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FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | MAY 2018 53 The Dog Owners Group has received numerous complaints recently about increased dog waste in the lawn areas. Actually this is not the case. Our landscape contractors have been aerating the lawn area with machinery that pulls a dirt plug out of the soil every couple of inches. These plugs are about 1/2" in diameter and about 3" long, dark brown, and look like Tootsie Rolls. These are easily mistaken for prolific dog waste but they aren't. These plugs will eventually dissolve and disappear as the lawn areas are irrigated and mowed. But this serves as a reminder to all dog owners that you are responsible to pick up waste after your dog. And do not let your dog eliminate on private lawn areas in front of private residences even if you do pick up. Front lawns in front of private homes are private property and dog owners should respect that property. The Safety Committee has reminded the Dog Owners Group that people who walk their dogs and pedestrians in general should now use the crosswalks that have been provided on Four Seasons Circle from the Summit to the Crooked Creek gate. There have been many reports of pedestrians crossing in the center of the block or at unmarked crossings. Also some dog walkers and pedestrians have been observed walking or running along the curb on Four Seasons Circle. This is a dangerous practice and could lead to injury for both pedestrians and dogs. The Dog Owners Group will continue to work with the Safety Committee to slow traffic to the posted speed limit and provide for safer crossings at the existing crosswalks. Spring is here and summer won't be far behind. This makes for longer days and warmer weather. As a result, the Dog Owners Group has moved the time of their Wednesday evening pack walks to 6 pm. We meet at the Summit parking lot and walk for about 20 minutes. Everyone is welcome, with or without a dog. Pack Walks: All dogs are welcome and we practice techniques to calm barking dogs. Join us Saturday mornings, 8 am, at the Spa parking lot and/or Wednesday evening, 6 pm, at the Summit parking lot (please, no retractable leashes). For info., contact Patrick and his dog, Ricky Ricardo at dog_owners@yahoo.com. ~ Patrick Gerety D.O.G. Tails & Trails - All Pets Most resident cat owners have indoor cats. However, a few of us let our cats go outside, trusting they will stay in our yards. At my previous home, my cat went outside because it was safe there. Here we have vast wilderness areas with predators. If our cats get lost, how do we go about looking for them? Lost cats are harder to find than dogs because cats hide from predators while dogs run around. Before searching for a cat, understand they may have been chased away by a predator, typically coyotes. A chased cat may flee to an unfamiliar area and silently hide. Once their pursuer leaves some return home. Others won't. This is how many cats are found near their homes. They may crawl inside sheds, basements, or RVs, and get trapped. Sometimes a neighbor finds the cat but can't locate the owner, so the cat is taken to a shelter. The best ways to locate a missing cat here in Four Seasons are: Get your cat's picture out. Online sites like Nextdoor.com and our Tails and Trails Facebook page are valuable resources. Local animal shelter websites are good, too. Post flyers on the bulletin board in the Lodge. Give a flyer to the Lodge attendant in case a resident calls about seeing a possible lost cat. My cat was found by another resident in her backyard. She recognized his picture from my Nextdoor.com post. She called me and we were able to catch him. Cats who are lost and hiding almost never respond to your calls. They may hear you, but do not want to give away their location. The best thing to do is to walk the streets within a half-mile radius of your home, usually at night when it's quiet. Your cat can also smell you. Knowing you have been there will likely keep him near that location. While walking in shoes leaves your scent, walking in socks or bare feet will leave a stronger trail. Ask neighbors to check garage cabinets, sheds, car trunks, etc. Once you receive positive sightings, contact us. We have a humane trap that can be set up to catch your cat (or dog). Don't give up. With some persistence, if your cat has simply become lost (and not fallen victim to a predator), it is possible to find him or her. This month's Tails & Trails meeting will be at 7 pm on Wednesday, May 23 in RCN 3. Contact us at fsbtailsandtrails@gmail.com. ~ Toni Adams Don't worry - these aren't what you think

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