Richmond Hill K9 Klub
RHK9Klub Newsletter
It's All About the Dogs!October 2011
Greetings!  
 
Happy Howl-O-Ween!  Are you prepared for the year's spookiest night?  Is your dog? Be sure to read the hints below to help you and your pets survive a night that can be very stressful and potentially dangerous.

Haven't carved your pumpkin yet? Check out these doggy pumpkin stencils



You may have noticed when you were out getting those Halloween treats and decorations that the Christmas treats and decorations were just a little further down the aisle.  Yep, it's that time again and the K9 Klub will be participating in the parade welcoming Santa Claus back to Richmond Hill on Sunday, November 27th.

This year's parade theme is "Adventures of the North Pole"; if you'd like to help out with the planning and decorations, please email info@rhk9klub.ca.
 
The dogs are always a huge hit with the kids and anyone who has participated in the past will attest to how much fun it is.  We'd love to have an even larger group of dog-lovers parading with us, so we encourage you to sign up early and reserve your spot with us. Please stay tuned to our website for more information and when to submit your request to join the parade with your pooch.

Shortly after arriving in Richmond Hill, the big man himself will be dropping into Pet Valu in the Longo's Plaza to find out what treats & toys your pooch would like to see in stockings & under the tree this year. Be sure to pop in for a picture with Santa and stay for some shopping & refreshments; Saturday, December 3.

See you at the park!

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Quick Links
In This Issue
Halloween Hazards
Park News
Recent Blog Posts
Coming Events
To-do List
Corporate Sponsors

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Contact Us
 Membership Inquires:
Park Maintenance:
Dog/Owner Aggression Issues:
 Corporate Sponsors Info:
Media Inquiries:
 Volunteer Info:
 
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There are many

 Halloween pet safety hazards related to this October holiday -- some are well-known (the dangers of chocolate toxicity), and some aren't (xylitol toxicity). Learn what to be aware of to protect your pet and stay safe this year!
halloween

Things to watch for on Halloween
Halloween is a fun time for kids and many adults, but can be a frightening and stressful time for your pets. As a pet owner, you know your pet best, but here are some points to consider for your pet's safety.

  • Continual doorbell ringing and people at the door (in costume, no less!) can be stressful for a pet. Some pets may experience stress-related diarrhea or potentially injure themselves if crated or otherwise contained. Keep your pet in a quiet and safe place on Halloween.
  • Strangers in costume - some animals may become unexpectedly aggressive or fearful, even normally friendly pets.
  • Candles and Jack-O'-Lanterns within a pet's range are a fire hazard. Wagging tails and frightened cats zooming through the house can easily tip over a candle or carved pumpkin, causing burns or a fire.
  • Keep your pets indoors on Halloween night, especially black cats. Animals are at risk for cruel treatment by some Halloween pranksters. Many adoption agencies and humane societies will not allow adoption of black cats around Halloween for this reason.
  • Candy - For many people, Halloween = candy. Many pets have a sweet tooth. Please warn children not to share their goodies with the family pet.

Candy Concerns
Candies, gums, mints, baked goods and chocolate containing the "sugar free" sweetener xylitol are especially poisonous, causing rapid hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and liver failure in dogs and possibly other species (ferrets).

Chocolate is toxic to pets. Granted, a 50 pound dog would have to eat about 50 ounces of milk chocolate (but only 5 ounces of baking chocolate) for a toxic dose, but much smaller amounts can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Signs of chocolate toxicity include tremors, nervousness, vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate, and in severe cases, seizures and death. If you suspect that your pet has eaten chocolate, consult your veterinarian.

Other candies, such as lollipops and those with plastic components, pose a danger if ingested. Lollipop sticks and plastic parts can cause intestinal obstruction and potentially rupture the intestines, which is a life-threatening emergency.

Play it safe and enjoy Halloween
With a little caution and some common sense, Halloween can be a fun time for kids and pets alike. If any acts of animal cruelty are seen or suspected, please call your local shelter or animal authorities. Happy and safe Halloween to everyone.

 

 
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The report prepared for Council regarding the budget, location and proposed amenities of the new park will be ready for review on Wednesday, November 2nd and we will be sure to have a copy available on our website. This budget report is scheduled to be presented to Council on November 7th. If you have any comments on the report, we'd love to hear them prior presentation to Council on Monday, November 7th.  Email info@rhk9klub.ca.

Remember, council's decision this past Spring means that our park at Tower Hill Road will close once the new park opens. 
 
Community Petition to Save Tower Hill Park
Apparently, some of our dog-owner community and businesses have been hard at work and have formed a grass-roots coalition to save the Tower Hill off-leash site.  The name of the group is T.H.O.R. (Tower Hill Off-leash Rally) and you can view more information about their movement at 
www.savetowerhillpark.ca . Their website contains a petition which you can download and sign.  Instructions about where to pick up a petition, drop off completed petitions or mail them is also included.  The Richmond Hill K9 Klub fully supports T.H.O.R.'s appeal to Council.  We hope that all of you will take the time to visit their website, inform yourself and take a stand. 
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10-30-2011 20:27:14 PM

There are some pretty amazing and imaginative canines in costume out there and I thought I would share some I have come across...   enjoy!                       [...]...»

10-26-2011 14:41:11 PM

What a wonderful fall day we had on Sunday for our Howl-O-Ween!  It was cool, but the sun was shining and the winds were calm.  A good day to appreciate the stunning fall colours and, of course, our pooches in costume! A huge thank you to Rick from Global Pet Foods for the goody bags [...]...»

10-11-2011 21:44:06 PM

We had a marvelous day for our walk and truly enjoyed the fall colours and, of course the company! We'll be arranging more of these walks soon...stay tuned!    ...»

 

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upcoming events

November 27, 2011 (Sunday) The Richmond Hill Santa Claus Parade  The dogs are always a big hit and the bigger the group, the more fun we have!   Drop us an email to let us know you will be joining the pack this year! info@rhk9klub.ca

December 3,2011 (Saturday) Santa Pictures at Pet Valu  He had such a good time last year, the big man himself will be at Pet Valu (Longo's Plaza) to ham it up for the camera with your pet again this year!  

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9 Klub To-Do List

 

 

In no particular order, these are some of the suggestions from our members:

 

 

  • Organize Fido Fit Walk
  • Rally pack for Santa Claus parade
  • Design and ammenities input for new dog park location

 

We encourage you to email us your ideas or post in the forums at our website where we can debate priority. We can't do it all at once and projects will require additional fundraising. 

 

Should you have any fundraising ideas, we'd love to hear them!

 

 

 

To Our Corporate Sponsors

Thanks!

 
On behalf of the Richmond Hill K9 Klub and our canine friends we wish to thank you for your generous donations and ongoing support. 
  
  




 
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We always have information to share so keep an eye out for future newsletters and notices.  Thank you for your support.

 

Full Membership in the Richmond Hill K9 Klub is currently $20/year and entitles you to attend member only events, official general meetings of the Klub, vote on issues, stand for nomination and election to the board of directors and generally get involved in the politics and growth of the Klub.

 


Remember...

 

It's all about the dogsRichmond Hill K9 Klub

 

Sincerely,


The Board

Richmond Hill K9 Klub