Having trouble reading this email? View it on our website.

In This Issue

Our Blog has moved!

visit www.dogboys.com/blog

Share the wealth!

Click here to forward this email to up to 5 friends at once.

Thanksgiving at the Ranch

When you dropped your dog off to board for the Thanksgiving holiday, admit it, you felt a little guilty. Yes, we agree, if they can’t be with you there is no place your pups would rather be than at DogBoy’s. But still, you were headed off to gorge on roast turkey with all the trimmings while your dog was getting a bowl of kibble. Highly nutritious kibble, without a doubt, but that can’t compare with a home cooked meal. Or can it?

Take a closer look at that food dish. Are the rumors true? Could that be roast turkey? Potatoes? Peas? Has the staff at DogBoy’s finally gone mad? 

Yes, it’s true. At DogBoy’s we treat our guests like family. This year we brought the feast to the kennel and celebrated in true DogBoy’s style – with a full belly and a grateful heart.

New Building Update

As the workers finish up the noisy stages of construction on our training and wellness center we’ve been working on what will happen on the inside. To best promote the health of our all our dogs, we’ve met with the Texas Veterinary Medical Association to define the guidelines for our wellness services.  We are already setting tentative days for massage treatments by Kristi McGrath, of All Paws Canine Massage who plans to be at DogBoy's twice a month beginning in February!

As we continue to look for veterinarians and service providers in our local community to offer holistic services at our facility, let us know if you have a favorite that you’d like to see at DogBoy’s. We are very excited about being a part of the growing holistic pet community in the Austin area.

Our 2010 training schedule is on the website now in the training section of our website. Classes fill quickly so reserve your spot right away!

Puppy Head Start: One Size Doesn't Fit All

Several years ago veteran dog owner and DogBoy’s client, Carole Cameron, made a promise to herself. When the time was right she was getting a Bernese Mountain Dog, a breed known for their size, strength and good nature. That day came last year when Carole retired from Austin Energy and she knew that she had the time to devote to a pup who would soon weigh more than her Boston Terrier, KoKo, and her Miniature American Eskimo, Dakota, combined.

After much research, Carole and her husband, Paul, drove to College Station and chose a puppy named Bear, a tri-colored beauty with a personality the size of Texas and paws to match. Bear’s puppy exuberance thrilled the Cameron’s young grandchildren and brought joy to Carole’s mother who lives nearby in a home for Alzheimer’s patients. But it became obvious in those first two months that behaviors like jumping up on people, often tolerated or considered cute from little dogs, could be dangerous coming from Bear who was growing at an astounding rate. Since Bear is part of the family, a life relegated to the backyard was not an option. Soon afterwards Carole and Bear enrolled in DogBoy’s Puppy Head Start class led by DogBoy's Director of Training, Paula Baker Prince, CPDT.

As part of class, Carole, Bear and their classmates were frequently spotted around town in socialization activities and playing games designed to develop the relationship between puppies and their owners. Bear thrived in class, so much so that she earned the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Award and was well on her way to becoming a Canine Good Citizen. Bear loves being in class and at eleven months old already has Obedience Level I and Rally-O under her belt. Both Carole and Bear look forward to continuing with Obedience Level II and Beginning Agility at DogBoy’s.

Most importantly, Bear’s beautiful spirit and happy nature continues to delight gatherings of young and old. Everyone at DogBoy’s is proud of what Carole and Bear have accomplished and is honored that they have chosen to train with us.

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Wondering what your pup wants for Christmas? We have it from a good source (her initials are M.S. and she was last seen in the kennel) that the Treatstik is on every dog’s list. These clever toys keep your pup entertained and can withstand even the strongest chewer while doubling as a kibble and treat dispenser. Check out these cute and smart toys the next time you’re in the office.

And for the animal lover on your list, what could be a more perfect gift than a portrait of their best friend?  Check out accomplished artist Maranda Worley's portrait of Makers, one of our frequent visitors out at the ranch.  Maranda works in acrylic and uses photographs to create unique artwork of your pet.  She has generously agreed to offer DogBoy's customers a $25 discount off the $175 price of a 16 x 20 portrait that is ordered by December 7th.  Call her today at 303.721.6113 or email marandaworley@comcast.com.

Staff Spotlight: Murphy's Luck

When you look up the word lucky in the dictionary, you'll find a picture of Murphy, the Border Collie mix that belongs to Rebecca Andrews, CPDT, a seasoned member of our training and kennel staff.

Nearly seven years ago after a long day at the kennel, Rebecca spotted this scruffy boy on the side of a busy road in Pflugerville.   He didn’t have tags or a microchip and it was obvious he’d been living rough for quite a while. Rebecca pulled over and reached for the spare leash in her car. That’s when Murphy’s luck began to change.

Murphy quickly proved there wasn’t a fence built that he couldn’t jump. Once again Rebecca recognized a diamond in the rough and channeled his superior athleticism onto the agility field. Soon they were working together to beat the clock and satisfy Murphy’s need for adventure. While Rebecca’s original intention was to foster Murphy, it became obvious this winning team couldn’t be split up.

In his spare time Murphy likes to hang out in the office. It’s likely you’ve met him as he has appointed himself an official DogBoy’s greeter, a job he shares with other staff pups. Go ahead, give him a pet. Maybe some of that luck will rub off.

Important Holiday Reminders

Have a Wonderful & Safe Holiday!