NEWSLETTER NO. 19
SPRING AND SUMMER 2005

So what is new with us at Sagemoor Kennels now that the weather is warmer and Louis is busy planting roses – again! – but I don’t know what he is going to do with all those pansies by the entry way. They have been spectacular this spring. He’s had begonias out there in past years but thinks it’s time to try something new out there. But summer is coming and here is a little something from the American Kennel Club guide to photographing your new puppy.

Step 1 Remove film from box and load camera
Step 2 Remove film box from puppy’s mouth and throw in trash
Step 3 Remove puppy from trash and brush coffee grounds from muzzle.

And speaking of photos – have you checked our web site lately? There are some new photos on our website which will also have our newsletters. The web address is www.sagemoor.com and it has information about hours, fees, programs, directions and you can make your reservations on it.

HOLIDAY HOURS

WE ARE CLOSED ALL DAY FOR

FOURTH OF JULY, THANKSGIVING, CHRISTMAS DAY AND NEW YEARS DAY

MEMORIAL DAY, MAY 30 TH AND LABOR DAY, SEPTEMBER 5 TH 2005 ARE ON MONDAYS AND WE ARE CLOSED ALL DAY BUT OPEN FROM 5 – 7 P.M. IN THE EVENINGS, JUST LIKE SUNDAYS. AND JUST LIKE SUNDAYS WE CHARGE FOR THE WHOLE DAY.

Our regular Kennel Hours

Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with Checkout Time by 1 p.m. Pets picked up after 1 p.m.will be charged for the next night

Saturday 9 a.m. to 12 noon

Sunday OPEN EVENINGS ONLY – Pick up from 5 – 7 p.m. and Drop off from 6 – 7 p.m.

We charge for the full day on Sundays and holiday Mondays

If you are having your pet picked up by another family member or a friend, please make sure they know our hours and that they have a CHECK OR CASH for payment. WE DO NOT TAKE CREDIT OR DEBIT CARDS. For SECURITY REASONS please let us know in advance who will be picking up your pet, their phone number and please tell them that we will ask for some picture ID.

ON HAVING A PET.

I can’t remember what it was like when I didn’t have a pet of my own. We always had Louis’s pointing dogs, but that wasn’t the same as having my very own. First I had a cat – Nicholas – still have him, a large grey chubby cat who, at eleven years old, is a little slow to catch birds and mice now. Then I got Lucy, and followed up with Buddy. They sit next to me as I write this, Lucy making her usual little grunting sounds and Buddy has his nose on my foot. Now, almost eight years later, their peace and quiet has been invaded by a newcomer – Benji, who is seven months old and full of “satiable curtiosity” to quote Rudyard Kipling. He asks ever so many questions and goes exploring all the places he shouldn’t go – which worries Buddy who feels it his duty to bring the youngster back and out of harm’s way. Benji’s energy makes us aware that the years have been passing and we are not as quick as we used to be – neither the dogs, the cat, nor me. I look at them and their big eyes, the way they tip their heads to one side as they try hard to understand what I am saying, and I wonder how I could ever get along without the canine reality they provide.

Sagemoor Kennels has been in business almost ten years and some of the boarders from those first years are getting older, like Nicholas, Lucy and Buddy, and I watch them move more slowly, know arthritis may be setting in. I remember when they first came to stay, youngsters who were scared of leaving home to stay with strangers, who jumped and yipped and pulled on the leash.

Our dogs and cats are members of the family, but unlike our human family members, they don’t graduate from high school or college, don’t leave home, get jobs, get married and all that stuff. Instead they are always with us, their companionship something to treasure - and our hearts ache as we see the grey on their muzzles, and wish they could always be there – Lucy’s sharp bark announcing that it’s time to go out and play ball, Buddy spying Nicholas and deciding it’s time for a Cat Hunt – even Benji’s insistent paws on my leg, demanding playtime. I know it’s the same for all of you who bring your four footed family members to stay with us.

“I HAVENT BOARDED MY PET BEFORE – AND I’M A LITTLE NERVOUS”

We hear those words many time. At Sagemoor Kennels we are all pet owners and have had to leave our pets behind when we are away from home. We can understand that feeling all too well. SO HERE ARE SOME THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT US.

PUPPIES UNDER SIXTEEN WEEKS ARE TOO YOUNG TO BE LEFT WITH STRANGERS. According to the folks at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Behavior Clinic, dogs that young should not be boarded for social as well as medical reasons. Not only have their vaccinations not had time to take effect, but those first four months are important for you and your puppy to form a close bond – important when it comes to obedience training.

VISIT THE KENNELS AND ASK QUESTIONS

We encourage you to come and visit our Kennels – make an appointment so that we have put aside the time to show you around and answer your concerns. It is best if you not bring your pet with you – YOU NEED TO BE FREE TO ASK QUESTIONS, LOOK AROUND AND LISTEN. Is the place clean, odor free and well ventilated? Do we want to see your vaccination records and do we ask how to get in touch with you in an emergency? Dr. Dodman of Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine says “if it’s tough to get into the place, that’s good.” He means if we ask you a lot of questions and are adamant about current shot records, then we are on the right track to keep your pet free from diseases such as kennel cough, leptosporosis, fleas, hepatitis ,parvo virus and distemper and rabies.

Always ask about FEES, HOURS FOR BUSINESS AND FOOD, what you can bring for your pet and what you should not bring. We feed Iams pet foods, but are happy to feed your pet food if you bring enough for the stay. It’s a good thing not to change food when boarding.

Sometimes we are asked about OUR WATER.. In fact, some people bring their own water for their pet. We would like you to know that the water in the kennels is from our own well and is tested regularly and is free from bacteria, chemicals, and anything that could cause either your pet or you any problems. It is not the water that is used for irrigating the farms around here.

CAN YOU BRING YOUR PET’S BEDDING AND TOYS AND TREATS? Yes, we like it if you bring your pet’s bedding and so will your pet, and what is even better is if you bring an article of your clothing – an old t shirt, sweater, and don’t wash it - it needs to smell of YOU and your pet will love that. Toys – yes, but not too many and no tennis balls – they can get stuck in your pet’s throat and also go down the drain! We do provide treats but if you have something that your pet loves, then bring it, but PLEASE NO PIG EARS, HOOVES OR RAWHIDES.

STRESS! Yes, it’s stressful for your pet. And it’s stressful for you That’s why we are happy to answer your questions and concerns.. We do our best, but when they are away from their best friends – that’s you, the owner, they are under stress. Some dogs are more resilient than others. Those who have been here before find it a familiar place. We suggest a TRIAL VISIT. Trial

visits are usually scheduled for midweek, when business has slowed down after the weekend rush and we can give your pet the attention needed. We do not charge for this one-time visit for newcomers to the kennels. Your pet’s vaccinations will need to be up to date and you will need to have made a future boarding reservation. A Trial Visit will last about two to three hours. Your pet will have the experience of being handed over by you to one of our staff who will take him/her to the appropriate kennel where there will be water and a snack. Later the staff person will take the pet out to the exercise yard ( not for cats!) and then you will come back and – oh, boy, is that an exciting event! We ask that you not stay at the Kennels while your pet is on a Trial Visit – pets are bright, they know if you are still around!

SAYING GOODBYE. Keep it simple. No big fusses. Animals are quick to pick up on how your are feeling. If you are anxious about the separation, your pet will be too. A pat, and something like “we’ll be seeing you and have a good time” will do much to tell your pet that “these people are OK.” Handing your pet to the staff person shows the pet that you have entrusted him or her to the care of that person.

COMING HOME is almost as stressful for all as going to the kennels. As wonderful as it is for your pet to be home again, it puts a stress on the stomach. We suggest that you wait for a few hours before giving any treats, food or water – an icecube to chew on can help.

SAFETY – CHOKE CHAINS AND HARNESSES and LEASHES

For your pet’s safety we ask that you not bring a choke chain or harness or a collar with tags dangling. Always bring your pet in on a leash or in crate. We will give you back your leash and then use our own choke chains and leashes.

When you pick up your dog we must insist that you keep him or her ON A LEASH UNTIL IN YOUR VEHICLE. Please do not let them off leash while on our property. This is for the safety of your pet, other pets and any cars that might be driving in or out.

OUR HOMESTYLE FRONT ROOM PROGRAM

We have a special boarding program for the “Tinies” – DOGS THAT ARE UNDER TWELVE POUNDS - little poms, poodles, dachshunds, terriers, the tiny mixed breeds. We think they need a room of their own and so we have the Front Room Cages for those special boarders. They listen to music, can see the roses out the window, they can hear the office staff and tune in to the general comings and goings. They do not have a run like the dogs in the main kennels where dogs have a dog house and attached run. So we take these Front Room Guys out five times a day, first time is about 8 a.m and the last time is about 9.30 p.m.- probably much the same schedule as they have at home. That’s why it’s called Homestyle. Because they don’t have an attached run, we don’t charge for this playtime/exercise time as we do for the dogs in the main kennels. But only dogs that fit the criteria for the Front Room get the Homestyle program. There are some small dogs that are under twelve pounds but because they are so energetic they don’t do well in the Front Room and are better boarded in the main kennels where they have more room. They can then take advantage of the Social Playtime and Exercise program.

AN ALERT FROM THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL –“ DOZENS GOT BACTERIA FROM ‘POCKET PETS’”

We know many of you have hamsters, mice, gerbils, guinea pigs, ferrets, rabbits or rats and so we want to draw your attention to information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Salmonella infections have been associated with these small pets and the CDC recommends that children be instructed to wash their hands after touching their pets - and probably refrain from kissing them too. Washing your hands before eating after touching any animal is always a wise precaution.

MEDICATIONS FOR YOUR PET WHILE BOARDING

We believe that if your veterinarian thinks your pet needs medication for her or his improved health, then we need to know that and we need to administer the medications prescribed We need to know the condition for which the medication is prescribed, the name of the medication and the dosage. It is helpful for us to know any other medical problems your pet has had. We charge for administering medications because it is a responsibility that goes with quality pet care and one that must be checked, watched for side effects, and records kept. If your vet says “one tablet, three times a day, with food,” then that’s what we need to do and we need to record that we have done so. Some medications need to be measured and given by injection, others must be given at certain hours. And above all, we must often watch to see that the pet actually has swallowed the med. – some are great at holding a pill in the cheek until we leave! The medication bottle label should have the following information: medication name, your pet’s name, the quantity of pills or capsules, the medication’s strength, the exact dosing schedule (how many pills and how frequently to give them, the expiration date and any special instructions such as if they need refrigeration). Note: many of the medications that you take are not suitable for your pet. Some are life threatening. One veterinarian told us “If you can take it, your dog (or cat) can’t.”

SAGEMOOR KENNELS FOR PEACE OF MIND BOARDING AND QUALITY GROOMING

7196 COLUMBIA RIVER ROAD - PASCO WA 99301

(509) 544-9682, FAX (509) 544-8851, www.sagemoor.com