Vol. 4 No. 2 Summer 2015 Boulder Loves All Creatures Great and Small Boulder does indeed love all creatures great and small as witnessed by the events they put on to fund the care and adoption of them. The Humane Society of Boulder Valley held their Puttin On The Leash event April, 25 at the Coors Event Center. The theme this year was A Whole Lot of Shakin Going On. The crowd was large and there for the little ones who can t help themselves The event started out with a wonderful food court of local businesses showing their stuff around the upper tier. Everything from breakfast samples, tacos and pizza was being handed out. Also on hand were the silent auction prizes which ran the gamut from artwork to gift baskets to pet necessities. The bidding was fierce as all tried to get that one or many things that was just to tantalizing to pass up. The big event though was the live auction, which had prizes from trips both to tropical oasis and mountain getaways and, to a week in France. Also on the block were fun stuff like a flight simulator package, a workout with Olympian Frank Shorter, dinner at the Boulder Cork and more. All in all, the event was a huge success and a great time was had by all. We encourage you to come to the event in the future, you ll be glad you did. Cottonwood staffers and guests who showed up for the event. Rhonda, Nathan, Shannon, Dan, Kyleigh, Leslie, Keri and Randy. Also there but not pictured were Pilar and Mathias. The next day, April the 26th saw the 15th Annual Canine Classic Run/Walk sponsored by MESA (Movement to End Sexual Assault) at the Boulder Reservoir. Umbrellas and raincoats ruled the morning Although the rain came, the temperatures were very good and the event came off without a hitch. Sponsor tents ranged from artwork and emergency care to banking and pet care. Music by The Last Men on Earth filled the air as the crowds strolled through the park checking out all the goods on display. A beer garden was also there to be enjoyed by all, as long as you had an ID on you. Cottonwood Kennels got there early to set up and drew a very good crowd with their beanbag toss game where participants won free daycare and pet toys. This event is always fun, and a great place to socialize with your dog, so put it on your calendar next year. Participants in the live auction filled the floor of the Arena Runners and their dogs take off in the rain
Page 2 Summer 2015 Advance Booking A Must for the Busy Times By Penny Vardell It s summertime again, and that means advance booking is a must do thing. Our weekends, especially Friday nights fill up three to four weeks in advance. Holidays even faster. Most of you know this and are quick to get in, but we still have to put many on the waiting list. We hate to have to do this, but space is limited to 125 dogs and we have to think of all their needs and comforts while here. July the 4th is a done deal, and the waiting list is growing and Thanksgiving and Christmas are starting to book now and will be booked up by August, so if you have plans for those holidays, the time to act is now. With all holidays, a non refundable advance prepayment is required the month before to keep the reservation open. All reservations that are not prepayed are put back in the hat and go to the waiting list. We are looking forward to a great summer and holiday season. A Trip to the Veterinarian By The Office Staff On occasion, pets that stay with us will need veterinary care. Reasons for vet visits vary from outdated vaccinations, pre-existing conditions, upset stomachs, minor injuries, and emergency situations. We work closely with all the veterinarians in the Boulder area, and if your veterinarian is not a local, or is unavailable, we have an excellent veterinarian hospital on call. If an emergency happens after regular veterinarian clinic hours, and your pet needs to be seen right away, we also work closely with The Boulder Emergency Pet Clinic and Alpen Glow. When you check your pet in for boarding, we ask that you sign a release form, authorizing us to act on your pet s behalf. We also ask for a good phone number to reach you, but if you happen to be unreachable, we will take your pet into the vet and have them treated to the fullest. We always send our most qualified and experienced staff members to accompany your animal during their veterinarian visit. These staff members are well versed on protocols and procedures, and ensure that your pet is getting the best treatment possible. Our staff prides itself on attention to detail, and if anyone notices something out of the ordinary, we will watch them closely and take action when needed. Once your pet returns to Cottonwood, we are happy to administer any oral. medications that may have been prescribed. If needed, we can also administer sub-q fluids, apply topical medications, and/or feed your pet any special diet that they may need. We also keep in close contact with the veterinarian that saw you pet, so we can keep them updated on any changes or improvements. It s Pest Season for Our Pets In Colorado, beginning in March and running through the warmer parts of the year, we need to be aware of some of the parasites that live on our pets. The most common include fleas, ticks. and lice. Fleas can infest dogs and cats, and in areas of moderate t o s e v e r e infestation, people can be bitten by fleas. An infestation that is severe and not treated can cause death to a pet due to blood loss (anemia). Also, histamine-like compounds in flea saliva irritate the skin and allergies to fleas develop in both dogs and cats. Ticks are usually m o r e o f a d o g problem than a cat p r o b l e m s i m p l y because of the cats grooming habits. It is a good idea to check your dog for ticks after they have been out on walks, especially if they have been into the bush and w a l k e d through long grass. Lice are parasites that live on the skin of an affected dog. They are actually a small insect that feeds by chewing on the skin of the dog or by sucking the blood. Left unchecked, they can grow to be an infestation on the dog s body. Dog lice can be transmitted from dog to dog contact. They are species specific, so will only spread dog to dog. See your veterinarian or pet care specialist for treatments to prevent your pet from getting fleas, ticks or lice Your pet will thank you many times over.
Page 3 Summer 2015 Play Dog 101 By Shannon Lavery The summer season here at Cottonwood means fun in the sun, for the regulars and new dogs alike. There are a few things to keep in mind when trying to decide if playgroup is right for your pup. Even if you dog is already a member of our small or large playgroup, there is always room for growth and improvement. At the core of the regular play dog is regular interaction and socialization with other dogs and people. While many think that playgroup is the place to learn these skills, it is not always the case. Playgroup attendants talk to their dogs to get their attention and ease a situation. It is important to have some groundwork laid out first, especially with rescue dogs and puppies. Though we are not trainers per se, we can certainly work with those pups that have issues and need to learn socialization skills. It is extremely helpful to the staff caring for your pet if they know a few simple commands such as no, leave it and come. These are best learned at home and will go a long way toward their socialization skills. While we are focused on fun, our main priority is safety. By preventing negative behavior and monitoring body language, we strive to prevent incidents before they occur. Helping them get to know each other is a great tool for socialization. With this In mind, there is a certain amount of self regulation we need from the pets in our groups to make this successful. Often times, we see dogs who are unable to take cues from the other dogs around them while they are playing. Knowing when to let up is important.. A little reassurance goes a long way in one that is a little smaller than the rest Dogs will often give slight warning signs when they ve had enough or want to rest. When a dog has trouble reading these signs, it can become problematic Last, but definitely not least on the safety issue, any aggressive or obsessive behavior can be a deal breaker. Both can result in unsafe situations for both the other dogs and staff. Rough play biting or nipping the other dogs or staff are behavior that can cause problems. All play group staff are trained to watch for these behaviors and act upon them immediately to make sure no escalation occurs.. A great alternative for a dog that would not do well in the group scenario is our pasture walks in our 4 acre pasture. One on one time in the pasture is a great alternative for some. dogs.. We have a pond and agility course where staff members take the dogs who need one on one time to exercise. They can still see and hear the larger group without having to deal with all the extra stimuli involved.
Page 4 Summer 2015 Preparation: The Key to a Comfortable Stay By Abby Buell The summer boarding season is upon us, and C o t t o n w o o d Kennels is happy to be your choice for both boarding and doggie daycare. Whether you are a regular with us or a new client, making sure your pup or kitty is prepared for their boarding stay is of the utmost importance. The first thing you should check is the expiration dates of your pet s vaccinations. We require dogs to be up to date with Rabies, Bordetella and Distemper vaccinations, and cats need to have Rabies and Distemper up to date. Your pet s safety while boarding with us is very important to us, and these vaccinations not only keep them safe, they keep the other animals boarding with us safe as well. Second on the list would be preparing what to bring with your pet for their boarding stay. If they are a first time boarder, bringing in an item that smells like you (a t-shirt or an old blanket are great options) can help them settle in and be more comfortable during their stay. We provide food, but if your pet has a medical diet or sensitive stomach, we usually suggest bringing in their own food to make sure a food change doesn t upset their belly. One of the foods we use, Diamond Lamb and Rice formula food as it is acceptable to most dogs dietary needs. We also like to be aware of any allergies your dog may have (food allergies, allergy to bee stings, etc). We want your animal to be comfortable and healthy while with us and knowing their medical history is a big part of that. When you come to check in with us, one of the first things we will ask is, Is there anything new going on? and Are they on any medications? Colorado Department of Agriculture rule require that all medications be stored in their original containers with original veterinarians instructions It is so important to inform us of any new medical conditions, medications or health issues, whether it be arthritis, thyroid problems or being prone to hot spots. Lastly, double checking your and your next of kin s contact information helps us immensely in the event we need to contact you. We want to have all the correct information in the event of a vet visit or even just to double check feeding instructions Above everything else, your pet s happiness during their stay with Cottonwood is the most important thing to us. Making sure we have all the information we need while they are in our care helps us achieve that goal. We look forward to another great summer spent with your furry friends! Your pet s own personal belongings, such as toys and beds, can make their stay much more comfortable here at the kennel. Reseal able food containers are required by the Department of Agriculture in the state of Colorado.
Page 5 Summer 2015 Notes From Playgroup By Pilar Heffelfinger Purrs from the Cattery By Connie Duras Meet the Cottonwood Family By Penny Vardell Rain, rain rain, seemed like it would never stop. One of the things we try to prepare all daycare parents for is that fact that here in Colorado, you just never know what a day may bring in the way of weather. Even though all our yard are astroturfed, dogs will still get dirty and wet. We do our best to clean them up before bringing them out to you, but sometimes they still look like they ve been in a muddy melee. The dog in the center is Willow. Willow in real life is a super white Golden Retriever. Well, not here after a day of play. Only her face is clean. When time permits, we can rush the dogs inside before the onslaught of a rainstorm, sometimes mother nature says nope. For some reason, the big dogs just get dirtier than the little guys, tough guy thing I guess. So we ll do our best to clean them up, but sometimes, they still might be a little damp, with a smudge or two. But you ll know they had fun!! How does my cat deal with it need for personal territory and the different scents of other cats, while at Cottonwood? Each cat has it own condo, cat pan, bed and water bowl. Their personal scent is always on and in this area. As soon as the condo and cat pan is cleaned and new litter is added, they scent it. again. Mitou in her territory during playtime The re-scenting of the condo begins with rubbing the sides of their face (which has scent glands) around the condo and bed. The litter is scented by walking in and pawing litter. There are scent glands in the pads of paws. Cats whether house, farm, street or jungles have always know how to share overlapping territory. While in the cattery everyone has personal playtime. The cats know play time is a safe time. The marking of the territory begins every time a new kitty comes out to play. Then by rubbing with face, body or paws adds their scent and territory belongs to them again. Another way cats mark their territory is by scratching. To ensure your cat does not shred your lovely sofa, you certainly don't have to declaw her. Instead, try keeping a scratching post nearby so she will have something to mark that is not the couch but still feels relevant to her. A scratching post kept in a corner away from high-traffic areas will probably be ignored James Bennett has been with CWK now for two years. He moved to Colorado from New York City where he was an EMT. He was also a dog sitter and dog walker. James not only brings a medical background to the kennel, but also a working knowledge of pets away from home. As a boy, James helped to care for and medicate the family dog Dadje and so began his knowledge of pet care at a very young age. He now lives with a 5 year old Aussie/ border collie mix named Loki. James and Loki can be seen hiking many of our Boulder county trails. James with Aria recently in playgroup At the kennel, James does everything from the front desk to playgroup and everything in between.. He is also a great pasture hand taking care of the sheep, chickens and even has to medicate our duck Bedhead. Other of his life experiences include time spent travelling in Europe, volunteer work in New Zealand running a transport for The Lab rescue. He now does volunteer work for Boulder Humane. His hobbies include hiking with Loki, playing softball and reading.
Page 6 Summer 2015 Farewell to Old Friends Recently we have had to say goodbye to a couple of our old barnyard friends. It is always a hard thing to do. Looking out and not seeing familiar faces that have been there. Our alpaca Nicholas, who has been a big presence in the pasture for almost 20 years, left us back in April. Complications of old age were contributing factors in his passing. Another one of our pasture regulars, Cap n Augustas Gus McRae left us back in March. Gus was one of our younger sheep, born in March of 2011 at a farm just around the corner on 75th Street. He was a bum lamb, born to a young mother who could not care for him.. Cottonwood Kennels Showroom We have a wide selection of items for your pets in our lobby. Nicholas familiar face, seen so often at our pasture gate. He had been feeling ill since January and our large animal veterinarian, John Flinchum, came out often over that period to medicate him and make him comfortable. Baby Gus hanging out in the Kennel office. Gus suffered a very quick and debilitating illness. Blood samples taken to CSU in Fort Collins showed that his kidneys were suffering a catastrophic collapse. Though we made him as comfortable as possible, his system shut down was more than could be dealt with in the end. Both Nicholas and Gus ashes now mingle in the pasture with their friends. We have Food, Treats and Toys for every size dog Nicholas guarding the sheep in his pasture We built a private enclosure for him off the barn and gave him a special diet of alfalfa. Even with all the care he received, Nicholas could not beat time. We will miss ol Nick s smiling countenance. A recent picture of Gus at the hay feeders. Next time you re in, shop around for your best friend. They ll Be Glad You Did