Okay, so I'm a bit new at this and I'm playing around today trying to figure out how to put a picture in here to share w/ you. This is appropriate as it is one of my favorite pictures of our old Bulldog, Zipper. (very expressive and very much a halo around his head at all times!!) He by far, has been the ONE dog who has made the most impact on our lives. (my husband, Ben & mine) I see things every day in our lives, even yet, that is somehow influenced by Zipper still even though he is long since gone. Still, I shed tears at even that thought. BUT, you know..... we all move on and one way or another learn to deal w/ the every day disappointments of life w/ other 'friends'. This has been a pretty successful 'experiment' it looks like this picture business might work out okay...... I hope you will look forward to seeing more in the future!! thanks for tuning in!!
With Thanksgiving just around the corner I thought I would make a note about some of the preparation that we are going through at this time. This, I guess, involves primarily the assurance of all the appropriate people being in all the appropriately prepared places at the right times over a concentrated period of time. The staff has to adjust from ?maybe 40 dogs last night to 200 ?maybe at this time next week. One of the realities of life here at K.I. is that you MUST be able to adapt to being VERY comfortable (and possibly quite bored) with time to spend at your leisure during the workday to WHAM...... you had better be on the ball, thinking ahead and know exactly what your next move will be the next day. That, and the fact that you KNOW you will be working very very hard over every holiday period....... because when the "public plays we pay".
Plans are in action to make sure that everyone knows just exactly what is expected......that we have all the pets in the right places... (exceptionally dirty dogs, fence fighters, jumpers, older and geriatric dogs together and in a more monitored spot, etc.) Hopefully I've been able to adjust anyone's schedule so that any really important family events are not being missed..... hopefully anyone who can't live w/out seeing the Huskers play at least has part of that time off. It takes a concentrated effort on everyone's part to make sure it all goes smoothly and sometimes it's a bit of a challenge to insure that all 40 some staff members are all tuned in on the same page. It IS, however, part of what we really enjoy about our jobs. Knowing that the staff will pull together and do another exceptional job and then in 5-6 days we will be able to look back and say ...."YEAH!........ we DID it again, didn't we??" is great. THEN they can go back to a more leisurely pace again and take the next week to clean up and recooperate!!
So, ..... kudos, some more now, to Dian and her new puppy, Roy. Dian has Otterhounds and this was their first big show this last weekend--- okay, it was really just the fun match AFTER the 'real' show......... but it still counts and its still a big whoopee!! He took best puppy in match!!This brings back fond memories of about 20 years ago when I did the very same thing. I truly hope that she has better luck w/ this dog than I did w/ the one that I had back then. Go ROY!!
Congratulations to Chevy today,...... she's completed her Level 1 certification through the PCSA!! We encourage all our staff to go through training at any level from any of the professional organizations that are pertinent to our industry ...... however the PCSA is by far the leader in what is most related to Chevy's work here at K.I. Chevy is the faithful one who greets your pet 5 days/wk. at 0500! Most people would probably feel that certainly, being the first one in the door in the morning, is not necessarily the most desirable of positions- but it seems to suit her well. She's prompt, dependable and this gives her the upper hand on knowing just what's ahead for the day by the time we open at 0700. Frankly, if you turned the lights on MY dogs at 0500 they would just look at you and say "are you kidding me?" ........... but for all of those that aren't quite ready to get up yet..... there are plenty of others that are gun-ho and ready to start the day. This gives Chevy the unique perspective of knowing the dogs and their personalities just a little bit better as she hustles to get the 'needy' ones outside and yet stay respectful of those who just aren't quite up to it yet... or who need more time to get the old bones moving.
So, today is another Friday. Do the weeks just seem to go faster and faster or what? I had two different conversations w/ coworkers yesterday about how this week had practically ended already, they wouldn't see me too much today, and then it would be Tuesday again, before we "reconnected". Time is just too short and too valuable. Fridays though, which is what I started this all about......... a big ARRIVAL DAY always for us here in the 'hotel' business. As you all start to make you plans for the w/e ..... that's when we go into gear to try and make our plans for getting all yer critters cared for. All the staff here at K.I. are 'weekend' warriors. They all work at least part of every w/e in order to maintain the high staff to pet ratio that we want here so that we can ensure that your pet's are getting everything they are supposed to. I know that's not always an easy commitment to make but I appreciate their understanding and cooperativness in maintaining this level of care w/ minimal hassel or grumbling!!
So.......... Kudos, today to Dian who has recieved her AKC tracking Judge Provisional liscense.... and to Kristin and her dog Mack, who just recieved his AKC "Companion Dog" degree in three out of three trials. Great job, gals!! I like to think that we do a lot here to help promote individual growth and development. Maria and Paula just got back from the Iowa State Professional Dog Groomers Association annual convention. They are pumped and ready to go w/ all the knowledge that they need to hopefully get their 'Masters' grooming certification w/in the next year here so I will keep you posted as they work to acheive their goal!! On another note........ I guess I'm done 'playing' w/ the blog idea since I've discovered that Dian actually incorporated it into our web site............ hopefully you will stay tuned as I continue to keep you updated on thoughts 'n things. Once again, please feel free to respond.
I can't help but think about the "end" of things here this morning........ Howloween ends, fall break ends for the LPS kids, the DAYLIGHT ends tonight............and if we are lucky at all .......... the ELECTION ends this week. The other ending recently, that I am more sensitive to today --is that of my Dad's passing recently. For one of a million different reasons, of course, he is missed........ but this morning especially, we need his "always there when you need him" presence in the wash room. He was always ready to go into action and do the dirtiest, hairest dogs there was for us and help us get through those 'impossible' days. Guess we'll have to figure out a different system today. Dang, him anyway!! :( (I'd better get going!)
Okay, so I'm a bit new at this and I'm playing around today trying to figure out how to put a picture in here to share w/ you. This is appropriate as it is one of my favorite pictures of our old Bulldog, Zipper. (very expressive and very much a halo around his head at all times!!) He by far, has been the ONE dog who has made the most impact on our lives. (my husband, Ben & mine) I see things every day in our lives, even yet, that is somehow influenced by Zipper still even though he is long since gone. Still, I shed tears at even that thought. BUT, you know..... we all move on and one way or another learn to deal w/ the every day disappointments of life w/ other 'friends'. 
