Introducing the Philadelphia Water Department's official ambassadogs, Molson and Teddie!
Philly water has two new best friends! PWD has crowned two new spokesdogs: Teddie (left) the golden doodle and his handler, Lindsey McClennen, won the Manayunk/Roxborough title at Pretzel Park May 7th. Molson (right) the pit bull/German shepherd/husky mix and his owner, David Buzzard, took the East Falls title at the Trolley Car Café on May 7th.
Molson, a pit bull-German shepherd-husky mix, and his owner, David Buzzard (left) of East Falls, win the title of Philly Water’s Best Friend at the Trolley Car Café in East Falls on Saturday. Presenting the award are, from left to right, Ron Smith of Wag n’ Style in East Falls; Howard Neukrug, commissioner of the Philadelphia Water Department; and Dee Ross, watershed program coordinator at the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary.
From left to right: Laura Copeland, public information officer at the Philadelphia Water Department; Heather Shook of East Falls with Runner-up, Matilda; Howard Neukrug, commissioner of the Philadelphia Water Department; State Rep. Pamela A. DeLissio; Derrick Schlitter, humane law enforcement officer at the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; David Buzzard of East Falls with Winner, Molson; Ron Smith of Wag n’ Style in East Falls; and Ken Weinstein, owner of Trolley Car Café, together with his son, Noah.
Teddie the golden doodle and his handler, Lindsey McClennen of Wissahickon (right), win the title of Philly Water’s Best Friend at Pretzel Park in Manayunk on Saturday. Presenting the award are, from left to right, Eric Lienhard, P.E., an associate at Hazen and Sawyer; Mayor Micheal Nutter; Howard Neukrug, commissioner of the Philadelphia Water Department; and Dee Ross, watershed program coordinator at the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary.
Mayor Michael Nutter commends Teddie the golden doodle and his handler, Lindsey McClennen of Wissahickon, for winning the title of Philly Water’s Best Friend at Pretzel Park in Manayunk on Saturday. As an official spokesdog of the Philadelphia Water Department, Teddie and his owner, Karen McClennen of Manayunk (not pictured), will attend three community events to teach their bark-park buddies about preventing water pollution by picking up pet waste.
From left to right: Laura Copeland, public information officer at the Philadelphia Water Department; Heather Shook of East Falls with Runner-up, Matilda; Howard Neukrug, commissioner of the Philadelphia Water Department; State Rep. Pamela A. DeLissio; Derrick Schlitter, humane law enforcement officer at the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; David Buzzard of East Falls with Winner, Molson; Ron Smith of Wag n’ Style in East Falls; and Ken Weinstein, owner of Trolley Car Café, together with his son, Noah.
Molson showing off his tricks with his owner David Buzzard
Manayunk/Roxborough spokesdog contestant Olive with her owner
Rocky the English bulldog (one of the Manayunk/Roxborough spokesdog contestants) and his owner Michael Molter showing off his tricks.
Teddie (the winner of the Manayunk/Roxborough spokesdog contest) and his owner Karen McClennen walking around in Pretzel Park.
Teddie (the winner of the Manayunk/Roxborough Spokesdog Contest) and his owner Karen McClennen getting quizzed on spokesdog worthiness
Teddie (the winner of the Manayunk/Roxborough Spokesdog Contest) and his owner Karen McClennen getting quizzed for spokesdog worthiness
State Represenative Pamela A. DeLissio speaking at the East Falls Spokesdog Contest at the Trolley Car Café.
Some of the East Falls finalists and their owners from left to right: Matilda (American/English Bulldog) with Heather Shook, Molson (turned around showing off his cape) with David Buzzard, Liberty (in the back) with Brian Harris, Lily (Pit bull) with Alexandra Golaszewska, Maximo (White English Bulldog) with James Alletag, Hank (Fawn English Bulldog) with Don & Tara Gallo, Kirby (Black Lab Mix) with Kimberly Kochersperger, Zoe (Black Cocker Spaniel) with Sharon Jaffe, Rudy (Havanese) with Nadya Popil and Lynn Eckenrode
State Represenative Pamela A. DeLissio speaking at the Manayunk Spokesdog Contest at Pretzel Park.
Mayor Michael Nutter congratulating the winners of the spokesdog contest, from left to right Molson with owner David Buzzard of East Falls, Eric Lienhard, P.E., an associate at Hazen and Sawyer; Mayor Michael Nutter; Howard Neukrug, commissioner of the Philadelphia Water Department; Teddie and his owner, Karen McClennen of Manayunk
The Philadelphia Water Department was looking for two eco-friendly dogs who want to help keep Philly’s waterways clean…one in the Manayunk/Roxborough area and one in East Falls! Spokesdogs were chosen to teach bark-park buddies and their caretakers about the importance of picking up pet waste. Winning spokesdogs and their owners will be required to attend at least 3 community events to distribute information on living the eco-friendly dog life.
Check back to see if one of our spokesdogs is coming to your neighborhood.
Isn’t animal waste natural?
Yes, but...
Animal waste acts as a fertilizer in the water, just as it does on land. It can promote excessive aquatic plant growth that can choke waterways, increase algae blooms and rob the water of vital oxygen. It also pollutes the water with disease causing bacteria.
Doggie Waste Facts
In 2000, 68 million Americans owned dogs, that’s 40% of all households.
3.6 billion pounds of dog waste a year is produced in the U.S. alone, equaling 800 football fields, one foot high.
Nutrients in canine waste can act as a fertilizer in water and may cause algae blooms. These blooms can reduce the amount of oxygen available to other organisms in the waterways.
Poo may take upwards of a year to degrade fully.
This poo also contains both bacteria and parasites. The parasites can live in the soil for years before ever hatching.
Average dog goes 23 times a week. Based on a study conducted in Washington DC, This leaves between 100-200 pounds of waste per dog every year.
What can you "doo"?
Pick up after your pet using Bags on Board or some receptacle. Flushing pet waste (not the bag) down the toilet is best, because it will be treated at a sewage treatment plant, just like human waste.
If flushing your pet’s waste down the toilet is not an option, bag your pet’s waste and put it into a trashcan. Never put pet waste into a storm drain.
Encourage your neighbors to use bags or pet waste stations for the collection and disposal of dog waste.
2011 'Protect Philadelphia's Hidden Streams' Art Contest
The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary is now accepting entries on behalf of the Philadelphia Water Department for its annual art contest, the theme of which is “Protect Philadelphia’s Hidden Streams.” The deadline to enter is February 25. For more information go to http://www.delawareestuary.org/acivities_teachers_art_contests.asp
Watch last year's winner:
Brendon Agaraj, Alea Gonzalez, and Maurice Bonner-El of Maritime Academy Charter School's seventh grade have won first place in the video category of the 2010 "Protect Philadelphia's Hidden Streams" Art Contest.
