Thanks to all of our customers who visited Crate to have their pooch’s photo taken with Santa! The pups wiggled and waggled, but we got great shots! The proceeds of both photo shoots were doubled by Brad and Stephanie, resulting in a $1660 gift to the MSPCA. This is our 4th year donating and we are excited to be able to help.

Crate Escape Adoption/ Foster Program
Our track record thus far has been great, working with SCBR rescue organization in Maine, to find foster and adoptive homes for strays and surrendered dogs. Each time a dog is adopted, we get stronger in our conviction and dedication to help the homeless. TO DO THIS WE NEED FOSTER HOMES! Please, please, please consider taking in a dog. Most fosters are only for a month or two. Foster parents make an enormous difference in the number of animals euthanized each year, because shelters don’t have space for them. It is important, valuable work and, best of all it saves lives! Check in with Nikki or Barb (barbara@crate-escape.com) for more info and to sign up! Here are the rescue dogs we have placed in homes:

Tips for Outside Walks and Romps this Winter
IN ADDITION TO DAYCARE!! Short winter walks or trips to a dog park can be a great way to let your dog burn off some of that pent-up energy from being inside (when he’s not at daycare!) during the cold months. But the temperature and snow, among other things, can pose hazards to your pup.

Here are some tips for keeping your dog safe.
1. Consider the following: Senior dogs, dogs with arthritis, dogs with short fur and puppies can be especially sensitive to the cold weather.
2. Bundle up. Dress your dog in a warm coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck (check out Crate Escape too for some great selections! We have ‘Chilly Dog’ sweaters, beautifully knit and Fair Trade! And, Teckelclub trench coats, lined with fleece; a best seller over the years!) The jacket or sweater should cover her back from the base of her tail and also protect her belly. Dog booties can protect paws from ice and salt — get your dog used to them indoors first.
3. Know the signs of frostbite and hypothermia. The risk of these conditions is especially high when the temperature dips below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Frostbite typically affects poorly insulated body parts such as the tips of the ears and is evidenced by skin that is pale or red, swollen and painful or numb. Signs of hypothermia include slow pulse, shallow breathing, disorientation, collapse and unconsciousness. If you think your dog has either, call your vet immediately!
4. Keep your dog on leash, or stick to fenced in areas. More dogs are lost during the winter than any other season, possibly because dogs can lose your scent in snow or ice and become lost if they can’t see you.
5. Avoid salt. Stick to dry or snow-covered areas where road salt has not been used to melt ice. Not only can it hurt your dog’s paws, many varieties contain harmful chemicals that can cause stomach upset and even death if ingested when your dog licks his paws.
6. Trim your dog’s paws. If your dog has furry feet, ask your groomer to “scoop” the pads — trim the hair that grows between your dog’s toes and under his feet — during the winter to prevent ice buildup between the paw pads.
7. Play fetch with toys, not sticks. Sticks — so plentiful in winter — can cause choking and severe injuries. So if your dog likes to chew and chase, pack a Frisbee, tennis ball or other toy.
8. Watch out for bad play. Pay attention as your dog plays with other dogs to make sure that play has not turned aggressive. Trust your instincts and leave if the play gets too hard.
9. Wipe your dog off as you get home. Balls of ice can form between your dog’s toes, and antifreeze, salt and other chemicals can stick to his paws and upset his stomach — or worse — when he licks them. Thoroughly wipe down your dog’s belly, legs and feet as soon you come home — and while you’re at it, check for issues such as dry and cracked paw pads.

Please join us…
in wishing Ursa,

Rest in Peace. She died on December 10th after a long fight with Cushings/ Addison disease, and ultimate kidney failure. Our hearts and well wishes go to her family and everyone at Crate who loved her.

Hohoho, It’s Ernestine
I know, I know, I haven’t been the best ‘Roving Reporter’ this fall. But this weekend I have a REAL excuse! My cousins, Issy and Ella, and my Aunt Heidi are visiting us! Too bad the girls are old enough, so they don’t drop as many crumbs… but they are the most committed, rescuey, dedicated dog lovers. Needless to say that they LOVE me! There is nothing more important!!

Ella, Emmitt ERNESTINE

Christmas 2011, Emmitt and ERNESTINE

Take your pooch to Crate this Saturday, December 10th to have his picture taken with Santa. Santa is really special this year. In fact s(he) must really be one of his elves…. hope I didn’t just give away the secret! Join us between 4 and 7pm. Refreshments will be served.

Crate Escape too
Santa visited CE2 last Saturday and a good time was had by all! The same Santa/ elf (??) described above was there to cheer on the dogs; getting them to settle in her lap. Very interesting because she knew all the dogs and they knew her….. hmmm. That North Pole community is more plugged in to us than we know! Oh, ok… thanks Alyssa for being such a great santa/elf. For all who visited us, thanks! Come back soon! Big thanks to Katelyn who was our photographer de nuit.

More Holiday Cheer
Truly loverly news, Angelina has been adopted! Many of you got to meet her. We offered to take the adorable, young puppy so she could leave the shelter where she ended up. She stayed with us for 2 weeks before finding a forever home. She is truly a love; everyone who met her felt the same. More good news is that she will be coming to Crate for daycare a few times a week. Whoopee!

Fosters Needed
Crate Escape is going to consistently be sponsoring rescue dogs who need homes going forward. Sponsoring = taking responsibility for a shelter dog and helping to find a foster home and then a forever home.
If you have considered fostering; each time someone agrees to give a shelter dog a temporary home it opens 1 space in the shelter and literally saves one more dog’s life. If you have never tried it now’s a great time. If you have taken a break for a while, now is the time. PLEASE step up and help. It really is not that hard, we will get you a crate, pay for vet care and dog food, All you have to do is love and care for them until their forever home comes along. It is a great learning experience for your kids too. They can see how they can make a difference and save a life. Contact Nikki or Barb (barbara@crate-escape.com) for more info. Thanks.

Ernestine our Rover Reporter was unusually busy last week. She is used to running the show at home; keeping her two brothers in line; but last week ‘lil Lina, the 4 month old, totally crazy puppy rescue stayed at Ernie’s house too! Lina loves Emmitt, who is a rescue, and somewhat wary of love from anyone! And Sundance didn’t know WHAT was going on, this female ‘thing’ that jumped in his bed and wanted to play! Way too much! All of this leads up to Ernie being late with her article for this week. Hopefully we can add it before the next blog!

… and her name is Angelina!

As many of you know, we are helping rescue organizations find homes for some of their dogs. Angelina arrived yesterday at Crate Escape. She is a wonderful puppy. Her paperwork estimates 4-6 months old, she has been spayed, is up to date on vaccinations and has been given a clean bill of health. She is feisty, loves to play with people and dogs, is ok with older children (haven’t met any younger ones yet). She is crate trained. Let us know if you are interested. She will be a wonderful addition to a dog person’s home!

Dog Photos with Santa
We must be on your calendar by now! Bring your dog to visit us at Crate Escape too on Thursday, December 1st and have your pooch’s photo taken with Santa!
Mr. Claus is visiting Crate Escape on Saturday, December 10 from 4-7pm to meet your pups and share a photo! Photos are $10 each and all proceeds will go to the MSPCA. Refreshments will be served.

Holiday Hazards
Along with holiday and winter fun come a host of hazards for pets ‑ ingested substances that can be harmful or even cause death. To help pet caretakers handle these emergencies,

Here is a list of 9 items that you should keep away from your pets this holiday season:
1. Chocolate or Coffee: Clinical effects such as vomiting, rapid heart rate and signs of anxiety can be seen with the ingestion of as little as 1/4 ounce of baking chocolate by a 10-pound dog. Coffee can produce the same side effects.

2. Christmas tree preservative/water: Preservative may contain fertilizers, which, if ingested, can upset the stomach. Stagnant tree water can be a breeding ground for bacteria, which can also lead to vomiting, nausea and diarrhea.

3. Ornaments, ribbons, tinsel: While none of these are directly toxic, ribbon and tinsel can cause gastrointestinal blockage that can be life-threatening to pets.

4. Holiday plants: holly, mistletoe, lilies, poinsettia: Eating holly could prodce nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy. If a dog or cat ingests mistletoe, gastrointestinal upset and possibly even cardiovascular problems could result. All parts of lilies (both Lilium and Hemerocallis species) are highly toxic to cats, with the potential to produce life-threatening kidney failure even from small ingestions. While the toxic potential of poinsettia has been greatly exaggerated, mild stomach upset could still occur if ingested.

5. Yeast dough: If swallowed, uncooked yeast dough can rise in the stomach and cause extreme discomfort. Pets who have eaten bread dough may experience abdominal pain, bloat, vomiting, disorientation and depression. Since a breakdown product of rising dough is alcohol, it can also potentially cause alcohol poisoning. Many yeast ingestions require surgical removal of the dough, and even small amounts can be dangerous.

6. Table food (fatty, spicy), moldy foods, poultry bones: Poultry bones can splinter and cause damage or blockage in the gastrointestinal tract. Spicy or fatty foods could possibly lead to inflammation of the pancreas. Additionally, moldy or spoiled foods could produce food poisoning, tremors or seizures.

7. Macadamia nuts: In dogs, ingestions can produce vomiting, weakness (particularly in the hind legs), depression, lack of coordination and tremors.

8. Alcoholic beverages: If ingested, alcohol can potentially result in vomiting, diarrhea, lack of coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, acidosis, coma and even death.

9. Grapes, raisins: Ingestions of raisins and grapes have been associated with acute kidney failure in dogs.

Ernestine is at the photo store getting some holiday photos taken of herself. She asked me to say: Later, Ernestine