Dogs Life KC

The Dirty Mouth Dilemma

2012-02-05T18:42:00.000-08:00

The DogsLifeKC packs wants to thank Oak Park Veterinary Clinic's Jennifer S. Strickland, DVM, RN for sharing her time and thoughts with us.

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February is National Pet Dental Health Month. Talk to your veterinarians about what is appropriate for your dog. Ask about possible specials during this upcoming month.

People often ask me "Do dogs really need dental care?" My answer to them is "Absolutely!"

Regular home care in addition to professional dental care can be beneficial in many ways for your dog:

A cleaner mouth leads to less halitosis or "bad breath."
A cleaner mouth is a healthier mouth. Regular dental care helps prevent spread of bacteria from the mouth to vital organs like the liver, kidneys and heart.
A cleaner mouth is a more comfortable mouth, resulting in a good appetite and over all better quality of life.

A discussion by veterinarians on dental health is often viewed with a glazed look in the client’s eyes as many feel professional dental disease prevention is not essential to overall pet wellness and really is just a way of increasing the bottom line profits of the clinic. This could not be further from the truth. Veterinarians get involved in dental procedures and cleanings when severe periodontal disease has set in, and as the second line of defense against the onset of the disease. Therefore, your pet needs a combination of in-home (first line of defense) and professional care on a continual basis to keep their mouth clean. So let’s go through what you can do at home to avoid extra trips to your veterinary professional.

Periodontal disease is the number one infectious disease in dogs and cats. We see periodontal disease in about 80% of our canine patients and in about 70% of our feline patients. Periodontal disease is exclusively due to poor dental hygiene. Tartar buildup in our pets occurs at a rate five times faster than in humans. This is why you can’t compare your personal dental needs to your pet’s dental requirements. Home dental care is critical in avoiding periodontal disease among our pets.

Some basic signs that your pet may be suffering from periodontal disease are oral pain, bad breath which is totally unnatural in dogs and cats, infected or bleeding gums, loose teeth, and difficulty chewing dry food.

The disease process begins with bacteria invading and infecting the gums resulting in gingivitis. This bacteria is created when food debris is combined with oral epithelia cells, mucin, and oral glycoprotein. Just one milligram of plaque contains over one trillion bacteria cells. If left untreated the bacteria will advance beyond the gum line and into the supporting structures of the tooth. If allowed to continue to advance the bacteria will eventually attack the alveolar bone slowly eroding it to the point that the tooth will eventually fall out on its own. All the while this bacteria is moving into the bloodstream potentially doing damage to the heart, liver, kidneys, and lungs.

CLINICAL STAGES OF DENTAL DISEASE

Stage 1: Periodontal disease is not very visually noticeable at this stage. It begins with gingival inflammation and variable accumulation of plaque. There is no discoloration at this stage. There is no deterioration of the supportive structures at this stage. Plaque control at home during this stage can reverse any pathologic changes.

Stage 2: The first visual signs of destructive periodontitis can be seen. Plaque and calculus begin to form below the gum line. The pet’s breath is now mildly offensive. There can be up to 25% tooth attachment loss at this stage. Even at this stage the disease is still reversible with a professional dental cleaning and proper home care.

Stage 3: Now moderate periodontitis has set in.

The pet’s breath is now very offensive and noticeable at a short distance away from the mouth. There can now be up to 50% tooth attachment loss at this stage and up to 30% alveolar bone loss. There are now moderate to deep gingival pockets that have formed. The only option to cure the disease at this stage is aggressive periodontal therapy, but it is too late to correct the permanent pathologic changes that have occurred in the mouth.

Stage 4: This is the advanced periodontitis stage.

The recession of the gum line is extensive. The pet’s breath has become intolerable to the human nose. Teeth have become loose to the touch. There is now more than 50% bone loss and extensive deep pockets. Pets at this stage will require professional dental care up to and including complete dental extractions or root canals. A course of oral antibiotics will be necessary to curb the bacterial infection that has set in.

So how do we prevent periodontal disease? By developing a complete home and professional care plan we can keep the disease at bay. It starts with prevention and not just professional treatment.

HOME PREVENTION STEPS

Step 1: The easiest way to prevent plaque and tartar buildup on a daily basis without a lot of fuss is to give your pet a clinically proven dental chew designed for dogs and cats. There are several very good products on the market today. We recommend and use C.E.T. chews at our clinic. They are made by Virbac Animal Health and come in chewable sizes designed for all pets. These chews combine a natural antiseptic with abrasive action on the teeth to break up plaque and tartar. Whichever chew you choose it is important to know who is making the chew and where it is being made and with what ingredients. Far too many chews on the market today are doing more harm than good. Consult your veterinarian for safe brands.

Step 2: We know how hard it is to get your kids to brush their teeth so we are very aware of how difficult it is to find the time and energy to brush your pet’s teeth. Daily brushing yields the very best results but we know that may be unrealistic in most households. So we say that doing it is better than not doing it at all. Aim for three times a week and try to work up to daily brushing. The more you do it the easier your pet will be to work with. Again there are many fine products on the market, but we prefer C.E.T toothbrushes and toothpastes. They are specially formulated and designed with your pet in mind. The toothpastes come in several pet-friendly flavors. Your veterinarian will offer a complete dental care kit to get you started. The key to success with brushing your pet’s teeth is to go slowly. Maybe the first few days you are simply touching the mouth with your fingers without using any paste at all. Then you slowly ease your pet into the process by putting some toothpaste on your finger and working it around your pet’s mouth. Once your pet is used to the procedure you can then introduce a pet toothbrush or ribbed finger brush. Then brush just like they were your own teeth for about two minutes. Keep in mind what it would feel like if you had not brushed your teeth for a whole year and then suddenly had someone aggressively brushing out of the blue one day. You wouldn’t like it very much either and might try to run away. Success is built with small steps for a week or two. Both of you will be happier with the whole process if you approach it in this manner.

Step 3: Your veterinarian should conduct an annual dental exam as part of your pet’s annual wellness exam to check up on your home care. They can determine if your home care is keeping tartar and plaque at bay or if you need to step up your home dental treatments or maybe even have a professional dental cleaning to give you a good dental foundation to build from. Be sure to ask what they see and what the care plan should be going forward.

In addition your veterinarian may suggest/prescribe some dental health food designed specifically to assist in reducing the bacteria that causes gingivitis. You should consult with your veterinarian to see if a dental diet food is right for your pet. Whatever you do be sure not to put off proper pet dental care. Delaying treatment can lead to other previously discussed health concerns that can do permanent damage to your pet.

Jennifer S. Strickland, DVM, RN

Oak Park Veterinary Clinic

You can also visit her clinic on Facebook!

The Big "C"

2012-02-05T18:23:00.000-08:00

The DogsLifeKC packs wants to thank Oak Park Veterinary Clinic's Jennifer S. Strickland, DVM, RN for sharing her time and thoughts with us.

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I remember watching a movie from the 1980’s “St. Elmo’s Fire” and in that movie filled with brat-packers there was a character who was the mother of one of the recent college grads who every time she had something horrible or horrific to say she would whisper the key word. One of those words was the “c” word. Cancer. For some reason that image has stuck with me all these many years. Well while the “c” word is horrible and horrific for both humans and pets it is by no means the end.

Let’s first clean up some terminology often used interchangeably with cancer. The term neoplasia is any uncontrolled abnormal growth of tissues or cells in the body. The proper term for this growth is called a neoplasm which is often called a tumor. These neoplasms can be non-malignant (benign), or malignant (cancerous). These non-malignant neoplasms do not grow aggressively. They do not attack surrounding body tissue, and do not spread throughout the body via the blood or lymphatic system. The term tumor is usually used to describe the area of swelling or mass associated with the neoplasm.

Neoplasia is a very common among our pets especially as they age. Malignant neoplasia is responsible for nearly half of all deaths of pets over the age of ten. Dogs get cancer at the same rate as the human population while cats develop cancer at a slightly lower rate than humans. Here are some various types of Neoplasia.

Lymphoma

A lymphoma is one of the most common types of neoplasia in our pets. It is typically an enlargement of one or more lymph nodes in the body.

Abdominal

A neoplasia in the abdominal cavity is also very common. Unfortunately, this is a neoplasia that is very difficult to make an early diagnosis. An early warning sign is sudden weight loss.

Bone

A neoplasia of the bone is usually seen in large breed dogs older than seven years of age. This neoplasia is rarely seen in cats. This neoplasia usually attacks the bone near a joint. Early warning signs are lameness, swelling at or near the joint and continual pain at or near the site.

Skin

A neoplasia of the skin is very common in older dogs but rarely seen in cats. When they are seen in cats they are almost always malignant. They are rarely malignant in dogs.

Mammary Gland

A neoplasia in the mammary gland is a serious thing. More than half of all neoplasia in dogs are malignant and more than 85% of neoplasms in cats are malignant. You can greatly reduce the risk of this form of cancer by spaying your pet before they reach one year of age.

Mouth & Nose

Neoplasia of the mouth is rare in cats but is not uncommon in dogs. Warning signs are a tumor on the gums, bleeding coming from the gums, a foul order in the mouth, and difficulty eating and chewing. Many of these tumors are malignant so consult your veterinarian immediately in order to begin an aggressive treatment plan. Neoplasia may also develop in the sinus cavities causing severe swelling to the face and bleeding from the nose. This too should be brought to the attention of your veterinarian immediately for quick diagnosis and treatment.

Warning Signs

Weight Loss
Loss of Appetite
Difficulty eating, chewing, or swallowing
Difficulty breathing
Difficulty urinating
Difficulty defecating
Continual lameness or stiffness
Wounds that do not heal
Abnormal swellings that continue to grow or remain
Bloody discharge from any body cavity
Unusual pungent odor
Loss of energy

Neoplasia is usually detected during a routine medical examination normally associated with an annual wellness exam that includes full blood chemistry. These may be discovered with a head-to-toe hands-on visual exam of your pet. Your veterinarian may ask to do a needle stick to remove a sample of neoplasia cells for viewing under the microscope during your visit. This can act as a rule-out of a possible malignant neoplasm. Often these tumors are no more than fatty lipomas that are noticeable to the touch but harmless to your pet.

Once a neoplasia is suspected or detected your veterinarian will want to run several tests to confirm or dismiss the initial findings. These may include blood work, radiographs (x-rays), ultrasound exams, and the afore mentioned biopsies. These tests are needed to determine the malignant or non-malignant nature of the neoplasm. Early detection and diagnosis is critical to the long-term effective treatment of all neoplastic diseases. The sooner they are discovered and treated the better the prognosis. Many of the symptoms associated with neoplastic diseases are symptoms shared by other disease processes and need immediate veterinary medical attention no matter what the ultimate diagnosis is.

Once your veterinarian has completed testing and made a final diagnosis they will discuss treatment plan options for your pet. They may offer multiple treatment plans from very aggressive to minimally aggressive depending on a variety of factors such as the pet’s age, overall wellness, client’s financial situation, and ultimate expected outcome.

Possible treatments may range from surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, cryosurgery (freezing neoplasm), or immunotherapy. This may be incorporated with a nutritional treatment plan to improve your pet’s response to the overall treatment plan. Often pain management is part of any good overall treatment plan. You should consult with your veterinarian about all aspects of the plan.

There are 100% cure rates with some types of neoplasia if they are detected early and treatment is started promptly. Time is the enemy when it comes to cure rates. The longer it takes to detect and treat a pet the lower percentage of full recovery. However, some types of neoplasms can only be managed to limit the spread of the disease and make your pet comfortable. In these cases your family may consider euthanasia for your pet. Before making any final decision regarding euthanasia you should consult with your veterinarian in order to make the best informed choice possible.

We learn more and more every year through research and newly developed diagnostic methods about the “C” word. Every advancement in science will lead us closer to a final cure of this horrible disease process. Until then, early detection and aggressive treatment plans are our best defense. This is just another reason why continual consultation and annual examination with your veterinarian is vital to the overall wellness of your pet.

Jennifer S. Strickland, DVM, RN

Oak Park Veterinary Clinic

You can also visit her clinic on Facebook!

The importance of getting a second opinion

2011-06-10T06:17:00.000-07:00

It's common when we talk about our own human medical issues that we discuss second opinions.

If a doctor tells us we have a condition that requires surgery or talks about a risky treatment, it is quite normal for us to seek a second opinion from another doctor or we go to a specialist.

Unfortunately, I don't believe we do this enough for our dogs.

Anyone that is familiar with me personally knows that my pack is important to me. And quite frequently, I do put their needs before my own comfort. But, I'm not suggesting people do that. I'm simply wanting to encourage people to know they have options.

Right now, I am blessed with a 9-year old Newfoundland named Quincy. And, he is reason #1 that I strongly believe in getting second opinions.

When Quincy was about 7 months old, he'd limp off and on on his front legs. I could never really pinpoint which leg it was but knew he was uncomfortable.

My veterinarian at the time gave us some anti-inflammatories and told me to give Quincy some rest and come back in about a week. We did that and unfortunately, the pain did not go away.

When I came back, we discussed the possibility that Quincy had panosteitis, more commonly known in the word of giant breeds as pano. And, while the name sounds serious, it is simply a puppy condition where there is a wandering lameness caused by the rapid growth of their long bones. Some might call it growing pains.

To get a formal diagnosis, our veterinarian felt we needed to see a true orthopedic veterinarian at a local clinic to get a true diagnosis. I agreed to it and set an appointment as soon as possible.

At that appointment, Quincy had x-rays done and the orthopedist did see signs of pano. But, he also saw signs of retained cartilage cores in each leg. In the most basic of terms, it simply means that the puppy cartilage doesn't go away as they grow and it can cause the limbs to grow at an improper angle.

The orthopedist suggested I move Quincy to a low calcium diet and come back in 8 weeks and we'd do another set of x-rays to compare and see if the cartilage started to disappear. I was shocked, hurt and said OK.

8 weeks later, we came back and after another round of x-rays, the orthopedist came back with bad news. I personally found that shocking because I felt that Quincy had improved dramatically over the past few weeks. But, he said the cartilage cores were still there and quite visible. And, Quincy also had, in the orthopedist's opinion, the worse elbow dysplasia he had ever seen. He said that I had two options:

Option number 1 was that I have surgery on each leg to cut the cords and provide room for the leg bones to grow longer. If I chose this option, I'd have to have surgery done on each front leg twice due to his young age.
Option number 2 was to put him down now and skip the pain that was in his future.

I didn't say anything but as soon as i got out to the car with Quincy, I started crying. On the way home, I called the breeder I got Quincy from and she said that she'd help me in any way she could. She said that she'd start doing some research and was going to call her veterinarian.

I called my original veterinarian and he said very gently that I needed to pull myself together and he recommended that I take Quincy up to K-State Veterinary school and get a second opinion.

Long story short, we went up there and while Quincy did have pano at the time, he didn't have the retained cartilage cores nor did he have any sign of elbow dysplasia. No surgery was needed at all and the head of orthopedics there felt Quincy had good hips and elbows. He said that I should do x-rays again in a year, but that in his opinion, Quincy was happy, healthy and all was good.

A year later, I had Quincy x-rayed again and all was great. No signs of dysplasia and all bones were fine. Fast forward 8 years and I recently had Quincy's x-rays done again and still no signs of hip or elbow dysplasia. All is well.

When I've told people that story, they want to know who the orthopedist is so they can avoid him. And, I don't give that information out. Yes, he is still in practice locally.

I'm not wanting people to avoid him. That's not the moral of the story here. I'm simply wanting people to know that you have the power to get second opinions for your dogs.

We, as humans, tend to give our veterinarians a great deal of power. At times, we give them more power than we give our own doctors. If our own doctor told us we needed surgery, we'd go get a second opinion.

Quite often, when our veterinarian give our dogs a diagnosis, we don't question them. If they say our dog needs surgery, we simply do it.

When I've tried to encourage people to do that, I've gotten mixed messages. Some people say "I can do that? I didn't know I could do that." And, I've had others say they feel uncomfortable doing it for fear of hurting their veterinarian's feelings.

When that orthopedist told me that if would be more humane to put Quincy down at 9 months old, I would have missed the past 9 years of a wonderful relationship.

Remember, you have the power because you pay the bills. You can get a second opinion for your dog.

HEARTland Positive Dog Training Alliance (HEART)

2010-06-16T20:19:00.002-07:00

The HEART (HEARTland Positive Dog Training Alliance) is a new group of the areas best dog trainers,vpet professionals, dog enthusiasts and dog owners dedicated to educating

others about humane, effective, science based dog training.

And, they're welcoming new members.

HEART's goals are to educate pet professionals and the general public about positive training methods and why this is the best option, provide continuing education to its members and to be a presence in the Kansas City pet community.

HEART is a member-only organization with two levels of membership:

Professional
Supporting

To learn more information about the alliance, call 816-699-2260 or email pattythepuppypro@gmail.com.

Their next meeting is: Heartland Positive Dog Trainers Alliance Meeting
July 15, 2010 at 7pmWestwood Animal Hospital4820 Rainbow Boulevard, Westwood, KS 66205-1941

Guest speaker: Dr. Wayne Hunthausen

Welcome to Betty our doggie dining critic

2010-06-16T20:19:00.000-07:00

We'd like to send a big WELCOME to our newest journalist, Betty. Betty is known throughout Kansas City as KC's Only Doggie Dining Critic as well as the only Outdoor Dining Critic.

"B.D.R." Big Dogs Rule!!! Says Betty, Kansas City's only outdoor dining critic.

Her actual doggie dining critique was the same. "B.D.R." Beignets definitely ROCK at the new,"old" Napolean bakery at 119th st.,near the Cheesecake factory. (They used to be located in Westport.)

Napoleon's actually made figure-friendly, non-sugared beignets for us!

My BCFF (best, canine, friend forever), Beignet, known as "Beg-NOT" for short, snuck around and ate all my breakfast. I didn't go hungry though, I ate my master's blueberries from her fruit cup. YUMMO!

I give Napoleon's Bakery a definite for 4 bones for service,quality--- and atmosphere. Of course, I was bribed by beignets!

Next assignment: I'm going undercover at a local pet spa for the weekend "sleep-over."

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To send Betty fan mail or ask her to visit a particular restaurant, click HERE.

3 New Restaurants Added!

2010-06-16T20:17:00.000-07:00

We've added three new restaurants to our list of dining establishments that welcome dogs!

On the Kansas Side

The New Napoleon Bakery

www.napoleonsbakeries.com
6759 West 119th Street

Overland Park, KS 66209

(913) 766-3200

Thank you to our new correspondent Betty the Canine Dining Critic for making us aware of this place!

Napoleon's serve fresh baked goods that are health conscious and delicious. Their desserts are made with only the finest ingredients. All of our breads are freshly baked. At Napoleon Cafe, freshly baked means baked today. Napoleon's has been local favorite for over thirty years. They warmly welcome the dogs on the patio with a bowl of water and fresh beignets.

On the Missouri Side

Californos

www.californos.com

4124 Pennsylvania

Kansas City, MO 64111

(816) 531-7878

Californos, a hip, Romantic Bistro & Event Venue where West-Coast meets Old West with delightful food, service & atmosphere. They often have music on the deck and feature an extensive wine, champagne and martinit list. Californos can accommodate groups of all sizes. Reservations are HIGHLY recommended.

McCoy's Public House

www.mccoyspublichouse.com
4057 Pennsylvania

Kansas City, MO 64111

(816) 960-0866

McCoy's warmly, welcomes dogs on their extensive outdoor deck that has been voted s the premiere place for people watching in mid-town. They're located at the corner of Westport Road and Pennsylvania Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, in the heart of the Westport District. They have an extensive and appetizing menu serving creative comfort food selections for lunch and dinner, 7 days a week. Their brewmaster, Keith Thompson, hand-crafts award-winning ales & lagers to suit the season. They feature an extensive list of signature martinis, wine and cocktails, and they offer their hand-crafted ales for only $3.00, 4-6pm for Happy Hour!

Their hours are: Mon-Sat 11a-3a, Sun 11a-12a
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If you would like to share with us places that have welcomed your dog or you want us to investigate, feel free to e-mail us or call us: 913-538-1757.

Happy Birthday to Us

2010-06-16T20:16:00.001-07:00

As the first birthday for DogsLifeKC.com rolls around, our Pack at DogsLifeKC is shaking things up a bit and doing something different.

This year, we have two goals. One is to provide more educational opportunities for dog lovers in the Kansas City metro area. The other is to be more active. :-)

As part of our goal to be more active, we'll be welcoming you, our friends, to join us on walks once a month. We'll be holding those throughout the city in different areas.

As part of our educational goals, we're revamping our weekly newsletter to add a few more stories and interviews. And, we're redoing our events as well.

As part of our educational goals, we're inviting canine professionals to come to our hosted events and speak a little bit about their canine specialty whether that be agility training or conditioning via physical therapy or even reading dog's body language.

Our events, as they have always been, will be held outside and dogs are welcome. They will be FREE and the presentation portion will be anywhere from 15-to-30 minutes long. Then the speakers will hang around for awhile so you and your dog have the opportunity to speak to them at your leisure.

We hope you enjoy our new additions and if you have any thoughts or suggested speakers, let us know! AlphaDog@DogsLifeKC.com

The DogsLifeKC pack

Weekend of Friday, May 14, 2010

2010-05-14T15:46:00.000-07:00

What are you doing this weekend? So MUCH to do and not enough time to do it!

If you're trying to decide what to do, consider attending one of these fabulous dog-centric events:

Sat., May 17

Dogs Can Dance - A Weekend of Canine Freestyle

Raytown, MO

Lakewood Run for the Dogs

Lee's Summit, MO

Tails R Waggin 2nd Annual Grand Opening

Overland Park, KS

Sun., May 16

Dogs Can Dance - A Weekend of Canine Freestyle

Raytown, MO

Heart of America Newfoundland Club Picnic and Draft Practice

Napoleon, MO

Backwoods Hiking Club - Dogs Welcome!

Overland Park, KS

Missouri Shiba Inu Walk

Kansas City, MO

Pooches on the Parkway at Young Park

Blue Springs, MO

For information on these exciting events, visit our Web site: http://www.dogslifekc.com/K9Calendar.html

Calling all ball crazy dogs

2010-04-18T06:01:00.000-07:00

As regular readers of DogsLifeKC know, we're fans of flyball!

Well, now those of you who are fans of flyball are in luck! There is a team now forming in Kansas City!

Our friends at ABC Pet Training are in the beginning stages of forming a Flyball team. If you're interested in learn more, contact Stasi at ABC Pet Training: stasi@abcpettraining.com

Welcome Cafe Augusta

2010-03-18T13:57:00.000-07:00

We've added a new restaurant, just in time for the warmer weather!

This week, Marshall Rimann of Rimann Liquors (a DogsLifeKC favorite) told me I needed to contact Café Augusta of Lenexa, KS because they had absolutely, delicious food and he knew they had to be a dog-friendly establishment.

As I ambled out to the car with Quincy, I put it on my list of "To Dos" for Wednesday. Then, almost as if by magic, Micheline Burger of Café Augusta, contacted us via Facebook that very day stating that her restaurant is most definitely dog friendly and welcomes them on their patio!

So, I please welcome Café Augusta to our ever growing list of dog-friendly establishments in the Kansas City metro area.

Café Augusta, a New World Bistro

http://www.cafeaugusta.com/

12122 W. 87th Street Parkway

Lenexa, KS 66215

(913) 859-9556

If you would like to share with us places that have welcomed your dog, feel free to e-mail us or call us: 913-538-1757.

Lets remember to be nice...

2010-03-02T12:58:00.000-08:00

This past weekend, I had one of the best times I've had in a long time.

It was sunny and I had the opportunity to attend several dog-related activites and venues with my pack of wooly mammoths. We went for a walks, did a succesful rally run-thru, visited the vet's office for a wellness checkup, had a silly time at the freestyle practice, went to Dresslers and just relaxed together.

One thing that did bother me though was a comment that another dog owner made to me.

I was with two of the mammoths: Quincy and Zane. And, Zane being 8 months and rather distractable was having difficulty keeping a "sit" for anything beyond a few seconds. So, I had to repeatedly remind him of what he was doing albeit quietly.

After I had to remind him for the fourth time what a sit was, a lady near me leaned over and said "You know. The breed is not known for being bright."

It took a couple of seconds for me to register what she was saying and I said "What?"

She said, "You do know that the breed you have there is not known for being intelligent. They're rather dense."

I won't say where I because I really don't want to start a tiff, but if the words were said to someone new to a dog activity, sport or venue, it seriously could upset someone enough not to come back.

Of course, me being me, I acted like my dogs and ignored the woman. We continued on, participated and I was proud of the mammoths.

The point of sharing this interaction?

Remember if you're going to say something to a fellow dog person say something positive or helpful. Everyone was new once and if your words are not going to be positive or helpful in some fashion then you could seriously be impacting the activity or sport you're participating in.

With the downturn of the economy and more legislation constraining our abilities to have dogs, we don't have loads of people flocking to participate in things like agility or dog shows or even taking classes. Many areas are losing opportunities of that nature because those activities are considered luxuries and in some instances even owning a dog is a luxury.

So...consider what you're saying. You're not just being hurtful to someone you don't know, you're being hurtful to yourself and your dog.

Dogs not welcome

2010-03-02T12:27:00.000-08:00

Once a week the pack at DogsLifeKC researches where dogs are welcome in our metro area.

We send out e-mails to local restaurants and stores and wait for a response.

When we send out an e-mail, we make it clear to the owners and managers, that we know that having a dog in their establishment is a privilege and is treated as such. Dogs that are allowed to partake of this are friendly, well-behaved and on lead. And then we send links to our Web site, our listings and to our etiquette rules.

Sometimes we get long e-mails from companies about how cool this is and yes, they're dog lovers too. Then we share e-mails and photos back and forth talking about dogs.

As is with life, with the good comes the bad.

Upon occassion, we do get e-mails from stores and restaurants that make it clear that dogs are not welcome in their establishments under any circumstances unless they're working dogs for the disabled. And, we kindly e-mail them back thanking them for their time.

After some consultations with fellow DogsLifeKC pack members and our supporters, we've decided that this weekend, we'll be be adding a small section to our Web site that lists restaurants where dogs are not welcome on the patio. We will not be doing this for stores as it is best practice to consider all stores as out of bounds.

The reason we're doing this is so that our readers don't make a mistake and take their dog to a place where they will be unwelcome.

Currently, the list is small with only two restaurants: Panera Bread of the Kansas City area and The Cheesecake Factory. Both establishments have multiple locations throughout the metro area and have patios with direct access to public sidewalks or parking lots.

When we contacted them, their corporate offices said that it is their preference to not welcome dogs of any size on their patios under any circumstances so as not to upset other diners.

The pack of DogsLifeKC respects their decision and we hope you do as well.

If you have any concerns or would like to share with us places that have welcomed your dog, feel free to e-mail us or call us: 913-538-1757.

we've already updated our site!

2010-02-18T19:58:00.000-08:00

Thank you to everyone that has e-mailed us since our newsletter went out on Wednesday. Please know that we've followed up with each and every store and restaurant you've mentioned. We're waiting for their response. With that said, we've already got new listings for restaurants and stores so we updated our site this evening.

Under stores in Kansas...

dynamic earth equipment company - 13308 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS
- An outdoor's store that facilitates your immersion in the outdoors. It carries backpacks, gear for camping, climbing, paddling, backpacking and trail running. And, they carry RuffWear gear for dogs.

Under restaurants in Kansas...

Dean & Deluca - 4700 West 119th Street, Leawood, KS
- An upscale grocery and deli headquartered in Wichita, KS. It's a source for gourmet and specialty foods, cheeses, bakery goods, food gifts and more. It also offers catering, a coffee bar and hot food to go.
Trezo Vino Wine Bistro - 11570 Ash Street, Leawood, KS
- A wine bistro that specializes in an experiences to share with delicious food, fine wine and great cocktails.

And, we've confirmed the following...

Panera Bread in the Kansas City metro area does not welcome dogs on their patios.

Shopping with your dog - REALLY!

2010-02-17T20:16:00.000-08:00

Our much awaited Shopping With Your Dog listings for Kansas and Missouri are finally available!

It's normal to have dogs welcome at dog-centric establishments that sell items specifically for dogs, like Three Dog Bakery, Land of Paws, Petco, PetSmart, etc. But, did you know you can take your dog in to Bass Pro to shop for camping gear or Rimann Liquors to browse the wine section?

Yes. It is confirmed that dogs are welcome in to 20 stores within the metropolitan area. We have contacted the stores and had e-mail conformation from their owner or the corporate office. And, they gave us permission to list them on our Web site.

So, go out and enjoy shopping with your best four-legged friend. Remember that taking your dog with you in to these establishments is a privilege and not a right, so proper shopping etiquette is a must at all times.
Many people submitted to DogsLifeKC places such as Lowe's and Home Depot. When we contacted the corporate offices, we were told that it is up to each and every location to determine if dogs were welcome. So, tread carefully and ask the store manager before you bring your dogs in to shop.

If you know of any other places that would like to be listed, email us: Editorial@DogsLifeKC.com.

To our readers

2010-02-05T10:09:00.000-08:00

There is one definite in the dog world of Kansas City and it is that people are quite passionate about their 4-legged friends and about therapy work with their dogs!

After the last newsletter went out, the e-mails and phone calls started coming in from worried Pets for Life volunteers regarding the Dr. Dog PhD class.

Please note. I do take your communications seriously and will be taking action.

The class description for Dr. Dog PhD states: "There are several local groups in the area to which you can then apply with confidence to serve as part of their visiting team."

Two paragraphs after that, there is the following sentence: "To learn more about therapy dogs visit www.deltasociety.org or www.rechai.missouri.edu."

I provided the links to the Delta Society and the Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction - University of Missouri with the thought that these would provide opportunities for readers to learn more about the benefits of therapy dogs and their applications. I do feel that they are very thorough sites with many scientific studies and are beneficial to those exploring volunteering in this field.

This wasn't an intentional push of the Delta Society's Pet Partners program over other active therapy dog groups in the area. Though, many Pets for Life volunteers do feel that it was. For that, I apologize.

As a courtesy, I'm providing the DogsLifeKC readers with an alphabetical list of active programs that provide animal-assisted therapies in the Kansas City area with links to their sites. You'll find it below.

When our new site design launches on Feb. 15^th there will be more details regarding the different types of therapy dogs as well as a permanent home for this list. And, if you know of other active animal-assisted therapies in the area or classes training therapy dogs, please let me know.

Thank you for passion in dogs and I appreciate your input. Once again, I do take your concerns seriously and in the future, I will be more cautious as to where I place links or name specific organizations.

Nicki

===

Nicki Dobson

DogsLifeKC.com - Hit the Town with Your Hound!

Editorial@DogsLifeKC.com

(913) 538-1757

========

Each of the groups listed above do require a form of screening for the dog teams. It is up to each person interested in volunteering with their dog to do the research to determine which group would suit their dog and his or her ablities. Listings on our site are purely that, listings. They are not a personal endorsement by DogsLifeKC or our members of Our Pack.

Pawliscious Peanut Butter Balls

2010-01-18T08:27:00.000-08:00

ChowHound@DogsLifeKC.com

INGREDIENTS

1 cup crushed, puffed rice cereal (example Rice Krispies)
¼ cup smooth or crunchy peanut butter
1 tablespoon honey (honey powder if you have it works great too)
2 tablespoons flax seed (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
In a bowl, combine cereal, peanut butter, and honey and flax seeds.
Batter should be thick like an oatmeal cookie batter stir until mixture forms a ball.
Scoop out about a tablespoon of mixture and roll into 1-inch balls.
Roll balls in additional rice krispies to coat
Store in fridge for up to 5 days.
=====================================

If you have any questions or need assistance, let me know.

Alice
ChowHound@DogsLifeKC.com

2010-01-18T07:32:00.000-08:00

After seeing the Julie and Julia movie, I was inspired to cook some original Julia Child recipes.

I modified the recipe to be dog friendly, derived from her original recipe Biftek Hache a La Lyonnaise found in her book Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Vol.1 pp. 301-302.

Our dog, Tuppence watched longingly savoring the scents in the kitchen. Who could resist those eyes begging for just a bite?

So, I made this up for her and we happen to like it too!
==========

1/2 tsp dried onion powder

1/2 tsp dried garlic powder

1/2 tsp of dried thyme

½ tsp pepper

1 1/2 lbs of lean ground beef (93% lean best as you will be making a brown butter sauce!)

1 egg, beaten

=========

½ cup flour spread on a plate (sprinkle some salt and pepper into flour to season it)

1/2 TB salted butter

1/2 TB oil

3/4 cup of canned beef broth

2 TB salted butter

Place first six ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
Form into patties 3/4" thick.
Cover & refrigerate till ready to use.
Just before sautéing, press the patties lightly in seasoned flour.
Shake off any excess cheese.
Place butter and oil in heavy skillet over med-high heat.
Sauté the patties for about 5 minutes first side and turn for 3 more minutes to make medium burgers (some pink).
Place burgers on serving platter and keep warm while finishing the sauce.
Pour fat out of the skillet and discard.
Add stock and boil down rapidly deglazing pan until almost a syrup.
Take off heat, swirl 2-3 Tablespoons of butter into the sauce - 1/2 Tablespoon at a time until absorbed into the sauce.
Stir this continually with a whisk to turn into a caramel brown sauce. If you add the butter too fast, the sauce will break.
Pour the sauce over the hamburgers and serve. Mmm Mmmm good.

Serve with some mushroom flavored rice and sliced mushrooms for the human family members!

---------

If you have any questions or needs assistance, please let me know.

Alice

ChowHound@DogsLifeKC.com

2010 New Year’s Resolutions for Alice the Chow Hound

2009-12-31T06:43:00.001-08:00

Ok, so it’s that time of year again. Is it me or does this get old? Every year, many of us, think long and hard about what we can do to better ourselves in this next year. (Ok I said many, not all of us, and yes, I fall into the latter category.) I grimace as I write this with that little nagging voice that says, “but Alice – you need to give it another shot.” Alas, I will give into the little voice(s) in my head. 2010 here I come; I’m ready. Well not yet, but I have a few more days to think about it.

Ok, keep with it Alice, What to do? What to do? Think, Think Think…Hhhhmmmmmm. Well, since I started working on DogsLifeKC.com with Nicki this year, I certainly have a new focus on dogs and their people. Perhaps this is where I will find inspiration. Maybe if I do it for my dog, it won’t be like I am doing it for me. Maybe I can succeed because no one can give a better pity look that our dog, Tuppence. She can guilt me into lots of things. You know what I am talking about. You just sit down to relax for a couple minutes, and over she comes with her favorite toy and hers eyes drilling a subliminal message into to your head, “Come on, please play with me. Don’t you love me.” Go ahead, laugh at me, but you are laughing at yourself too.

OK – I got some ideas forming:

1 First, I need to get organized. Let’s see – one central toy box, one grooming box, leads and collars, and all treats reviewed for healthiness, past due dates or opened too long

2 Assess her exercise routine, oops, maybe a little lacking like mine. Better think about something that works indoors when it’s too cold out too.

3 Does she need to be trained on anything? Better make a list. Some things just need to be reinforced but others will be new.

4 Take a break – this was a lot of thinking.

I think I have a good start. Will let you know how I do. If you have any pointers, please feel free to share them with me; maybe it will keep me in line.

Alice the Chow Hound

HOWLIDAY Party at Wine Flights Bar and Bistro

2009-12-07T10:26:00.000-08:00

The dogs are invited once again to join their human companions inside Wine Flights Bar & Bistro in southern Overland Park for good times, holiday spirits and a dog-gone good time on Thursday, Dec. 10th from 6pm to 9pm.

There will be discounted Flights and appetizers along with great dog-related conversations.

Reasons to attend this event:

It's the last party of the year.
It's warm indoors.
Half-price appetizers and wine flights.
And, of course, the dogs are invited!

Thursday, Dec. 10th

6pm to 9pm

Wine Flights Bar and Bistro

5408 W 151st St

Overland Park, KS 66224-8713

Newfie Holiday Walks on the Plaza

2009-12-07T10:19:00.000-08:00

Calling all Newfoundlands and Newfie fans!

Quincy the Newf is hosting howliday Newfie Walks and this time they are on the Country Club Plaza so we can enjoy the sights and sounds of the Howlidays!

We're gathering together at Starbuck's on the Country Club Plaza at 6 pm. At 6:15pm, we'll begin the walk spreading good cheer and drool too!

So, if you have a Newfoundland or are a fan of Newfies, please feel free to join us.

We are also scheduling another walk on the Plaza on Saturday, Dec. 19th.

For those that are unfamiliar with the area, Starbuck's is on the corner of Nichols Road and Central, across from Halls. The official address is: 302 Nichols Road, Kansas City, MO 64112.

Howliday Photographic Opportunities in Kansas City

2009-12-07T10:16:00.000-08:00

Now is the season to take holiday photos for your own enjoyment or to be made in to Holiday cards.

For more information on any of these dates, check out our Calendar of Events.

Wednesday, Dec. 9

Pet Photo Nights with Santa benefiting Animal Haven
Leawood, KS

City of Olathe Holiday Pet Photos
Olathe, KS

Friday, Dec. 11

Santa Paws for NAWS

Zona Rosa

Kansas City, MO

Saturday, Dec. 12

Petco Photos with Santa
Overland Park, KS

Santa Paws Photos by Yuppie Puppy
Mission, KS

Sheltie Rescue Santa Paws Photos
Overland Park, KS

Photos with Santa Paws
Fairway, KS

Monday, Dec. 21

Santa Paws for NAWS

Zona Rosa

Kansas City, MO
================================================

For more information on these events as well as many others, visit our Web site's Calendar of Events.

Save the Date - week of Dec. 7 - Dec. 12

2009-12-07T09:57:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, Dec. 8

German Shepherd Dog Club of Greater KC

Club Meeting

Kansas City, MO

===============

Wednesday, Dec. 9

Pet Photo Nights with Santa benefiting Animal Haven

Leawood, KS

****

City of Olathe Holiday Pet Photos

Olathe, KS

===============

Thursday, Dec. 10th

HOWLIDAY party for dogs and their people

Wine Flights Bar & Bistro

Overland Park, KS

===============

Friday, Dec. 11

Santa Paws for NAWS at Zona Rosa

Kansas City, MO

****

Newfie Holiday Walk

Country Club Plaza

Kansas City, MO

===============

Saturday, Dec. 12

Santa Paws for NAWS at Zona Rosa

Kansas City, MO

****
Petco Photos with Santa
Overland Park, KS

****
Santa Paws Photos by Yuppie Puppy
Mission, KS

****
Sheltie Rescue Santa Paws Photos
Overland Park, KS

****
Photos with Santa Paws
Fairway, KS

==============

Volunteering with your dog - Pet Therapy

2009-08-06T07:50:00.000-07:00

Many member of the DogsLifeKC pack as well as its supporters are active in the field of "therapy dogs."

When we're "Hitting the Town with our Hounds" that topic frequently comes up and often people ask how they and their dogs could participate as therapy dogs. So, here is the scoop!

***** What is a therapy dog?

In the most basic of terms, a therapy dog is a highly trained volunteer.

The dog is trained to provide affection and comfort to people in retirement homes, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, schools, detentions centers and libraries. Often the people they visit have physical impairments, learning difficulties or are under extreme stress.

***** What does a therapy dog do?
A lot depends on the size of the dog and where it visits.

A therapy dog's job is to allow strangers to pet it and to enjoy that contact. Children in particular enjoy hugging animals; adults usually enjoy simply petting the dog or touching it and talking.

At a hospital, a dog might need to lay next to someone on a bed or simply sit in a chair next to a person while being petted.

At a nursing home, a dog may go from room-to-room to say hello and if it is small enough, it can sit in someone's lap while being petted.

At a school or library, a dog will lay down next to a child and listen to the child read aloud.

At other facilities, the dogs may perform tricks, play ball and be groomed or simply listen to somebody's secrets.

***** Does a therapy dog really provide help?

Yes. There are many univierisities, organizations, including the Delta Society, and hospitals that have proven repeatedly through scientific investigations that therapy dogs can provide mental and physical benefits to the people that they visit and interact with.

Physical

Improve fine motor skills
Improve standing equilibrioceptions (AKA balance)
Lower blood pressure,
Lower risk for stroke or heartattack
Decrease depression.

Mental

A 2007 study found that animal-assisted therapy is associated with moderate effect sizes in improving outcomes in autism spectrum symptoms, medical difficulties, behavioral problems, and emotional well-being.
Increase verbal interactions between group members.
Increase attention skills (i.e., paying attention, staying on task).
Develop leisure/recreation skills.
Increase self-esteem
Reduce anxiety
Reduce loneliness.

Educational

Increase vocabulary
Aid in long- or short-term memory
Improve knowledge of concepts, such as size, color, etc.

Motivational

Improve willingness to be involved in a group activity.
Improve interactions with others.
Improve interactions with staff.

***** What types of dogs make good therapy dogs?

Therapy dogs come in all shapes, sizes and breeds, including limited editions breeds (also known as mixed breeds).

The most important characteristic of a therapy dog is its temperament. A good therapy dog must be friendly, patient, confident, and gentle. They must enjoy human contact and be content to be petted and handled, sometimes clumsily.

***** Do I have to take a test?

Yes. All organizations that provide therapy dog certifications require testing of the dogs and humans as a team.

Tests are similar to a basic obedience test or the equivalent of the AKC's Canine Good Citizen test. Can the dog walk on lead without pulling? Can you meet a friendly stranger without the dog jumping on them? Does the dog know sit and down? Can the dog do a 1-minute down stay?

These tests, while different with each organization, ensure that a dog can handle sudden loud or strange noises, can walk on assorted unfamiliar surfaces comfortably, and is not frightened by people with canes, wheelchairs, or unusual styles of walking or moving.

The human part of the team is also generally required to take a basic open book test on visiting procedures.

***** If we pass the test, does that mean my dog can go everywhere with me including stores and restaurants?

Therapy dogs are not service dogs and do not have the same rights.

Service dogs directly assist humans, and have a legal right to accompany their owners in most areas. In the United States, service dogs are legally protected at the federal level by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Therapy dogs do not provide direct assistance and are not mentioned in the Americans with Disabilities Act.

***** Where can my dog and I visit?

Where you and your dog visit depends on where you're located, what interests you, the time of day that you're able to volunteer, etc. And, where you AND your dog are most comfortable.

Places that are visited in the Kansas City area:

Schools
Alternative Schools
Head Start programs
Libraries
Women's Shelters
Hospitals
Group homes
Hospices
Nursing homes
Retirement communities
Rehabilitation facilities
Detention centers
Menal health facilities
and many more.

***** What will my dog and I do on a visit?

That depends on you, your dog and the place you visit.

If you're part of a READ program, you and your dog will go to a school or library on a regular basis. Kids will read aloud to the dog while you and the dog listen.

At a nursing home, you might visit certain residents that are bed ridden to "say Hello" and chat for awhile about your dog, the weather, etc. Then, you go out in to an activities room to "say Hello" and then have your dog play ball or do tricks.

Truly, all of it is dependent upon you, your dog and the facility.

***** How do I get involved?

There are two animal therapy programs in the metropolitan area: Pets for Life and Mo-Kan Pet Partners which is affiliated with the Delta Society out of Washington state.

Both organizations provide certification and will assist you in getting started as well as setting up visits.

In my humble opinion, which is simply my opinion, Quincy and I have been certfied through both groups and done visits for both. But, the groups are different.

Pets for Life has more visits available throughout the metropolitan area and at different times of day which allows more flexibility for those that work.

Mo-Kan Pet Partners is a more intensive test and is geared more toward assisting facilities in goal-based animal-assisted therapy. When working in this type of pet therapy, the visits are more likely to be during the day.

***** Good luck and happy volunteering!

How to find a dog trainer to help you and your dog.

2009-08-03T10:53:00.000-07:00

Since many of the Dogs Life KC pack is out "Hitting the Town with our Hounds," we're often how we got our dogs to behave like they do.

"We train them."

When asked who trained them, the answer is the same.

"We train them."

One of the most popular responses by far then is: "How long did you have to take him to obedience school to act like that?"

My favorite answer is, "He's 7 years old and we still go to school once a week."

The training level I want from my dogs is different than the average person that we meet on the street. And, I can easily say that for each of the Dogs Life KC pack members. Our dogs are active as service dogs, therapy dogs, show dogs, search and rescue dogs, etc. That means many hours are put in "teaching" the dogs each and every week.

So, if the person is still talking to me after I say that I have been taking my dog to obedience school for his entire life, then he or she will ask "Can you recommend a dog trainer to help me?"

That is a sticky wicket. Recommending a dog trainer is akin to recommending a church. You really don't want to offend someone accidentally.

I used to recommend different trainers in the area. But, after a bit, I've learned it is safer to ask:

What are you REALLY wanting from your dog?

How much effort are you willing to put in to the task?

How far are you willing to drive?

From those questions, I'll get a feel for what the person truly wants and maybe from that, I'll be able to recommend a few trainers that are agreeable with the goals and driving distance.

Some people laugh at those questions. But, they're actually quite serious when you think about them.

1) If someone is wanting their 5 month old Golden Retriever to act like my 7-year old Newfoundland within two months, that is just not going to happen without a lot of time and work.

2) If a person has a 9-year old Labrador/Great Dane mix that has always been food aggressive but they now have a toddler that likes to annoy the dog chances are they want the issue fixed NOW if not yesterday. But, they'll have to work and be diligent.

3) And, yes, travel time has to be taken in to consideration. For example, I personally have no issues driving from Lenexa to Lawrence for a dog class once a week. But, I enjoy the quiet time with my dog and it gives me a chance to catch up on phone calls. Other people balk at that time though.

Finding a dog trainer that fits you, your needs and your dog is a quest. The quest is similar to looking for a new pair of casual shoes. What looks good on the surface may not fit well or it may fit but doesn't look great with the majority of outfits owned.

So, before you go out looking for a trainer, decide what training style fits your personality.

I've met dog people who are hard core believers that a dog should never be punished or forced to do a thing. We as humans should "shape" their behaviors and never "lure" them or force them by putting our hands on them. http://www.clickertraining.com/node/1135

Are you a fan or foe of Cesar Millan - The Dog Whisperer guy on TV?

Are you open to the idea of using a clicker? This is a method similar to dolphin or whale training at Sea World. http://www.clickertraining.com/

I've even heard people tell me that their dog works purely because of love. Treats and praise are not necessary because their love is strong.

With all of this...I can honestly say I believe that IF you pick a method of training that you believe in 100% and you use that method 100%, the odds are good that eventually your dog will be trained.

True, your dog may not be originally aligned for that method. But, if you stick with it then eventually you'll get some compliance and training will have results.

How do you pick a trainer for you and your dog?

Watch a class or two.

Watch the trainer in a couple of classes. Then answer these questions:

Is the class too big for the instructor?
Does the instructor allow questions?
Does the instructor give attention to those needing it?
Are the students and dogs comfortable in the class?
Are the dogs excited to see the trainer?

What is the trainer's background and experience in dogs?

Ask the trainer about his/her background in dogs and what it is they like to do in regards to training. If the trainer just has a "pet dog" at home then maybe this person doesn't have the experience you personally need.

You must be comfortable with the person's experience because this means the person is aligned to a certain method or style of training.

What equipment is the trainer and students using on their dogs?

flat or buckle collars?

Head halters?

Pinch collars?

E-collars(electronic)?

Are you comfortable with the equipment the trainer is using? If not, then look to a different class.

What is your gut reaction?

Is this a trainer you can work with? If you hesitate in your answer then move on. There is a trainer out there for everyone.

So then...what is in my personal dog training toolbox? I have a little bit of everything.

I've taken well over 1000 hours of dog training classes in a variey of subjects:

puppy kindergarten
canine good citizen
basic home obedience
novice
advanced
compeition obedience
therapy dog training
head collar training
e-collar training
agility
off-leash
rally-obedience
basic clicker training
trick training
basic scent work
advanced scent work
tracking
human remains detection
collapsed structure search
water searches
basic avalanche work
air-scent
reading calming signals from dogs
canine body language
form follows function in canine structure
and the list goes on, and on, and on

But, here is the kicker, I love this stuff. I find it immensely exciting and I'll go to classes that I don't always a strong interest in because I want to hear the trainer and observe the dogs. I love watching the dogs learn, and think. I think it is exciting to watch the light bulbs go on for the dogs and I sincerely believe that the dogs have a great time learning things and being able to conquer new tasks.

From all of those classes, I have a fairly interesting tool box. I don't conform 100% to any method of training. I use a variety of methods and skills dependent upon the dog and situation presented.

Nicki

Wines with Canines

2009-07-31T08:38:00.000-07:00

Wines with Canines

If you missed our first ever Wines with Canines event, you really missed out! But, never fear! We're going to do it again.

Join us for wine and appetizer specials at:
Wedneday, August 19th
a wine flights bar and bistro in Leawood, Kansas

6pm to 8pm.

a wine flights bar and bistro will have the following specials for all dog people attending:

the infamous Three Dog Flight of Sangrias
half-price appetizers along
wonderful dog people to hang out with!

And, thanks to feedback from those attending, we'll be hosting other "Dining with Dogs" events very soon around the metro area, including a Paws for Pizza event that will be fun for the whole family.

DogsLifeKC Newsletter - July 31, 2009

2009-07-31T08:24:00.000-07:00

August is just a few days away and there is still so many fun things to do in the city with your dog even though the weather is H-O-T! Have you considered attending one of the local outdoor concerts or outdoor showings of movies?

Check them out on our Around the Town calendar! http://dogslifekc.com/AroundTown-Calendar.html

===============================================

This weekend... enjoy the tunes
Saturday, August 1

Country Club Plaza
Enjoy FREE, live outdoor music every Saturday afternoon from 2-5 pm from now until September. Come join the fun as the Plaza courtyards are filled with the sounds of reggae, rock, bluegrass and R&B.
The Legends at Village West
Turn up the volume on summer fun with FREE concerts at The Legends every Saturday night plus Memorial Day and Labor Day. Enjoy Kansas City's finest local and regional musicians, a brew patio and even a play area for the kids, all surrounding the fountain in the center courtyard. 5pm to 8pm
Zona Rosa
Gather in Zona Rosa's Town Square for a wonderful FREE!!!! concert series every Saturday night throughout the summer.

===============================================

Looking for...Dining with Dogs
We're looking for places that will allow Dining with Dogs. If you know of any spots that are "rumored" to allow dogs on their patios, please let us know: ChowHound@DogsLifeKC.com

Particular places that we're interested in finding restaurants:

The Northland
Overland Park
Independence
Lee's Summit

===============================================

Next Week... Dog Retreat at The Elms
Aug. 7, 8 and 9

For more information: http://www.dogretreatkc.com/
Dog Retreat is a fundraiser for ESFOA. This fun family Dog Retreat is a great getaway weekend you can enjoy with your pet. Enjoy the Movie Friday, Pet Expo, Demos Dog Contests , Art Show and more all day on Saturday and for breakfast on Sunday.

Questions: Call Marilyn (816) 838-7490
===============================================

Spotlight on - Dock Dogs

Come try the fastest growing dog sport - Dock Dogs. It's open to all breeds and experience levels.

Mo-Kan DockDogs Practice
Sunday, August 2, at 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Kemper Outdoor Education Center

8201 Jasper Bell Blue Springs, MO 64015

Noon -1pm - Beginners & Volunteers
1pm -3pm - Open Dock practice
3pm - 4pm - Extreme Vertical

To reserve your sport or for more information: kucow@aol.com
===============================================

Mark your calendars

Save the date for these dog events!

Saturday, Aug. 15th - Tails on the Trails in Lenexa
Saturday, Aug. 15th - The Crossings at Barry Road's Off-Leash Dog Park Grand Opening
Saturday, Aug. 15th - Three Dog Bakery's Bark-to-School portraits
Thursday, Aug. 20th - Dogs Days of Summer at Prairie Village Shops
Saturday, Aug. 22nd - Doga in the Park at Mill Creek Park on the Plaza

For more details on these events and many others, visit our Web site: http://dogslifekc.com/K9Calendar-Events.html

===============================================

What would life be like without a dog?

2009-07-14T07:56:00.000-07:00

I readily admit, over the years, I have gotten spoiled. For my entire adult life, I've had a dog with me.

When I leave for work, there is a fuzzy face peering out the window as I pull out of the driveway. It is that same face that greets me when I get home and pushes through the door to see if I brought something home for him.

There used to be three black, wooly mammoths in the house to watch me leave, welcome me home, share the couch space and accompany me on walks and trips. Now, there is just one, Quincy, affectionately known as the Q.

He used to be the youngest of three and now is the remaining, reigning king of the house.

The last two years have been hard on us. Calvin, the middle Newfie, passed away. I lost a job, got a job and we had to move. Of course, all of this not only added stress to my life, it had an impact on Quincy, too. And, to makes things worse, he was gravely ill twice.

Luckily, we had each other and we pulled through everything. He got me through the rough times and I took on the role of nursemaid when he was sick. But, it also made me contemplate, what would life be like without a dog?

The only thing I could think of was "extremely lonely." True, I have friends and family, but the thought of possibly losing the Q made me ill. He is my constant companion, my confidant and my BFF. :-)

I have had friends say that they enjoy the dog-less life. They can come and go as they please. IF they want to go to Chicago for a weekend, they just go.They're not shelling out $$$ for special foods, vet bills and pet sitters. And, they don't worry about rushing home after work to let the dog out.

A few speak of these things as horrid obligations and a reason not to have a dog.

I don't see those as horrible tasks. I see them as really cheap payment for all the companionship and enjoyment I get from them. What I have to do is a drop in the bucket for what I get and I do feel that having the Q in my life helps me structure and schedule it so I can get more accomplished.

Two weeks ago, Quincy's daughter, Darla, had a gorgeous litter of Newfoundland puppies. And the lovely "puppy-itis" started.

I had been waiting for this litter, particularly after freaking out last fall over Quincy's illnesses. I was seeing this as an opportunity to add to the fuzzy family with a new, little boy. I had picked out names, planned puppy classes, and all the cool things we could do.

Alas, the litter was all girls and I was greatly disappointed.

True, they're all extremely beautiful and have all the potential in the world. And, LOADS of my friends have girl dogs and adore them to no end. But, I couldn't get past my "sex prejudice." I wanted a boy.

After the arrival of the "girls," I talked to the lady that I got Quincy from and she had a litter on the ground with 7 boys. She couldn't promise me that the right one would be there for me but she said I could get on her waiting list. So, I contemplated that over the weekend.

"A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." I heard that over and over from my friends.

I agree with that, but couldn't figure out for the life of me what that meant at this moment. I have 5 girl puppies and wanted a boy. Do I change my expectations? Do I get on the list for a boy? Or, do I come up with another plan?

I hemmed and hawed. I made pros and cons lists. I tore them up and started over again.

Last night, I sat in the whelping box with Darla and looked at her beautiful babies. I kissed them all and assigned them to their new homes:
- one goes to Florida;
- two go to families in Kansas;
- and the rest go to Michigan

None will stay with me. I'll see the ones in Kansas on a regular basis. I'll help with grooming and training them. But, none will stay with me.

After I notified all the new homes their precious package would be ready to leave with them in 8 weeks, I got on email and took my name off the waiting list for a boy.

I then took Quincy for a walk and told him that it was "just you and me kiddo."

Scary as it is to contemplate the thought of being without a dog, I realized that I'm booked to the gills right now with work, the Web site, and other commitments, not to mention the fact that Quincy is not ready to retire.

Yes, I would love the dog: boy or girl. It's just my nature. I'd love it no matter what. But, I would rather those dogs go to homes where they'll be the star. I don't have the time to devote to that at this moment.

Right now, Quincy and I have the task of helping others make their dogs the light of their families life.

Very Drooly Yours,

Nicki & the Q

Why create DogsLifeKC?

2009-06-28T22:09:00.000-07:00

After having several people comment, "Why do all that work?" I've now become a bit sensitive to the question.

Originally, my response was "Why not? It interests me." But, after receiving the question so many times and contemplating the hours, leg work and money put in to it, I've had to ask myself, too.

What has actually surprised me is that the people that I thought would be "in to" the project were those that had the least amount of interest. And, it has been less dog-centric friends and associates that have had the most interest in the Web site and have volunteered their time, money and efforts in support of it. To them, I would like to express my most sincere gratitude because without them, I would have quit the project long ago!

The question remains, "Why create DogsLifeKC?"

Personally, while growing up, I didn't have any siblings, but I had dogs with me all the time as well as an active imagination. I talked to my dogs, read to them and played games with them. And, when it was time to go on family vacations, the dogs went too. So, to me, a person that didn't treat their dogs as members of the family were odd. I couldn't understand why someone would not try to include their dog in as many activities as possible were "off."

While in college, my interests in dogs grew a great deal. I began training them for search and rescue (SAR) work and that eventually evolved to include animal-assisted therapy visits and crisis response work. Through those experiences with the dogs in SAR and therapy, I spent a great deal of time traveling with them, going to presentations, trainings, searches and it became rather unnatural not to have them with me.

I started to look for fun activities to do with the dogs as well as events where I could take them to accompany me. I'd talk to friends, listen to others and as I started to write things down so I wouldn't forget. After a period of time, the framework for DogsLifeKC site was born.

Why share the information?

DogsLifeKC freely shares this information we have collected with the dog community of Kansas City with a hope that it will inspire more people to train their dogs and mold them in to good canine citizens. Dogs that are well-behaved and active members of the family and community are less likely to end up in rescue organizations and shelters. They also get to share more of their family's time. All of which leads to a win-win scenario for all involved on many levels.

I know that believe that having the dogs in my life has been a joy and I do want others to have that joy, too.