Saturday, October 17, 2009

Yappy Happy Hour changed to "WAGGIN TAILGATE PARTY"

"Yappy Happy Hour"

that had been scheduled on 
Saturdays from 10:30am - noon 

has been change to the "WAGGIN TAILGATE PARTY" same time same place.

This Outer Banks Pet Event takes place at Outer Barks located at 1171 Duck Road, in the Scarborough Lane Shops in Duck, NC.

Outer Barks announced:

"WAGGIN TAILGATE PARTY"

SATURDAYS - 10:30 - Noon

"Join us for a great event that benefits the Friends of Pooh Canine & Feline Cancer Fund. Complimentary Super Bowl Slushies, Gipper Gobbler, PB Blitz Bars Paw-painting, Pool, Agility Course and more!!!!!!!"


Friday, October 16, 2009

Customer Appreciation Day is Today!

Holistic Pet Shop - The Finest Pet Foods & Supplies

2nd Annual Customer Appreciation Day is Today & Every Friday!

Stop in for your free Doggie Treat Bag and Free Bumper Sticker!

At The Holistic Pet Shop located at the Seagate North Shopping Center in Kill Devil Hills, NC


Thursday, October 15, 2009

7th Annual Free Pet Photo Contest Entry Call



This year Vol. 7 of the Pampered Pets Guide was distributed through out the Outer Banks Area and marks the 7th year of the Annual Outer Banks Pet Photo Contest.

This is a Free Pet Photo Contest open to all pets with photos taken on the Outer Banks of NC.
There will be a 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winner. The contest runs from April - April of each year 

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

"Certified Dog Trainer" defined by Greater Coastal Canine Academy

"Certified Dog Trainer" defined by Greater Coastal Canine Academy.
Greetings, I decided write this in order to answer the all to often asked question: Are we certified trainers?

Our training staff consists of myself, and two other trainers, Jane, Becky and Mary. Both Jane and Becky combined bring over 30 years experience to Greater Coastal Canine. 

Becky being an Agility, Obedience, and a AKC competitor. Jane having completed a very extensive more than two year apprenticeship program here.

Jane's natural ability to work with humans and their dogs is by far the best I have seen in all my years of training, both humans, dogs, and trainers. 

Mary manages our store! And does a great job! As far as my experience, well I am not one that can market myself as or being "Certified". The term holds no merit in my opinion. The term "certified" in the dog world simply means that a trainer passed a test, probably online, simply to use it as a marketing tool.

Although there are organizations out there that you can receive a certification through, the reality is that:, Anyone can say they are a dog trainer! Pet Smart offers a six week course, you pass a written test and you are a dog trainer. The AKC offers a Evaluator Test that you take online and if you pass you are an evaluator for the AKC. BTW, I am an evaluator for the AKC.

This means that I can offer the Canine Good Citizen program in my school. It does not mean I am a certified dog trainer. The American Association of Pet Dog Trainers offers similar memberships depending on how much money you want to spend to say you are a member.

My point being that none of these organizations actually visit your facility, watch you train, and see if you are what you say you can do by passing an online test. Becoming a dog trainer is not like becoming a doctor, lawyer or even a school teacher. Nothing is required to be a professional dog trainer. No years of experience, or education are required. I wish there was but there is not.

So pet dog owners really need to do your homework. Visit different training schools, ask questions, and watch others in the class. Talk to students enrolled. If a trainer does not allow you to watch a class, I would think twice before signing up.

In my opinion there is a need for more good trainers. But are my trainers "certified" NO! My trainers are experienced, dog knowledge, trainers. My trainers have a real passion for what they do. My trainers have a strong desire to see that all humans and dogs accomplish whatever goal they set, be it manners or competition obedience.

I hope that this information will help to clarify something that really in my opinion needs to be made a little more public in the dog community.
Misrepresentation! 
So, pet dog owners,
beware! Ellen Carey, Greater Coastal Canine Academy
*******************************************************

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Bark in Maple Park Follow-Up

Animal Lovers Assistance League, Inc

The Bark in Maple Park was a success in spite of threatening weather and heavy rain in the Moyock , Ranchland, Grandy, and other areas of the county.

Some of those planning to attend called me after I got home from the event and said that they were sure that we had postponed it due to rain and what time would we be starting on Sunday. It's unfortunate that some people and their dogs missed a fun day but In the future, if people are uncertain about the weather, we hope that they will call the shelter or listen to the radio.

 A shower sent us scurrying just as we ended the last event.
We really appreciate the help of our distinguished judges, County Commissioners John Rorer, Paul O'Neal, and Barry Nelms; Sheriff Susan Johnson; and Barbara Trainor. 

With their tape measures in hand to measure the Longest Tail, Longest Tongue, and Longest Ears; and their calculators as they counted the Most Spots, everybody had a great time! 

First place winners even received an Olympic style neck ribbon with a medallion!

 And every dog was a winner and received treats, a ribbon, and a certificate.

The dogs seemed to prefer the treats. Some of the really big dogs, such as the Great Danes, took their owners on a merry run to fetch the dog shank bones that the Girl Scouts hid around the field. A new feature that was a big hit with the dogs was a Hot Dog Bob. We have to remember to let the little dogs go first next year!

Our Silent Auction was a huge success thanks to the generous high quality donations of many local businesses and individuals. The beautiful Grand Prize in our raffle, a hand-made quilt featuring dogs which was made especially for our League by Cindy Mattingly, is still available for purchasing raffle tickets. The drawing will be held approximately Dec. 15, to give everyone a chance to win this prize that everybody wanted in time for Christmas!

Many thanks to all of those who made our Third Annual Bark in Maple Park a success. Our sponsors Chesapeake Bay Helicopters/Phyllis Kohler, Owner and President; of the Bank of Currituck; Dog Nutz of Corolla, who also donated the gourmet treats for the small dog prizes; Connie and Richard Eckhart represented by Libby Newbern; Debbie and Cameron Tabor. They also donated many of the treats for the medium and large dog prizes. Our thanks also to the Currituck Dept. of Parks and Recreation for getting the field and pavilion in excellent condition.

The Currituck Sheriff's Dept. K-9 Unit under the direction of Deputy Bryan Dudley gave a demonstration of fugitive apprehension. The dogs in the K-9 program under go extensive training.
Animal Lovers Assistance League, Inc. will be sharing with you in the next few days some of the pictures taken on the field by photographer Thom Spagnol. Our appreciation to Thom and to professional pet portrait photographer Laurie Stuart of Kitty Hawk, who took outstanding dog portrait photographs that some people ordered as Christmas cards or seasonal notecards. Mike Zimmerman made a wonderful Santa, patient and kind!

Our supporters donated a delicious assortment of home-made baked goods, which we greatly appreciate. We also appreciate Pilmoor United Methodist Church and Bob Kohler and the American Legion loaning us tables and chairs.

Dogs that came dirty left clean, thanks to our Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. Troop Leaders are Rusty Waldrop and Michelle Santa.

Rivaling Rembrandt, Carrie Brennan and her friend, Brittany Elliott, did some neat face painting.
To produce an event of this magnitude takes thousands of hours of work from a multitude of dedicated volunteers. Our sincere appreciation to our volunteers: Frances Walker, Julia Brennan, Jo Drago, Carl and Jean Estus, Shirley Wilson, Peggy Fuller, Jim Hornbrook, Phyllis Kohler, Jo Meade, Jerry Person, Barbara Trainor, Nancy VanClief, Venetia Huffman, Sammy Walker, Debbie and Cameron Tabor, Charlotte Martin, Lea Ann Owens and her friend Jim. And to our staff of Shelter Manager Laura Marquette, Becky Beasley, Scott Bailey, Barbara Martin, Sarah Capps, Tim Puckett ,and Mitch Baer, thank you for going far beyond the call of duty.

Follow-Up written by
Ginger Sikes, President of the Animal Lovers Assistance League, Inc.

(edited by the Pampered Pets Guide) we are sorry if anyone was left out.



Monday, October 12, 2009

October is "National Adopt a Dog Month"



October is National Adopt a Dog Month!

If you are thinking about adopting a Dog, please consider saving the life of a homeless dog currently waiting for their Forever Home at area Animal Shelters.
Wonderful Dogs of all sizes and breeds including pure bred dogs are available at:

Currituck County Animal Shelter
204 Airport Road
beside the Currituck Regional Airport off of Hwy. 158 in Maple, NC

Dare County Animal Shelter
1031 Driftwood Drive
in the town of Manteo on Historic Roanoke Island, NC

Hyde County Animal Shelter
9300 North Lake Road, Fairfield, NC


Sunday, October 11, 2009

3rd Annual Duck Jazz Festival - Today!

The Town of Duck has announced:

3RD ANNUAL DUCK JAZZ FESTIVAL -- This year's Duck Jazz Festival is being held this Sunday, October 11 beginning at 11:00 a.m. in the Duck Town Park. Sacramento-based Jazz Saxophonist Kim Waters is set to headline the festival.

This is a rain or shine event.
The current artist schedule (subject to change due to weather, scheduling, or artist availability)
is 11:00 a.m. Joe Mapp & The Coordinates featuring Laura Martier;

 12 noon Connected; 1:00 p.m. Joe Baoine; 

2:45 p.m. Jackie Scott & The Housewreckers;

 and 4:30 p.m. Kim Waters. See you there!

The Duck Town Park is Pet Friendly and leashed pets are Welcome!