if necessary. There are a number of pet-friendly businesses in our area that will provide water and a place to cool off for you and your pooch. Check Brooklynforpets.com for an up-to-date list.
Certain breeds, termed brachycephalic (short head), are at greater risk for heat-related illness because they have conformations that make heat loss from the respiratory tract difficult. Brachycephalic breeds include French bulldogs, English bulldogs, and pugs. These breeds should be exercised with extreme caution. A simple walk around the block may cause their temperature to rise to dangerous or even life-threatening levels.

Getting
 Used 
to 
the 
Heat

A good way to head off heat-related problems is to ensure your pet has adjusted to the warmer summer weather. Heat acclimatization is the body’s gradual physiological adaptation to heat stress. It is what makes an exercise a month into the summer less taxing than that same exercise in the first few hot days. Heat stress on the body is generated by the environment (a hot day), normal metabolism, and exercise.
Acclimatization includes changes such as salt conservation, changes in blood volume, and in humans, the amount we sweat. Heat acclimatization in humans takes around two weeks, so keep this in mind as you begin to take your dog out in the heat.
Also, consider exercising your pet early in the morning or later in the evening when the heat isn’t as intense.

Just
 Do 
It

Exercise can be fun and beneficial for both you and your dog. Whatever activity you choose, be sure it is one that is safe and that you both enjoy. Also, remember to use your common sense and consult your primary care veterinarian if you have any questions.

 

Dr. David Wohlstadter is a senior emergency clinician with BluePearl Veterinary Partners. He is also certified in canine rehabilitation therapy.

Bulldogs for Bastille Day

By Filed Under: Community Tagged With: , , , ,

All Smiles for the French Bulldog Party!
All smiles for the French Bulldog party!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instead of storming the Bastille, these Frenchies were storming the water bowls in Cobble Hill last Saturday. For their fourth year in a row the fine goods store By Brooklyn held a French Bulldog party to raise money for a non-profit animal-related organization. This year, they raised money for Badass Brooklyn Animal Rescue, a non-profit organization that rescues all breeds of dogs from high-kill shelters in the United States.

Ever passionate, the French Bulldog community in Brooklyn turned out to the party in full force. Several of the attendees had their own Instagram presence, like the fashionable Walter, the affable Enzo, and the petite puppy, Frank. Overall, the event attracted thirty-two French bulldogs — Oh. And 100 non-canine guests attended as well.

Sniff, sniff. Do I know you from somewhere?
Sniff, sniff. Do I know you from somewhere?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While the human attendees may not have been the main attraction, there were plenty of sponsors who donated to cater to their tastes. One Girl Cookies and Stinky Bklyn donated the cookies and cheese, respectively. After all, sweets and cheese are pivotal to La Fête nationale, right? While wine was definitely available, guests were also treated to sake from Dassara Ramen and beer from the Gowanus-based Threes Brewing.  Most importantly, however, there were plenty of dog treats and water bowls on hand to please all the pups.

Wine, Sake, and Beer were available to drink - as well as Water, of course.
Wine, sake, and beer were available to drink – as well as water, of course!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Between all the bullies, their owners, and other guests who just wanted to come and see the dogs, the benefit raised $1,100 for the Badass Brooklyn Animal Rescue. Whether they’re Frenchies or not, the real winners are Brooklyn’s dogs.
If you happen to be the owner of a Schnauzer or a Dachshund, keep an eye on By Brooklyn’s Facebook page. They have a similar event planned for Oktoberfest in October!