Caring for Pets

Meet fellows cat lovers, cats, and enjoy the summer weather 🌳🌳🌳 Walking your pet isn’t just for dogs, but cats too! It’s a source of enrichment for them and a great chance for both you and your cat to get some fresh air. This is an opportunity to socialize your cat with people and other cats in a neutral and safe environment. Feel free to come without your cat (or if you don’t have one) if you just want to socialize and your kitty would rather relax inside 😌❤️ If you do bring a cat, make sure your cat is wearing a collar and has on a harness/leash, is in a cat backpack, a cat carrier, or a cat stroller. Misty and I can’t wait to meet you! Let your cats enjoy the relaxing outdoors. This is a great opportunity for more beginner cat walkers! Moving this event to be an hour earlier than typical to try and beat some of the summer heat at the beginning of the day. 🅿️ Parking: There is plenty of free parking in Rockcreek Park.

**A slow Saturday morning with coffee, a walk, and good conversation. Maybe some lunch after we have worked up an appetite.** **No agenda, no pressure. Let’s close the month in reflection.** **If you’ve been wanting to come to a BARE event but weren’t sure where to start, this is a really good one to step into and let the day unfold.** **👟🩷**

Join PAM for a beer mile fundraiser for Pro-Animal D.C.! If you’ve never heard of a beer mile, it’s simple and hilarious: you chug a 12oz drink, run/walk a lap, and repeat that four times until you hit a mile. **Check-in is at 7:30 PM, and the single-heat race kicks off at 8:00 PM,** but anyone can also just come to watch! It will be quite the spectacle. We’ll have music and pizza. If you want to run, it’s $25 to enter. All of the funds go towards helping ducks and geese by funding our I-86 campaign to end force-feeding and the sales of force-fed products in DC. All donations are currently being 100% MATCHED by a generous donor! Your $25 registration instantly becomes $50 to help animals. Register here: [https://forms.gle/xEaDn31faRoVVP9c7](https://forms.gle/xEaDn31faRoVVP9c7) This event is completely BYOB. Cans or plastic bottles only, no glass. If you’re under 21, don't drink alcohol, or just prefer a different vibe, you are absolutely welcome to swap the beer for your favorite soda, seltzer, or kombucha. We won't be checking IDs, so please just follow the law. Let’s get crazy for animals! If you’re running/walking, bring a 4-pack of canned, animal-product-free beverages (in the spirit of the campaign.) Feel free to bring along any extra veg snacks or sides you'd like to share alongside the pizza. You might also want a picnic chair or blanket. If you have them, bring hype gear like cowbells, whistles, or noisemakers to cheer on the runners. Street parking is the best option.

Looking for your next Bark Ranger Badge? Rock Creek is having their Bark Ranger Program the last Saturday of every month from 10am-12pm. Each month it is at a different location around DC. Take a stroll through the park and keep your eyes peeled for the Bark Ranger Table! If you'd like to go with the group plan to be there at 10am. More details for this month here: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/event-details.htm?id=5BB905BB-F7B4-CB47-87D67D3A877BCC23 Hope some of you can join us! Here's more details about Bark Rangers from their website: Calling all dog owners! If you enjoy adventuring in Rock Creek Park with your furry friend, consider coming to one of our B.A.R.K. Ranger events! This is a national initiative to encourage responsible recreation and a positive experience for you, your dog, and all visitors to the park. Learn about the principles of being a B.A.R.K. Ranger and earn a B.A.R.K. Ranger badge! A ranger will be present to induct the new B.A.R.K. Rangers and distribute some fun doggie giveaways! A photo op will also be available to commemorate this great achievement! So how does one become a B.A.R.K. Ranger? By pledging to: **B**ag your pet’s waste **A**lways leash your pet **R**espect wildlife **K**now where you can go We hope you can bring your canine pals and join the fun!

PawsUP for David and Brick for originally suggesting this awesome meetup and our dogs love it! -Dumbarton Oaks/Montrose Park in Georgetown -Meet at the entrance off of R st, on the East side (closer to the cemetery) -Plenty of street parking in the area -Bring water and a ball for your Aussie This park is a very large open field, that is very dog friendly. Tons of space to run and chase. Most if not all dogs are off leash. Occasional runners and kids (there is a playground), so keep that in mind. There is also a trail inside with a stream that the dogs love to play in.

**WAIVER REQUIRED:** You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, [https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf](https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf) and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike. **HIKE:** A 6-mile urban hike will take us through the Lubber Run Park, Bon Air Rose garden, Bluemont and Glen Carlyn parks, and Arlington neighborhood streets. We will be on natural trails for less than a mile; the rest of the time we will be on paved bike trails and sidewalks. We'll have a snack/restroom break part way through. There will be a few hills and some stairs. Along the way, we'll see a beautiful stream, a large rose garden, and other gardens in bloom. **WHERE TO MEET:** We will meet \*inside\* the Lubber Run Community Center, near the vending machines/restrooms (there is a large lobby area near the information desk). There is a garage with free parking (up to 4 hours). **DISTANCE:** 6 miles **ELEVATION GAIN:** 400 feet **PACE:** Our average moving pace will be between 2.5 and 3.0 miles per hour. **DOGS:** Dogs on a leash are welcome in accordance with NVHC pet policy ([https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy](https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy)). (If you plan to have a dog, let me know; we may need to meet you outside.)

Please be sure to RSVP here! https://stampede.proanimal.org/events Join your fellow animal lovers and DC Animal Protection to discuss what’s happening in the animal advocacy scene in DC! This series is a weekly meetup, with guest speakers from all of the major animals rights orgs. We’ll host non-profits such as Pro-Animal Future, International Council for Animal Welfare, DC Voters for Animals, The Humane League, Mercy for Animals and Direct Action Everywhere as well as local grassroots groups like the DC Coalition Against Foie Gras and sanctuaries. We’ll also have special sessions related to health, nutrition and mindfulness! We encourage anyone who is interested in helping animals to attend- no need to be vegan! Come learn about our rich variety of local activism. With protests, outreach, wheat-pasting, signature collecting, leafletting, lobbying, tabling etc. there’s something to match everyone’s comfort level and skill set. Coffee, bagels and community will be provided! Feel free to bring any extra treats to share (no animal products please.) Hope to see you soon! :) Note: Unfortunately, animals are not allowed at our venue. Please leave your furry friends at home.

Our regular Sunday meetup at the Shirlington Dog Park -- members start arriving around 10:15 a.m. You'll always find an Aussie to play with. There are 3 entrances, so wander the park -- the dogs will find each other! For puppies, Shirlington has a small dog park within the larger dog park. It's the prefect place for your puppy to gain confidence and socialize with others. There is also plenty of room to run. Just a reminder, the Dog Park is under attack by the Arlington County Board of Commissioners. While early plans to decrease the size of the park by 50% has been tabled, it's important to remind Arlington County how important this park is to dogs and owners. Here are links to the change.org petition and the Facebook page where you can get updates. Shirlington Dog Park Page Petition: https://www.change.org/.../arlington-county-board-save... Arlington County Board: Save the Shirlington Dog Park! We love the Shirlington Dog Park -- it provides… change.org Shirlington Dog Park Page Shirlington Dog Park Page Save the Dog Park Facebook page; https://www.facebook.com/groups/696087663906890

Come help us water, weed, plant, harvest & compost at the EGG! The EGG, or Eileen Garnett Garden, is Hands On Harvests' demonstration garden in central Annandale's Eileen Garnett Civic Space at 7200 Columbia Pike. Many helped us start & maintain the EGG for the last two years, and we have donated 100's of pounds of produce to the local community and other food pantries. Great Opportunity to learn more about weeding/composting, understand the EGG community garden project, & give back to the community! HOH provides gloves, tools, refreshments and instruction. Just bring yourself & some water! Some folks also like to grab a meal together after all the hard work. [Signup here](https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4FADA923A5F8C61-62782759-gardening#/)

• What we'll do We plan on meeting at Grace Presbyterian Church at 9:30 AM on Saturday to assemble care packages and help people who have very little and help them survive. This would be a great time to bring a friend or your children to do something good for humanity. After we assemble the 120 backpack care packages, we plan to have coffee and snacks, socialize and then drive to DC to distribute the backpacks. If you choose to go with us, we'll return about 1:00 pm. Looking forward to seeing you all at the Meetup. • How can you help? \- You can contribute money\. Make checks out to Grace Presbyterian Church\, marked for Help the Homeless and mail to David Retherford\, Grace Presbyterian Church\, 7434 Bath Street\, Springfield\, VA 22150 or bring the money to the Meetup and put it in the basket there or give it to me\. \- Winter items: coats\, jackets\, sweaters\, gloves\, scarves\, thermal socks \- You can also donate clothes and personal care articles at the Meetup or during the week\. Just leave them on the stage\. \- Clothing \(New or gently used\) \- Men and Women socks \- Men and Women underwear \- Men and Women shirts \- Men and Women pants \- Anything to keep warm and dry\!\!\!\! Other Items: -Backpacks (new or gently used) -Roll of duct tape • What to bring A willing attitude and if it’s cold, some warm clothes. • Important to know \- All are welcome\! The Handicap entrance is through the Tower door \(Door 2\) in front\. \- All others can enter at the North parking lot\. \- If you are looking for something eventful to do on Sunday\, check out the services at Grace\. \- We’ll tell you about any other Grace volunteer opportunities at the Meetup [https://www.gracepresby.org/](https://www.gracepresby.org/)

This class focuses on incremental movement accompanying rhythmic breathing while offering hands-on assistance to the student. **Please reserve your spot at www.piesfitnessyoga.com**. The session is offered both InStudio and OnLine. The Zoom link for the OnLine session will be emailed 15 minutes before class starts to those who are registered at www.piesfitnessyoga.com. **Sign up for sessions must be made at least 2 hours prior to class.**

Backyard Conservation: Prairies Thursday, July 16, 2026 Want to find a way to reduce your lawn care costs and maintenance while providing habitat for Ohio pollinators, birds and other wildlife in a beautiful way? Putting in a backyard prairie may be for you! Come the evening of July 16th to learn how you can create one in ANY yard, large or small. You will visit our small manicured demo prairie suitable for small spaces and our large scale prairie areas at Infirmary Mound Park. FREE! Register by July 14 (or just show up!) https://www.lickingparkdistrict.com/272/July-2026 6PM - 7:30PM Location: James Bradley Center, Infirmary Mound Park

The emotional pain from past bad experiences easily lingers in the present, making it hard to enjoy life and create your future. Even when you think you've moved on, the negative emotions can be triggered, sending you back into the pain of that experience. And we are talking about pain; emotions such as grief, depression, anxiety, fear (or terror), boiling anger, simmering resentment, feelings of shame, blaming and regret can leave you incapacitated to a greater or lesser degree. In this local event we will be discussing the reasons why these past bad experiences have the power to affect you long after they occurred. We'll go over why the emotional pain can be so strong. We'll also discuss some simple solutions to overcome your emotional pain and be free to fully enjoy your life again. Examples of painful experiences include: * A broken relationship or divorce. * Death or loss of a loved one. * Death of a pet. * A sudden shock or bad news. * A betrayal. * Being part of an abusive relationship. * A bad injustice. * Loss of a job, position or business. * A grave illness or injury. The negative emotions from these experiences don't just go away on their own. But the good news is there is a way to clear them out of your way. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is sponsored the Dianetics & Scientology Self-Improvement Center.

Our next much-awaited **COLUMBUS** meetup is **Tuesday June 30th from 7-10 pm EST at ACE OF CUPS**. Meet patients, cultivators, processors, dispensary managers/staff, physicians, home growers, educators, activists, nonprofits, artists, attorneys, business owners, writers, students, and supporters to network, share our knowledge, collaborate, support each other and make new ones! Hope you will be there too! Save the date and pass the word. **Please RSVP** so we know who is coming and how many to expect. Find us to say hi and we will introduce you to others. We should be easy to spot. (The happy-looking group wearing cool nametags! See photos from our past events.) Sign in, grab a name tag, start your own bar/food tab, meet old friends and make new ones! Everyone is welcome. SEE YOU THERE!

We connect you with up to 30 Men or Women tennis partners close to your PLAYING REGION and skill level. This program is less competitive, no champions crowned, no league standings just dedicated tennis partners who want to meet up with you on the courts. Players will meet up to play a tennis match or just to hit around. Just go through the [Join Page](https://www.tenniscolumbus.com/partner-program) to enter this program. [https://www.tenniscolumbus.com/partner-program](https://www.tenniscolumbus.com/partner-program)

Some trained COUNT volunteers work together once a month at RMH (http://www.rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer.php) as Housewarmers (usually on the 1st Sunday from 1 – 5 PM). Some schedule other shifts at their convenience. You may try this out with less fuss by following a "Fast track" or go through the normal process. Fast track • Arrange a time to shadow a COUNT volunteer. Call Dave Nohle at 614-268-9558 (cell). • Show up and try it out. • Complete application, etc. later. Normal process • Complete an online application (http://rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer/). • Attend orientation in advance. • At orientation you will complete forms agreeing to keep family/patient info private and allowing a background check and tour the facility. • Complete one training shift. Daily shifts are: morning 9 AM - 1 PM, afternoon 1 - 5 PM and evening 5 - 9 PM. • Schedule shifts online using the on the RMH scheduling system (http://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/?FROM=32895). The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) provides housing and meals for families with sick children. The Columbus RMH is the largest in the world with 137 rooms. COUNT has been volunteering there since May 2014. Housewarmers work with RMH guests to provide a home-like environment - greet, assist with family needs, answer phones, give tours, assist with checkin/checkout, prepare guest rooms after checkout, clean facility, laundry, restock supplies and staff the front desk. RMH Housewarmers volunteer at least one four-hour shift a month. All Housewarmers must complete an application and agree to a background check before they can be full fledged volunteers.