We will be closed for daycare from December 24th - 26th, and from December 31st - January 2nd.

Reserve in January for the 2009 Holidays!
We will begin taking reservations for next Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s on January 2, 2009. Be sure to call as soon as you can to reserve a spot – they go quickly!

We are currently taking reservations for spring break 2009.

DogBoy's Supports Local Search & Rescue Efforts
Sandra England, our Kennel and Training Manager and a valued member of the Travis County Search and Rescue (TCSAR) team, is pleased to share the news that her Golden Retriever, Makena, recently received her National Narcotic Detector Dog Association (NNDDA) Certification in Cadaver Search. Sandra’s other dog, a German Shepherd named Chopper, passed the Travis County Search and Rescue 20-Acre test. Congratulations Makena & Chopper!

DogBoy’s has given their support to TCSAR by allowing staff members like Sandra to take time off of work when called out on search and rescue missions and drills. DogBoy’s has also helped with fundraising and training efforts to get more people involved in this valuable public service.

Farewell to the Chief
Many of you may remember that we adopted our neighbor’s dog, Chief, this past spring to give him the retirement he deserved. Chief lived his final months in style, working his way into the hearts of all the staff and the customers who were fortunate enough to meet him. Chief came to us with several health issues and limited mobility, but his spirits were always high. He passed away after spending several months with us, and we all miss him terribly. One of our office staffers, Jay Robison, wrote a very fitting eulogy that we’d like to share:
                       
In the ancient British Isles, when a chief died, he was sent off in style. At a burial site in southern England known as Sutton Hoo, a Celtic chieftain was buried in his ship with his finest weapons, armor and treasure. On the island of Iona, Scotland, kings arrived by boat and were taken down a special road (still maintained today) to the Rheilig Odhrain—literally, the City of the Dead—on their final journey, sent off with love and ceremony as family and followers said their final farewells.

The DogBoy’s family said goodbye to its Chief earlier this year. He had been our neighbor for many years, guarding the livestock of the ranch next door with dedication and dignity. This spring, we convinced Chief’s owner that it was time for him to retire, and we were pleased to make DogBoy’s his retirement home. Many customers read Chief’s story in the spring Poop Sheet and he acquired quite the fan club, with people taking time to say hello to him, and give him a pat on his head.

We knew then we wouldn’t have a great deal of time left, and we gave him all the love and spoiling we could. Whether walking up to the office staff on the days he felt up to moving around to ask for a neck scratch with those soulful brown eyes of his, or keeping a watchful eye on the people and dogs coming and going from the kennel, he lived his twilight days with the same dignity he’d lived his working life. Chief instantly became a friend, and more than a friend, to everyone at DogBoy’s.

And now he’s gone, and it doesn’t seem fair. Even when your beloved pet lets you know there aren’t many days left, it always seems too soon when the day finally comes. And on that fateful Thursday, Chief let us know it was time. None of us wanted this day to come, as inevitable as we knew it would be. Chief even waited until most of us could come to him, and say our final good-byes.

Sandra’s car was his boat, and his last trip was to the caring hands at White Rock Veterinary Hospital rather than a sacred island. But he was sent off with all the honor and love a chief could ever ask for.

Farewell, Chief

DogBoy's Staff Participates in MS Walk for Sandra and Amanda's Mom
Here at DogBoy’s we are personally touched by the effects of Multiple Sclerosis. Our Kennel and Training Manager, Sandra, has MS, as does the mother of Amanda, one of our Core Kennel Staffers. Several members of our staff got together on November 16 for the 5K MS Walk at Dell Diamond to benefit the National MS Society. Thanks to Amanda, Julia, Kate, Paula, Peter, and their friends & family for walking, and additional thanks to everyone else who donated to the worthy cause. The total amount raised in Austin was $102,178.18, which exceeded the Lone Star Chapter’s goal of $100,000! Go Austin!

Now Carrying Honest Kitchen Dog Food!
DogBoy’s has a new dog food on its shelves called Honest Kitchen. It is an organic, dehydrated raw food line, which uses high quality, healthy ingredients. The food does not need to be frozen or refrigerated, and all you need to do to serve it to Spot is mix it with water – you can choose to add in fruits, veggies, or meats, but it’s not necessary.  Yum yum!

'Dillo Days

Core Kennel Staffer Rebecca Andrews was the only one brave enough to relocate our visitor.

Winter Safety Tips
With the holidays and the cold weather upon us, we need to take a few extra precautions to keep our pups healthy and happy. Some helpful hints:

Limit your dogs' outdoor time. Those with shorter, thinner coats may need sweaters or jackets when spending time outside. Don't be shy about bringing Sparky's coat with him to DogBoy's for his daycare or boarding visit!

When your pups come in from the outdoors, clean and dry their pads to prevent cracking. You can also put a pad protector or petroleum jelly on their pads if they're prone to getting cuts and cracks, or to soothe already sore pads.

Beware of toxic plants like holly, mistletoe and poinsettias ~ be sure keep these out of reach of your pets.

Holiday Stocking Stuffers
Are you looking for a little extra something for Rover this year? We’ve got just the answer for you! Come in today to check out these items and more:

And don’t forget about the non-furry members of your family! – check out our online store on Café Press!