Chester, a nine-year old black Labrador, made a name for himself earlier this year in Colorado. Over the course of a 16-week trial, he comforted the victims, witnesses and first responders who were giving testimony in the trial of James Holmes.
Holmes was charged with the killing of 12 people and the wounding of 70 others when he opened fire at an Aurora, Colorado movie theater. He was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.
This video shows the value of Chester in his role as a comfort dog.
However, Chester’s story doesn’t stop there. Last month, he ended up as a patient at Colorado State University. He was having severe neck pain and was diagnosed with discospondylitis, an infection of the bone in the vertebrae of the lower cervical spine.
Chester has made a successful recovery. This special dog got the care he needed when his condition was urgent.
Special care for a special dog (but all dogs are special, aren’t they…)
Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand
Posted in Dogs, special dogs and awards
Tagged Aurora, Chester, Colorado State University, comfort dog, discospondylitis, labrador, theater shooting, trial
I’m regularly approached by charities for sponsorship of shows and other events. I’ve been trading since 2007 and, eight years on, I have developed a sense of what I will and will not support.
Let me explain.
Sponsorship, from the smallest company to the largest, must match the goals and values of the sponsor and the receiver. Where there is a mis-match, either one party or the other loses out.
Dog shows, for example, are often looking for products for their prize packs. It’s an ‘easy win’ for a large company to provide bags of food and get their name onto a show program and in front of dog owners. The recipients of these prize packs get something for free and there’s little loyalty involved. They may never buy from the company involved again and the large corporate sponsor doesn’t mind because their goal was simply name recognition.
The same is typically not true for products and services provided by smaller businesses. These businesses need something reciprocal in order to grow and to afford sponsorship in the future. These businesses may donate to a cause one year, but if they receive no response from your members during the year, they are unlikely to consider sponsorship of benefit to them.
For my business, as an example, I am looking for an on-going link to the groups I support. I am happy to provide my time and services if I feel that people will direct their business to me in the future. I have a keen interest in helping rescue dogs, for example. I get great personal satisfaction from helping dogs in need and when they are adopted, some come back to me as clients.
I rent space from a local training club, for example. They give me a good rate but in return they get advertising by me bringing other dog owners to their property. I also acknowledge their support when promoting the workshops I hold there. Win-win.
This weekend, I sponsored a garage sale. I did all of the promotion for the event and took time out of my business to seek donations of goods from my clients and from like-minded businesses I deal with. The benefactor was Greyhounds as Pets (GAP), a charity that works to re-home retired racing greyhounds.
I believe in this cause because my Izzy is a greyhound who came from GAP just over a year ago. But, more importantly, I get support from the other volunteers in this group. They recommend me to friends, buy products from my company, and some have registered for a special massage workshop for greyhounds that I am holding. It’s another case of win-win.
So my plea to rescue groups and other charities is to think about the owner-operated businesses in your area. What can they do for you but also what can you do for them?
Corporate sponsorship is a different model when dealing with a smaller business and it’s based on relationships. Please don’t approach us for ‘free stuff’ without offering anything in return.
A little boy meets a greyhound at our garage sale
Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand
Posted in animal welfare, Dogs
Tagged charities, greyhounds, greyhounds as pets, relationships
Interspecies relationships often make the news as human interest stories. Dogs have developed caring relationships for a variety of species, including cats, rabbits, and lambs.
What this means, essentially, is the great depth at which dogs have emotional lives and the capacity to bond. They bond to us – why not to other animals?
This video, of an Australian Dalmatian who took a spotted lamb under its protection, is an example of the interspecies bond that dogs can form.
What stories do you have about a dog bonding with another animals?
Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand
Posted in Dogs
Tagged Aborigines of Australia, Dalmatian, Dog, interspecies adoption, interspecies relationships, lamb
Love your dog and want to keep them with you forever? Well, here’s a low-key way of cloning your dog – Cuddle Clones.
This innovative company takes a photo of your dog and creates a unique plush version of your dog which you can keep forever. The likenesses and workmanship are remarkable.
The company does other animals, too (not just dogs). A cuddle clone of your dog will be US$249 and the company is already fully booked for Christmas 2015. They will ship internationally, too, which is a real point of difference from many craft/pet companies. (Shipping will be an additional cost, of course).
I’d love to have one of these of Izzy someday.
Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand
Posted in Dogs, products for dog lovers
Tagged Cuddle Clones, plush, replica, Stuffed Animals, toys
I’ve just finished reading this book, the third in the series of the Chet and Bernie murder mysteries.
As with the previous two books, I loved reading about Bernie and Chet’s latest investigation, from Chet’s point of view with Chet as the narrator.
In this tale, a lead trainer and an elephant go missing from the circus when they are in town. Bernie and Chet’s services are retained by the missing trainer’s partner, a clown with the circus.
I didn’t like a scene involving a snake, but other than that – it was a thoroughly enjoyable read.
I have lots more Chet and Bernie mysteries to get through. Author Spencer Quinn is prolific writer – and I only have so much time to read books and magazines as I run a business.
Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand
Posted in dog books
Tagged Bernie, Chet, circus, elephant, Spencer Quinn, To Fetch a Thief
I’ve had to leave Izzy for a few weeks; we’re back together now. I always like to buy her new things when I travel and her squeaky eggplant, a $5 bargain from Petco, has proven to be a good choice.
Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand
Opening next month, Snoopy is coming to the big screen!
I like the look of the animations in this trailer; Snoopy and Woodstock look like the cartoons that I remember which were originally drawn by the late Charles M Schulz.
Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand
Posted in dog breeds, Dogs
Tagged beagle, beagles, Charles Schulz, Snoopy, The Peanuts Movie, Woodstock
You’ve probably heard the terms ‘man up’ or ‘woman up’ – but how about ‘puppy up’?
That’s the origin of the name for the Puppy Up to Cancer initiative founded by the 2 Million Dogs Foundation. Through every Puppy Up walk, funds are raised to help with cancer research.
Walks are usually led by human and canine survivors of cancer and often dogs who are infirm or who can’t walk for long distances participate by riding in wagons and carts.
Dogs are often used in comparative oncology studies because their cancers have commonalities with human cancers.
I think this is a great idea and since we have many dogs in New Zealand who also fall to cancer, fundraising in this way would be a way of contributing to the body of knowledge.
Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand
Posted in dog care, Dogs, research
Tagged 2 Million Dogs, cancer, comparative oncology, Puppy Up, research
In this video, the band OK Go is featured with 14 rescue dogs. The dogs were trained by firm Talented Animals.
On YouTube, you’ll also find videos of the production and behind-the-scenes takes.
Creative and entertaining!
DoggyMom.com 