Could your dog or cat be a blood donor?
Similar to human medicine, injured or sick dogs and cats sometimes require life-sustaining blood transfusions. The demand for blood products continues to rise. Seattle Veterinary Specialists is currently recruiting canine and feline blood donors to help meet this ever-increasing need. Blood donation is a gift of hope and life for companion pets that are in need. Donating blood is your chance to help save a pet’s life. 
To find out if your pet meets blood donor requirements, visit http://www.svsvet.com/services/pet-blood-bank-kirkland-wa
Ask Allie
Training Tips from Dog Trainer Allie Lowry
Q: Every time I ask my dog to do a basic command, it becomes a battle of the wills! I ask, he ignores. What do I do when he just won’t listen?
A: When asking your dog to perform a behavior, try not to repeat the cue! What the dog learns over time is that they do not have to do the behavior the first time you ask for it and will wait for the third, fourth, or fifth time to respond. There are many reasons that your dog would ignore a cue for a behavior that they know. The most common causes are being too distracted, not 
truly understanding the behavior that you are asking for, or being nervous or uncomfortable. Instead of thinking that our dogs are being stubborn or willful and forcing them to comply, we want to set them up for success! For example, you are waiting in the lobby of Cascade Kennels and you ask your dog to sit and they don’t do it. If you ask your dog once more and they still do not sit, make it easier so that your dog can get it right. You can do that by using a treat to lure your dog into position, moving them to an area with less distractions, or asking them to do another behavior they like to do (like a fun trick!) and then ask for the sit again. When your dog gets it right, praise and reward! By practicing your dog’s skills in a variety of new places and around all kinds of distractions, you will set them up for future success and reduce the likelihood of them ignoring cues in the future.
Allie Lowry, CPDT-KA
Head Trainer at Cascade Kennels
For more information about our training services, call (425)483-9333
PAWS Catio Tour
Catios are enclosed patios for cats where they can enjoy the sights and smells of the outdoors and stay protected from busy roads and predators. 
They are a growing trend in the US – popular for the safe enrichment they offer their feline residents and for the added protection they provide for wildlife
Join other cool cats for the Catio Tour Seattle on May 21st
from 12:00pm to 4:00pm, and see how Seattle neighborhoods are being transformed by cat-loving communities who want to keep their cats safe and their backyards a haven for wildlife 
To register or find more info visit: https://www.paws.org/support/events/catio-tour-2016/
Employee Spotlight
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Meet Janelle, a kennel tech of four years here. Growing up on a farm, Janelle has always loved being around animals. She has completed the year long Sno-Isle Veterinary Assisting program, and interned at Clearview Animal Hospital. Janelle is now pursuing a degree as a veterinary technician. Recently, Janelle has added a Husky puppy named Nala to her family. Between school, work, and a 10 week old Husky, this girl never stops!
Best in Show: German Shorthair Pointer!
Congratulations to “CJ,” a German Shorthair Pointer who took this year’s Best In Show title at Westminster! The German Shorthair Pointer is an all-purpose hunting dog. Their happy-go-lucky, friendly disposition paired with their energy and athleticism make them a great addition to an active family.
Pumpkin Ice Cream
Want to give your dog a sweet treat that helps digestion, and keeps them occupied?
Make them some pumpkin ice cream! All you need is a small paper cup, then mix equal parts plain canned pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie filling – too much sugar in that!) with plain, lowfat yogurt, then freeze until solid.
Remove from cup, and let them have at it!
Refer A Friend, Get One Night FREE!
Tell your friend to mention who referred them when making their first reservation or scheduling their daycare evaluation. Existing customers will earn a free night of boarding or day of daycare when the new customer they referred checks-in for their first boarding reservation or completes the daycare evaluation.
