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Newsletter
  December 2012
Letter From Executive Director 
Puppy in Holiday Box
Dear Friends,


In this season of faith, giving back and holiday blessings, we need a bit of holiday magic to finish building our Forever Home.  We are about 60 days from completion and unfortunately, we are about $75K short on funds needed to meet the minimum requirements to get an occupancy permit.  The total cost of phase 1, the temporary training space, community center/house remodel and all the planning, parking lot and site work has a total price tag of about $1.4M.  It sounds like a crazy big number, but OMG, building is extremely expensive and complicated.  I have a whole new level of appreciation for anyone in the building industry.  
        
973 in action
We have already completed or have committed donations for 86% of the project.  If we can raise the remaining funds by Christmas, we will reach our goal of moving in when our current lease expires the last day of January.  
Unfortunately, we have about $200K in cash expenses remaining and only $125K in the bank.                                                                                                                                    
We have come so very far, but now we urgently need your support to reach the finish line.  Kids and the elderly and families with special need children, and all the dogs still in a shelter are counting on us to make this happen.  We can't let them down.                                                                   
          

We need you - every one of you, to take a moment, click on this link and donate $25.  If just half of you take the time to donate a small amount, we will be able to finish.   If you don't have $25 to give today, perhaps you can give $5 a month for a few months.    

We are really looking forward to summer camp programs that incorporate outdoor activities, agility for kids of all abilities and expanded autism programs that will serve the very young in our new Early Childhood Education room.  We have so much to offer the community, with your help, we will have the opportunity to reach our potential. 

Happy Holidays from your 2-legged and 4-legged friends at Austin Dog Alliance.

Sincerely,
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Debi Krakar
Founder and Executive Director
Austin Dog Alliance 

PS - Special thank you to the 200 Dell and 18 IBM employees that have contributed during work sponsored volunteer days by doing everything from demolition to painting to cleaning.  We appreciate your support.  Big thank you to the numerous businesses and individuals and the angels on my construction team that are making our Forever Home a reality.   
Gift Certificates!
Give the gift of training, summer camp, boutique items, and much more
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Austin Dog Alliance Gift Certificates are always the perfect size, the perfect color, and can be redeemed for whatever strikes your fancy.

Choose from high quality dog toys, leads, and collars in our boutique, dog training, summer camps for the kids, adoption fees, or attendance at seminars held throughout the year.

Available on our website.

   

 
We're on a Mission - To Wrap Your Gifts!
Fundraiser at Lakeline Mall
 
Dogs at Christmas Let us take care of one of your holiday "to do" items -- stop by our gift wrapping station at Lakeline Mall!

Our talented gift wrapping elves will be working their magic December 21 & 22 (8am-10pm).  Stop by and choose from a huge variety of festive papers, elegant bows, and holiday flair - in exchange for a donation* we'll send you home with beautifully wrapped packages.

You might even run into a therapy dog (or two) while you're there.

 

*90% of donations received go to Austin Dog Alliance, and 10% go to
Simon Youth Foundation, the charity of Simon Properties, owner of Lakeline Mall.
Special Delivery - Meet the "Reindeer Puppies"
Rescue, Foster, Adoption program
Rescue dog Angel and her 10 puppies

Working in partnership with our friends at Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter (Wilco), a very pregnant Angel joined our Foster Program in November, and almost immediately gave birth to TEN beautiful puppies!

Names?  Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Santa, & Rudolph of course!

Angel and the "reindeer puppies" are currently receiving care in one of our foster homes.

Angel's puppies will be available for adoption early in 2013.  Stay tuned to our Adoption page to see their debut! 


Thank you to our wonderful fosters -- we couldn't save lives and find homes for deserving dogs (and puppies!) without you!  Learn more about our Foster Program here.

 
Training Tip - Jumping
Teach Your Dog the Rewards of NOT Jumping

 

Dog columnist From the Desk of "Austin"

Austin Dog Alliance advice columnist  

 

Hey There!  

 

My name is Austin, Austin Dog Alliance's advice columnist. Who better to give advice on dog training tips than a dog!?  Keep those training questions and/or behavior concerns coming -- send them to me at  [email protected].    

 

This month's training question comes from Michelle. She writes: "Dear Austin, how can I get my dog to stop jumping on me?"  

 

Well Michelle, let's discuss why dogs love to jump on people. I jump to greet you, just as my little buddy Sarge (right) is jumping on me. Part of a friendly Little dog jumping on big dog canine greeting involves jumping up to lick your face.  I'm also craving eye contact and touch.  When I jump on my owner, I get all of these reinforcements. He puts his hands on me to push me down, looks right at me, and as an added bonus, he even repeats my name (in a gruff, barky voice) over and over. He's giving me everything I could want, except a squirrel to chase!      

 

After attending Dog Manners 1 class at The Austin Dog Alliance, my owner changed his tactic.  Instead of inadvertently encouraging me to jump on him by pushing me, looking at me, and repeating my name, he began turning away, folding his arms across his chest, and ignoring me. That defeats the purpose of jumping up on him. Everything we dogs do is for a reason. It's usually for some type of reinforcement. I tried a bunch more times to get him to push me and call my name by jumping up, but he won't "bite." Instead he looks away, and folds his arms.  

 

He's also started telling me to sit, as part of our greeting ritual, and then giving me a treat when I do. Sitting is incompatible with jumping, and guess what? I'm doing what I have to do to get that treat! Jumping up has lost it's spark for me, and it will for your pup too.  

 

So remember:  Don't reinforce jumping by offering attention in the form of eye contact, touch or verbal acknowledgement.  Instead, ignore it or teach and reinforce an incompatible behavior, such as sitting.  Be consistent, and make sure friends and family follow your lead!  

  

   

December Puppy Camp
Every Monday in December, 6:30pm


Open to puppies 7-16 weeks of age

 

Aussie puppy Have you recently welcomed a new puppy into your home?  This December, the Austin Dog Alliance training team is sharing their knowledge and expertise with individuals and families who want to provide the best home and environment for their new family member.

 

Every Monday evening in December, our training team is holding Puppy Camp --  an opportunity for puppies (7-16 weeks) to socialize with others in a safe and clean environment under close supervision.  

 

Austin Dog Alliance trainers will be on hand to answer all the questions new pet parents have regarding proper care, socialization and training for their canine companions. The entire family is encouraged to attend.  

 

The only fee is a $10 donation to Austin Dog Alliance, supporting our mission to improve the health and well being of individuals and families through programs incorporating the powerful connection between dogs and humans.

 

Puppy Camp will take place at our training center, 12129 Ranch Road 620 North, Suite 401, in northwest Austin.  Call our training center with questions, 512-335-7100.  

 
A complete listing of all upcoming Alliance classes and seminars is available here.
 
Austin Dog Alliance trainers are committed to excellence and the use of positive training methods.  Read more about our Training Team on our website.
Pet Therapy - Holiday Visits
'Tis the Season...

Therapy dogs on holiday visitAustin Dog Alliance pet therapy teams will be visiting sites in our community to spread warm wishes and unconditional canine love once again this holiday season.

We'll also be distributing holiday gifts which have been wrapped by our special elves.

Look for our teams to be out and about a day or two before Christmas.  (
Pet therapy teams - Check the online Volunteer Center for information about holiday visit sites and times).

Interested in learning more about pet therapy?
  Read about Pet Therapy Training or join us for our Pet Therapy Seminar (January 12) to learn more.  For new or renewing teams:  Pet Partner evaluations are scheduled for January 19.  More information here.

Volunteer with Austin Dog Alliance
Zeke

We're making a difference in our community and in the lives of others every day.  Want to be a part of our team in 2013?  Mark your calendar for an upcoming orientation:

January 8, 2013 (Tuesday) 6:30-8:00pm
February 9, 2013 (Saturday) 2:00-3:30pm

Sign up on our Volunteer page.
 


Warm wishes for the happiest of holidays!
From all of us at
Austin Dog Alliance

 

 

Make Your Tax-Deductible Contribution Today!

 

Austin Dog Alliance 
is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, with the mission of improving the health and well being of individuals and families through programs incorporating the powerful connection between dogs and humans (EIN: 20-4797768).
jake

 

 

*  ONLINE:  Donate Now! 

 

*  BY PHONE: (512) 335-7100 

 

*  BY MAIL:   Mail pledge to    Austin Dog Alliance

                                       12129 Ranch Road 620 North, Suite 401

                                       Austin, TX  78750                               

 

    

Mail-in Donation:

 

I/we would like to donate the following:  $__________________

 

I/we would like our donation to support:

 

□ Autism and Special Learning Need Programs  □ Pet Therapy in Hospitals & Nursing Homes 

□ Youth Leadership and Enrichment Programs  □  Bow Wow Reading Dogs  

□ Rescue and Adoption □ Summer Camps   □ Build Our Forever Home Capital Campaign


Checks and credit cards gratefully accepted.

Credit card type:    o MC       o VISA       

 

Card number:   ______________________________________

 

3-digit security code on back of card: _______ Expiration Date:  ____________

 

 

Name: __________________________________________ 

 

 ___  I wish to remain anonymous on donor listings/announcements  

 ___  In honor or memory of _______________________________________________   

 

Billing Address:____________________________________________________

 

City/State: ________________________________________

 

ZIP: ______________

 

 

Signature: __________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 Thank You for your donation!   

 

 


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In This Issue
Gift Certificates
Gift Wrapping at Lakeline Mall
Special Delivery - Puppies!
Training Tip - Jumping
December Puppy Camp
Pet Therapy
Upcoming Volunteer Orientations
Mail-in Donation Pledge
Quick Links



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 Judy McCarthy 
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 Carolyn Honish
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