| 2012 Flatirons Kennel Club Meeting Dates |
Meetings are Held at 7:00 pm in the Meeting Room of The Clover Building at the Boulder County Fairgrounds
February 2
March 1
April 5
May 3
June - Show set up
July - Picnic
September 6
October 4
November 1
December - Christmas Party
Flatirons Kennel Club B Match (Conformation only) \
http://www.flatironskc.com/pdf/Match_flyer_2012.pdf
| Flatirons Kennel Club Grooming Space Map |
http://www.flatironskc.com/pdf/Grooming.pdf
Starting in June 2011 working Flatirons Kennel Club members will be provided with free grooming spaces in a special FKC grooming area reserved for working members.
| FKC Donation Covers Retired K-9's Surgery |
Retired K-9’s surgery bill covered Foundation to be named for Izzy
By Pierrette J. Shields
Longmont Times-Call
LONGMONT — The $6,000 question posed over a retired police dog’s veterinary bill was answered Friday morning.
“I am a little overwhelmed,” said Longmont police Detective Bruce Vaughan, who asked for help Wednesday to pay an anticipated $6,000 bill for his retired partner’s back surgery and was surprised to have the tab covered entirely within the week.
The Flatirons Kennel Club board met Thursday evening, discussed Izzy’s needs and voted to donate the $6,000 to cover the surgery, which is now scheduled for Nov. 6.
Cathey Dunn, a kennel club board member, said the board routinely donates to animal causes but felt Izzy’s story was particularly compelling.
“We’ve all had dogs. We’ve all had medical bills,” Dunn said. “We decided it was a worthwhile thing to do for the dog and the community.”
Izzy served as a Longmont police dog for nine years and amassed an impressive record of arrests. In 2006, the dog conducted 24 narcotics searches and 11 building searches, provided cover for other officers 50 times, made 17 felony arrests, participated in four demonstrations and bit a suspect.
He retired shortly after he was injured in April 2007 while helping arrest a man who had dodged police for two weeks, leading officers on three separate chases in that time.
The man tried to fight off Izzy and flipped him over onto his back, which left the dog with a back injury. Initially, Vaughan said, it did not seem that severe, but Izzy has gotten progressively worse and now has trouble using his back legs. Surgery to fix the ruptured disk in the dog’s spine is expected to cost $6,000.
Vaughan said Izzy would have gotten the surgery no matter what, but he decided to reach out to the community where the dog worked for so long to see if there was any financial help available. The Longmont Fraternal Order of Police opened an account with $500 at Guarantee Bank to accept donations. He said he hoped to raise about half the cost.
“I knew people here in town would rally behind it,” Vaughan said Friday. “I have been overwhelmed by the broadness of support, too.”
Izzy’s plight was publicized on a national news-aggregator Web site, and interest in the story exploded. Checks have been dropped off at the police department, and a Las Vegas-based organization that builds computers for needy families quickly organized a raffle with a goal to donate $1,000.
Steve Schulz, president of the Longmont Fraternal Order of Police, said Friday that any money received over the cost of Izzy’s medical bills put into the fund, which will be renamed The Izzy Foundation, to provide money for medical needs and equipment for K9 officers in Colorado.
“We’re super happy with the outpouring of donations right now,” Schulz said.
The FOP did not have a tally of donations outside of the kennel club’s contribution on Friday afternoon.
“I am even still speechless at the outpouring,” Vaughan said.
You and Your Dog
Too frequently, common sense goes out the window when it comes to buying a puppy or dog. This seems to be even truer when the purchase is by a family with children. Buying a dog is like buying anything else; the more you know before you buy, the better off you will be. This advice applies to all aspects of buying your dog, from selecting the breed to deciding where to obtain the puppy. We strongly recommend that you spend enough time investigating before buying. Remember, dogs are for life.
Selecting A Breeder
Buy your puppy or adult dog from a responsible and well-respected breeder. This cannot be stressed enough. Responsible breeders are concerned with the betterment of the breed. For example, they work on breeding healthier dogs with the appropriate temperament for their breed. Your AKC breeder referral contact will direct you to a breeder who is concerned with the future of the puppy. Once you select a breeder, screen the breeder. Ask to see at least one of the parents (the dam or the sire) of your puppy. See how the dogs in your breeder's home interact with your breeder. Are they friendly and outgoing or do they shy away? The responsible breeder will be screening you, too, looking for the best home for each puppy.
How Much Does A Puppy Cost?
This is not the time to hunt for a bargain. Your new puppy will be a member of your family for his lifetime, so you'll want to make a wise investment.
Can You Afford A Puppy?
The purchase price of your puppy is not the only cost you have to consider. Be aware that the puppy you bring home will need proper care: food, health care, (a dog needs annual shots). Your puppy will also need little things like a collar with identification, a bowl, and a leash. Evaluate your budget; ask yourself if you really can afford a dog. Dog Ownership = Responsibility.
Take the time to ask yourself these questions and to make an educated decision. You and your dog will be happier for it. There is no doubt that a puppy is a cuddly bundle of joy, but it is also a huge responsibility.
For More Information on making a wise decision when choosing a dog go to: http://www.akc.org/future_dog_owner/about_buying_a_dog.cfm
If you are looking for puppy/dog you may contact one of the following Flatirons Kennel Club Members:
Mary Mead (wolfstone01@comcast.net)
Brant Rosten & Carolyn Tremer (h2odog@msn.com)
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