Storm?? oh, yes!!

Thanks to those of you who have expressed concern about us as a result of the Storm Monday night. Yes, it certainly was quite a "treat" for us out here. We had ground covering hail, in addition to LOTS of wind & rain. I'll get some pictures posted for you here when I get a chance. We have a daily "TMT" program here....(Ten Minute Trainers) .. for the staff and it just so happens that the TMT that started on Monday was "twist & shout"....... which as you can imagine has to do with tornadoes, and the upcoming 'potential' (insert REAL) threat of inclement weather that we can experience at this time of the year. What better way to get the whole thing started than real life demonstration!! There is always a lot of discussion about what to do, where to go, what to do w/ the pets, etc. It gives staff time to think out all of our emergency plans and get cemented into their heads what exactly they are to do so that everything becomes more automatic to them. However, you never really know what you will do in an emergency until the time actually comes so Monday's storm put it all as just a tad bit more 'real' for them. I'm happy to report that only one big 'ol tree was our only casualty!!

Why NOT??

So, here we are.......... in the midst of spring break... and as one would only anticipate, NOW -->in the midst of a new construction project. As many of you know, UNL just got out last week and LPS is now out THIS week. That always makes for fun & games around here. Juggling the needs of what everyone wants, accomodating last minute plans from families, etc. In addition to that, we now have 'officially' started the construction on the new VIP suites. As you know, we started 2009 by actually decreasing our overall occupancy by 1/3. Fortunately, this has not yet become a problem--We have emptied (well almost) Kenl 2.... and they have torn down one of the play yards in order to access the back Kenl....... (Good grief, we have quite a little protected fortress here!!) We've put up new barriers to block all that off from all of the everyday goings ons and strategized NEW ways to get out to the hike trail, where to park, enter to work, etc. It should be fun and exciting to enter this new phase of our development..... I look forward to showing you all around.

Can you smell it? Can you SEE it??

Well, YES!!! the 'ol Mom Dog is liking this day light savings change here already. Even though it is against my nature to go along w/ changing the stupid time of the day in order to suit our whims & fancies....... I'm kind of liking it this year. The daylight at night is nice but I'll have to admit, being a very early riser,....... I DO miss it in the morning. I become such a hermit in the winter time. Lights out...& then I'm gone!! BUT......I can cruise the yard and actually see some little planlies that want to come out and I'm really getting the urge to smell dirt!! As are "the kids"...... they're dying to get out and RUN!! Maybe we'll do that this evening.

Pool Down

Today begins a 'poolless' time for the next week or so........ that is NOT a 'poo-less' time --that IS a 'pool-less'. Out comes the water tonight and tomorrow starts a power clean and repaint period that will hopefully keep us all going for another long while. Our apologies for the inconvenience and disruption of services.....and our thanks to those of you who have kept the pool busy for us. I'm worried that the new paint smell might be a little overwhelming for the monthly Cornhusker Kennel Club meeting Tuesday night but if we have a whole lot of "high" dog fanciers running around town on Wednesday..... we'll prob. know why!! Many of our classes have been canceled for the week and of course, the private swim sessions. It is a struggle sometimes ...... its not something I'm sorry we did but it IS truly a lot of work and hassle. Knowing how much benefit many dogs have gotten and how it has extended their lives helps a whole lot. And then, of course, watching those dogs and how they love the Gym'n Swim activity just HAS to put a smile on your face.

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!!