7196 Columbia River Road
Pasco, WA 99301
Phone: 509/544-9682
Fax: 509/544-8851
Email: newzealmom@aol.com
     

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NEWSLETTER NO.21

SPRING AND SUMMER 2006

Rusty, this one’s for you. You were one of our first boarders. Ten and a half years ago Shirley brought you out to us for a trial board. She was armed with hot dogs, carrot chunks and pieces of cheese. You just stared at us, a slight growl coming from your barely curled lips. I’m not sure who was the most terrified, you, Shirley or us. There were just three of us at the Kennels then – Louis, Sarah and me – and we were all learning the business. Rusty, you taught us so much and we are forever grateful for those lessons.

We had several trial boards with you – about an hour each time to begin with – and we would go past your run, give you one of those special treats, call your name and say something about what a great dog you were. We each did that so that you would get used to seeing us. At first we would put the treat in your bowl, but there came the day when you took the treat from the hand. When you came to board we continued that practice – it was part of what you expected! You always allowed us to come in your run and wash it, but we learned not to look you in the eye and you didn’t want a choke chain put on. One day you came out of your run and walked with me down the aisle to the door. Only then did you allow me to put that choke chain around your neck and we went for a walk together.

For ten and a half years, Rusty, you were our guest and we loved and respected you, watching you grow from a young anxious teenager to a dignified old man. You were a great walker and always appreciated those treats and a comfy bed. But above all, you taught us the real meaning of caring for a pet, especially those with memories of bad times before coming to live with caring owners. We have cared for other dogs, and cats too, who have been abandoned and mistreated. They all had learned how hard it is to trust us humans. I think it is the same for all the pets who stay with us, for however long their owners need to be away. They are not in their familiar surroundings and we must remember to treat them with respect and allow them the dignity to be themselves.

We will miss you Rusty, and - thanks for the lessons and the memories.


“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” Roger Caras


HOLIDAY HOURS

WE ARE CLOSED ALL DAY JULY FOURTH, THANKSGIVING, CHRISTMAS DAY AND NEW YEAR’S DAY

MEMORIAL DAY AND LABOR DAY FALL ON MONDAYS AND WE ARE CLOSED ALL DAY BUT OPEN IN THE EVENINGS FROM 5 P.M. – 7 P.M., JUST LIKE SUNDAYS AND THEREFOR WE CHARGE FOR THE WHOLE DAY ON THOSE OCCASIONS.

OUR REGULAR KENNEL HOURS

Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. with Check out time is 1 p.m. Pets picked up after 1 p.m. will be charged for the next night.
Saturday 9 a.m. – 12 noon
Sunday OPEN EVENINGS ONLY – Pick-up 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. and Drop off 6 p.m. – 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, how to find us, 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 let them know that we will ask for some picture ID.


SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR EASIER BOARDING

  1. We welcome blankets, toys, special treats, old t shirts – almost anything that is special for your pet, but when it comes to CHEW BONES - THEY MUST BE LONGER THAN YOUR PET’S NOSE – this is for your pet’s safety. Small chew bones can be too easily choked on.
  2. Same thing for TENNIS BALLS AND LARGE MOUTHED DOGS – they are too easily caught in the throat and restrict breathing.
  3. We have heard from a veterinarian that those treats called GREENIES are sometimes not dissolved and will sit lumpily in the stomach and cause problems.
  4. Please do not try to pick up your dog when it is being walked. Our staff may not know you and they have instructions not to let strangers take the dog, even if the dog seems to know you well! So come to the office for check out and then we will bring your dog to you at your vehicle.
  5. Please leave us an emergency number where YOU CAN BE REACHED. We have had people give us their cell phone number and then never answer it, never have it on, or never look for messages. We need to be able to reach you or someone who has been given your authority to make decisions so that if there is an EMERGENCY we can deal with it.
  6. And speaking of Veterinarians – we do not have the authority to authorize treatment – that’s the owner’s responsibility. So all the more reason to make sure we can reach you or reach someone who can do that. We are, however, happy to transport your pet to the vet and we don’t charge for that service.
  7. We will give you your leash to take home – it’s too easy for your leash to be added to our personal collection. We also will give you back collars with more than one tag attached – those tags have been known to get caught in the fence or gates.



WELCOME TO TWO NEW FACES

We are delighted to welcome Claire Cielo and Amanda Gaines to our staff. They have already endeared themselves to us all by their obvious love of the pets and their willingness to get stuck into the work , pick up the poop, shovel the s… t and walk till you drop! It’s good to have you on board.


BOOKS

I am a book ‘nut ‘ – what Louis might call a Book Hoarder – but here is a title you might want to consider. I considered it all of five minutes before phoning the book seller and ordering it.

“OLD DOGS REMEMBERED” Edited by Bud Johns, paperback, 1999 for $12.95

It has st ories, essays, poems commemorating deceased dogs, some moving and some funny, but all “offering a unique tribute to a dearly beloved dog.” I think it was Daniel Pinkwater’s description of his malamute, Arnold, as “the sort of dog you could talk things over with” that sold me on the book.



“Man is troubled by what might be called the Dog Wish, a strange and involved compulsion
to be as happy and carefree as a dog.”
James Thurber



TRAVELS WITH YOUR DOG

For those of you who are members of the AAA you may already have your copy of “Western Journey” and will have read the article “Dogs on the Go” about places to visit with your pets. If you are not a member, consider visiting the AAA Center in Kennewick at 6501 W. Grandridge Blvd. and asking for a copy. Or ask our Manager Kathy McGuire for a copy of the article.

The writer lists four places where dogs are welcomed and where there are trails and off-leash parks. There is one place on Whidbey Island, Washington where dogs are treated to pet beds, gourmet treats and itineraries for walking, shopping and grooming. One location is in Oregon, one in Idaho and two in Washington.

There are also listed some Road Tips that should be required reading for anyone traveling even for one day with their dog. They include making sure your dog has current tags, bringing plenty of water and a towel to dry wet fur and feet. The writer advises going slow – “one hour walking for every three hours driving.” As with boarding, it is a good idea to make a short trip first and to bring familiar bedding and treats. Not all dogs will take to harnesses attached to seat belts, but if you can get your dog familiar with this sort of restraint, it’s probably a good idea. There are a variety of car seats available too. And, of course, NEVER LEAVE YOUR DOG IN THE CAR on a hot day – 73-degrees outside turns into 120- degrees inside in 30 minutes.

The AAA Pet Book entitled “Traveling With Your Pet” lists more than 12,000 pet friendly hotels and more than 400 animal-loving campgrounds. It is available at the local AAA office and at www.aaa.com/barnesandnoble.



GROOMER’S CORNER

Cecilia says: BOOK EARLY

She is getting full of those spring grooming requests and there are only so many she can do without staying up all night to do it! She’s a great groomer, but there’s only so much she can do!

She also says to remember that warm weather means fleas and ticks come out. So check your pet’s fur. Warm weather also means that weed seed and stickers are around to get into noses, ears and between the toes. More places to check.


IT MAY BE SERIOUS - OR IT MAY NOT

SOME SIGNS THAT MAY INDICATE CANCER

The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in its Newsletter “Your Dog” lists some warning signs of cancer in dogs, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Veterinary Cancer Society:

Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow
Sores that won’t heal
Loss of weight and appetite
Bleeding or discharge from any body opening
Loss of stamina
Lameness or stiffness
Difficulty eating, breathing or eliminating

If your dog shows any of these symptoms, take him or her to your veterinarian for examination. But keep in mind that the problem may not be cancer, but something that is easily treatable.

To find a listing of cancer specialists in your area, visit the Veterinary Cancer Society at www.vetcancersociety.org. or contact Barbara J. McGehee, executive director, at vcs@cox.net or (609) 474-8929



WHO ARE WE AT SAGEMOOR KENNELS?

Have you visited our web site – www.sagemoor.com? There are several pages of information and photos of the Kennels. A reservation form is included. This Newsletter will be on the web site shortly, and the past three Newsletters are archived there too. Check them out for more information on boarding your pets and for the staff who care for them.

Louis and Jenepher Field – Owners
Kathy McGuire – Manager
Jenepher Field – Newsletter Editor
Cecilia Stickler – Groomer
Staff – Amanda Gaines, Angela Sharp, Claire Cielo, Mary Ann Coulson, Mary Skinner
Michael Halverson, Natalie Richins




“Cats are smarter than dogs. You can’t get eight cats to pull a sled.” – Jeff Valdez

And here’s another for all the cat lovers who board with us

“A cat is more intelligent than people believe, and can be taught any crime.” Mark Twain



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

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