Alexandria has its fair share of grooming salons and overnight hotels, but the Carlyle neighborhood could be getting a new one for the city’s canine companions.

Dog care facility District Dogs is headed to the City Council at a meeting on Saturday, Nov. 12. The item is docketed for the consent calendar, meaning it’s likely to be approved with little or no discussion.

The new location at 2424 Mill Road would include grooming, training and daycare services for dogs.

An animal care facility is already authorized in the building’s zoning, but a staff report said because District Dogs includes overnight accommodations it requires a special use permit.

The staff report recommended approval of the special use permit, saying the new business could be a boon to the growing neighborhood:

The proposed location for District Dogs is well-suited for this use. Dog-related businesses have grown in popularity and, with the number of new residential units in this area, the demand for dog boarding will likely increase. The addition of overnight accommodations to the permitted animal care facility use will increase the options dog-owners have in this neighborhood.

Photo via District Dogs/Facebook

Little Lola looks good for being 12 years old. The black and white domestic short-haired cat looks and acts half her age, according to the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

November is National Adopt a Senior Pet Month, and all month long adoption fees are being lifted for AWLA’s senior pets.

“Lola has lived with cats her whole life (including the also adoptable Regina) and would be open to a variety of household types, including those with built-in feline friends,” said Gina Hardter, spokesperson for the AWLA. “As a super senior, Lola has years of best friend experience, and she’s happy to share that with her new human family.”

Big boy Boscoe is up for adoption.

The two-year-old brown and white male American bulldog has a face that says, “What are you looking at?” but all he really wants is belly rubs, says Gina Hardter, spokesperson with the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

“Boscoe isn’t just brawn and beauty though,” Hardter said. “He has the brains to match, already mastering skills like Sit and Shake, and he’s pretty sure he has the potential to learn so much more with the right best friend by his side.”

Learn more about Boscoe and schedule time to meet him at AlexandriaAnimals.org/Adopt-By-Appointment.

After complaints of inescapable barking creeping into the neighborhood, Brewski’s Barkhaus might not go ahead with its special use permit (SUP) request to expand outdoor seating.

Barkhaus (529 E. Howell Avenue), the D.C. Metro area’s first-ever dog-friendly bar and restaurant with an off-leash indoor and outdoor dog park, opened two years ago. The business wants to add 20 seats to the outdoor seating area, which already has 20 outdoor seats.

The SUP states that the daily number of guests (around 150 people) won’t change because of the new seats, although business owners are wary of what they see as potentially restrictive restrictions by city staff.

Barkhaus co-founder Alex Benbassat said that the company is closing an hour earlier throughout the week and opening later due to neighbor complaints. He also says that the business has not received a single noise citation from the city.

“We reduced our operations by eight hours a week,” Benbassat said. “All we want is 20 seats. Retracting the SUP would just take away from the customer’s experience. Customers just be wouldn’t be hanging out as long, it wouldn’t be as comfortable.”

Barkhaus is located at the busy corner of E. Howell Avenue and Richmond Highway, and across the street from the full-service dog daycare Your Dog’s Best Friends.

John Kit Wannen lives across the street from the business, and says that his family can’t escape the noise of dogs barking at all hours of the day. Warren has sent letters to city staff, and testified before City Council at last Saturday’s (October 15) meeting.

“It penetrates our home, with all the doors and windows closed,” Wannen said. “They have a right to operate their property as they see fit, but that right ends when they penetrate our homes, and we can not escape that noise.”

Via Barkhaus/Facebook

Paws In The Park, Alexandria’s biggest annual animal-focused event is returning on Sunday (October 16).

More than 50 adoptable pets will be on-hand at Old Town’s Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison Street) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We’re talking about probably close to 50 adoptable animals, mostly dogs and cats,” said Animal Welfare League of Alexandria spokesperson Gina Hardter. “It’s gonna take over the entire park. It’s fun for the whole family stuff for kids. We’ve got stuff for adults and well behaved leashed pets are welcome as well.”

There will be music and food at the event, which is free to attend.

Participating shelter and rescue organizations:

• Animal Welfare League of Alexandria
• AERO Animal Rescue
• A Forever Home Rescue Foundation, Inc.
• Australian Shepherds Furever
• Canine Companions
• Humane Society of Fairfax County
• K-9 Caring Angels
• Margaret’s Saving Grace Bully Rescue
• Miri’s Haven Senior Dog Rescue
• Mount Vernon Animal Rescue
• Oldies But Goodies Cocker Rescue
• Project Second Chance
• Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue
• Squishy Face Crew Virginia
• Tails High Inc.
• Tails of Hope
• Wildlife Rescue League

Thoughts of a new home are music to Banjo’s ears.

The six-year-old male black-and-white beagle mix learns the most about the world with his nose to the ground, so don’t be surprised if he greets you starting with your shoes – and works his way up, says Animal Welfare League of Alexandria spokesperson Gina Hardter.

“Banjo is a mature gentleman who is well past his puppy stage and now focuses more on the finer things in life: leisurely walks, yummy food and the love of a good human best friend (or two or three),” Hardter said.

There are a number of ways to volunteer in Alexandria this fall.

Art lovers can get their fix by volunteering as gallery guides at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, and sports enthusiasts can become volunteer sport coaches. The Carlyle House also needs a volunteer tour guide.

There are also a number of tutoring and mentoring positions available, in addition to available food distributor and donation sorting positions.

“We need hundreds of people per week,” Volunteer Alexandria Executive Director Marion Brunken told ALXnow. “More people are in need now than ever.”

Here’s a list of Volunteer Alexandria’s new and upcoming opportunities.

• Teach Kids to Read — “Wright to Read is a literacy tutoring-mentoring program that works to match volunteer tutor-mentors with Alexandria City Public School students who need extra support in their literacy skills. Our goal is not only to help give this child support along their reading journey (including access to books, resources, and a larger reading community), but also a mentor through elementary school and beyond.”
• Distribute Food With ALIVE! — “Volunteers are needed to assist with multiple programs relating to their Food Program, ALIVE! House, and Alexandria Eviction Prevention Partnership Program will distribute food at Mobile Pop-ups and Truck to Trunk events, etc.”
• More opportunities at ALIVE! — The nonprofit also needs drivers, a furniture moving attendant, and warehouse volunteers.
• Theater group needs support — Momentum Collective is looking for a new board member, a costume designer and a set builder.
• Youth Sport Coaches — Preside over team activities including all scheduled practices and games. Adhere to RPCA policies, rules and objectives Responsible for maintaining care of all RPCA Sports equipment. Lead by example among team parents to support the responsibilities of the referee and league leadership. Coach an assigned group of children and focus on skill development, safety, fair, play, sportsmanship and fun.”
• 4-H Youth Development Club Volunteers — “We are currently looking for volunteers that would like to build clubs on any topic of interest, such as, dogs, sewing, robotics, or sports.”
• Food Rescuer — “Food rescuers pick up surplus food from food donors in Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia (businesses, restaurants and grocers) and deliver it directly to receiving agencies (community kitchens, food pantries, etc.) that feed our hungry neighbors. In your own vehicle and on your own time, it usually takes only 30 to 60 minutes to complete this incredibly rewarding and essential mission. Get started on the website and app to see the complete schedule of local food rescue opportunities.”
• Arise outreach volunteer — “ARISE is a new guaranteed income pilot program that plans to give $500 a month to 170 City of Alexandria residents for two years. A research team will evaluate the ARISE program outcomes which will inform future efforts and policy decisions.”
• Sexual Assault Center Hotline Advocate — “Volunteers staff the 24-hour hotline on evenings and weekends. Volunteers provide accompaniment, emotional support, crisis intervention, advocacy, and referrals to empower survivors of sexual violence in person at the hospital/police department or over the phone. Volunteers must attend a 40-hour training.”
• Shelter Supervisors with Alexandria Domestic Violence Program — “As a program that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, volunteers play a key role in providing services to those affected by domestic violence. Volunteers with our program interact personally with individuals in need–an opportunity that many find extremely fulfilling.”
• Alexandria Library opportunities — The Alexandria Library needs a volunteer to run a games program for seniors, a volunteer with the Trash Trekkers program, a Knit Night volunteer, a computer class volunteer, and gardening support.
• Tour Guide at Carlyle House Historic Park — “Looking for a fun and relaxing volunteer opportunity? Carlyle House Historic Park, a colonial house museum in Old Town Alexandria, seeks volunteer docents to give public tours of this historic building. Carlyle House, built in 1753, interprets the home and family of John Carlyle, a merchant and town founder.”
• Sixth Annual Spooky Science Expo — “The Watergate at Landmark Youth Committee will be holding its sixth annual science event (Spooky Mad Science Expo) for kids and teens (October 15). The event will celebrate science and Halloween… As in every year, we are looking for volunteers to help us plan and run the event.”
• Casa Chirilagua Volunteers — Casa Chirilagua is looking for one-on-one mentoring, their kids club, a volunteer to oversee the teen study hall, help with the high school program, a volunteer for teen bible study, and assistance with their middle school program.
• Dog adoption event needs volunteers — “Lucky Dog Animal Rescue has an adoption event the FIRST Sunday of every month at the Potomac Yard PetSmart – 3351 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22305. Come spend the afternoon with a Lucky Dog!”
• Torpedo Factory Gallery Guide — “Gallery Guides must feel comfortable interacting with the public about the work at the exhibition with potentially sensitive content and handling artwork sale inquiries. Gallery Guides must be at least 18 years of age or older.”
• Food and grocery volunteer — “For over 15+ years, as part of its Outreach Ministry, the Meade Memorial Episcopal Church has been committed to the Emergency Food Assistance Ministry, to help transform our community, our neighbors, and ourselves. The church provides lunches to residents from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. We need help to setup tables and distribute lunches every weekday, except on certain holidays. We are asking all volunteers to arrive at 11: 15 a.m.”

Dog care facility District Dogs is seeking a permit to open in Alexandria.

District Dogs is filing for an amendment to the development special use permit to add an animal care facility to 2424 Mill Road in the Carlyle neighborhood.

The new location would include grooming, training and daycare services for local dogs.

“The Animal Care Facility is a neighborhood serving business that will provide indoor only grooming, training and daycare services to its clients,” the application said. “The facility will consist of approximately 4000 square [feet] of ground floor space.”

The new District Dogs location would be part of the Hoffman Town Center project, which includes the Wegmans that opened earlier this year.

The DSUP request is scheduled for review at the Tuesday, Nov. 1, Planning Commission meeting.

Photo via District Dogs/Facebook

Port City Brewing Company (3950 Wheeler Avenue) is going to the dogs on Saturday, October 1, with their annual Dogtoberfest celebration.

The free outdoor festival goes from 12 to 5 p.m., and will feature dog-friendly activities, including pet portraits, a bulldog kissing booth and an agility course.

Food and drinks will be provided by Haute Dogs & Fries, Pho Wheels and Daddy G’s Chips and Salsa, and Scuttlebutt Bakeshop.

The event is hosted in partnership with Frolick Dogs and the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

They don’t get much sweeter than Toblerone.

The three-year-old mix has the long body and short legs of a dachshund and the adorable face and ears of a Labrador retriever.

“He’s the type of dog that everyone you meet will ask about,” said Animal Welfare League of Alexandria spokesperson Gina Hardter. “Besides his intriguing looks, Toblerone also has a sparkling personality, wagging his tail joyously at everyone he meets, then crawling into their laps for snuggles.”

Learn more about Toblerone and schedule time to meet him at AlexandriaAnimals.org/Adopt-By-Appointment.