Dear Friends and Members of Silver Lake Reservoir Dogs,

This is an exploratory email to determine if among our members and friends we have families or individuals who would be willing to open their homes and foster a dog through a professional rescue on the Island.

Through our activities, it has become painfully obvious that some of the small rescues, such as Heaven Can Wait (featured on our website) have such limited resources that they often must leave dogs in unsatisfactory situations until a home can be found for them.  For instance, a baby black lab named Molly had to be left at the home of owners who no longer wanted to care for her, until other arrangements could be made.  Molly was left outside in the cold, tied to a tree in Dutches County this winter-- and to make matters worse, she had just been spayed and was still recovering.  Luckily, we were able to make arrangements for another Staten Island rescue with boarding facilities to take her in-- but this is not always an option.

After this situation, we decided that we as the SLRD would like to attempt to do more for our community, and most of all, more for abandoned and unwanted dogs who deserve loving homes.  I personally owe a debt of gratitude to the foster homes that rescued both of my boys from high kill shelters in the south.  In fact, Joey was scheduled to be euthanized the same day that he was rescued by his foster mom, who kept him until I could get to South Carolina to bring him home.

These are the kinds of happy endings we hope to facilitate.  If you would be willing (and this is NOT a binding contract) to act as a foster home for a dog in need, please reply to this email with the following information (at the end of this email), and we will work to match foster homes up with appropriate dogs who match the home's capabilities.  If you are interested, your information will be provided to Heaven Can Wait and possibly other small, professional rescues, and you may be contacted by them to complete an actual application and to learn more about fostering a dog.  Your information will not be provided to any other entity not directly related to this project.

Even if you only foster a dog once or twice in your lifetime, it is truly rewarding, as I know from experience.  In the United States alone, 800 dogs and cats are euthanized EVERY HOUR because there aren't enough homes.  Many-- even MOST of these animals are as precious as your own pet.  This is your chance to do something about it.

Finally I would ask that if you have no interest in fostering a needy animal, please forward this email to someone who might.  Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions at (917) 292-6779 or send me an email.  As this is a pilot project of the SLRD, I will do my best to answer your questions, or find someone who can.

Warmest regards,
Emily Gear
Vice President
Silver Lake Reservoir Dogs

A slide show of our favorite canines.



Preheat oven to 350 degrees

1 3/4 cups flour (reserve 3/4 cup)
1/4 cup quick cooking oats
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup peanut butter (creamy or chunky) 1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 cup water

Combine 1 cup of flour with remaining ingredients and mix well. Knead in the remaining 3/4 cup flour until dough forms a ball. Lightly flour surface and pat or roll out dough until about 1/4 inch thick. Cut into bite size (1”x 1/2”) pieces. Place on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake for 20 minutes. Turn off oven and leave biscuits in oven for 1 hour. Ovens cool down at different rates. Check after 30 minutes and if they’re honey colored and feel firm remove them from the oven, otherwise leave them in for another 30 minutes.

Store the treats in an airtight container. (In our house these are enjoyed by dogs, dieting humans and our parrots…if the pieces are small enough our cats will eat them too.)

This recipe was originally copied from the SI Advance ~ Barbara Fisher

The next SLRD meeting will be held at Jody's on Forest Avenue at a date and time to be announced soon.


The Silver Lake Reservoir Dogs Committee created this list of goals based on need and whimsy. As we accomplish our goals, the list will be updated and the item will be checked off. We invite you to visit this site and check on the progress we're making in creating a safe, fun community dog run for all of us to share.

You're welcome to come to the meetings and contribute your ideas.

HOURS OF OPERATION?
Yes...according to Parks Enforcement, as a result of a recent Manhattan court ruling there are new city wide dog run rules including run hours of operation.

MY DOG IS JUST BEING A DOG AND FIDO CAN BARK IN THE RUN AS MUCH AS HE WANTS!
No...not unless you want to be issued a civil summons by Parks Enforcement. New sound ordinances effective July 1, 2007 include dog barking. If your dog is barking over 10 minutes in the daytime or 5 minutes at night, fines start at $75 to $175 for first offenses.

OFF-LEASH IN SILVER LAKE PARK?
No...sorry folks! Parks Enforcement has confirmed that parks with dog runs are not allowed off-leash privileges at any time.