Hesperocyon

For those of you NOT familiar w/ the above term......... fear not!! (there will be no test later) However, as I am reading today this is an actual rock star!! The 'rock' is a 30-35 million year old fossil of a very nicely preserved Canine which dates back to the Oligocene Age. This fossil contains what appears to be a small, 'meerkat-like' carnivore w/ recognizable canine teeth. It was acquired several years ago by Mr. Lawrence Kalstone. (Mr. Kalstone and his wife Shirley are well known names in the grooming world) It was obtained totally by accident at an auction of dinasour remains. (sounds like a totally fun Sunday afternoon, right?) This new treasure is housed at the AKC Library BUT ...... the neatest thing is............... it came from Nebraska!!!
----------------How cool is that??! --------------------

PCSA VFA

Okay, I know that sounds like a lot of jibberish but I am VERY proud to announce that we have just completed our Voluntary Facilities Accreditation through the Pet Care Services Association. (for those of you 'medical' folks ..... it would be like going through JCAH) The PCSA is our national organization of Pet Care Facilities and we have just been through a review process (both written and personal inspection) that again, helps to assure our customers that the care we provide is as optimal as possible. This has been a LONG time in the works..... Kudos to Dian, for getting this all together and seeing this project through!! AND kudos to the staff that all took part in the initial review process that we put ourselves through. They all had their own section of policies/procedures to work through, update, and revise as was needed to help keep all of our stuff current and within standards. There really wasn't that much to do as we already have good practices in place as a part of our everyday routine...... but as always, it's a hassle to just get things all together and then actually open yourself up for a totally random inspection from outside industry experts.
I appreciated the response from one of my staff that later said..... "you know KQ, ...... I just want to thank you for having a place to work where we didn't really HAVE to just get all excited about these people coming...... its so nice that this is all just a routine part of everything we do!!" :)

Blogenda Absentia Gurpole

Okay, that's the name I've given to the excuse that I haven't been blogging for the last month. Enough for the excuses.... and I'll try to get going again here. Thank you to all of you readers that have 'missed' me. I appreciate your support.
I think I somehow have slipped into a very peaceful 'winter' mode and have pretty much been enjoying it!! ah, yes, my excuses are many.....but lame &........... Life goes on. Actually, I've been sleeping at night for one thing.......... don't know what's 'wrong' w/ that picture but as many of you attest........'it's not all bad!' Also,I suppose as we age this becomes a more frequent occurance, but I was 'crushed' earlier at the sudden & unexpected passing of a very close friend. Truly, a cruel remider that Life is NOT fair. Ben and I have both spent some serious time being sick this last month. (this even caused me to not go to work one day which is totally unheard of!) AND............ those danged jigsaw puzzles have invaded our warm & winter house here again and Ben and I are both pretty fanatical about that. ----along w/ the new 'Wii' addition. (a gentle remembrance as to how competitive we both really are-- but happy to report--no injuries to report yet!) Oh, yes........... and then there's this damnable 'Herman Munster boot' I'm wearing for this little 'attatchment issue' we have here w/ Mr. Achilles Tendon. :(

All in all, its not been a bad hiatus..... we've had lots of stuff going on at the KENL INN........... more on that maybe tomorrow. See you back then, I hope!!

Ritter

As a side note to the cold weather,....I'm happy to report that Paula had another good day in the Mobile Grooming Unit yesterday, even in spite of Mother Nature's attempted interferance. One of the highlights was her ability to groom a magnificent German Shepherd, named Ritter, that we have cared for for many years. Ritter is 14 years old now, and unfortunately, we probably won't have the honor of caring for him much longer .....but the Mobile unit seemed to be a good alternative for his devoted owner to choose as it was becoming harder and harder to get Ritter in for his monthly 'spa dates'. We missed having Marty come in and the banter that usually ensues..... but I trust that he found this a satisfactory alternative. Paula said after his bath that he (Ritter, not Marty!!) he got down and even as wobbly as he was,...... went back to the house, took his position, and sat there just as alert and regal looking as ever!!! Refreshed, and ready to do his job!!

Dang, It's Cold!!

Crapinolla!! Geez, its cold out here this morning. -6 degrees by the 'weather alert' here on my computer. A true reality check for those of us here in Nebraska where by MY standards I think we've gotten by w/ some pretty darned mild winters the last few years. Makes me sooooo very much appreciate the fact that somehow, even 20 years ago, (when everyone labeled me as totally crazy!) that I had the foresight to build an all indoor facility for the pets we were going to take care of!! Even those folks in the boarding kennel industry that heard of my plans were doubtful but now that that is even more the industry norm ...... I guess it wasn't such a bad idea after all. :)

The Closing.........

And, whew, here we are tonight,.............. the "official" last night of our "holiday" season. Its been a good one. Very little illness (on either the pets or the staff's part) Patty & crew are over there right now doing the final 'exit' routine. Oh, there will be plenty of pets left yet but we are out of the "frantic" phase and into just a nice good routine now. Lots of "catch up" to do now. We've not had any real emergencies and things have gone pretty smooth. Kudos, as always to the staff that have rallied ---worked extra shifts, worked extended shifts, worked other departments to help out and to Alisyn who made it back from China in time to even get in on some of the fun!! Folks are already looking ahead and planning for some well deserved time off. And once again, thank you to all those great customers & to Mother Nature for her help!! I can honestly say that its been 21 Christmas's and each one just gets better & better!! We'll "cruise" now for awhile until 'spring break'.

Multiples.....

One of the things I was going to blog about last week was what fun we were having w/ "multiples" of pets ......all of the same breed. Obviously, in the picture shown, we were having fun w/ dachsunds that day. On the day last week when we were noticing it........it was beagles, beagles, & beagles!!! Beagles have always been a real popular breed but have seen a big increase in popularity since Uno won the Westminster show last year. We had 16 beagles last week one night! --only to be outdone by the 37 labs we had! (that's a lot of 'labbing') That was followed by 11 Cockers & Jack Russels and 10 Golden Rtrvrs. Then we had 9 Boxers, ShiTzus, & Germ. SH Pointers. Then came 7 schnauzers, & 6 each Bichons & Shepherds. 7 Max's & 4 Zoey's..... is the best I can get on repetitive names. (Usually, there's more of that!!)