Ready for Shipping

We received a shipment of collars and leashes today from Lupine (we are still waiting on West Paws Design stuff so stay tuned). We've noticed that our 1/2" collars and leashes are not very big sellers so we've decided to return the product to Lupine and carry more 3/4" and 1" stuff as that seems to be what most of you prefer. So I unloaded the box, hung up all the new stuff and put all the leashes and collars that we are returning back into the box, and left it on the storage cabinet behind the desk to get it ready to ship back to Lupine.

A little while later, I couldn't find Chewy...I looked in all her usual haunts and still couldn't find her. I started to worry that maybe she had gotten outside but then I spotted her.

Good thing I didn't mail her off!

Rescue Fundraiser

Well the adoption fair was a success! There were lots of people interested in the dogs and quite a few got adopted. My favorite girl Rika, unfortunately was not. She can jump a 6 foot fence and understandably, that causes some people to hesitate. Poor girl. She really is a sweetheart! You can find out more about the day (and little Rika) on the Prairie Dog Canine Rescue's blog.

The rescue managed to raise over $600 with a raffle and by selling some really yummy homemade treats. Our dogs' favorites are the pumpkin pie and the Applesauce Cheddar but they are all quite good. They still have some left so we will be selling them at the Daycare (242 12 St N) this week - they cost $10 for three bags or $3.50 per bag. The money raised will go towards vet bills and other supplies (crates, collars, food, etc.)

Breakfast Buzz

We had a surprise visit this morning from Marlon with the B93 Breakfast Buzz. Paws on the Run and the Prairie Dog Canine Rescue were chosen as the business of the day! They thought we could use some nurishment before the Rescue's big Adoption Fair this Sunday. Marlon arrived with some much appreciated muffins from McDonalds and coffee and chai tea! They are obviously used to offices with more staff as he showed up with 12 muffins and a full pot of coffee and tea! "Poor" Amanda and I did our best to eat and drink all we could. ;)

It was the perfect day for a treat because it was sure busy! Fridays are definitely our busiest days and today was no exception. This is the first time I've sat at the desk for more than 5 minutes and it is almost 4 p.m.

I hope to see you out at the adoption fair. Come see the dogs and support the rescue. They will be fundraising by selling some very clever t-shirts for $25 as well as a variety of tasty homemade treats.

New Toy

Who knew a machine that cleans would make me so happy! We ordered the Hoover All-Terrain Steam Vacuum a month ago from ebay and it finally arrived. Just ask Amanda how impatient I have been. Our indoor play area is almost 3,000 square feet which is quite a bit bigger than my house (including the basement!). So as you can imagine, vacuuming and mopping it every day can be a chore. Especially when you consider the 20 odd dogs that are running and playing all over it every day.

Mopping is okay for small jobs, but for such a dirty floor we found we would literally have to be refreshing the water every few minutes to get a truly clean floor. This obviously isn't very practical. Hence the steam cleaner.

When I thought about blogging about this new addition it made me wonder if I had ever officially announced the new additions to the Paws on the Run staff! I don't think I have! That is Jolene above with the steam cleaner (see that dirty bucket of water!!!). She is working with me in the afternoons. And get this. She wants to clean! A woman after my own heart. Our other new addition is Sandy, who I've posted pictures of before here... Sandy is holding down the fort on Saturdays as she still has a "day job" that keeps her busy during the week.

Transformed

I think I've mentioned this before but one of the best things about working at the daycare is watching the shy, uncertain dogs become confident playful dogs. Legend started coming about once or twice a week just a few weeks ago. For his first few visits, his owners literally had to drag him through the door and we would have to drag him to the back of the daycare. And when I mean drag, I don't just mean pull, I mean he was lying down and we pulled him along the floor. Once he got back with the dogs he was a little timid but not petrified. He started with the smaller and calmer dogs and gradually moved "up" to the bigger more active dogs. In his last few visits, he started to play bow and chase some of the dogs and yesterday, for the first time, he walked in the door full of confidence and was eager to come into the daycare! Now that he has gotten his sea legs, he has a lot of fun. With some dogs, it just takes a little patience and time.

Photo Sorting

Lately we've been trying to get our photos back under control. It is an on-going, never ending process as we take photos almost every single day. When we download photos they are put into a folder for that specific day. We then sort them into folders for each dog. I've now gone and taken my favourite one of each dog (this is harder than it sounds!) and saved them in another folder marked "2009 Calendar". I'm preparing early this year. :)

If we managed to get any decent pictures of your dog these past few months we'll be e-mailing them to you shortly (if we have your e-mail address that is). We'll then burn them onto CD's and then erase them from the computer as the computer tends to slow down over time with all the pictures.

Here are a few of my re-discovered favourites:

Gus and Tucker

Jack

Jackson

Maui

Ruby

Joined at the hip

I don't think Coco and Rosie left each other for more than a few moments all day yesterday. Everywhere one went, the other was sure to follow. They are pretty cute, so you can hardly blame them!

Hot Rock Massage

Perkins manages to find "luxury" wherever he goes!

I'm grown up too!

Maggie Mae felt that she also has grown up lots at the daycare so here are her comparison pictures.

From September 2007...

To now...

She is looking really hard to look dignified but that is hard when you have something sticking out of your mouth!

Something to Wag About

We are very excited because the newest Lethbridge Living is available! Not only is this a great magazine, with terrific photos and good stories, but it has a story about us!

You can read it by clicking on the picture to make it bigger or you can pick up a copy at the daycare if you are interested.

When I was picking up the magazines, I noticed the Heriette Plas Photography studio was right next door. I just found out last week that she offers courses on digital SLR photography and I'd been meaning to call to see when her next class was. Turns out she has one starting April 30. I'm very excited. She has promised to get me off the automatic settings. :) So watch out for better photos in May!

Spring Fling Grooming Sale!

We are pretty excited it is almost spring. So to celebrate, we are offering $5 off all grooming appointments booked for any date between March 25- April 3. Appointments are available from Tuesday - Thursday.

Sale Prices:
Just Bath and Brush
Small Dog ( <20 lbs) - $25
Medium Dog (20-50 lbs) - $35
Large Dog (>50 lbs) - $45

Bath, Brush and Trim
Small Dog ( <20 lbs) - $35
Medium Dog (20-50 lbs) - $45
Large Dog (>50 lbs) - $55

All grown up

It really has a lot of fun to see lots of the dogs grow up from puppies to adults. They can sure change fast. We often see them too often to notice the change but when we look back we can see how far they've come!

This is Gus on Aug 27, 2007...

And this is him now.

More Space

We have expanded the "small dog" area so it is almost as big as the main play area! We ordered more flooring (rubber mats) and they arrived yesterday afternoon so we installed them last night after an agility training class. My husband was sure we'd be home by 9:30 at the very latest...try midnight! Amanda helped us out and we spent lots of time laughing and lots of time cursing (apparently Amanda and I are not skilled with a tape measure!) but it was worth it. The dogs have much more room to run and play.

One Happy Boy

Duke is one happy dog. He is non-stop wiggles, wags and smiles. He and Jackson make a really good pair - they have the same play style, the same temperment and the same energy levels.

Milo (another really happy boy) is used to being the centre of Jackson's attention...I guess he'll just have to learn to share.

Toy Review

We've tried and tested many toys at the daycare. If there is stuffing inside, it is guaranteed not to last. If there is a squeaker inside, it is guaranteed not to last. If it is a tennis ball, it is guaranteed not to last. Does anything last? Yes! So far we've had success with the Rogz bones. The bigger one has survived but the medium one did not - probably because it is made for dogs smaller than those who were playing with it.

We've also found that the Busy Buddy Footballs have really lasted but only the black ones which are the extra strong ones.

Soon we are going to have some Hucks and Hurleys from West Paw Design for the daycare dogs to play with and we will also have some for sale. Amanda has had a Hurley for her dogs and it was lost before it was ruined! :) They are guaranteed just like the Lupine Collars and Leashes that we sell. We like guaranteed items because we know how destructive dogs can be!

Thank Goodness for Collars

I don't know how some daycares have a collar-free policy. They sure help us identify the black labs quickly. We can tell who they are when we get a good look at them but across the room or in a blur of motion, they become a little harder to tell apart.

That is Fin in the pink and Maggie Mae in the red (in case you were wondering!).

Three's Company

Or is it a crowd?

Poor Charlee was desperate to play with Atticus and Gus. She would try and grab the tug, play bow to them and do everything she could to join in the game while the boys did everything they could to keep her out. Atticus did play with Charlee later in the day...once Gus had gone home. Big Meanies!

Cuddles Please

Perkins loves to cuddle. This is the look we have to resist all day as he asks us to please pick him up and cuddle!

Feminine Side

Duke is obviously in touch with his feminine side.

Although he looks a little mortified in this picture.

Playing in Puddles

We had a very dirty dog on our hands today. Much to his delight, Jack got tackled by Maggie Mae outside on the very wet ground.

Needless to say, if your dog gets this dirty, you get a complimentary bath - which is not quite so delightful according to Jack.

Hide and Seek

Is there someone in there?

Yup! It's Dory.

Dory is still looking for a home...she is unbelievably cute, friendly and smart.

You Reap What You Sow

Atlas is a big drool producer. I imagine slobber all over the walls, all over the house. Every time he shakes his head it goes flying - often on other dogs but it also lands on himself!

All by myself

Who says you need someone else to play with a tug toy? Charlee and Barley both did fine on their own.

Slide

We thought Jenna going down the slide was particularly cute so we brought out the video camera. Here is a really short clip.