News

A Great Loss

The Pomeranian world has suffered a great loss this week.  Margaret McKee was taken from us suddenly on Monday night. 

She was a founding member of the Pomeranian Club of Central Virginia 15 years ago and has been active ever since holding numerous offices, In addition, she was a founding member of both the Greater Baltimore Pomeranian Club, the Mid Atlantic Field Spaniel Club and was a member of the Richmond (Va) Dog Obedience Club (RDOC) for an amazing 45 years!!

Her prowess in the Pom world was so well known, she warranted a paragraph in the book Pomeranian: A Comprehensive Guide to Owning and Caring for Your Dog (Comprehensive Owner’s Guide), Juliette Cunliffe, 2011.

Margaret spent the last 50 years breeding, showing, and competing. She leaves the Pom world better than when she found it.  She even found time to raise a future AKC Judge (Rachal McKee Sager).

Her absence will be felt at every show when you look ringside and she’s not in her usual spot near the entrance and every meeting/event when you don’t see the “PomMom” license plate parked right up front. Margaret once told me that she’s had the ‘PomMom” VA Plate since the mid-70’s! I don’t know anyone that’s had the same plates for that long.

Send Condolences to the Family Here

Don’t Leave Me!

Happy 4th of July – Firework Safety


No shave summer!

The Power of Pets: Can Pets Really Help Grow Your Business?

Dogs Also Lie Awake At Night Thinking About Their Problems

“Ever lay awake late at night, eyes wide open in the pitch-black dark, wondering if Maddy in sales really meant “nothing” by “I like your shirt, I almost bought it myself,” or if she actually meant what she absolutely did mean, which is “f*** you, idiot, that shirt is horrible, why did you even get out of bed today?” Of course you do. You’re human. Worrying before, during, and just after sleep is what we do.

Turns out it’s not exclusive to us, though: Much like humans, it would appear dogs are also kept awake at night by their worries.

A recent Hungarian study published by the Royal Society scientific journal showed that dogs experience disturbed sleep patterns when stressed. That’s right, planet Earth. Your beloved puppies and doggies are worried, and they can’t sleep, and there’s nothing you can do about it.

The study measured the sleep experiences of dogs who were exposed to either positive or negative emotional experiences pre-sleep, like being affectionately touched by their owners, or approached by an intimidating stranger. The results showed dogs who were exposed to positive experiences had a deeper and more consistent sleep, while dogs who were stressed before sleep were prone to waking up, staying in REM sleep, and generally having a shitty night’s sleep.

Interestingly, though, on average dogs who had negative experiences pre-sleep were quicker to actually fall asleep than other dogs, which scientists say is very much in line with human behavior. Like how you often desperately want to power off at the end of a terrible day and just shut your physical self off.

So there you have it. First we learn dogs don’t like hugs, then we’re not allowed to sleep next to them in bed (actually fair), and now dogs are stressed at night.”

The full article and related studies are posted below.

Pet Heat Safety

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National Rescue Day!

Bedtime Already?

Bankruptcy Starter Kit

Company Turns Ashes Of People’s Beloved Pets Into Glass Replica Paws That Will Serve As A Memorial Forever | Bored Panda

Losing a loved one, either human or animal, is one of the hardest experiences you’ll face in life. To help keep the memories alive many of us like to have a
— Read on www.boredpanda.com/cremation-paws-pets-ashes-davenport-memorial-glass/

Dog Run Upgrade Project

Almost five years ago we set up our dog run.  We sectioned off a part of the yard next to the deck and filled it with mulch.  This solution worked well, but it does take a bit of upkeep.  Upkeep is even more challenging when you must buy mulch by the bag instead of a truckload.  When you add over 200+ days of rain last year, it leads to chaos!

The dog run has been overtaken by weeds!  We decided to re-do the dog run and to re-do it better than we did 5 years ago.  We are fast tracking this project because Cody has decided it’s better to go in the house and with him taking Lasix for heart failure, he goes a lot!  They are also too prissy to get their precious paws wet to go outside when it’s at all wet.

A portion of the funds raised during my birthday fundraiser will be used for some of the materials.  Some of the materials we already purchased and some are listed on a separate Amazon Shopping List titled “Dog Run/Yard Project”.

  1. Mow and hose down with vegetation kill. I decided to also use a granular weed kill after the liquid for longer lasting results.
  2. Add heavy duty landscaping fabric and artificial turf to the area (28 ft x 15ft). Secure with yard staples.
  3. Install shade/rain cover waterproof sails. Position patio umbrellas to shield path from doggie door to ramp. (we have a couple of umbrellas in various conditions.  We are going to try and resurrect a couple).
  4. Cut space in deck railing closer to doggie door for ramp. (We got a great deal on a stainless steel ramp on Black Friday). Install ramp.
  5. Install x-pen across deck to divert everyone down the ramp.
  6. Fill in around the edges with mulch.
  7. Place garden statue of some kind to give the boys something to aim at.

Hopefully this setup will last for a number of years and be easier to maintain than the mulch alone.

If you have any of these items hanging around your shed or garage, we’d be happy to take them off your hands!

  • Landscaping Fabric
  • Artificial Turf
  • Yard Staples
  • Shade/Rain Sail Covers
  • Patio Umbrella, Stands, or Weights

Click HERE to check out our FB Photo Album for updates!

It’s Too Hot

Thank you Valorie!

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