Newsletter Fall 2007 Edition
Editors CommentsLast October we started renovations project at 301 Sportsman Neck Circle. For the most part changes and additions are finished. We have a new sign that will be installed by the first of November. You can see a picture of this sign later in the newsletter. We still have some cosmetic things to do like painting and more landscaping. We also have added some new services here at the kennel. We now offer training, and we expanded the grooming service. You can read more about those on the designated area on the web site. We have expanded our hours to better accommodate you, our clients. We now have evening hours Monday thru Friday. These hours are by appointment only. Our team here at Wye River Kennel has grown. We would like to welcome Kelly Armstrong, our trainer, Andrea Cheezum, groomer, and Carrie Schultz, Pet Care Technician. You can go to the welcome page and read more about them. Also we would like to mention our support staff. Megan Wise, Megan Covington, and Kevin Wiggins. Megan Wise worked with us during the summer months. She attends Washington College and is part of the Equestrian Team. You will see Megan thru the year on busy holiday periods. Megan Covington is a senior at Centreville High School. She is also taking course with Chesapeake College. Megan might not be that visible with the kennel because she helps with the barn work, and yard work. Kevin has been with us since summer. Kevin is a senior at Weslyan Christian School. You may see Kevin on weekends during the year. Kevin plays soccer, basketball, and baseball at school. Yes, Bonnie Wilkinson is still part of the team. She not full time anymore, but if the timing of your visit is right you may see her here. A few changes on the rate pages have been the addition of giving medications. As you know we offer many discounts, and don’t charge for many other extras such as walks and playtime. David and I would also like to thank my parents Glenn (Sparky) and Joyce Reisinger for there help here at the kennel this past summer while David was away. And for you old timers that been coming here for ever, David’s mother, Olga is doing fine. She comes from time to time and helps. Another big change here on the property is the addition of the barn. We now offer boarding. You can read more about this on the horse boarding page of the web site. We are looking to add some additional fencing in the spring. We now have 4 pasture turn outs. Get your new pup after the holidaysby September Morn - Dog Fancy You’ve seen those Christmas cards depicting fluffy pups with red bows on their necks, front paws draped over the edge of the foil-wrapped gift box they’re sitting in. Adorable? Absolutely. But in real life, the holidays are not generally a great time to introduce a new puppy into your family. The first few days with a pup are an important time. She has just left her mother and siblings and needs to bond with her new family. It’s hard to give a new pup the attention she deserves when everyone’s focus is on the big holiday. Puppies don’t arrive housetrained. She’ll need to be carefully tended to when exploring her new home. Pups need lots of help at first to understand potty rules. Someone needs to watch her for clues that tell when she needs to eliminate and take her to the approved spot so she’ll learn where to go. It’s hard to notice a pup’s subtle clues with a holiday celebration going on. In a busy home with visitors coming and going, a new puppy can easily get underfoot and get stepped on or trip someone. Also, doors opened to welcome guests make it easy for a pup to slip out unnoticed. Fragile glass ornaments look like tempting puppy toys, but can shatter into sharp shards if she plays with them. Tinsel or ribbon, if swallowed, can cause intestinal blockages. Electric cords running strings of lights are often plugged into low outlets where they’re easily chewed by an exploring puppy - this can be deadly for a pup or cause a house fire. If you decide to give your family a puppy, don’t take her home amidst the holiday excitement. Instead, wrap up a collar, leash, doggie dish, some puppy toys, and maybe a photo of the pup. Put those under the tree for your family to unwrap. Then wait until the holiday festivities are over to actually pick up your new puppy. This accomplishes the puppy surprise, but allows time to make your home puppy - safe and to give your new pup the attention she’ll need to adjust. Making People Happy“People have a hard time achieving happiness in their lives. They tend to get wrapped up in their own little world. People get confused because they do not know what they need or want, and then depression sets in. Dogs do not have this problem. They know exactly what makes them happy - doing something for someone. They will do everything they can think of to please their human companion, and any signs that they have been successful make them very happy.” John Richard Stephens Once Upon a DogFollow the Yellow Brick Road - Responsibly By Bud Boccone - Dog Fancy We all love her, but let’s face it: Dorothy was an inept dog owner, a well-intentioned soul who failed to appreciate that along with the joys of dog ownership come certain responsibilities. Early in The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy runs away from home after Toto is busted for chasing the cat in Miss Gulch’s garden. She could have spared Auntie Em a lot agita if, instead of visiting that old fraud Professor Marvel, she had visited akc.org and downloaded our responsible dog-ownership materials. Dorothy’s big mistake is not knowing her dog. Toto is a Cairn terrier, a breed built to independently root out and dispatch furry varmints. Naturally, he takes keen interest in cats and gardens, not to mention cowardly lions - his breeding demands it. But with some obedience training, (Kelly Armstrong @ WRK), and an owner who knows what drives these fearless little exterminators, terrier can be loyal pets and good neighbors, even in Oz. Dorothy doubles her trouble by stubbornly refusing to leash her dog. Long after Dorothy knows she’s “not in Kansas anymore” and is a pawn in a cosmic struggle of good versus evil, Toto is still running around loose, fueling the prevailing chaos. Even with a squadron of flying monkeys in hot pursuit, the dear girl just doesn’t get it. By the film’s last reel, our heroine has learned many things. She has learned there are good witches and bad witches. She has learned there’s no place like home. But what has she learned of responsible dog ownership? There’s no sequel to Oz, so we don’t know if Dorothy mended her ways after clicking her heels home. Ideally, she bought a leash and joined the local obedience club. More likely, Toto was soon back in Gulch’s garden, chasing the cat and courting disaster. The truly hopeless dog owner never learns from experience. A nice kid, our Dorothy, with lots of heart and courage. If she only had a brain. Women Prefer HOT DOGS To cool guysAKC SURVEY FINDS DOG OWNERS LOOKING FOR CANINE QUALITIES IN HUMAN PARTNERS According to an AKC survey of dog owners, an overwhelming majority of women - nearly 90% - find at least one quality in their dog that they’d like to see in their significant other, while 34% of the women surveyed agreed with the statement, “If my dog was a man, he’d be my boyfriend!” When the question was posed to men, 33% said the number one canine quality they wished their women had is “always being in a good mood.” Fewer men than women (23%) agreed with the statement “If my dog was a woman she’d be my girlfriend.” Additional canine qualities women look for in men:
Additional canine qualities men look for in women:
Litter Box OptionsCats can be rather fussy about the conformation of their litter boxes and the litter material in them. Even minor changes (a new type of box or even a different brand of litter) can cause a cat to start eliminating inappropriately. So the box and litter need to be something your cat prefers, which may not be what you prefer. Types of Boxes
Types of litter
Each of these options has a different “feel” to a cat, and your cat will have a preference. The easiest way to determine what your cat prefers is to place several litter boxes in proximity to each other with different litters. Then observe which one your cat will use most readily. As a general rule, each cat should have a litter box, plus one extra in the household. In other words, two boxes for one cat, three boxes for two cats, etc. In a multi-level home, a box should be placed on each level for easy access for your cat. Replace the litter box every year or two; the plastic eventually absorbs odors that your cat may dislike. And scoop at least once a day - no one likes a dirty bathroom! Separation AnxietyDogs are social pack animals - they prefer being with others. Usually dogs learn to be alone for periods of time without a problem, but for some, being alone is unacceptable. Separation anxiety in dogs is much like a panic attack in a person. Symptoms usually start within 20-40 minutes after the owner leaves the home. Signs of separation anxiety include urinating or defecating in the house, scratching, biting, and digging at doors (sometimes until they break nails or teeth), barking and other vocalizations whenever the dog is left alone. Owners sometimes come home to find pillows, furniture or other household items destroyed. Separation anxiety is often triggered by a major change in a dog’s normal routine or by a traumatic event (from the dog’s point of view). A few examples are: a new job that takes the pet owner away from home all day; an extended stay at a boarding facility when the pet has never been away from home; the death of a family member, especially one the pet was very close to; a family household relocation; or a child leaving for college. What To Do
The BreedsGolden Retriever
Temperament - Goldens demand attention from their owners, but they repay it with utter devotion and obedience. They are easy to train and their instinct to retrieve remains strong - and they will often bring their owners unexpected gifts! Golden Retrievers are such amenable, intelligent dogs that they are often selected to work as seeing-eye dogs for the blind or in other areas of pet therapy. They are reliable with children of all ages and enjoy plenty of play. Appearance - The distinctive golden coat may vary in hue from cream to pale gold or almost auburn, and may become lighter with age. It is usually flat or wavy, with feathering around the forelegs, and requires daily brushing to rake out dead hair; it is advisable to trim the hair around the feet, neck, and tail. The head is covered in short, straight hair, and the powerful muzzle is distinguished by a large black nose, with dark flews that droop naturally on the lower jaw. The eyes appear kindly and alert. Neat ears hang low and well back on the head.
Did you know? Golden retrievers are excellent swimmers, and during the nineteenth century they were bred to retrieve waterfowl. Their powerful muzzles hide a gentle mouth, ideal for game retrieval, and the thick tail is used as a rudder when swimming. 7 Steps to a Happier PetThe Humane Society of the United States, in its constant battle to end animal neglect, cruelty and abuse, encourages all of its members to take the following actions in support of animals:
AppaloosasThe Appaloosa’s heritage is as colorful and unique as its coat pattern. Although usually noticed and recognized because of its spots and splashes of color, the abilities and beauty of this breed are more than skin deep. For hundreds of years, humans have recognized and appreciated the colorful, spotted Appaloosa. In fact, ancient cave drawings of spotted horses can be dated as far back as 20,000 years ago both in European and Asian art. Similarly the story of the Appaloosa on the American continent began long ago. It started in the 1600s when early Spanish explorers introduced their magnificent “Iberian-bred” horses to the Americas. In the early 1700s, several of these horses found their way into the During the Nez Perce War in the late 1800s, the Nez Perce were forced to escape from the U.S. Cavalry. For several days they fled over 1,300 miles of rugged, punishing terrain, devoting their trust and faith to the spotted horses that carried them. When they reluctantly surrendered in Montana, their surviving horses were relinquished to soldiers, left behind or dispersed to settlers. Nothing was done to preserve the Appaloosa, and the breed nearly vanished. However, in 1938 a group of dedicated horsemen formed the Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) to preserve and promote the disappearing Appaloosa. Now an international breed registry, the ApHC, along with the Appaloosa Museum and Heritage Center, is located in the heart of the Palouse in Moscow, Idaho. Since its establishment more than 60 years ago, more than 635,000 Appaloosas’ records have been added. Each year nearly 11,000 horses are registered and more than 33,000 ApHC members are enrolled. As the Appaloosa numbers continue to grow, the ApHC is committed to developing and providing programs and services to support Appaloosas and Appaloosa advocates. For example the ApHC is the headquarters for the award-winning magazine, the Appaloosa Journal. This monthly publication offers the most up-to-date information on the Appaloosa breed, the industry and all ApHC programs and services. There are approximately 800 ApHC-approved regional shows, a National Show, World Youth Show and World Show held annually. Showing provides Appaloosa owners with a challenging and fun way to utilize the distinct capabilities of their Appaloosa horses. These shows offer exhibitors the opportunity to earn numerous awards and prizes. The shows consist of three main competition divisions: youth, non-pro and open. Each division has a unique variety of classes from showmanship and jumping to western pleasure and trail. The ApHC also offers the Appaloosa Competitive All-breed Activities Program (ACCAP) for anyone interested in competing at the local level in competitions such as team penning, cutting, barrel racing, gaming and judged open shows. Although these events are not approved ApHC events, horses and exhibitors receive rewards and recognition for their outstanding accomplishments. For those who just want to enjoy the outdoors on horseback, the Saddle Log Program requires no special travel or equipment; it only requires Appaloosa owners to spend time with their Appaloosas. The ApHC also sponsors several week-long trail rides each year. The trail rides are completed with great entertainment, fabulous food and of course, great horses! Today Appaloosas are used in nearly every equine discipline. Their color, intelligence, athleticism and trustworthy-temperament have made them one of the most unique and popular horses in the equine industry. Throughout the world Appaloosas are known for setting speed records on the racetrack as well as excelling in advanced levels of jumping, dressage, reining, roping, gaming, pleasure and endurance. Outside the competitive arena, Appaloosas are used as working ranch horses, surefooted trail horses and as safe and reliable family horses. Whether it’s in history, color, ability or simple beauty, the Appaloosa defines the true character, power and majesty of the amazing horse. Appaloosa…..Take A Closer Look. Grieving and LossGrief is a natural reaction to of a loved one, including your dog. If you’ve been unable to grieve, or unable to finish the grieving process, below are a few quotations can help. I hope they allow you to complete your relationship with your pet so that you can move on, and possibly find another furry friend to love. Unlike some people who have experienced the loss of an animal, I did not believed even for a moment that I would never get another. I did know full well that there are just too many animals out there in need of homes for me to take what I have already regarded as the self-indulgent road of saying the heartbreak of the loss of an animal was too much ever to want to go through with it again.
Business CardsWe would like to thank Farm Credit, especially Becky Adams for helping us to realize our vision for Wye River Kennels. We would also like to thank the contractors that did all the work Their business cards are displayed below. Give them an opportunity for some work you are looking to do in the future.
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Points to consider - Hereditary problems may include allergic skin conditions, eye problems, hip dysphasia, and epilepsy. This breed has become extremely popular, and over breeding has caused problems ranging from health concerns to aggression. Goldens are not especially energetic, but they must be exercised well every day, because they tend to gain weight easily.
lives of American Indians, specifically the Nez Perce of Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Known for their keen ability with horses, the Nez Perce quickly identified the unique qualities and abilities of the Spanish steeds, and began breeding them to their own stock. The outcome resulted in mounts that were agile, strong, quick and sure-footed with a bonus feature of distinct coloring. Historians believe the Nez Perce were the first tribe to breed selectively for these specific traits. As settlers came to the Northwest Paloue region in Idaho and Washington, they called the spotted horses “Palouse Horses”. Over time, the name was shortened and slurred to “Appalousey” and finally “Appaloosa”. 
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