While looking at a website, she noticed a wonderful sounding dog that happened to be deaf. Diane was Spirit’s fifth home but she felt he held great promise as a possible agility and obedience dog. She did have concerns about his “challenges” but was told he was very loving and eager to please. “Am I crazy to get this dog?” she said. As a full time trainer who worked at her home, she decided she had the time necessary to dedicate to him.

In the first week he learned four to five signs and she could tell he was coming around because of the increased communication between them. He knew about 30 signs. She joined the DDEAF group, www.deafdogs.org that had over 800 members, most experienced deaf dog owners and some novices like herself.

She found that it wasn’t any more difficult to train Spirit than her hearing dogs. He was willing to do anything. He could run an agility course. He was outstanding in obedience classes. It took several weeks for others to realize that he was deaf. One lady said she just thought he was smart because he understood hand signals.

Please visit their website at: www.spiritofdeafdogs.org

Driving Directions: From 104th, head north on Irma. It’s on the east side, just past the Regatta Apartments and next to the baseball field.

Parking: Adjacent.

Amenities: Picnic tables, covered structures for shade, poop bags, water.

Driving Directions: Head about 3/4 mile EAST of Hwy 93 on W. 64th Avenue to 17975 W. 64th Parkway. You’ll see the Dog Park on the left (north) side of the road opposite Long Lake regional Park and just east of the Arvada/Bunn Reservoir. Turn left into the parking lot.

If coming WEST from Indiana (Hwy 72), it’s 2 miles west of Indiana on 64th Avenue.  Look for the signs.  Turn right into the parking lot.

Parking:  Adjacent.

Amenities: So far, there’s not much but stay tuned as there are BIG PLANS for this BIG PARK !! Right now there’s no shade and no water and only one bench. There are poop bags (supplied by the public, so be sure to bring some for your dog and others) and Port-O-Lets.

Description:  This park opened on June 18th, 2005. Eventually, it will encompass 20 acres !! Right now it’s 5 acres of scrub grass and very steep hills — very open and “wild” — not a dog park for the faint-hearted!!  Currently, there are 3 areas next to each other — one’s for shy/small dogs; one for larger or more outgoing dogs; and one in reserve. This park was funded by contributions from the public and JeffCo — a major effort of some very dedicated dog-lovers. Kudos to the volunteers whose dream is becoming a reality!

Driving Directions: Coming north on Sheridan from 120th, turn right (east) into Broomfield County Commons Park Follow the road to the circle, go 3/4 of the way around the circle so that you’re headed north into the large parking lot. You’ll see the Dog Park sign. The dog park is on the left just a bit north after you turn into that parking lot.

If coming south from Dillon on Sheridan, it’s about a mile and a half south (south of 136th) turn left (east) into Broomfield County Commons Park and follow the directions above.

Parking: Adjacent.

Amenities: A couple of benches, poop bags (supplied by the public, so be sure to bring some for your dog and others). Water. Some new shade structures. There are 2 areas next to each other — theoretically one’s for small dogs & the other for big dogs. There are no signs to indicate this, but hopefully people will get the idea. The southern of the 2 areas is smaller. The northern area is HUGE!! Click here to see some pictures.

Description: This park is “temporary” until the ball fields take over. No indication if they’ll provide another location if/when that happens. It’s Broomfield’s first and only dog park, as of early 2005. There are mud brush/boot cleaners now installed by each gate — what a GREAT IDEA!!!

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.(AP) — Back in the day, Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath was known for his dangerous arm. Now settled into a comfortable retirement in Florida, it’s his dog that’s dangerous.

Namath, 66, appeared before a hearing officer on Thursday in West Palm Beach to answer to charges that two of his dogs attacked people who came to his home in Tequesta, a quiet community about 90 miles north of Miami.

His 6-year-old yellow Labrador retriever, Leo, was declared “dangerous” during Thursday’s hearing. The case against another of Namath’s dog, a 6-year-old Weimeraner named Stella, was dropped because a witness didn’t show, said Capt. Dave Walesky of Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control.

As a dangerous dog, Leo must now be muzzled and leashed even on Namath’s property. It must have a microchip implanted and carry a special “dangerous” dog designation tag. Namath must also now post signs on his property warning of the dog’s presence.

An animal control officer will visit Namath’s home yearly to be sure he is complying.

If the dog bites someone else, it could be declared “vicious,” and euthanized, and Namath could face criminal charges, Walesky said.

“If he moves and doesn’t notify us, if he gives the dog away and doesn’t notify us, it’s a violation of the ordinance and he could be fined,” Walesky said.

Namath declined to comment. His New York attorney, James C. Walsh, said Namath might appeal.

Walesky said animal control had received four reports of Namath’s dogs attacking people on his property since 2007, “and rumors of many more.”

A UPS driver was “accosted by a pack of dogs” on Namath’s property in May 2007, Walesky said.

“He’s not sure which dog bit him, but he did identify Leo as one of the dogs,” he said.

Then in February 2009, a contractor working at the home was reportedly “pinned up against his vehicle and bitten on the wrist,” Walesky said. He identified Stella as the culprit, but the man did not appear for the hearing Thursday, so the case against that dog was dropped.

Officials say in May 2008 a home nurse mistakenly went to Namath’s home and was bitten by one of his dogs. It was believed to be Leo. Lastly, in August a landscaper was bitten on Namath’s property, Walesky said.

He said Namath hasn’t acknowledged that his dogs bit anyone.

The legendary quarterback is best known for leading the underdog New York Jets to one of the most storied Super Bowl victories 40 years ago over the heavily favored Baltimore Colts.

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