K-Lane Kennels

04/30/2022

Thank you for being part of our life.

Today will mark the end of our kennel chapter when we close the doors at K-Lane Kennels for the last time to retire.

We owe a world of gratitude to everyone who helped us live our incredible life thus far.

To Laura and Neil Burton, and Laura's parents Clem and Ed Deck, who developed our acreage and built the main kennel building in 1992, thank you! Their original kennel design was the foundation for our best practice kennel.

To Don Walters, the mastermind behind the K-Lane Kennels reservation system. Today lots of commercial kennel management programs exist, but when retired teacher Don developed our fully integrated booking and billing system in 2008, he was a trail blazer. Nothing like it existed. He is the reason that we provide accurate, fast, and efficient booking and billing for our clients.

To Brian Moroschan and Asel Omurzakova and their team at Priority Accounting Services, who efficiently and effectively keep CRA happy.

To the local ecosystem of small businesses that our tiny business depended on - SPYR Network, Prairie Benefits, Dusyk & Barlow Insurance Brokers Ltd, COWTOWN, Loraas Disposal, K2 Electric Ltd, Diamond Plumbing and Heating, Advanced Energy Inc., FPC Industries Ltd, and Wood Country Building Services Ltd. You enabled us to live our values to improve animal welfare, our community, and our environment. And, we so appreciate the countless pet care, pet first aid, and animal behaviour industry associations who helped us learn and improve our practices year over year.

To all of the veterinary clinics for their shared concern for our mutual guests, and especially to the emergency veterinary clinics – 24 HR Animal Care Centre and Animal Clinic of Regina - who helped our guests deal with everything from small booboos to life-altering medical conditions – almost always during non-regular clinic hours. And, also to Drs. Melissa Hunchak and Marilyn Sthamann, from Careport Animal Hospital and Lakewood Animal Hospital, who answered our relentless questions and provided professional advice over the years. To Dr. Tara Hudye of Veterinary Mobility Center, Jennifer Berg of Oberhund Dog Services & Products and Wayne Baiton of Western College Of Massage Therapy, Canine Sports Massage Program, for their mobility and training advice for our Dog Parkour Playground. We are all so incredibly fortunate to have ready access to such skilled, compassionate, and professional animal caregivers.

To the Regina Police Service Canine Unit who trusted us to serve those who protect and serve. You are our inspiration, and it has been an absolute honour and privilege to know you.

And finally to all of you – our amazing clients. Thank you. You trusted us to care for your furry family members and service dogs, some since we started our quirky kennel adventure in 2002. We've watched your puppies and families grow, and age. We've loved learning about your travel plans from weekend getaways to family weddings and reunions, to tournaments and concerts, to far-away grand adventures. It has been wonderful getting to know you, your dogs, and your families.

Retirement is bittersweet. Sad to not be with dogs every day. Relieved to not have to worry about their health and safety all day every day. Excited to see what our next chapter brings.

We plan to live on our acreage with our cat Wilma, our honeybees, and our garden. We'll go hiking and kayaking. We'll go to Rider games, and concerts. We haven't been able to do those things together for 20 years. Our Speck's sudden passing is gut-wrenching. Our little dog was supposed to be a big part of our retirement adventures. (We even bought kayaks that fit our stumpy dog.) But, we know that time heals, and because we're “dog people”, and “dog people” without dogs are just “people”, we'll get another dog. Our future furry family member has no idea that we're dreaming that they will one day become a volunteer Search and Rescue tracking dog. Dogs have so much potential, and we hope be able to help our new furry family member reach theirs.

Thank you for being part of our life. We'll miss you.

With overwhelming gratitude,
Dan and Louise

PS
Here is a link to our guide to help you choose a kennel with strong health and safety features:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10158094074506671&type=3

04/30/2022

04/30/2022

A round of fetch.

Alex

04/29/2022

Dogs experience stranger danger too. Now that new people are entering your dog's home and life again, here are some tips to help your dog feel comfortable about new people.

Don't put your hand in the dog's face to let them sniff it. They can smell you just fine without having your fingers in their face.

Do allow the dog to come to you - if they choose to. If they choose not to engage with you, no means no - don't force yourself on them.

Don't face the dog straight on, bend down toward them, and stare at them.

Do turn to the side, crouch down, and glance at them.

For more tips, check out this AKC video and post:

Just as we have social etiquette for meeting new people, dogs have rules for greetings too. Learn how to greet strange dogs safely and politely.

04/29/2022

Why Stella, what a big tongue you have :)

04/28/2022

Daisy was shy, so we played like puppies to bring her out of her shell. Love the play bow.

04/28/2022

This handy little booklet provides tons of tips on how to prevent barking and behavioural issues through exercise and enrichment. Check it out.

Thanks Oberhund Dog Services & Products for sharing the original article link on the dog park page.

http://mcp.charlessturt.sa.gov.au/emags/AMK/barking/index.html #18

04/27/2022

This is a FANTASTIC dog communication quiz.

You know you're supposed to supervise your kids around dogs, but do you know what you're looking for? Find out by taking this quick quiz.

https://www.charlessturt.sa.gov.au/services/pets-and-animal-management/dogs/dog-body-language-quiz?fbclid=IwAR1HCAjUB4N0te90kXCbnRvbBbgBbH3BLA6IpCYy3uIdwQ_dwaAilY407QM

04/27/2022

This is a wonderful tribute to the power of the human animal bond.

Animals are the great equalizer. Rich. Poor. Children. Seniors. Senior executives. Underemployed. Pets don't judge. They bring connection. They bring compassion. They may be only reason why someone gets up in the morning.

https://www.newsweek.com/lonely-mans-moving-letter-neighbor-after-babysitting-pets-melts-hearts-1700663
--

"You never know when or where you are helping someone by asking for their help." one comment read.

04/27/2022

Windblown Caicos.

04/25/2022

Too often, people look for simple solutions to complex issues.

Some First Nation communities have roaming dog issues that evolve into public health and safety issues, with two possible solutions - cull (shoot) or rescue/rehome dogs.

Ethical rescue groups respectfully work WITH First Nations leadership in partnership over the long term to listen, and provide animal care supports within the community. Unethical rescue groups or individuals, make assumptions, judge and go in with a colonial white savior attitude to steal dogs, including owned pets.

If you're involved with dog rescue - volunteering or adopting - be sure that your rescue is ethical, not just making themselves feel good about scooping puppies.