In This Edition:

— Latest Events at Kamp K9
— Info Feature: The Evaluation Process
— Kamper Profile: Toby Devine
— Photo of the Month
— Links

WHAT'S HAPPENING

The Animal Refuge League’s annual Paws in the Park walk took place on Sunday September 14th. This is their biggest single fundraising event of the year, and it’s a chance for pet-related businesses like Kamp K9 and rescue groups to have displays out for the folks who register and donate to walk their dog around the Deering-Oaks Park perimeter. Other events take place there as well, such as various demonstrations (last year it was a police dog demo; this year it was a pet communicator) and competitions such as best wag and best bark. An agility course was also available this year.

This event is of course subject to the whims of the weather, and unfortunately this year was very windy and rainy, so the turnout wasn’t as high, but those who DID come were very enthusiastic. Aside from the opportunity to meet some potential new customers, it’s also a chance for us to talk a bit with colleagues and see who’s out there for complementary (and competitive) businesses.

Jen under the gazebo & new event banner

In other news: “They have tar on thars!” Some of you have already noticed the tar that was put at the end of our driveway several days ago. It was something we were thinking of as a damage-preventative move; most of the damage coming from the many lost motorists who use our driveway daily as a turnaround, gunning their engines in the sand in an effort to get in front of oncoming traffic. This was a good enough summer business-wise to afford to finally get at least that portion of the drive paved, making your entry and exit smoother, and making my thrice-annual rut repairs unnecessary. Woo-hoo!!

Frequent Kamper Cards have been available for a very long time; the intent behind them was to enable people who bring their dogs to day camp with more-than-occasional frequency to buy in bulk and save; and in keeping with that intent, they will now come with an 8-week expiration date. (There are existing cards on file here that were purchased as long ago as April; we’re considering them “grandfathered” and not subject to this new stipulation.)

Random thought: Probiotics: Rid-X for your pet!

INFO FEATURE: Kamp K9's Evaluation Process

If you’re a customer of Kamp K9 and you have a dog who comes for day camp or for boarding, you’ve been through an initial visit where your pup was taken out with the others prior to them attending camp here. A few times the question has come up: “What are you looking for in my dog? How do you evaluate them?” Well, wonder no more.

The evaluation starts the moment they walk in the door. The first thing I look at is their demeanor when entering the office. It stands to reason that a dog who walks in without needing encouragement and has no trouble with a new person in front of them is off to a very good start. (Another good start is not marking anything when they’re indoors!) If a dog appears timid and shy, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they won’t do well here; they might need a little more breaking-in time than a dog who’s just dying to get to everyone else and play.

The next step is to introduce them to the pack. Depending on the initial attitude of the dog, they might be introduced to only a couple of other dogs at a time, or to the whole pack at once. Obviously, as this is a cage-free place, it is essential that everyone get along with each other. They don’t necessarily have to LOVE every other dog here, but at least tolerating each other is paramount. While they’re out there, what’s looked at carefully is the new dog’s sense of canine manners (how a new dog is supposed to react when introducing himself to a new pack) and their level of curiosity and confidence versus any anxiety they might have. We watch body language very closely during this process (good signs are a tail that’s high, but not necessarily wagging, a head and ears that are forward and interested, among other things) and once the introductions take their course some walking around the yard and perhaps some ball playing take place to watch how they might respond.

Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, people know if their dog is aggressive and therefore we usually don’t hear from such people to begin with. An aggressive dog (as opposed to a dog who simply has an alpha personality) is never allowed here. Conversely, we occasionally see dogs here whose parents, knowing their dog’s sensitivity, are trying to give them something better than a cage for boarding, but they are so anxiety-ridden that all they want to do is tear through the door leading back into the office and to mom & dad. Such dogs are also not allowed here. Too much anxiety can lead to defensive biting; at least, the poor dog is going to be miserable, and sometimes a small, confined area is actually better for them.

If all goes well enough, they’re approved for day care and/or boarding. They’re evaluated further during their first visits here, and if any tendencies toward conduct unbecoming a Kamper come up, they are dealt with, either through measures here, or failing those, work with a trainer or behaviorist outside of these walls is suggested prior to permitting them back.

In reality, MOST dogs do well here because a pack is a natural thing for them. Fortunately, our screening process works well toward keeping everyone safe and happy – and very tired at the end of the day.

Kamper Profile
Toby Devine

Our first profile to grace The Straight Poop in a while is a survivor’s tale. Elaine Devine, who divides her time between Maine and Florida, had to say a sad goodbye to a dearly loved shepherd/poodle mix roughly five years ago. A few months later, she felt ready to have that special relationship in her life once again, and started looking for a new pal through shelters (her other pets have been shelter animals as well; Elaine believes in good homes for existing animals who desperately need them).

Around that time, a malnourished little Wire Fox Terrier mix was found wandering the streets in south Florida by the police, and was brought in with other strays to one of the shelters in the area. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a no-kill shelter, and he was scheduled for euthanizing along with many other dogs. His life was spared when a local rescue group, trying to save as many dogs as possible, took that little terrier and proceeded to care for him.

Each dog got a check from a vet when they came in. At that time it was discovered that the little terrier had distemper. (Canine distemper is a contagious, incurable, often fatal, multi-systemic viral disease that affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems; it used to be widespread but vaccinations have drastically reduced its occurrence. For more info see http://www.animalhealthchannel.com/distemper/index.shtml) Over a period of weeks of treatment, his condition improved and he beat the deadly disease; he gained weight and strength and was eventually ready to place for adoption. (Dogs who recover from distemper are not contagious.) He was dubbed “Toby” by the rescue staff.

When Elaine saw his picture on the web, his face simply connected to something within her, and so Toby came into her life. His name seemed to fit him so well, she saw no need to re-name him.

His life hasn’t been 100% easy since then; he had been abused and neglected, and it took him some time to get used to people, and to walking on a leash, and trust and love. Distemper is a devastating disease, and it can leave even a hardy survivor like Toby with some tough residual issues; Toby had bone loss, a tongue that spends a lot of time hanging out the side of his mouth, and he was left with an involuntary muscular tic in his face (medical term chorea; also known by the archaic term “St. Vitus’ Dance”) that occasionally makes his mouth close tightly repeatedly (some times it’s more pronounced than others). As a result of this tic, he’s lost most of his teeth, and must have his kibble softened with warm water.

In spite of his physical issues, his mother Elaine says with pride that “after five years he is an endearing happy survivor.” I’ll second that; his story and his personality have touched me deeply, and not only do I love the little guy to pieces, I’m amazed at the trust and affection he displays with me, especially considering all he’s been through, and I feel humbled when I think about what he’s been through versus the petty day-to-day things that irk me from time to time.
Here’s the man himself.

If you would like your dog featured here, by all means get their biographical info to us, and we’ll be sure to include it in a future issue!

 

PHOTO OF THE MONTH:

So tired...wanna sleep...no, wait...wanna play...wanna sleep...play...

Got a funny photo you'd like to share? By all means email it, and we'll include it in a future issue!