Last year the Union Square Dog Run lost one of its first true advocates. In December, Amy Perlman lost her hard fought battle with breast cancer.
Amy is best remembered as the consummate party planner. The Union Square Dog Run Halloween Party was one of her favorite events, and over the years it attracted many dog owners and pets in full costume from all over the city. Truthfully, Amy would find any excuse to throw a doggie party, so in addition to Halloween, she would organize Valentine's Day celebrations and even host private birthday parties, complete with a dog food cake, for her dog Sammie and her close friends. Being the smart businesswoman she was, she would bring her Polaroid camera and ask for donations while she took pictures of the pups.
Amy was one of the first dog owners to fight for an off leash environment for dogs in Union Square. She and Sammie were in Union Square Park even before there was a fence. She liked to tell the story of how the park put up a temporary fence in 1996 when an important park official was coming to visit. She said the people in charge were scared there would be dogs running all over the place as this official received a tour of the park. That "temporary fence" was up until 2003!
Amy took every chance possible to raise money for the run. If people even hinted that they were thinking about giving money she would get them to write a check on the spot or hand over cash. When it came time to sell raffle tickets for the dog run renovation she raised more money than anyone else. Fortunately, her dog Sammie has found a new happy home but she is still sorely missed by the Friends of Union Square Dog Run. Amy's energy and ideas helped make the run what it is today, and for that, we are forever grateful.

Thank you Amy - we miss you.