the Newsletter

Cottonwood Tails
Vol. 3 No. 1
_ _Spring 2014
Cottonwood to
Attend
Canine Classic
Daisy's
Visit Cottonwood
Boulder Daisy Troop 73920 came for a
visit on Monday, February 24. The troop
was researching information for their
Animal Care badge, and they came to
the right place to do it.
The girls also got the opportunity to
see Sage, our new little lamb, put away a
bottle of lambs milk. They heard how
Sage came to be at the Cottonwood and
how we cared for her.
The girls got a look at every aspect of
the kennel operations We also showed
them how we care for the pasture animals and wild birds and squirrels that
live around the kennel.
The girls watch Penny feed Sage lunch.
Troop 73920 pose for a group shot in the
kennel front area at the end of the tour
The girls started out learning about the
wild bird feeders and corn hangers for
the squirrels in the front of the kennel.
Next we headed out to the pasture to
meet the sheep up close. The wooly
gang was a little surprised at first, but
realized there might just be a good reason to come meet the little ladies as they
.
realized there was good crispy lettuce to
be had.
Next we all went into the kennel and
toured the dog runs and play areas.
Then it was up to the cattery, where it
was a little quieter. There, Rhonda fielded some questions and explained some
of the workings of the kennel.
It’s going to be that time again, time
for events in the outdoors. It has been
a long winter this year and the warmer
season will be quite welcome.
We will be starting our outdoor season at the 14th Annual Canine Classic
5k Run/Walk on Sunday, April 13,
2014, 9:00 a.m., at the Boulder Reservoir
The events web site at
www.canineclassicboulder.org says
“Canine Classic is a dog-friendly 5k
run/walk for participants of all ages. (A
canine companion is optional.) This is
a professionally chip-timed event that
can be used as a BolderBOULDER
qualifying time.
The 2014 event will again have live
music from local rock band Last Men
On Earth, a beer garden stocked by
Avery Brewing, great food, vendors
with exciting products, and topfinisher plus age-category prizes.
All proceeds benefit Moving to End
Sexual Assault (MESA); a Boulder nonprofit.
So come on out and join us, we will
look forward to seeing you there
Rhonda who was once a 2nd grade teacher
was in her element answering questions.
We wish the girls luck in their scouting careers. Having two Eagle Scout
sons and a Gold Girl Scout daughter, I
told them, and their parents, that the
rewards were many.
Willie is happy to accept the lettuce the
girls offered to him through the fence.
Cottonwood Kennels
7275 Valmont Road
Cottonwood feels lucky to be able to
contribute to such a great cause and
hopefully we have helped the girls on
their way to their Animal Care Badges.
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Penny and Corrie talking about the little
four legged munchkin with his mother.
Phone (303) 442- 2602
[email protected]
Cottonwood Tails
Page 2
_Spring 2014
Front Office Report
By Rhonda Beitzel
From Cottonwood to Beyond
By Kristin Jeffers
Kennel Manager
I’ve worked at
Cottonwood Kennels
for a little over 6
years. I have always
had a true love for
animals and my love
of working with them
has truly blossomed
while working at
Cottonwood.
Spring
is
right
around the corner.
We are getting some
beautiful sunny days
followed by very cold
and snowy ones.
Dogs are always
very welcome for daycare, although we
may not be going out to playgroup if it is
too cold. If we are not going out to playgroup, they will be set up in a warm and
cozy individual run.
They will also receive three private
playtimes with one of our staff. They
may also get a pasture walk, but that is
also dependent on the weather and if the
pasture is covered in snow.
Spring Break is rapidly approaching.
This is the exception for daycare as are
all winter holidays. We will not be able
to run small dog daycare during this
period. Due to the fact that we are
booked to capacity. Because of this we
will have no room for the daycares to
come in for a break.
If the weather is inclement, we will
not be running playgroup on those days
for large dogs either. In order to take
large dogs on cooler days, they must be
able to play outside all day, which is
dependent on the breed and their natural coats.
Spring Break this year will run from
Friday March 21 thru Sunday March 30.
We are sorry for any inconvenience this
may cause, but we must have room inside for the safety of the pets who are
here.
After spring break we are looking forward to warmer days and lots of outdoor
playtime for all of our little guests.
Cottonwood Kennels
7275 Valmont Road
Last March I embarked on a new avenue involving animals, I started veterinary technology school at Bel-Rea. Since
March I have been a full time student
going to school Monday-Friday and then
working at Cottonwood Kennels on Saturday and Sunday.
My classes have been a lot of hard
work but have also been very fun. It has
been fascinating to bring in the
knowledge I’ve learned throughout the
years at the kennel and be able to apply
it to the classes I’m in.
On the other hand I feel I’ve gained a
new confidence since I’ve started school
and have brought that to the work I perform at the kennel.
Kristin working the medications counter at
the kennel
I feel blessed to be able to continue
working at Cottonwood Kennels while
I’m in school I come in on Saturday
excited to fill in other staff members on
all the new things I have learned
throughout the week.
I also get to come in and wind down
from a hard week of school with all our
furry friends we have in and help care
for them while they are with us. It’s
been both fun and educational working at Cottonwood , giving me both fun
and useful memories to use in the future.
The knowledge I’ve acquired though my
schooling has been very helpful to me at
the kennel, and conversely, the
knowledge I’ve gained at the kennel has
helped me at school.
Whether it’s gaining a better understanding of the medications clients bring
in for their pets, how they work, why they
work, and exactly what the medication
does to work, helps me better identify
any conditions or issues that could come
about with an animal while they are with
us.
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Kristin spends some quality time with
Otis, one of the rescue dogs that have
stayed at the kennel. before finding his
forever home.
Phone (303) 442- 2602
[email protected]
Cottonwood Tails
Page 3
Spring 2014
Purrs from the Cattery
By Connie Duras
A Dog for All
Seasons
By Penny Vardell
Torties, torties, tortoiseshell OH
MY !!! Torties or tortoiseshell is referring
to a color. The classic torties coloring is a
striking blend of black red and pale red.
The exact configuration of colors is influenced by the mix of genes carried by
the female mother.
Why does my cat make funny
faces ?
It is usually because they are using the
vomeronasal organ which is an extra
scent organ at the back of their nasal
cavity. It is encompassed inside a bony
Cottonwood Kennels participates
each year in the Parade of lights. This
year we made some upgrades on our
float. One of which is the most beautiful new dog ‘Kenny the Kool Cottonwood Kennels Dog’.
or cartilaginous capsule which opens into
the base of the nasal cavity. The vomer-
Because of the complex genetic
makeup necessary to create the tortoiseshell mix of colors and all the variations,
the cat is usually a female.Torties appear
in any breed, full or mixed. They can be
longhaired, short or medium.
onasal organ or Jacobson's organ, is
an auxiliary olfactory sense organ that
is found in many animals
Gypsy
turned
a
year
old
her
first
stay in the
cattery.
She is the
classic
Gypsy in her beautiful tortie coat black, red
and pale red. She loved playing with toys
and spent a lot of time watching squirrels run along the fence.
Instead of putting him away until
next year, the staff decided he was so
beautiful that he should live in the reception room. They felt he should help
us celebrate the different holidays
throughout the year.
This funny face is called Flehmen
response. They pull their gums back,
then press their tongue against the roof
of their mouth. This allows them to
force air through the vomeronasal organ to concentrate smell there.
His first job since Christmas is being
the Valentines Dog, and soon afterwards he will become the St Patrick’s
dog and so on. The staff is looking forward to having fun with his outfits until
once again he becomes the most beautiful dog in the Parade of Lights. We
hope you have fun with him too.
.
Hannah peaks out from her hiding place
The Grand Lady Hannah is a sweet 19
year old. Her variation is a bright orange
and yellow body with patches of black on
shoulders hips and sides. She loved to sit
behind a plant in the west window and
watch the small dogs play
Cottonwood Kennels
7275 Valmont Road
The vomeronasal organ is mainly
used to detect pheromones, chemical
messengers that carry information between individuals of the same species.
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Terry, Linda, Matt, and Shannon, ‘Kenny’s’
Parents’ pose with him as ‘Valentine Dog’
Phone (303) 442- 2602
[email protected]
Cottonwood Tails
Page 4
__
Mikes Canine
Culinary Corner
Notes From Playgroup
By Pilar Heffelfinger
Playgroup Captain
Greetings
from Playgroup
Land! Everyone
is excited that
warmer weather is popping
up here and
there, but those
cold days are
still ahead.
By Mike Thorpe
Hypothermia, frost bite (tails, ears,
nose, feet), and broken toenails due to the
frozen ground are very real risks, and we
do all we can to make sure your pooch
gets to play safely. Generally speaking, if
it is too cold for you, it is too cold for your
dog.
Dog coats
can help out
your
pup,
and we love
seeing them
play in the
latest
fashions.
We
have a few
we can pro-
When it is warm enough, all our
four-legged friends head to the play
yards for some fun, but when it’s too
cold we take a different course of action.
For the small dogs, we have an indoor-outdoor area for the dogs to play
and visit with each other. There are still
toys, a play structure and other fun
activities.
Large Dogs receive lots of one-onone play time on those days when it’s
too cold to go outside. There are three
major factors we consider regarding
the cold and whether playgroup will
run: the temperature (if it is below
freezing or not), ground moisture
(snow/rain) and wind chill.
Spring 2014
vide in a
pinch, but
we encourage you to
bring your
A well dressed bunch
own. We also sell them in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and styles.
Vegan Veggie Treats
1 cup whole wheat or gluten free flour
1/2 cup dry milk powder
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 vegetable bullion cube
1/2 cup boiling water
1/4 cup finely shredded carrots
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Dissolve bullion cube into boiling
water.
In a large bowl, mix all
ingredients until dough begins to
form.
Place dough on lightly floured
surface and kneed 2 or 3 times.
Roll dough to approximately 1/4
inch thick and cut dough into
forms with cookie cuter.
Put 10 cut out forms onto a lightly
greased pan, bake for 4 to 6
minutes at 225 degrees, checking
for doneness (ovens may vary).
Remove treats, allow to cool
before serving.
Store extras in cookie jar or zip
lock bags.
Louie and Dozer sporting their matching coats
If you are ever uncertain about
whether or not we are having group
play, feel free to give us a call.
Kate hangs out with Cisco on a cold day
Cottonwood Kennels
7275 Valmont Road
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Boulder, Colorado
Phone (303) 442- 2602
[email protected]
Cottonwood Tails
Page 5
It’s not just a Kennel
It’s a Zoo !!!
When you think of a boarding kennel,
you think of dogs and cats. Right ? Nope.
You have to broaden your horizons of
thought. It’s a zoo.
At Cottonwood Kennels, we get to see
a lot of pets. Most have 4 legs bark or
purr. But some of them whistle, or just
don’t say anything at all.
We have a few guinea pigs who take
an occasional vacation with us also.
One who we see on a regular basis is
Peanut, who comes in with four legged
canine brother Tesla.
We have several rabbits that visit us on
a regular basis. Bunny’s are a peaceful lot
as a whole. Sometimes they will nibble a
finger here or there, but they are a pleasure to have around.
Peanut poses for a photo. He’s gotten
used to the pet paparazzi by now.
Oreo and Snowflake having lunch in their
neighboring rabbit homes one February day.
Birds are another of the visitors we see
at the kennel. From African Grays to
Cockatiels. They certainly liven up the
backroom with their whistles and antics.
We also get to catch up on all the latest
news while papering the bottoms of the
cages. Just last week I read in there that
some family had donated 10 million dollars to canine cancer research.
One of the more rare pets we have
kept with us was Gwendolyn, the
hedgehog. She was a very sweet little
visitor and everyone loved getting to
check her out every day.
Gwendolyn shyly resting in a bowl while
her house is cleaned.
So, with all the dogs, cats, birds,
small mammals and such inside, and
all the wild birds squirrels, sheep,
chickens, ducks, a peacock and an
alpaca outside, you can see why it’s
more of a zoo than a kennel. And it is
fun to work here.
So the next time you come in, you
should see us in a different light.
__Spring 2014
Meet the Cottonwood
Family
By Penny Vardell
This month I would like to tell you
about Connie ‘The Cat Lady’ Duras.
Connie started her run here at Cottonwood back in 1985. as a groomer.
After 23 years as a groomer, she
made the transition to regular kennel
staff and instead of going to the dogs,
she went to the cats.
Connie spends most of her time up
in the cattery caring for the kitties and
also supervising others in their care. It
is not a rare sight to walk up there and
find
Connie
rocking
a
nervous cat in
the
rocking
chair to calm
it down and
make it feel at
home.
Connie spending time
with a feline guest.
W h e n
things are slow
upstairs, you
will find her helping to run the front
desk and monitoring the dogs in the
back. She makes her walks to see that
they are all healthy and have all they
need.
Connie has a really large dog of her
own named Marley that she got here at
the kennel. She has two cats that she
got here at the kennel too. They are
Belle, an orange tabby and Crazy PSI,
a beautiful gray cat.
Some of Connie’s hobbies are the
theatre, movies, reading and gardening. Connie also loves the spending
time outdoors.
Connie really loves what she does
here at the kennel and it shows. We
feel very lucky to have her with us.
‘ Doody’ contemplates his day during a visit.
Cottonwood Kennels
7275 Valmont Road
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Phone (303) 442- 2602
[email protected]
Cottonwood Tails
Page 6
Jack’s Story
Our
Bar nyard
Friends
We now have a new baby lamb. She
was born on Super Bowl Sunday and
her name is Sage. She is a Navajo
sheep that was rejected by her mother.
Spring 2014
By Penny Vardell
This story starts out with a man who
works with horse rescue. He went to
rescue a horse when he was told about
a puppy that was running loose on the
grounds.
He and his girlfriend Anna offered to
adopt Jack. Because of the strong bond
that the family saw between Jon and
Jack, they felt comfortable with the arrangement.
He managed to catch the little guy
and in the process found all of it’s litter
mates dead. The puppy was about 6
months old and in need of lots of attention, love and food.
Sage’s first run out in the snow.
Sage is being bottle fed and raised in
the house. She thinks she’s a dog as
she has 4 four legged siblings that live
here along beside her.
I will tell you, raising a baby lamb is
somewhat like raising a baby human.
Lots of mixing milk, bottles every 4
hours, and accidents here and there
on the floor. Wish they made lamb
diapers, that would help.
But it is a labor of love and someday
our little Sage will take here place with
her wooly siblings out in the pasture
and this will all be a pleasant memory.
He was given the name Jack, and
went to live with his rescuer. All was
well for a while, but being a Heeler, he
began running the horses. In the process, he taught the other family dogs to
do it also.
It became apparent that he needed
another home. So Jack moved in with a
family friend in the city. It was then that
he began to come out to Cottonwood to
play.
As a result of his time in playgroup,
he developed
a strong relationship with
Jon, our playgroup manager. In the
meantime,
things weren’t going well
at home as he
became possessive and
aggressive
Jon and Jack spend time t o w a r d
strangers.
together in playgroup
Jack learns to stay with Jon’s guidance
Not long after they adopted Jack, Jon
and Jack were caught up in the big
flood up in Four Mile Canyon and had
to flee to safety. The house was destroyed, but their bond was strengthened even more.
Jon. Anna and Jack have all really
worked hard to make a home together.
Many days were spent out in the kennel
pasture with the family all bonding together.
Jack will always be a work in progress, but things are going really well
for him now. He is now happily living
with Jon and Anna and their ‘crazy cat’
Shadow. We are all sure Jack will become the dog Jon knows he can be.
Trainers were brought in, but to no
avail. They suggested euthanasia, and
the family had to make a big decision.
This is when Jacks life took a fateful
turn.
Nicholas meets three day old Sage.
“ So, who are you ?” Nick asks.
Cottonwood Kennels
7275 Valmont Road
Jon stepped in and offered the family
an alternative because of his love for
Jack.
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Jon and Jack working in the pasture
Phone (303) 442- 2602
[email protected]