FALL AND WINTER 2006-2007
It was a lovely early fall morning — which meant the sun was shining but the wind was cold and straight off the river — when Kathy and I set out to attend the Benton Franklin Humane Society's annual Paws In The Park. It was held in Columbia Park at the Band Stand and the surrounding areas. Sagemoor Kennels supports this excellent organization and appreciates the good work done by its staff and volunteers. This was the first time, however, for us to take the opportunity offered us to put up a booth. The Benton-Franklin Humane Society generously provided us with a large table and a prime spot in front of the Band Stand.
We had a large colorful vinyl banner with our logo and name hanging in front of the table. Baskets with doggie treats, kid treats, our brochures, newsletters and eye- catching information about our Kennels were on the table We were ready for business – all we needed were those people eager to learn more about our services.
It was an exciting morning, with plenty of activities. There was the Dog Walk, organized by the Humane Society, the Tri-City Dog Park provided by members of that organization, and there were demonstrations by dogs involved in law enforcement. Finally there were competitions including a look-alike one for dogs and their owners, and drawings for various prizes donated by some of the sponsors.
Kathy and I were impressed by the Tri-City Dog Park Society. This organization was established a little over a year ago to promote, establish and maintain dog parks in the Greater Tri-Cities. A dog park is a recreationally designated fenced area where dog owners can let their pets exercise off leash. We saw dogs racing around enjoying the fun of being with other dogs. The dog owners were busy talking to other dog owners, watching their pets having a good time, sharing stories and experiences as well as joining in the fun with their four-footed family members. We both wished we had brought our dogs with us. A Dog Park like this is much needed in the Tri-Cities for dog owners and would-be dog owners. There is no charge for taking your dog to the Dog Park, but you can become a member of the Society for only $25.00 for a one year membership. This is the only organization that organizes dog park opportunities in the Tri-Cities. For more information look up www.dogspark@aol.com
Sagemoor Kennels with its booth is ready to go on the road! If you know of an opportunity for us to show who we are, please let us know. It was fun to meet new people, their pets and to get a taste of other aspects of the pet world. What about Cats?
HOLIDAY HOURS
WE ARE CLOSED ALL DAY 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 THEREFORE WE CHARGE FOR THE WHOLE DAY ON THOSE OCCASIONS.
WE ARE OPEN FOR CLIENT SERVICES AT THE FOLLOWING HOURS
Monday — Friday 9 a.m. — 6 p.m. with Check out time at 1 p.m.
Pets picked up after 1 p.m. will be charged for another 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 we will ask for picture ID.
While these hours are when we are open for Client Service, please be assured we are working additional hours feeding, walking, cleaning, medicating, checking water bowls, more cleaning and feeding and just making sure your pets are getting all the attention they need and deserve. We are on site twenty-four hours, seven days a week..and we wouldn't have it any other way!
If you need to reach us when we are not open, please leave a message on our answering machine. We check for messages several times a day. We also can be reached through our email address — newzealmom@aol.com.
Don't forget our web site — www.sagemoor.com — you can make your reservations there too.
GROOMER'S CORNER — or CECILIA SAYS...
BOOK EARLY, BOOK NOW. Allow at least ten day's lead time for an appointment. If you have a boarding reservation for the Holidays and want grooming too, please call for a grooming reservation as soon as possible. Cecilia is very popular and she just can't fit in a 10 day week into the 7 day week the rest of us have to put up with.
She has a suggestion for new clients — and regulars too. If you have some special request for how you would like your dog to be groomed — special shampoo, length of cut, whiskers or tail — if you could put it in writing, bring a picture, do a drawing. This way everyone can avoid surprises.
FOOD
"A well trained dog will make no attempt to share your lunch. He will just make you feel so guilty that you cannot enjoy it" Helen Thomson
We feed NATURAL CHOICE pet food but are happy to serve your pet with whatever food you bring. Please tell us (in writing if possible!) how you want your pet fed so that we can keep as closely as possible to the home schedule. It is wise not to introduce your pet to any new foods while boarding because they may upset your pet's digestion.
Some pet owners are feeding RAW MEAT to their pets. In these circumstances we ask that you talk to our manager, Kathy McGuire, or to Jenepher or Louis Field, regarding our requirements for feeding raw meat. Because of the extra care we must take with a raw meat diet we charge for this service.
BOOK TALK
Last Newsletter I recommended a book — "Old Dogs Remembered" Edited by Bud Johns. I bought it and have loved the many remembered dogs in it by an enormous 'litter' of authors — James Thurber, John Updike, Eugene O'Neill, John Cheever, Raymond Carver and others. Here is one of my favorite sentences — I'd give you the whole thing, but you must get the book for yourself. Oh, and have the Kleenex close by.
"The poodle had no vices that I can think of, unless you could count her incurable appetite for the tender tips of the young asparagus in the garden and for the black raspberries when they ripened on the bushes in the orchard... She never snarled about the penalties of existence." James Thurber. I can see her white teeth plucking the fruit.
Have you been following "The Dog Whisperer"? The first season series is now on DVD. Look on the web for a purchasing source. I think I found it through Amazon.com. Good Christmas gift suggestion?
COMMUNICATIONS
While on the subject of electronic communications here are a few words about email and phone messages. These few suggestions will help with communication.
- I do not open email messages that have no subject in the subject line
- Your pet's name is not enough of a subject — "Lucy" is not enough when we have so many boarders by that name
- "Boarding Reservation" always gets my attention
- An uncommon email address or one that makes no sense may get passed over
- Phone messages on the machine. Please leave your name, phone number and brief message — and most important please leave your phone number TWICE speaking slowly. So often we can get the first three numbers and then the rest is unclear.
- If you are leaving your cell phone as your emergency number, please remember to check it for messages several times a day. If your pet has some emergency we need to get in touch with you as soon as possible. If you are up in the mountains or on a sailboat in the China Seas, then have some one else designated who can make decisions for you regarding your pet.
KEEPING YOUR PET HEALTHY
If only they could talk! They would be able to tell us when they don't feel well, when their heads ache, their tummies don't feel good, or their paws have collected stickers — or whatever it is that is making them 'growly' or curl up in a corner and not want to play. But they do tell us, only we have to watch closely to understand what they are telling us. It is easy to recognize the paw that is held up for a sticker to be removed, the food left uneaten, the diarrhea. And if we take the time to run our hands lovingly over backs, around ears, over the tummy turned up to be rubbed, and down legs, then we may find the lumps and bumps that may or may not mean anything. This might be the time to call your veterinarian.
Your Veterinarian is — next to you — your pet's best friend when it comes to health. Be sure to follow his or her instructions especially regarding medications. If you are boarding your pet please make sure we have your veterinarian's name as well as any health problems or medications being prescribed.
Vaccinations and an annual physical check-up go a long way toward keeping our pets healthy. At the same time, when we watch for the signs our pets give us when they are not feeling well, they we can prevent small problems from growing into serious ones.
"In the middle of a world that has always been a bit mad, the cat walks with confidence" Rosanne Amberson, 20th century writer
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU ALL AND TO YOUR FOUR FOOTED FRIENDS FROM ALL OF US AT SAGEMOOR KENNELS
Louis and Jenepher Field — Owners
Kathy McGuire — Manager
Jenepher Field — Newsletter Editor
Cecilia Stickler — Groomer
Staff — Angela Sharp, Claire Cielo, Lori Mattox, Mary Ellen Coulson, Mary Skinner, Natalie Richins
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