POOCH PAWsitive
Pet Owners Organization of Citrus Heights
Dedicated to the Health and Well-Being of Companion Animals and their Guardians
June, 2006
|
Hanna “In October, 2005, we went to look at a litter of Miniature Schnauzer puppies, says Hanna’s guardian, Greta Hill “but, instead, fell in love with 4 month old Hanna. When my husband, Richard, and I met her, she just wanted to be cuddled. Of course, once we got her home, we found out that she is a typical schnauzer, affectionate one minute, and a rip roaring terrier the next! Hanna is going to obedience class and has participated in one Earthdog trial. She goes for a walk every day or plays in small dog park. Hanna is now 1 year old and our fourth Mini. We love the breed because of the perfect blend of affection with an outgoing personality. Hanna loves to go for long walks, romp with the other dogs and play tug of war. One of her favorite games is to bring me a ‘forbidden’ object (usually my pajamas) and have me chase her. Our future plans include more obedience classes and competition in Earthdog trials. While Hanna is still not sure how obedient she wants to be, she is gung-ho for going down tunnels to chase rats!
Her two sisters; Ginny and Maggie, are 6 year old Giant Schnauzers (please see their photos on the POOCH website) that we adopted through HT-Z Giant Schnauzer Rescue. They are both wonderful, sweet girls that we feel fortunate to have adopted. Maggie is black and Ginny is a salt & pepper color similar to Hanna. Both Giants love to go for walks every day and play with their little sister, Hanna. We adore our girls!”
Welcome New Member · Maryanne Williamson, c/o Majestic Pet Services · Jackie Gunby
As the weather heats up, so does asphalt on which you may walk your dog. Be careful that their paws are not burned. Dr. Bugreef, your writer’s dog’s Veterinarian, said she had seen pads burned off.
|
Message from POOCH President, Betty Bauer Several weeks ago I received a letter (unsigned) about the differences between the daytime park users and the evening park users. Included was a statement “The day people don’t like the night people and the night people are clueless as to what is going on.” It’s too bad this dichotomy exists, because it doesn’t have to. POOCH Park is open to anyone who wants to use it. Hopefully, those using it are in control of their dogs and themselves, respect the park rules and contribute to the maintenance, upkeep and improvement of the park. This is done in several ways: one is to be a member. Dues help to pay for items such as poop bags for which we spend in excess of $2,500.00 per year. The park district DOES NOT provide them. Being a member also gives you the right to vote and participate in decisions related to POOCH. The letter suggested a picnic, a great idea! Who should do the work? Many of the day users are engaged in preparation for several other events involving POOCH; The Red, White & Blue Parade, the 5K for K9 Classic, assisting other areas to develop off-leash parks…it’s a long list. The newspaper and the website are done by members who primarily utilize the park during the day. Everyone is expected to pick up poop, cigarette butts, and torn up balls, regardless of the time of day. The PAWSpaghetti event had lots of evening users and nonmembers and was a big success. But, there wasn’t a lot of integration of day/evening participants. Perhaps I should mention that POOCH is NOT just a “Dog Park”. It is an organization “dedicated to the health and well being of companion animals and their guardians.” Check out the website: www.poochdogpark.com for a good perspective on what we really do. POOCH officers and members met with Sunrise Recreation and Park District to get some improvements for the park. The park district asked that chairs, toys and balls be picked up to facilitate mowing and we passed this request along to the evening users. From what I see on Thursday morning, this isn’t done. Those cut up balls can easily choke a dog. In most cases, decisions are made by the board and reported to the general membership for approval. If you don’t come to the meetings, you’ll miss out on what’s happening and your good ideas will never know fruition. Join POOCH, come to the meetings, and help us make this an even better dog park. [Our next meeting is June 20 at 6:30pm in the dog park. Will you be there? |
page 2
|
During the May 16 General Meeting, the following summarizes the issues which were discussed and/or approved:
There was a presentation by the new Citrus Heights Police Chief, Christopher Boyd in which he summarized the goals of his department which are as follows:
· Interaction with the community including organizations such as POOCH, businesses and homes. The Chief will assign officers to specific areas and POOCH will have a specific officer to contact in case of an incident. · For improved communication, the front desk and telephones will be covered 24/7 and handled by paid staff. After hours, the telephone line will be transferred to 911. Telephone number/s for the department will be determined and posted on the police department’s website approximately the end of June. · There will be a link to the Citrus Heights Police on the POOCH website. · POOCH president, Betty Bauer asked about responsiveness to incidents involving aggressive dogs. She further stated that such incidents generally involve irresponsible dog owners who know we cannot do anything. Chief Boyd stated that he would work with Animal Control and Sunrise Recreation & Parks District to address this problem. · Chief Boyd said he is planning to add four K-9 teams to his department beginning with 2 teams in November/December and 2 teams in the summer of 2007 depending upon the funding. The start-up cost per team is $40,000 with an initial investment of $8,000-$9,000 per team. The Board thanks Chief Boyd for his input and expressed its willingness to work with him and his department.
· Sally T. made the motion to publish the newsletter every 2 months beginning in July and this motion was passed. If a notice needs to be sent in between publications, it will be sent to members by postcard, via the telephone tree or E-mail.
|
The Agenda for the June 20 general meeting includes: · Old Business Donation Box Foundation · Sponsorship of Sacramento County K-9 unit · 5K for K9 Report Rescue groups are invited · Printer distribution · Citrus Height Parade · New Business · Proposed plans for newspaper format and distribution · VARK Invitation · Report on rescue efforts Carrie Moore/SAIR Jeri Bonk Other · Open Discussion · Rancho Cordova Dog Park · Legal actions in progress
Dates to Remember: Date Description Location and Time Monday Sacramento Town Ben Ali Shriners Center June 19 Mtg. to discuss the 3262 Marysville Blvd. General Plan includes Sacramento Off-leash dog parks 6:00 – 8:30pm
Tuesday POOCH General C Bar C (POOCH June 20 Meeting Dog Park) 6:30pm
Saturday Red, White & Blue Uplands & Sunrise Blvd. June 24 Parade Citrus Heights
Wednesday Sacramento Town McClatchy High School June 28 Mtg. to discuss the 3066 Freeport Blvd. General Plan includes Sacramento Off-leash dog parks 6:00 – 8:30pm
Saturday Placer SPCA Gold Country July 8 BBQ & Blues Fairgrounds 1:00-9:00pm
Tuesday POOCH General Rusch Park meeting July 18 meeting room 6:30pm
Thurs-Sun. Splash Dogs Bone-A Railhead Park July 20-23 Fit Auburn
|
PAGE 3
|
By Becky Money Come and join the fun as POOCH joins the 7th Annual Red, White & Blue Parade. Each year, the city sponsors this event to celebrate the incorporation of the City of Citrus Heights. On Saturday, June 24 at 9:00 am, the Citrus Heights Community Marching band will lead dozens of entries including floats, clowns, youth organizations, classic cars, businesses and neighborhood groups to the cheers and delight of the crowd. Entries march, walk, ride and roll down Sunrise Boulevard from Uplands Way to the Sunrise Mall parking lot on Greenback Lane. After the parade, there will be an award presentation. There will also be a pancake brunch and local festival until 12:00 noon. POOCH is proud to participate with a walking entry to promote the Dog Park and canine good citizenship. This year, we have invited several rescue groups to walk with us and share awareness about the importance of pet adoption. We will have a decorated pick-up truck for those dogs and owners who prefer to ride. Our walk is approximately one mile and will last one hour. Snacks and water are provided. Every year, POOCH is one of the most popular entries. Please wear a costume with red and/or white and/or blue or come as you are. As our group of 30 or more dogs has moved down the street in prior years, the crowd has gone crazy with laughter “ooohs and ahs.” It’s time to Shine and Show Off! Meet us in the staging area near the corner of Uplands Way and Birdcage Lane on Saturday morning at 8:45am to Wag your Hips and Swing your Tails…wait…. reverse that. SEE YOU THERE! If you have any questions, please call Sally T. at (916) 725-2796.
POOCH’s highly creative photographer, Jeri Bonk, also webmaster2, wants to photograph you with your precious dog/s so we may get to know one another. Please contact her via the website: www.poochdogpark.com or call her at #965-4325 to arrange to meet her at the park or another agreed upon location. You will see Jeri at the park often with her two beautiful dogs. She is the lovely blond with the beautiful smile, a Rhodesian Ridgeback named Mollie and a Plott Hound named BeeGee.
|
Noah’s Wish “Is a not-for-profit animal rescue organization with one focus – the rescue and shelter of animals in and following a disaster. Founded in 2002, Noah’s Wish is expert in disaster relief for animals with a dedication to raising the standard of how animals are managed during a disaster plus raising the level of knowledge of people about disaster preparedness. Noah’s Wish provides life saving services during the response and recovery stages of disasters. Temporary sheltering, long & short term foster care and grief counseling are among the services provided. How you can help Volunteer with Noah’s Wish. Please visit the website for training schedules, monetary donations, store gift cards, supply and equipment donations. Prepare your pets for disasters and tell your friends about Noah’s Wish.”
“Pooh Bear, a shaggy little terrier mix and Gator, my Rottweiler pup are my Boys from the Bayou, daily reminders of seven weeks spent with Noah’s Wish in Slidell, Louisiana”, writes Mari Donovan. “With the rest of the country, I watched the images and read the stories of the Gulf Coast and knew I had to do something to help. A friend urged me to contact Noah’s Wish, an organization that rescues animals affected by disaster. Following an e-mail, a flurry of phone calls and quickly arranged flights, I headed off. Volunteers converged from almost every state and every Canadian province to care for these grieving, displaced and frightened animals. Upon arrival in Slidell, I was assigned to the Big Dog section – a temporary city with rows of tents, housing every breed including Labs, Ridgebacks, Chows, Retrievers, Rottweilers and every type of Pit Bull. Up to 160 dogs were sheltered in this section alone. After a brief orientation, I was given a bleach water bottle, paper towels, gloves and knee pads. As teams exercised the dogs each morning and evening, every cage and water bowl was disinfected, and food set it, taking 4 to 5 hours for each stretch. Midday was a time for cleaning the gravel walkways, resupplying towels, filling water dishes, bathing, cuddling, stuffing kongs and setting up cages for new arrivals. Days were 12 to 14 hours long. By the end of October, I knew one month would not be enough. I was looking for a dog to adopt but was mindful of heartbreak, mine that is. It is Noah’s Wish policy to reunite each animal with their family, and, thankfully, there were many tearful reunions. Sadly, there were also painful surrenders, as some owners just could not keep their cat or dog, and wanted to them to have a ‘forever’ home. That is how Pooh Bear, the little terrier mix cam home with me. Walking through the shelter, little Pooh kept pulling me to the big dogs, sniffing and wanting to play. He seemed to be seeking a companion. As my departure date approached, I heard of some pups kept at one of the vets in town, a Rottweiler with 9 pups (found in a bayou), now ready for adoption. Soon, the runt of the litter was in my arms, being cleaned by his new ‘brother’ Pooh Bear. The pup, named Gator, is now 8 months old and weighs 79 pounds. He and Pooh are happy housemates and frequent visitors to the POOCH dog park.” |
|
Top To Bottom
Eyes [Source: Dr. Kathryn Good, Animal Eye Center, Rocklin, California)
Symptoms of eye disorders when you need to see your veterinarian:
All of the above symptoms could indicate inflammation inside of the eye, infection of the surface of the eye, a serious injury (corneal ulceration), glaucoma (increased pressure inside of the eye) or inadequate tear production (dry eye). Left untreated, all of these conditions can deteriorate rapidly and jeopardize vision. Acting promptly could make the difference between keeping or losing vision.
Ears [Sources: The Dog Bible, UCDavis Book of Dogs,}
“If one or more of the following signs is noted, the professional opinion of your Veterinarian should be sought:
|
Border Collie According to the American Kennel Club “the Border Collie is a medium size dog with an intelligent, alert, eager expression.” Every day, at POOCH Park, you can see and admire their prowess and natural charm with people and other dogs. “The height ranges from 19 inches to 22 inches with a weight of 30-45 pounds for males and 18 inches to 21 inches with a weight of 27-42 pounds for females. The Border collie originated on the border between Scotland and England with an origin of old British droving breeds. They have extraordinary instinct and an uncanny ability to reason. This wonderful dog excels in gathering and fetching the stock with wide sweeping outruns coupled with a stalking style of movement. Border Collies have two specific types of coats: one, the outer coat is straight or wavy with a soft undercoat and two, rough coat with soft undercoat. Colors range from solid to bi-color, tri-color, merle and sable.” The dogs visiting POOCH Park are primarily black and white with or without brown markings. According to: www.doginfo.com,”to be truly happy, this dog needs a lot of ongoing attention, extensive daily exercise and a job to do. The Border Collie is represented among the leaders in sports including agility skills, obedience and sheepdog trials. They thrive on praise, are sensitive and very trainable. This breed should be well socialized as a puppy to prevent shyness.
Recipe of the Month Dog Biscuits
2 ½ c. whole wheat flour ½ c. powdered milk 1 tsp. garlic powder 1 T. wheat germ 1 tsp beef bouillon (granules) 1 egg 6 T. bacon grease or meat Drippings ½ c ice water
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all dry ingredients. Cut in drippings. Mix in egg. Add enough ice water for mixture to form a ball. Pat to ½ inches thick. Bake 25-30 minutes. Cool.
In Memoriam
Sarah Thew
|
Newsletter Editor email
APRIL POOCH PAWS:
