End of Summer 2008 Newsletter - Volume 4. FAREWELL TO SUMMER! Brutus Belton playing in the sprinkler

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1 End of Summer 2008 Newsletter - Volume 4 FAREWELL TO SUMMER! Brutus Belton playing in the sprinkler We hope you had a wonderful summer!!!! We enjoyed spending our summer with lots of new campers, and many veteran campers. We expanded our play yards, added a couple more kiddie pools, & play equipment, and all just in time to start our summer season. We loved playing in the water on those really hot days. The campers loved the mist setting on the water hose. Some times, on those brutally hot days, we even misted ourselves (the dogs thought this was especially funny) Many campers thought the best thing to do was to jump in the pool, and then come give all the camp counselors a Big Hug! Whoever said, dogs don t play practical jokes? You can tell how much fun we all had, as you look at the expression on Brutus Belton s face (mastiff pictured) it pretty much sums it all up, in a picture. We had a lot of laughs these past few months. As we say good-bye to summer 2008, we hope that you enjoy this newsletter, and all the funny photos. Let the smiles begin...

2 TRAINING FIELD What is Clicker Training? Have you seen the dolphins or killer whales perform at Sea World? If you have, then you have seen the principle of Clicker Training in action. The only difference is the trainers use a whistle instead of a clicker. Most people automatically think that the whistle is a command to get the animal to perform a behavior. WRONG! What the whistle really is, is signal or cue to the animal that it just did something right, and it should swim over to the trainer for a treat for a job well done. The term "clicker training" was coined by Karen Pryor, a marine mammal trainer, who helped bring clicker training techniques to the world of dog training. It is a way to engage your dog's happy cooperation and turn his mind on to learning. Clicker training is a pleasant, positive way to train. Instead of having to punish a dog's mistakes (as with traditional training methods) we instead look for good behaviors to reward. This means no physical corrections are necessary. In clicker training, a distinctive click-sound is used to mark the desired behavior. A reward, most often a tasty treat, is given immediately after the click. The dog learns that the click means a reward is coming. Because the click "behavior marker" can be sounded at the precise moment the dog does the desired behavior, it sends a very clear message. The dog learns that whatever he was doing at the moment the click sounded will earn a reward. This makes him want to repeat the behavior. It becomes a game for the dog, trying to make the handler click his behavior. Clicker training is low stress, fun, and highly rewarding for dogs and handlers alike. Clicker training is fun and works great for teaching new behaviors and also for changing bad habits. BASIC CLICKER TRAINING COURSE Camp Bark is now proud to offer a six week Basic Clicker Training course. A clicker is a small plastic box with a metal tab that makes a clicking sound when pressed. The click acts as a marker, to let your dog know the exact moment he is doing what you want. Throughout the course your dog will be able to learn to Sit, Down, Stay, Come, Walk on Leash, Leave It and Give. Tuition for Basic Clicker Training is $150, which includes: clicker and bait bag. Saturdays 10/11-11/15 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM To register, please call

3 Dear Frankie, As a dog lover, and newcomer to Charlotte, I am looking for ways to volunteer my time with organizations that can combine my love of animals, and help out a worthy cause. I am astounded at the number of strays, that I encounter on a daily basis. I already have three dogs and a cat. How can I help homeless animals, without actually adopting them, or bringing them into our home? Signed, George E. (former New Yorker) That s an excellent question George, and just so happens to be a topic, that s close to my heart. Camp Bark and its staff is dedicated to helping educate the community about the pet overpopulation problem. Most staff members, are actively involved with area rescue groups and volunteer at local animal shelters (many high kill shelters). We foster dogs that we pull out of shelters, or find on the street. These pets actually stay at Camp Bark, until adopted. While being fostered, we work on training, socializing, vetting them, and often times, nursing them back to health. Rescue groups have many areas of need. Some of the current areas of need are: Transporting animals back and forth to vet appointments, assisting and organizing fundraisers, taking pets to adoption events, walking dogs, or helping to train or socialize fearful and sometimes previously abused animals. We currently have 5 foster dogs at Camp Bark, that need a forever home. Take a look at our current Wish list of items you can donate: Cat and Dog food Cat Litter Towels and Blankets Dog and Cat Bedding Collars and Leashes Toys and Treats Pet Carriers and Crates. Dog houses for Chained Dogs Gift cards Rescue groups are non profit organizations, that rely on donations, in order to provide housing & vetting for the animals in their programs. They can't survive without your help. Monetary donation are ALWAYS needed, and necessary, to further the cause. Please remember to mention us, if you have a friend or neighbor, looking to adopt a furry family member. We would love to help them find the right pet for their family. Check out some of our favorite links below, and please do what you can! Peace, Frankie Animal Adoption League (Join us at Longhorn in Pineville for our next Monthly meeting, this Wed. Sept 17th at 7 pm) Friends of Feral Felines Dogs Deserve Better

4 Meet Mr. Wiggles! Mr. Wiggles is a 3 year old boxer with issues. He was a victim of an act of cruelty and his ears were chopped off. For this reason, he has shown some serious fear issues toward men (shocker huh?) He needs a specific type of home. He is great with women and kids...but is sometimes scared of loud noises. He is a small boxer that has the funniest personality. When he is happy to see you, his whole body wiggles (thus the name). He actually wiggles and twists so much, that his body forms a "U" shape, and his nub and head actually touch. It is absolutely hilarious! His nick name is Red, because he has droopy, sad, eyes. Mr. Wiggles has been at Camp Bark for over a year, and we are starting to feel discouraged that we will find him a forever home. Can you please forward to any boxer lovers that you know. Maybe there is still hope for Mr. Wiggles. Mr. Wiggles has asked us to include the following information in his plight to get adopted! (Remember these are his words not ours) Ideal Home: quiet, female only home ( I love the ladies) but would consider a couple with rescue dog experience, or experience dealing with abused pets. Nice men only. I also require a fenced yard (invisible fencing is not a suitable option), I hate shock collars. Indoor home only: The fluffier the bed, the better, I love to snuggle Other Pets: I love other dogs, horses scare me...man are they big! Fav orite treat: Anything with peanut butter Celebrity Twin: Don Rickles Fav orite Song: Can t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe by Barry White Please be sure to checkout

5 Name: Michalene Vranich Title: Camp Counselor Place of Birth: Youngstown, Ohio Pets: 1 Dog - Little Bit 2 Cats - Angel and Emmie Favorite part of the job: I love getting to interact with all the dogs that come to camp. And I love helping the foster dogs, like Riley O Lucky (pictured above and on find a new home. Experience: I managed the boarding facility of a animal hospital for over 6 years. Hobbies: In my spare time I like reading, writing, and gardening. Camp Bark is currently selling How to Afford Veterinary Care Without Mortgaging the Kids. This book contains dozens of eye-opening and money saving tips that will give you insight and choices in caring for your cat or dog. The price of the book is $19.95 and all profits benefit Animal Adoption League. If you would like to purchase a copy of the book please call Camp Bark This book is must have for all pet owners.

6 Happy 1 st Birthday CAMP BARK

7 Poor Little Squeak!!! Squeak is a 4 year old, Mini Doxie that has a very serious eye injury, which requires extensive surgery. Animal Adoption League has found a loving foster home for Squeak, and is trying to raise money in order to repair her eye. There is also the possibility that the eye may have to be removed, completely. Squeak was seen by our local veterinarian and she feels that Squeak should have this surgery done by an ophthalmologist, as it is quite extensive. Squeak has been referred to Carolina Vet Specialists, but unfortunately the surgery will be quite pricey. We are trying to raise donations, in order to get Squeak the care she needs, and deserves. Squeak has the sweetest disposition in spite of her injury, and the discomfort associated with it. She loves to give kisses and snuggle under the covers. We hope that you can help Squeak (short for Pip Squeak) It is our hope that she will make a full recovery, and go on to live a happy, and long life. Squeak will have the opportunity to be adopted once her eye has healed. Please pass this information along to all your dog loving friends together we can make a difference in the life of this sweet dog. You can make a donation on behalf of Squeak by donating through PayPal at the link below. If you would like to donate by check, then please make all checks payable to Animal Adoption League and mail to: Camp Bark P O Box 1353 Waxhaw, NC Animal Adoption League will send all who donate, an update on Squeaks progress, as well as a tax deductible receipt. Animal Adoption League is a 501 (C) (3) non-profit organization.

8 Milo Beerbower and Maddie Sorrells Monroe and Tess Darsey Pepper Windell Chloe Mullarkey The Ritchie Family - Ethel, Bingley, and Riley Bentley & Oliver Littell

9 Barnaby Quinn Chase Engelhardt Cookie & Sammi Utley Bentley Kempf Ember Goldberg

10 Shasta Wood Rocky Tunstall Cooper Spitz and Pongo Trogdon Charlie Prince Freddy and Nell McCreight

11 CAMPERS WE LL MISS Unfortunately we as Pet Owners have to face the harsh reality that one day we will have to say goodbye to our beloved companions. Camp Bark was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of some of our favorite campers. This newsletter is dedicated to the memory of Brownie Reising, Sandy Jackowitz, Buddy Habina, Shelby Martensen, and Ditka Papadopulos. We look forward to the day we can see their sweet faces again one day in heaven. So long for now dear friends, we will meet you on the rainbow bridge, never to be parted again. The Rainbow Bridge inspired by a Norse Legend Camp Bark Staff By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill, Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still. Where the friends of man and woman do run, When their time on earth is over and done. For here, between this world and the next, Is a place where each beloved creature finds rest. On this golden land, they wait and they play, Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day. No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness, For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness. Their limbs are restored, their health renewed, Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued. They romp through the grass, without even a care, Ditka Papadopulos Until one day they start, and sniff at the air. All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back, Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack. For just at that instant, their eyes have met; Together again, both person and pet. So they run to each other, these friends from long past, The time of their parting is over at last. The sadness they felt while they were apart, Has turned into joy once more in each heart. They embrace with a love that will last forever, And then, side-by-side, they cross over together. Buddy Habina