K9 Nose Work is Coming!

If you aren't yet familiar with the sport of K9 Nose Work, it's an up-and-coming sport that you should look into. Your dog basically learns to sniff out a specific scent, and to locate that scent in four different areas.

A line of boxes is arranged, typically in two rows, within a room. Your dog works his way through the room, locating the one that contains the scent. For beginning dogs, Birch is the scent used. The other three areas are an indoor room, an outdoor space, and a vehicle search.

Gemini Dogs is currently offering classes through instructor Gail McCarthy. We are also offering a mock trial in January, and we are working with some local trainers to co-host the first Massachusetts trial in May 2011.

For more info on the sport, visit www.funnosework.com.

Trials, Trials, and More Trials!

We are actively scheduling our 2011 trials for CPE Agility, TDAA Agility, and APDT Rally-O. Watch our website for details. And if you are a judge for any of those venues, let us know!

Bimini is a STAR Puppy!

Congratulations to Bimini, our most recent graduate from the STAR Puppy program.

LOST DOG

Have a look at that photo of Amos; if you see a dog that looks like that, it might be Turkey, a lost dog who really needs to get back home! Below is a note from him:

"I am new to this area and managed to get lost in Harvard on Thursday morning (9/23/10). My name is Turkey but I am shy and may be too frightened to respond to it. I am a 2 year old recently neutered male Bernese Mountain Dog, black, rust and white, weigh 104lbs and am about 2 1/2 ft tall . I have no white on my fore-legs and only a little white on my tail. I have on a red collar with my rabies tag and I have been micro-chipped (still registered in Kansas which is where I just came from). My new family is really sad and would like me back. If found, please immediately call Cindy (978) 501-4964 or Denis (978) 501-4965 or our home (978) 456-3461 any time."

Amos sent us a new pic...

This is Amos, a Bernese Mountain Dog that comes to Gemini to play and stay. Dad sent us this new picture; isn't he looking very handsome?

I'm a (New) Gemini Dog!

Oh boy, look how cute I am! This is Marley, a new addition to the Gemini Dogs family. Isn't he just adorable?

Do You Have a Disaster Plan in Place?

The National Weather Service issued a hurricane watch for the Cape and the islands this afternoon, as forecasters warned that Hurricane Earl could bring rain and tropical storm-force winds to Eastern Massachusetts late Friday.

Of course, this storm may not impact us very much this far inland, but it's always best to be prepared. Gemini Dogs is always available to kennel your pets for you if you need to leave your home and seek emergency sheltering.

Don't forget your pet when preparing a family disaster plan.

• Proper identification including immunization records

• A photo of you and your pet together; it proves ownership!

• Ample supply of food and water

• A carrier or cage

• Medications

• Muzzle, collar, and leash

I'm a Gemini Dog!

This is Amos, a Bernese Mountain Dog who attends Doggie Daycare and stays with us overnight in boarding. He is one of several Berners that attend daycare, and he is a super cool doggie!

I'm a Gemini Dog!

This is Henry, a cute little Chocolate Lab that has graduated as a STAR Puppy from our Puppy Playschool. He is currently attending Beginner Obedience, and he recently joined us in Doggie Daycare.

Henry has a ton of new friends, and is really enjoying himself. Would your dog like to meet him? Come on in to tour our daycare!

Holy Ribbons!!!

Check out all of the ribbons that our instructor, Kim Lewis, earned at our CPE Agility trial this weekend! Wow...great job Sydney, Wyle, and Maggie!

We had a great time at the trial and we look forward to seeing our little pals at the upcoming Teacup Agility trial on September 11th and 12th.

If your dog earned some ribbons, send us your photos!

I'm a Gemini Dog!

Hello! I'm Lola, and I recently joined the Gemini Dogs family. I will be staying with my new friends while my family is on vacation. I'm a super cute dog, and although I was a little nervous when I first came in this morning, I am settling in nicely and getting to know everyone on the staff.

My new pal, Michelle, promised my mommy that she would send some video of me playing. You see, it's my first time being boarded, so mommy was a little nervous too! But don't worry, mom; everyone is taking good care of me...I'll write more later...time for bed!

Congrats to Mary & Ben On Their C-ATCH!

Congratulations to Mary and her Border Collie, Ben, on earning their C-ATCH at a recent agility trial. Great job! We are so proud of you!

I'm a Gemini Dog!

Scarlett

Sandy

Lucy

TDAA Trial Fun

We had some great fun this weekend at our second TDAA agility trial of the year. If you have a dog that measures under 16" you should check out www.k9tdaa.com and join us for our next trial on September 11-12, 2010. Our premium should be available shortly! And don't worry, this is one venue where you do not have register with the organization before you can enter the trial; just send in your registration with your entry form!

Introducing Rose (and Clancy!)

This is Rose (up front), who will be joining us in doggie daycare soon. Rose is 8 months old and is coming to daycare so that she can learn how to have a soft mouth when playing. Because Rose was not with her mother and littermates for the first part of her life, it is difficult for her to know what's acceptable and what is not. We suggested that Rose join us in daycare so that the other puppies can teach her some playtime manners. Of course, our staff is always on hand to help them out! Rose is also coming to doggie daycare so that her pal Clancy (who is 11 years old) gets to hang out with her AFTER she's all tired out from being at daycare!

I'm a Gemini Dog!

Adora is a cute little girl, huh? She will be staying with us for a while while mommy goes away, and she is signing up for some personal training while she's here. She is planning to learn a good "Leave It" command, and study up on some basic obedience during her stay.

Is Kirby feeling better?

And this is Danni...awwww...

Daycare Dog ~ Daisy

Meet Daisy, one of our new doggie daycare pals! Isn't she sweet?

Monday at 10pm ~ Animal Planet Investigates

I can speak from experience...puppy mills are not pretty! I volunteer to respond for deployments with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and with United Animal Nations (UAN) Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS) to disasters such as a puppy mill seizures. (When the state steps in and shuts down one of these places, and seizes the dogs, who get sent to a temporary shelter until they can legally be released for adoption in local shelters.)

So, I have had a first-hand look at the deplorable conditions...I'm glad to see that Animal Planet is exposing this horrible practice that so many pet stores participate in. The bulk of these animals are supplied to pet stores or sold online, and when you buy a puppy that way, keep in mind that they come from places like this. If we all stop buying those puppies, the puppy mills would no longer profit from over-breeding and the practice would stop. These people who call themselves "breeders" are in it for the money, not for the dogs. Real breeders care about their dogs.

Puppy mills really put the public in a bad position, though...we see that puppy in the pet store and we want to "save" these poor dogs, but for each one that is saved, another just replaces him.

Watch the show if you can! I just set my DVR. It's on Monday, May 17th at 10pm.