The Difference You Make! One “Suite” House

Winter 2012/2013
Upcoming Events!
Pet’s
Birthday
Book Your
The Difference You Make!
The Animal Keeper and Pet Suites
support pet adoptions. There are
approximately 3 to 4 million cats
and dogs euthanized annually due to
overpopulation. When you adopt an animal
you are potentially saving a life. From time
to time we have the privilege of boarding
some of these very special creatures as
they transition from foster to permanent
home.
today! - Ask about
packages designed for older dogs.
ONE PER CUSTOMER
Ask about other Club Woof-Woof offers!
“Vincent Van Gogh”
Adopted and rehabilitated
K9 Soldiers: Loyal, Brave
and in need of your assistance.
Please take notice of our K9 soldier display at your
Animal Keeper or Pet Suites location this holiday
season. These loyal warriors have served their
country and are the focus of our holiday program.
When you donate a “Dog Tag” (for $5 or more) your
generous donation assists with supplies for active,
deployed military service dogs.
- Holiday Photo Op Included when you purchase a Santa Package!
Vol. 11
The really beautiful part is once they
have been adopted many come back
and stay with us or go to camp and
play groups. It is amazing the transition
we see. The haunted, longing look they
have when they first come in amazingly
gets replaced when they are adopted, with
these shining eyes and open mouthed smiles
that you know only comes from an abundance
of love and affection.
This past summer we had the unique opportunity to
have a guest stay with us in one of our San Diego locations that had experienced a
few brief moments of fame about a year ago, when all the local TV stations covered
his story. He was found severely wounded and near death because someone had cut
his ears off with a pair of scissors. Fortunately, there was a happy ending. He was
adopted and rehabilitated to this wonderfully happy, loving dog that loved camp and
all the play and activity it had to offer. His owners named him Vincent Van Gogh
after the famous artist, who during a bout with depression cut off the lower part of
Continued on back page
One “Suite” House-Call!
Let us Introduce Dr. Randall Bondurant: Born and raised
in Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. Randall Bondurant began
working for veterinarians while still in high school as
he considered a career in Veterinary Medicine. After
completing his Doctorate Degree at the University of
Auburn’s School of Veterinary Medicine, he and his wife
Mindy moved to the Atlanta area in 1985. He worked
for other veterinarians as he developed an idea for a full
service, high quality animal hospital.
He successfully opened his first practice in the Atlanta area
in 1988 and continued to grow and develop the practice into an
Continued on next page
Continued from front page
extensive and thriving business. After 23 years of managing this prosperous
clinic and sending two of his daughters off to school in California, Dr.
Bondurant and his wife entertained the idea of opening a new practice out
West. He is now focused on spreading his knowledge and expertise to South
Orange County with OC Animal Medical Center, located in Laguna Beach
(949-464-1000). He is a member of the AVMA, CVMA, SCVMA, AAHA.
and is active in continuing education.
And now providing Concierge Pet Care at Pet Suites Pet Resort.
That’s right! If your pet needs medical care while staying with us Dr.
Bondurant will make a house-call to check out your pet and make sure it
gets the medical attention needed in the most expedient and professional
manner. This does not mean that your pet cannot be taken to your vet if
that is your wish, it simply means that he doesn’t have to be transported
unnecessarily, which
many times adds more
stress and discomfort for
the pet. Dr. Bondurant’s
years of experience will
allow for a professional
assessment and allow him
to advocate for your pet,
with your veterinarian,
should the need arise,
or treat your pet in an
emergency situation.
Training Time Isn’t Always for the Dogs! Someone spins the wheel,
answers a question correctly and wins a prize. A team builds a structure concept
model with our furry friends in mind. A puzzle serves to foster creativity and
teamwork. No this isn’t a game show or science fair, but rather one of our monthly
training sessions. In addition to the training received in the play yards, runs and
various aspects of our facility, our team spends time in the classroom preparing
to provide the best care possible for our guests. From
first aid to breeds and behavior, there are many
aspects of quality care which are reviewed and
studied every month. To learn more about our staff’s
training and qualifications, please ask our manager
upon your next visit. We are proud of the care we
provide for your pets and appreciative of the trust
you have placed in us for OVER 40 years!
Playful paws welcome new turf.These
pictures of happy campers were shot in our
Oceanside and Encenitas locations, where the
play yards received new turf. Whether your
pet is relaxing or in the middle of the fun, it’s
a great place to spend some time. Our separate
areas for Big Dog camp and Tiny Tots see a lot
of action from our guests, and we like it that
way! So bring in your pal and let ‘em wear
down our new turf. We’ll make more!
Mutt Mail
Have a
HazardFree Holiday
Season!
Holly, Jolly and Oh-So-Safe! Of
course you want to include your furry
companions in the festivities, pet parents,
but as you celebrate this holiday season,
try to keep your pet’s eating and exercise
habits as close to their normal routine as
possible. And be sure to steer them clear
of the following unhealthy treats, toxic
plants and dangerous decorations. Help
keep your pet safe by following a few of
these suggestions from the ASPCA, and
have a safe, happy holiday season for the
entire family.
O Christmas Tree-Securely anchor
your Christmas tree so it doesn’t tip and
fall, causing possible injury to your pet.
This will also prevent the tree water—
which may contain fertilizers that can
cause stomach upset—from spilling.
Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground
for bacteria and your pet could end up
Holiday Season Hints
from Penny
Do you approach the holiday season
with a mixture of delight and dread? I
bet the thought of your bouncy canine
companion meeting your grandmother
at the front door really reduces your
anxiety, right? Way less stress when you
think about him and party platters of
food set out around your family room?
No? That actually makes you a little bit
concerned?
Not to worry- here are some helpful
holiday hints.
Solutions for behavior issues fall into
two categories— Management how we tweak the dog’s schedule and
environment so it’s easy and fun for
him to make the right choice, and hard
for him to make the wrong choice—and
Training - teaching your dog new skills
that act as problem solvers or problem
preventers.
The great thing about management is
Winter 2012/2013 • Vol.11
with nausea or diarrhea should he imbibe.
Tinsel-less Town-Kitties love this sparkly, light-
catching “toy” that’s easy to bat around and carry
in their mouths. But a nibble can lead to a swallow,
which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe
vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery. It’s best to
brighten your boughs with something other than tinsel.
No Feasting for the Furries-By now you know not
to feed your pets chocolate and anything sweetened
with xylitol, but do you know the lengths to which an
enterprising fur kid will go to chomp on something
yummy? Make sure to keep your pets away from the
table and unattended plates of food, and be sure to
secure the lids on garbage cans. Make sure guest
purses, bags and coats which might contain gum,
candy or other human treats are stored up off the
floor and out of reach.
Toy Joy-Looking to stuff your pet’s stockings? Choose
gifts that are safe.
•Dogs have been known to tear their toys apart and swallowing the
pieces, which can then become lodged in the esophagus, stomach
or intestines. Stick with chew toys that are basically indestructible,
Kongs that can be stuffed with healthy foods or chew treats that are
designed to be safely digestible.
the intestines, often necessitating surgery. Surprise kitty with a new ball that’s
too big to swallow, a stuffed catnip toy or the interactive cat dancer—and tons
of play sessions together. Check out our retail section for some
fun gift giving ideas.
Forget the Mistletoe & Holly-
Holly, when ingested, can cause
pets to suffer nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Mistletoe can cause
gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. And many
varieties of lilies, can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested.
Opt for just-as-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic, or
choose a pet-safe bouquet.
Leave the Leftovers -Fatty, spicy and no-no human foods, as
well as bones, should not be fed to your furry friends. Pets can
join the festivities in other fun ways that won’t lead to costly
medical bills.
That Holiday Glow-Don’t leave lighted candles unattended.
Pets may burn themselves or cause a fire if they knock candles
over. Be sure to use appropriate candle holders, placed on a stable
surface. And if you leave the room, put the candle out!
Wired Up-Keep wires, batteries and glass or plastic ornaments out of
paws’ reach. A wire can deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock and a
punctured battery can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus, while shards
of breakable ornaments can damage your pet’s mouth.
House Rules If your animal-loving guests would like to give your pets
•Long, stringy things are a feline’s dream, but the most risky toys for a little extra attention and exercise while you’re busy tending to the
cats involve ribbon, yarn and loose little parts that can get stuck in
party, ask them to feel free to start a nice play or petting session.
it’s a get-it-done-right-now solution! Training is our
long-term solution, of course - great for your bond with
your pet, and, what’s more, it’s fun! But, it does take
time, so, in this article, we will focus on the quickies—
management to get you through the holidays. In
January—make sure to schedule that training!
Let’s take a look at some typical holiday hassles and some
management based solutions.
Pets can injure the Christmas tree and the
Christmas tree can injure pets!
The simplest possible game plan is to keep the dog and
tree separated. Choose a tabletop tree, especially if you
have young critters in the household. When they are sober
middle-aged animals, the risk will be less; opt for a less
spectacular tree, for now. Another option, if you really do
need to have an 8 ft tall Blue Spruce in the family room, is
to gate off the tree from the pets. Use an exercise pen with
garlands woven through it as your gate to make it look more
festive and less “prison-camp”.
If you don’t want to put your tree in a pen— you might
consider gating off the dogs. Of course, we don’t want the
dogs unduly restricted or isolated, so maybe the tree will
be in the living room, and the dogs will be gated into the
family room and kitchen area, where the family spends
most of their time. Do check that the set up will work for
Mutt Mail
Continued on back page
your dog before leaving him unsupervised—some dogs will sail
right over gates into trouble. (Call Penny at 949 497-7050 for more
individualized tips.)
Separating dogs and tree will also protect your Christmas
presents from premature unwrapping and ingestion!
Regular Exercise
To help your dog deal with general holiday chaos -the
excitement of visitors, lots of food at dog eye
level, staying home alone while you shop, etc
- make sure that your dog gets his regular
exercise, to the greatest degree possible,
even if you don’t get yours! That may
mean scheduling additional days at
“Camp”, or visits from a dog walker.
A great stress buster
for dogs
(and therefore for dog parents): Give
your pup his food in puzzle toys—
such as the Kong, or Kong Wobbler,
or the Buster Cube. (Visit www.
kongcompany.com for recipes and tips
for Kong stuffing.) Not only is the pup
too busy to spare any time for naughtiness,
he is also having fun! Even more significantly,
his potential stress is significantly reduced by the Continued on back page
Winter 2012/2013 • Vol.11
Mutt Mail
The difference you make...Continued from front page
his own ear with a straight razor.
Animals are incredibly resilient creatures capable
of giving so much love, affection, devotion and
companionship and yet ask so little in return. Many
of our employees have the privilege of owning a
rescue dog. I haven’t spoken to any of them who
regretted their decision. Many of our clients who
have rescued dogs did so because their previous pet
passed and they felt they were honoring that pet by
adopting another one and giving it a loving home
and possibly saving its life.
We would just like to say thank you to all of you who
have adopted a rescue pet, work in that field, or work
tirelessly to find them
new homes. You are
doing a great job!
Christie Ferris—Chief
Operating Officer
Pet Watch...Continued from inside
Put the Meds Away-Make sure all of your
medications are locked behind secure doors, and be
sure to tell your guests to keep their meds zipped up
and packed away, too.
Careful with Cocktails-If your celebration
includes adult holiday beverages, be sure to place
your unattended alcoholic drinks where pets
cannot get to them. If ingested, your pet could
become weak, ill and may even go into a coma,
possibly resulting in death from respiratory failure.
A Room of Their Own-Give your pet his own quiet
space to retreat to—complete with fresh water and a
place to snuggle. Shy pups and cats might want to hide
out under a piece of furniture, in their carrying case or
in a separate room away from the hubbub.
New Year’s Noise-As you count down to the
new year, please keep in mind that strings of
thrown confetti can get lodged in a cat’s intestines,
if ingested, perhaps necessitating surgery. Noisy
poppers can terrify pets and cause possible damage
to sensitive ears.
ENCINITAS
OCEANSIDE
Penny...Continued from inside
Winter 2012/2013 • Vol.11
engagement of his mind and body in a (dog) soul-satisfying predatory
task. (Seek, shred, ingest.) If you are going to be leaving your dog
alone more than he is used to, as you work through your holiday
to-do list, do leave him with a food-stuffed toy. (Or if he needs more
support than that, bring him over to spend the day with his friends in
Camp or day boarding.)
Tether Line- Another simple strategy that helps the pet parent—consider
using a tether line so your dog can hang out where you are, not isolated, but
not being a pest. Tether lines (sometimes called tie-downs) are short; chew
proof leashes (often made of plastic-wrapped wire). (www.pettethers.com)
You might attach a tether line a few feet from the front door, so that you
can call your dog over and attach him before opening the door to guests.
(This is a helpful part of our training solution, too—since he can’t come
forward to bounce on the guests, and we can then require that the dog be
four on the floor before guests greet him.)
A second tether line might be in the family room, either attached
to a heavy piece of furniture, or perhaps to an eye screwed into the
molding. Choose a location in which your dog will be out of the way,
but physically and behaviorally comfortable. Give him his bed, and a
food-stuffed toy, and he is good to go—sharing space, without being
a pest! (Note-use tethering ONLY when you are around to supervise.)
If your dog is fearful, avoiding or growling and barking at
visitors- While fear is usually treatable, fitting behavior mode into a
jam-packed holiday is probably not the best choice. Protect your pet,
your visitors and yourself by separation. Teach your dog to enjoy his
crate, or other quiet space, and escort him there - leaving him with
a yummy food-stuffed toy - before visitors arrive. Do not be talked
into allowing dangerous contact, even by well-meaning, dog-loving
guests. Once holiday craziness is over, let’s begin work on getting
your dog more comfortable.
Calming Aids- Take advantage of calming aids such as Adaptil (also
sold as Comfort Zone), and the Through a Dog’s Ear DVD.
Adaptil is sold with a diffuser, so you can fill the air with a comfort giving
synthetic pheromone that mimics the one secreted by mother dog as she
nurses her puppies. Adaptil helps most dogs to feel more comfortable.
The music in Through a Dog’s Ear has been scientifically designed to
help dogs stay calm (or calmer, anyway!).
With just a little planning and preparation, you and your dog can
enjoy Happy Holidays!
POWAY
www.theanimalkeeper.com
AK_Newsletter11_120512
© 2012 Animal Keeper Management