The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

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Support the 2018 SPCA Dog Walk and Pet Fair

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2018 SPCA Dog Walk and Pet Fair

Join us for this fun-filled family fundraiser on Saturday, May 5th at FDR State Park in Yorktown Heights from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

 

Walker Registration in now open! Sign-up to be a Walker and you can choose to create an online fundraising page to gather pledges in support of your walk or form a team.

Take a relaxing stroll on the scenic 2.5 mile trail with your canine buddy, then go shopping in our vendor village while enjoying food, refreshments, our SPCA photo booth, kid activities, puppy kissing booth, dog agility demos and more!

Although cats can’t attend this event, we still encourage you to join us and walk on their behalf as the funds raised from this special fundraiser supports both our canine and feline friends at the SPCA.

For further details or questions, or sponsorship opportunities, email Lisa@spca914.org

or call (914) 941-2896 ext. 54

SPCA914.ORG

Shop for a Cause at Desires by Mikolay to Benefit the SPCA of Westchester

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Save the Date for a ‘Charity Shopping Soirée’ on December 8, 5-9 p.m.

There’s probably not a resident in Chappaqua who doesn’t appreciate the Mikolays’ passionate support for the SPCA of Westchester and its charges; their store has hosted many fundraisers in support of rescues. To date, the Mikolays note that with the help of shoppers, they have raised over $40,000 for animals in need.

Shoppers can once again enjoy a Holiday Sale with 10 percent of the night’s proceeds earmarked for the SPCA; Desires emphasizes that each item selected is a “Gift with Impact.”  “Shelter animals have a particularly tough time during the Winter months,” the flyer for the event states. “Let’s show them all the love and support we can!

So come on down for some small bites and festive fun too. Bring your own furry friend or meet someone else’s; they are also invited and always delightful to meet. Desires by Mikolay is on 55 King Street, Chappaqua, NY   or visit www.desiresbymikolay.com

— Grace Bennett

Welcome Arlo to the Family

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We had been talking about getting a dog for the past year for my daughter’s 7th birthday this October. She had her heart set on a particular breed and frankly we hadn’t exactly gotten the ball rolling with doggie research. We were doing a big construction project in the house and were too busy with that.

But something changed after I did a photo shoot of rescues at the SPCA in Briarcliff Manor for this magazine. I had the opportunity to meet some adorable Weimeraner/chocolate lab mixes who were from a large litter and came from a high-kill shelter in North Carolina (For more rescues up for adoption at the SPCA, see page 19). I quickly snapped a photo to my dog-loving husband of one of these pups and he said “take him home.” Well, it wasn’t so simple. The one I had my heart set on was already adopted but a few of his brothers and sisters were coming in that weekend from their foster homes and I could get a chance to meet them.

A bit apprehensive about taking a puppy home to add to the chaotic mix of construction and three young kids, my husband said “the timing is never going to be perfect. You can’t always have all your ducks in a row.” Fast forward to the following weekend where we met one of those rescues named Arlo and fell in love. And the rest is history.

Love and unity is our theme this season and I think having Arlo join the family is a perfect example of love and unity. Instead of bringing chaos to the house, I argue that he has brought a certain sense of calmness (at least in the first week- these are after all early days!) as all of us marvel at him. Plus I’m noticing that my kids are actually fighting a bit less as all of their attention is focused on Arlo.

Both editions and theinsidepress.com are chock full of other stories about love and unity. Take a peek at the story about the little known Baha’i faith, which emphasizes inclusivity or read Dan Levitz’s heart-warming essay about his aging parents.  Love and unity is all around us. And as you gather around the holiday table with your family (furry friends included!), stop and soak it all in.

Wishing you a joyous holiday season,

The SPCA: Helping Furry Friends Find Forever Homes

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The SPCA is a “no kill shelter.’ Regardless of how long it may take, they are committed to caring for all adoptable animals until a loving, new home can be found. Last year, 619 animals were rescued by the SPCA from high-kill shelters and transported to the SPCA to find new homes. They also helped 1,338 animals (dogs and cats) find their forever homes. This year the shelter has made an extraordinary effort at rescuing animals from hurricane-ravaged areas.

As of press time, the following dogs were available for adoption at the SPCA, according to Lisa Bonnano-Spence, the Director of Events & Communications:

The two puppies (both female) are named Anya and Aleeza. They’re about ten weeks old and are Weimaraner/Chocolate Labrador Retriever mixes. They are part of a litter of ten! It was an unexpected/unplanned litter and sadly, they were all turned into an overcrowded shelter down south with very limited time to get adopted so we quickly rescued them and got them safely up to the SPCA! They’ll be great additions to an active family and would love nice, big yards to play in.

Nelly is a Yorkshire Terrier. She is about 9-years-old and was abandoned on the streets in Westchester. She is quiet and can be shy with new people. She is very docile and sweet so she’d love a more quiet home.

Marble is a 4-month-old shepherd mix puppy. He was brought to a high-kill shelter down south when no owner could be located. We transported him up to the SPCA to get a second chance! He is a little shy at first but warms up quickly. He loves other dogs and would be happiest in a home with a canine buddy.

Loreli, our cover girl, is a Black Labrador Retriever. She is about ten months old and was turned into a high-kill shelter down south with her two siblings, who we also rescued. She is a happy, goofy dog that is perfect for a family.

Johnny is a 2-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier. He was rescued from a cruelty situation in Westchester and his owner was arrested. He is an approved pet therapy dog now and visits local nursing homes through the SPCA’s Golden Outreach Pet Therapy Program. He’d love a home where someone is home more often to hang out with him. He is real gentleman.

Additional pets can be found at www.spca914.org. All photos courtesy of Geoffrey Tischman at Tischman Pet Photography (www.tischmanpets.com). Shot on location at the SPCA located at 590 North State Road, Briarcliff Manor.

Top Ten Reasons I Love Writing for Inside Chappaqua

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Maggie Mae doing what she loves to do in our special town! With New Castle Town Board member Robin Stout at the Memorial Day Ceremony last May. Photo by Ronni Diamondstein
Maggie Mae doing what she loves to do in our special town! With New Castle Town Board member Robin Stout at the Memorial Day Ceremony last May.
Photo by Ronni Diamondstein

By Maggie Mae…with Ronni Diamondstein

In honor of the 10th anniversary of Inside Chappaqua, I want to share the top ten reasons I’m proud to write for the magazine.

10. It gets my owner out of the house: Not only does she walk me all the time, but she gets to come along with me on my interviews, take pictures–which she loves to do–and she meets the interesting folks I write about.

9. I get to showcase important causes:  I was proud to interview rescue dogs and the staff at the SPCA of Westchester in Briarcliff.  I hope to do more stories like this in the future.

8. I’ve learned a lot and shared what I have learned: Why it’s great for kids to have a pet and how it’s good for people of all ages to own a dog. And one of my favorite columns was why I am a child at heart and always will be.

7. I can help other pets and their owners: My friend Biscuit’s owner Gary told me that he didn’t realize dogs needed to be licensed in the state of New York and our town until he read my first column “Why I Wear My Dog Tag Proudly” in May 2010. And I’ve shared a lot of other important       information on pet health, dog safety in the winter and being careful about coyotes. From the foods that are toxic for dogs to having a whistle to scare off a coyote, I am happy to pass along what I have learned.

6. I can have fun. I met my friend Rocky at Gedney Park for my story on dog parks. And it was an honor to be asked to be a celebrity dog judge at Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester’s first Dog Social last spring.

5. I get my picture taken. I’ve been in front of a camera since I was a puppy so I love when people want to pose with me!

4. I am recognized wherever I go. One day my owner was surprised when someone she didn’t know said hello to me on one of our walks into town. The woman explained that she recognized me from my picture in Inside Chappaqua magazine. I am always very happy to meet my readers!

3. I go interesting places and meet very nice people. I wrote about pet friendly lodgings and toured Crabtree’s Kittle House and Inn with John Crabtree, one of the original owners. I was so happy to visit author and animal lover, Jean Craighead George at her home and talk to her about her book, How to Talk to Your Dog. And I’ve been to Town Hall to talk to New Castle Animal Control Officer James Moore and Town Clerk Jill Simon Shapiro.

Maggie Mae meets up with her beloved editor Grace Bennett at the Chappaqua Farmers Market in the summer of 2011. Photo by Ronni Diamondstein
Maggie Mae meets up with her beloved editor Grace Bennett at the Chappaqua Farmers Market in the summer of 2011.
Photo by Ronni Diamondstein

2. I’ve met some very intriguing animals. I loved meeting Ronnie, a rescue dog at the SPCA and was happy to hear he was adopted after my visit. One of my favorite and scariest interviews was at Dr. Laurie Hess’s Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotic Pets. I loved meeting Dr. Hess and I was very brave to have my picture taken with her parrot Target whose beak got a little too close to me!

1. And the number one reason is Grace Bennett.  In this “dog eat dog” world (I can’t believe I really wrote that!), Grace had the vision and imagination to give me, Maggie Mae Pup Reporter, and my owner this amazing opportunity to have a voice.  Thank you, Grace! Congratulations! Here’s to another ten years!

Contact Maggie Mae Pup Reporter at maggiemae10514@gmail.com

Maggie Mae lives in Chappaqua with her adoring owner Ronni Diamondstein, who, when she isn’t walking Maggie is a freelance writer, PR consultant, award-winning photographer and a School Library Media Specialist and teacher who has worked in the US and abroad.