A Word from Amy
Welcome to the August issue of the Happy Tails Dog Spa™ newsletter! While many envision this as the sleepy dog days of August, Happy Tails Dog Spa™ has been brimming with activity. Our boarding and daycare programs have consistently been booked, as many of our customers take off a couple days for some well-deserved Rest and Relaxation. They can rest assure knowing their canine pals are enjoying the vacation as much as their owners, as every day here is filled with fun and relaxing activities tailored to each guest.
Besides our great daycare and boarding services, we have been busy coordinating a number of exciting activities to raise money for military dogs stationed in Iraq, as well as arranging our expansion of franchises.
Last month, we announced with great fanfare that we are accepting donations for U.S. military dogs stationed in Iraq, resulting in a front-page feature in The Washington Times and several articles in The Washington Post. Our campaign has received overwhelming support from our customers and the community at-large. We have received tons of donations, from dog biscuits to chew toys. Our front lobby is full. We can't thank you enough!
To keep the momentum going, we organized a dog wash at the Vienna location on Sunday, July 24th. With a steady stream of customers throughout the day, we raised over $11,000, enough funds to greatly defer the cost of cooling equipment for the dogs and heat-resistant clothing for the handlers. The campaign will continue until Labor Day. Please stop by to donate money or supplies for the dogs and their handlers. The need in Iraq is great.
On July 14th, Happy Tails Dog Spa™ was proud to announce we have signed our second franchise agreement with Robert and Adoracion Punio of Accokeek, Maryland. Robert and Adoracion share a true love for dogs and a passion to own their own business. This is a perfect match for Happy Tails Dog Spa™ and further indication of the growing pet care market in the region. We are now working with Robert and Adoracion to find the ideal spot for their Happy Tails Dog Spa™. On a personal note, as a native of Maryland, I am thrilled a Happy Tails Dog Spa™ will soon be open there.
People from all over the country continue to express interest about opening their own Happy Tails Dog Spa™. As we get closer to signing more franchises, we will keep you updated. Enjoy the rest of the summer!
Best wishes,
Amy Nichols
President and CEO
Happy Tails Dog Spa™, LLC
Happy To Be Here, Inc
Riding Rover and Flying Fido
August is a hectic month of travel for many. If you are taking your pet along on vacation, make sure you are prepared. Whether you will be driving or flying to your vacation spot, there are some basic precautions that you should take when bringing your dog along.
- Make sure all your dog's vaccinations are up to date
- Clip her nails
- Trim her hair
- Verify that her tags are current
- If you are traveling outside of your normal veterinarian's service area, make sure to look up the addresses and phone numbers for clinics or hospitals. (Your hotel should readily have this information.)
- And don't forget to double check that you have packed the following items before you leave:
- Sturdy leash
- Extra collar
- Old blanket or sheet
- Some of your pet's bedding
- Food, treats and a water bowl
- Two gallons of extra drinking water
- Toys and chew items
- Medications and supplements
- Current health and rabies certificates
- Tweezers to remove foreign objects from fur or paws
- Brush or comb
- Baby wipes or moist towelettes to wipe off paws
- Waste removal bags
- First aid kit
- Flashlight for nighttime walks
By taking the right precautions, you can ensure a wonderful vacation away with your dog.
Flying Safe with your Dog
There are many risks to consider before booking a flight for your dog to join you on the family vacation. Sadly enough, about 10 percent of all pets placed in cargo holds each year are killed or injured, according to the Air Transport Association.  This is an important reason for pet owners to check the airlines' pet safety information well in advance before booking the flight.
Airlines typically provide the following suggestions:
Whether in the cargo hold or the cabin, never bring pets less than eight weeks old, ill, older or very nervous. Additionally, certain breeds including Boston Terrier, Bulldog, Boxer, Chow Chow, Lhasa Apso, Pekinese, Pug, and ShihTzu dogs should not be transported by air as these breeds are more susceptible to breathing difficulties caused by thinner air.
Always travel on the same flight as your pet and make sure it is a direct flight early in the morning or at night when temperatures are cooler. Unless recommended by a veterinarian, pets should not be given tranquilizers. To calm their fears, train your pet to be familiar with her crate.
You will need a sturdy, properly ventilated crate of adequate size for your pet to stand up, turn around, and lie down in comfortably. To further ensure your pets safety, write "Live Animal" on the crate and make sure to put arrows indicating your pet's upright position. Thoroughly inspect the crate for any dangerous protrusions that may harm your dog and make sure it has a secure door latch and handles. Cover the bottom of the crate with a towel or bedding for comfort and to soak up any accidents your dog may have during the trip.
Be sure to write your dog's name, coat color, address and phone number for your home and your destination on the outside of the crate. Include proof of rabies vaccination. To avoid choking, never put a leash inside of the crate and never allow your pet to wear a choke, pinch or training collar. You should not feed your pet before the flight so she remains comfortable. But, for the trip, do leave her bowls with ice water and some food.
And when you land, make sure to take your dog for a nice, long walk!
Summer Cruising
All dogs seem their happiest when they get to experience the wind on their face as they hang their heads out the car window, wagging their tongues. Even passengers in neighboring cars get pleasure from the look dogs have as they enjoy the ride.
While Happy Tails Dog Spa™ encourages you to do whatever it takes to make your pet feel loved and happy, pets need to be held to the same safety standards as their owners. Because of the dangers unrestrained pets pose, Pennsylvania is now pushing for a law requiring animals to wear seatbelts or to be seated in a carrier during all car rides. Recent insurance tests show that unrestrained pets cannot only seriously injure themselves, but also can do harm to other passengers riding in the car. It is important for owners to understand the dangers of unrestrained dogs and how they should be properly secured.
You shouldn't allow your dog to run around in the car or sit on the driver's lap because it can cause a serious distraction and a possible accident.  Even if he sits still and never distracts you, remember that sudden braking and fender-benders could harm him and possibly others. Also remember to always keep your dog in the back seat because airbags can seriously harm him too.
Smaller dogs should be kept in a carrier. Even if he is larger, and kept in the backseat, secure him with a pet harness or a carrier held by your vehicle's seat belt. Pet harnesses should be strongly constructed with soft nylon webbing that safely restrains the dog around the body and neck. Seat belts should be adjustable and not irritating to your dogs skin.
Letting your dog hang out the window or sit in the bed of a pickup truck is also harmful. He will be hit with bugs, get dust in his eyes and may be harmed by flying rocks. Sudden breaking can also send him out the window into traffic.
For your dog's health, don't smoke in the car, it can make your dog nauseous or create motion sickness. And never, ever, leave your dog inside an unventilated car, and not at all during warm or very cold weather.
We wish you Happy and Healthy Traveling for you and your pet!
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To make it fair, the management team will discuss all your great ideas and vote on three finalists. Then we will announce them and let everyone vote on the name in the next newsletter!
