December 2006

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03f8dfc3.jpg"> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=82 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0408dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Greenbelt Kennels</B></FONT><B>     </B><B>|</B><B>     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Greenbelt Kennels"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id57.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="November 2006"><U>November 2006</U></A>   |   <B>December 2006</B>   |   <A HREF="id60.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="January 2007"><U>January 2007</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id58.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="February 2007"><U>February 2007</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id59.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="March 2007"><U>March 2007</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id61.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="April 2007"><U>April 2007</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id63.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="May 2007"><U>May 2007</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id64.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="June 2007"><U>June 2007</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id65.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="July 2007"><U>July 2007</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id66.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="August 2007"><U>August 2007</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id68.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="September/October 2007"><U>September/October 2007</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id72.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="November 2007"><U>November 2007</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id79.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="December 2007"><U>December 2007</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id81.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="January 2008"><U>January 2008</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=398 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0408dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>December 2006</I></div> <div> <B>Greenbelt Kennels</B></div> <div> <B>Waggin' Tails Doggy Day Care News</B></div> <div> <B>December, 2006</B></div> <bR> <div> Hello again! This is the second issue of our new, beefed-up monthly newsletter. Our aim is to bring you helpful, interesting information about day care-and dogs in general-in a fun, quick-read format. Please don't hesitate to contact newsletter editor Kellye Crocker (aka Cosmo's mom) if you have questions or issues you'd like to see addressed or information you'd like to share. (<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="mailto:Kelcrocker@mchsi.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:Kelcrocker@mchsi.com"><U><U>mailto:Kelcrocker@mchsi.com</U></U></A></FONT>, 278-5658)</div> <bR> <div> <B>In This Issue:</B></div> <div> • Ask Jean-Owner Jean Brown answers: What's in the new day care contract?</div> <div> • West Des Moines dog park tags-Time to renew.</div> <div> • Homemade Dog Treats-Apple Cinnamon Drops recipe</div> <div> • Breed Spotlight-Weimaraners</div> <div> • Dogs in the News-Spending on pets reaches an all-time high, a $7,000 doghouse and luxury pet services in Japan.</div> <div> • A Dog's Purpose-One of our day care Moms shared a vet's short, thought-provoking story.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Ask Jean: What's in the new day care contract?</B></div> <div> By now you should have received a new contract and information about Greenbelt Kennels day care policies and procedures. If not, it will be arriving soon. Please take time to look it over, sign and return to Jean at the kennel. Three changes take effect January 1:</div> <div> • Half-day care will be $10 (for any five-hour period).</div> <div> • Saturday and Sunday day care will be $20 per day.</div> <div> • A trip to the dog park will cost $5 per outing.</div> <bR> <div> The last one is the biggest change. A romp around the dog park is pure joy for many of your dogs, and we're glad to be able to offer these field trips. But along with rising gas prices, these outings also demand a great deal of employee time. Each trip, which lasts between 90 minutes and two hours, requires at least two employees. (This week we had four employees out at one time.) And they take between two and four groups of dogs out per day-depending on who's here and how much energy they need to burn. (We're talking about the dogs, not employees!)</div> <bR> <div> But only about half of our day care dogs participate in these outings. Charging for them will help defray the costs involved and will be fairer for all clients. Under our new policy, you will decide how often your dog goes to the park. Please let me know if you have questions. No business owner likes to raise prices, and I do all I can to keep day care affordable. I'm pleased to be able to keep the regular day care rates the same in the new contract.</div> <div> On a slightly different note, most of you are receiving your monthly invoices via e-mail. That e-mail address is “Gbkmonthlyinv”. Beginning with this newsletter, and next month's invoices, that e-mail address will be changed to “Gbkcommunique” to encompass both the monthly invoices and the monthly newsletter. </div> <bR> <div> <B>West Des Moines Dog Park Tags</B></div> <div> Pups who love the park need to wear their dog park tags, which are valid through the calendar year. Don't forget to buy a new one for 2007. To save you time, you can give us your filled-in forms and check, and we'll turn it in for you and get the spiffy new tag. You can find the paperwork here: </div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.wdm-ia.com/userdocsforms/Dog%20Park%20forms.pdf" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.wdm-ia.com/userdocsforms/Dog%"><U><U>http://www.wdm-ia.com/userdocs/forms/Dog%20Park%20Forms.pdf</U></U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >. You can pick up the forms at the kennel, too.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Homemade Dog Treats</div> <bR> <div> 'Tis the season for holiday baking. Why not whip up something special for your furry friends? Dog treat recipes abound on the Internet, but use caution. Some call for raisins and other ingredients that are toxic for dogs. This recipe comes from Two Dog Press, which Animal Planet tapped for one of its features on recipes for a dog party.</div> <bR> <div> But even with a reputable site you need to be careful. My first batch of Apple Cinnamon Drops was ruined when I accidentally put in half a TABLESPOON of cinnamon instead of half a TEASPOON. What's a little extra spice, right? But, just to be safe, I called the Animal Emergency and Referral Center in Des Moines. They said to dump it and start over. That much cinnamon could cause an upset stomach. My next batch, with just a hint of spice, received raves from our doggy day care tasters. (Except for one guy, who was more interested in taking a nap.)</div> <bR> <div> Apple Cinnamon Drops</div> <div> 1 large apple</div> <div> 1/4 cup honey</div> <div> 1/2 cup water</div> <div> 1/2 TEASPOON cinnamon</div> <div> 1 cup oatmeal</div> <div> 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour</div> <div> 1/8 cup whole wheat flour</div> <bR> <div> Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.</div> <div> Core, slice and mince the apple (use a food processor if you have one). In a large bowl, combine the minced apple bits, honey, water, cinnamon and oatmeal. </div> <div> Gradually blend in the wheat flour, adding enough to form a stiff dough.</div> <div> In a small bowl, put 1/8 cup wheat flour.</div> <div> Spoon the dough by rounded teaspoon onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart. (Note: I had some trouble with the cookies sticking to the pan. You might want to add a bit of nonstick cooking spray first.) Using the bottom of a glass dipped in the wheat flour (to prevent sticking), flatten each spoonful of dough into a circle. Adjust the size of the drops based on how big a treat you like to feed your dog.</div> <div> Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and flip each cookie to brown evenly on both sides. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees. Return to oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes. Let cool overnight.</div> <div> Makes about 3 dozen crunchy (read: hard as a hockey puck) cookies, depending on how big you make them. (I got twenty medium-sized round cookies from this recipe.)</div> <bR> <div> Whether your dog prefers sweet or savory, Two Dog Press offers lots of tasty treat recipes here: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.twodogpress.com/dogfood.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.twodogpress.com/dogfood.html"><U><U>http://www.twodogpress.com/dogfood.html</U></U></A></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Breed Spotlight: Weimaraner</B></div> <div> The Weimaraner (pronounced “VI-mer-ron-er”) is a sleek, medium-sized dog with a distinctive coat that comes in all shades of gray. One of our day-care “kids” is a blue Weim, and there also is a long-haired variety. Nicknamed the “Silver Ghost” or “Gray Ghost,” Weims trace their history to 19<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT>-century Germany, where they tracked and brought down big game such as bears and deer for the Grand Duke of Weimar and his court of avid sportsmen. Nowadays, fast, brave and powerful Weims still make excellent partners for hunting pheasant, quail and waterfowl. Their owners may also receive “presents” such as mice, birds, cats and other small animals, from the backyard.</div> <bR> <div> After the hunt, Weims prefer to relax inside with their “pack.” They are loving and loyal and want to be included in family activities. Owners must establish themselves as the kind-but-firm leader, though, or independent-thinking, spunky Weims will take charge. Highly intelligent, Weims can learn many tricks-some can even turn on a faucet to get a drink or open the refrigerator. But they also can be mischievous-such as teaching themselves to open a fence gate latch!</div> <bR> <div> Doggy day care seems custom-made for Weims, who can experience severe separation anxiety that often includes non-stop barking and destructive digging and chewing if left home alone for too long. They have enviable stamina and energy that calls for lots of exercise and play, and they are friendly, social creatures, who enjoy other dogs and people.</div> <div> Sources: Weimaraner Club of America, American Kennel Club, Weimrescue.org, dogbreedinfo.com, Wikipedia.com.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Dogs in the News</B></div> <div> • When Money's No Object</div> <bR> <div> What kind of doghouse can $7,000 get you? According to the Neiman Marcus 2006 Christmas catalog, a luxury home on wheels from Italian designer Marco Morosini made of poplar with an interior rug and matching wallpaper. Or, a 44-inch crystal case-it looks like a large, clear rectangle-outfitted with a tiny Italian leather pooch armchair. Both styles are limited editions, handcrafted by Italian artists for indoor use only and accommodate pups up to seven pounds.</div> <div> Sources: CNN, USA Today</div> <bR> <div> • Pet Spending at an All-Time High</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Will you buy Rover a holiday gift this year? According to The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, more than half (55 percent) of dog owners say they will. In fact, the trade association says pet spending has more than doubled from $17 billion in 1994 to an estimated $38.4 billion in 2006. To read more, see the group's press release:</FONT><A HREF="http://www.appma.org/press_releasedetail.asp?id=84" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.appma.org/press_releasedetail"><U><U> </U></U></A><A HREF="http://www.appma.org/press_releasedetail.asp?id=84" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.appma.org/press_releasedetail"><U><U>http://www.appma.org/press_releasedetail.asp?id=84</U></U></A></div> <bR> <div> • Not Just an American Thing</div> <bR> <div> The number of doggy day care centers in Tokyo increased 75 percent last year, according to a recent article in Scotland's Sunday Herald. But the story, titled “Japanese replace children with pampered pooches,” focuses mostly on expensive luxuries lavished on Japanese dogs, such as trendy outfits, spa treatments and pet resort hotels charging the equivalent of almost 400 U.S. dollars per night. The Japanese are spending record amounts on their pups, too-about double what Americans spend.</div> <div> Sources: Oct. 22, 2006, Sunday Herald, CNN money converter</div> <bR> <div> <B>A Dog's Purpose</B></div> <div> One of our day care Mom's passed on this short story in which a veterinarian describes a discussion with a four-year-old after the death of a beloved pet.</div> <bR> <div> I had been called to examine a ten-year old Irish wolfhound named Belker who was dying of cancer. The dog's owners, Ron and Lisa and their four-year-old son, Shane, were all very attached to Belker and were hoping for a miracle. After my examination, I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for Shane to observe the procedure. They thought he might learn something from the experience.</div> <bR> <div> The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without difficulty or confusion. </div> <bR> <div> We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why." Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.</div> <bR> <div> "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life-like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" he said. "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."</div> <bR> <div> * * *</div> <div> During the rush of the season, take a moment to give your dog an extra bit of love. How lucky we are to have them in our lives. Happy Holidays!</div> <bR> <div> Kellye Crocker</div> <div> Newsletter Editor and Cosmo's Mom</div> <bR> <div> P.S. Thank you for reading this newsletter! Feel free to forward it to other dog lovers. We respect your privacy and never share your e-mail address with anyone.</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>