Aries Wine and Spirits

Valentine

We thought you might appreciate the following.

Andrea and Tony

White Plains shows it's a dog-friendly city

By Terence Corcoran
The Journal News • October 26, 2008

WHITE PLAINS - Andrea Russo never thought that a Chihuahua named Valentine could change her life, but she has.

A couple of years ago, a customer at Aries Wine and Spirits, which Russo runs with her husband at 128 W. Post Road in White Plains, bought the tiny Chihuahua and was going to take it to her daughter in Japan.

But Japan is a rabies-free country - meaning that it doesn't allow any foreign animals - so the woman couldn't bring the dog there and wound up giving it to Russo, who's now owned Valentine for two years.

"This dog came to me by accident and I couldn't be happier," Russo said yesterday at a dog-friendly gathering organized by White Plains in the City Hall parking lot.

"I'm much more sensitive now to people who want to bring their dogs everywhere and how some places discriminate against dogs."

Yesterday's gathering drew dozens of dog owners, including Russo, who visited the four-hour exposition with their canine friends.

Danylo Dobriansky of the Business Improvement District said the event was designed to show people that White Plains is a dog-friendly city.

"We want to show people that White Plains is a great place to live if you have a dog," said Dobriansky, who attended with his 125-pound Mastiff named Ammo.

Michelle Acosta, who recently moved to White Plains, came by with her 10-year-old French bulldog, Wriglee.

"I think this is such a great event," said Acosta, 36, who had a professional photographer take a portrait of Wriglee.

White Plains firefighters were also on hand to show the oxygen masks they use on pets that are trapped in fires, while dog lovers Vanessa Lippman and Suzanne DiMichele gathered signatures on a petition that calls for creation of a dog park in White Plains.

Among other businesses and organizations at the event was Guiding Eyes for the Blind, which trains service dogs, veterinarians Lisa Walling and Megan Duffy from the Katonah-Bedford Animal Center to look at animals and provide health-care advice, and Claudia Murphy from Happy Paws Pet Sitting, which not only dog sits when you are at work, but will also watch Fido while you are home or on vacation.

Desiree McDougall of White Plains, who stopped by with her 7-year-old shih tzus, Angel and Ally, spoke with Murphy.

"I'm looking into pet sitting," she said afterward. "It might be something we need. You feel a little guilty leaving them home alone all day."

Reach Terence Corcoran at tcorcora@lohud.com or 914-666-6138.


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Valentine We thought you might appreciate the following. Andrea and Tony White Plains shows it's a dog-friendly city By Terence Corcoran The Journal News • October 26, 2008 WHITE PLAINS - Andrea Russo never thought that a Chihuahua named Valentine could change her life, but she has. A couple of years ago, a customer at Aries Wine and Spirits, which Russo runs with her husband at 128 W. Post Road in White Plains, bought the tiny Chihuahua and was going to take it to her daughter in Japan. But Japan is a rabies-free country - meaning that it doesn't allow any foreign animals - so the woman couldn't bring the dog there and wound up giving it to Russo, who's now owned Valentine for two years. "This dog came to me by accident and I couldn't be happier," Russo said yesterday at a dog-friendly gathering organized by White Plains in the City Hall parking lot. "I'm much more sensitive now to people who want to bring their dogs everywhere and how some places discriminate against dogs." Yesterday's gathering drew dozens of dog owners, including Russo, who visited the four-hour exposition with their canine friends. Danylo Dobriansky of the Business Improvement District said the event was designed to show people that White Plains is a dog-friendly city. "We want to show people that White Plains is a great place to live if you have a dog," said Dobriansky, who attended with his 125-pound Mastiff named Ammo. Michelle Acosta, who recently moved to White Plains, came by with her 10-year-old French bulldog, Wriglee. "I think this is such a great event," said Acosta, 36, who had a professional photographer take a portrait of Wriglee. White Plains firefighters were also on hand to show the oxygen masks they use on pets that are trapped in fires, while dog lovers Vanessa Lippman and Suzanne DiMichele gathered signatures on a petition that calls for creation of a dog park in White Plains. Among other businesses and organizations at the event was Guiding Eyes for the Blind, which trains service dogs, veterinarians Lisa Walling and Megan Duffy from the Katonah-Bedford Animal Center to look at animals and provide health-care advice, and Claudia Murphy from Happy Paws Pet Sitting, which not only dog sits when you are at work, but will also watch Fido while you are home or on vacation. Desiree McDougall of White Plains, who stopped by with her 7-year-old shih tzus, Angel and Ally, spoke with Murphy. "I'm looking into pet sitting," she said afterward. "It might be something we need. You feel a little guilty leaving them home alone all day." Reach Terence Corcoran at tcorcora@lohud.com or 914-666-6138.