ter · You should watch for the following symp-toms: 1. Bad breath 2. Red or swollen gums 3. Bleeding gums 4. Sudden change in eating or chewing habits 5. Pawing at the face or mouth

Gateway Golden

Retriever Rescue

P.O. Box 31700

St. Louis, MO 63131

Phone: (314) 995-5477

www.ggrr.com

January Meeting Minutes

The meeting was called to order at 7:30

p.m. by President, Mike S. Jim D. moved

to dispense with the reading of the minutes

from the previous meeting. The motion

was seconded by Shane S. and

passed. There were no corrections to

the minutes.

President’s Report

Mike reported that new classes may

be offered in February for home visits

and dog visits so stay tuned for more

information. Mike also thanked every-

one for all of the work they did this

year.

Treasurer’s Report

Lynn S. was not at the meeting to

give her report.

Membership/Volunteer

Report

Tim M. was not at the meeting to

give his report. There were two

visitors at the meeting, Michelle

and Bill N.

Intake Report

Michelle F. reported that we had

zero dogs come in in the previous

month.

Adoption Report

Penny M. was not present to give her re-

port.

Website Report

Paul S. was not present to give his report.

Meeting Minutes 1

Events & Old

& New Business

2

Bye Bye Bad

Breath

3-4

6 Things I Wish I

Knew Before Get-

ting A Dog

5-6

Inside this issue:

February 2015 Newsletter

GGRR Newsletter

F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 5 V o l u m e 13 I s s u e 2

Be My

Valentine! Next Meeting:

February 12th at 7:30 p.m.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Want to help out by doing a Dog Visit

or Home Visit in 2015? Want to Fos-

ter a Golden in your home?

Contact our President, Mike S. to

find out how you can help!

Upcoming Events Next GGRR Meeting

Thursday, February 12th at 7:30 p.m., at the Dog Mu-

seum in Queeny Park.

Golden Specialty—January 15th—18th

The Golden Specialty will be held January 15th

through the 18th out at Purina Farms. GGRR will

have a merchandise booth as always at this event.

Please contact Julie G. if you would like to help out

with our booth.

Also, there will

be agility trials at

the Horse Farm

in February. If

you would like to

help with this,

please contact

Julie G. for more

information.

GGRR Events

Page 2 GGRR Newsletter

Old & New Business

Old Business

There was no old business to be discussed.

New Business

The St. Patrick’s Day parade is right around the corner

and GGRR will walk in it as always with our Goldens.

The parade will be held on March 14, 2015 in Downtown

St. Louis. Mark your calendars now and more information

will provided at our February

and March meetings.

A motion was made by Mike S.

and seconded by Julie G. to

adjourn the meeting. All were

in favor. The meeting was ad-

journed at 8:07 p.m.

Pictures above are from the Specialty held at

Purina Farms January 15th—18th.

Bye Bye Bad Breath www.ceasarsway.com


There are many reasons why good dogs sometimes behave badly. But what you might not know is that bad behavior, or a sudden change in your dog’s behavior, can be caused by undetected medical problems. For example, if your dog starts chewing on random household objects, he may be ex-periencing tooth pain that could be helped with regular brushing. Symptoms to watch for If your dog suddenly becomes a compulsive chewer, there is a chance that something is wrong with her teeth or gums. The most fre-quent medical problem dogs have is dental disease, and it usually goes undetected. You should watch for the following symp-toms: 1. Bad breath 2. Red or swollen gums 3. Bleeding gums 4. Sudden change in eating or chewing habits 5. Pawing at the face or mouth 6. Compulsive nose licking Please consult your veterinarian if you see any these symptoms.

Prevention Dental disease will develop if plaque is pre-sent and remains over time. Tooth brushing is the single most effective way to prevent

dental disease. Dental treats and chewing aids may also help reduce plaque buildup, but they should be used as a complement, not a replace-ment, for the toothbrush. Dental care routine Dr. Rick Garcia, who is the veterinarian at Cesar Millan’s Dog Psychology Center, shares his tips for a good and stress-free dental care program with seven simple rules sure to provide your pooch with a good dental care routine: 1. A brushing routine is important for dogs of all ages. It’s ideal when introduced during puppy-hood. 2. Establish brushing as part of a daily routine with your dog. Try to brush at the same time every day. 3. The best time for brushing is after walking and feeding but right before bed, when your dog may be most relaxed. 4. Inspect your dog’s mouth before brushing. Make sure the gums are pink and not bleeding, and look for broken or chipped teeth. If you spot any of these signs, take your dog to the vet for a checkup. 5. Introduce the taste of tooth-paste to your dog before you brush. The best way to do this is by applying a

Bye Bye Bad Breath (Continued)


small amount of toothpaste to your index finger and allowing your dog to smell and taste it. 6. After your dog has sniffed the toothpaste and is used to its taste, apply more toothpaste to your index finger and carefully touch the gums, so your dog gets used to the feeling. Then, gently rub the toothpaste along the gum line. 7. Now that your dog is familiar with the taste and feel of brushing, use an Oral Cleaner to carefully wipe the plaque off of your pet’s teeth. Remember, do not attempt to wipe all of the teeth in the first or second brushing. Dr. Garcia recommends increasing the number of teeth you wipe each day as the routine becomes more familiar. For adult dogs, you can follow up the cleaning with a breath freshener for im-proved plaque and breath control. How to introduce the toothbrush to your dog After you have introduced cleaning and tooth-paste to your dog, it’s time to introduce the

toothbrush. Make sure your dog is calm and submissive. Cesar warns to never attempt this with an ex-cited dog. “Tooth brushing can be a form of affection for your dog. Never let it be stressful. Just be patient.” Here is a step-by-step approach to help you add the toothbrush to your dog’s dental care

routine: Step 1: Apply a small amount of toothpaste to the tooth-brush. Step 2: Let the dog lick it off. Step 3: Start by brushing one tooth with a gentle back and forth mo-tion. Step 4: Gradually increase the number of teeth brushed by one tooth per day. If you have any questions or encounter prob-lems with this dental brushing routine, consult your local vet. Good dental care is important and it is often overlooked. Cesar Millan is em-phatic in saying that a dog’s strongest sense is smell. Dental disease can adversely affect a dog’s sense of smell, which can lead to behav-ior problems, fatigue, and overall unhappiness. So, keep up with your dog’s dental health.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Want to help out by doing a Dog Visit

or Home Visit? Contact our President,

Mike S. to find out how you can help!

6 Things I Wish I Knew Before Getting a Dog www.today.com


Dogs are called "man's best friend" for a reason. They are often the first ones to greet you after a long day and the last ones to think that you could possibly have any flaws. But before rushing out to pick up a new furry companion, there are some important things to consider. From finding a kid-friendly canine to budgeting for veterinarian visits, our dog expert and TODAY Facebook fans are dishing out what you need to know be-fore getting a dog. 1. Research breeds before choosing a dog. Though you may have always dreamed of owning a poodle or a German shep-herd, it's important to know what you're in for with each type of dog before you head to the shelter or breeder. "It's critical the breed matches your lifestyle," JoAnn Par-sons wrote on TODAY's Facebook page, and dog ex-pert Sarah Wilson couldn't agree more. “We fall in love with the form but don’t always realize that temperaments can be extremely different," Wilson told TODAY.com. “Often people think all dogs are the same and they just have different exteriors." Every breed has a personality of its own and knowing in advance what exactly that is could save you a lot of trou-ble down the road. "People seem upset when a Lab is chewing," Wilson said. "But that’s what they do.”

2. Get ready to sacrifice your time. Much like having a child, adopting a dog means you take on the responsibility of a living being whose needs often come before your own desires. That usually translates to giving up more time for your pet than you might be used to — or want to.

For Melissa Bragg Krishnamurthy, that meant an end to her pre-pet spontaneous plans. "No more last minutes plans for day, weekend or week-long trips," she told TODAY. "You have to find someone to watch and let them out because you can't always take them with you." Wilson advises that if you're not prepared to make that kind of sacrifice, you should-n't go buy that dog collar just yet. “If you don’t have that time to give, it’s not yet time to have a dog," she said. "They’re not creatures of isolation. You need to be available to them.” 3. If you have kids, schedule a home visit before adopting or buying.

Even if you love a dog and that dog loves you back, don't commit to making that pooch a part of the family until you know that the dog is a fan of your kids, too. “If you have children, find a dog who loves your children, not just tolerates,” Wilson said. Wilson recommends taking time to schedule a home visit with the dog to see how he or she interacts with your kids. The kind of behavior you should look for? Ears back, tail wagging and a sense that the dog wants to be around your child more than anything. “When in doubt, look for similar things as you would when looking for a child or nanny," Wilson said. "You are looking for an animal that is going to spend a dec-ade in close contact with your child. Take your time.” 4. They can cost you — a lot. If you think the cost of your furry new friend stops at the adoption or purchasing fee and dog food, think again. In addition to the usual shots at the veterinarian, heart worm medication, flea and tick prevention and addition-al procedures can cost a pretty penny. "I would give up things like Christ-mas and this summer's vaca-tion in order to pay for two very expensive sur-geries to keep my rescued dogs healthy and hap-py," dog owner Chris Donevant-Haines wrote

6 Things I Wish I Knew Before Getting a Dog (Continued)


TODAY's Facebook page. "I am a forever mom and that means sacrifice." TODAY Facebook fan Melissa Valenzuela, whose dog was diagnosed with early arthritis, recom-mends looking into pet insurance before you get a dog as it may help alleviate the cost of medical expenses later on. 5. Puppy training is tough stuff. Everyone loves puppies — and why wouldn't they? They're adorable, impossibly small and they are ready to spend their entire lives with you. But it's important to remember that these tiny, furry friends are, after all, just babies. And that means requiring a lot more training and attention than an adult dog would. "I would have liked to have known that puppies are pretty needy for the first several months," Jane McNally wrote on TODAY's Facebook page. Whether it's chewing on the furniture or getting into the cookie jar, count on your puppy to try it out. "Puppies are adorable, which is lucky for them, because they are de-structive," wrote Facebook user Nichole Babka. 6. They become a part of the family The most essential thing to know before you get a dog is that, soon enough, you will wonder how you ever lived without that furball. "I never understood why people were so crazy about their dogs — until I got mine," said Merylina Santiago Asselin. "I wish I knew how good it would feel to have him around. I would not have waited to have one! I love my dog!" "How you can love something so much that will pee in your house, chew up your shoes, eat the food off your plate when you're not looking, dig up your yard and jump on you when you're dressed to go out and get muddy footprints on your new white shirt?" asked Rochelle N. Krok on TODAY's Facebook page. That's because, as Jenny Sargent Parham wrote, "They really are like your children."

FOSTER HOMES NEEDED

Want to help a Golden in need?

Contact us through our website

www.ggrr.com to find out how you

can become a volunteer!

To Adopt or Surrender a Dog

Call the GGRR Phone Lines: (314) 995-5477

Gateway Golden

Retriever Rescue

P.O. Box 31700

St. Louis, MO 63131

Phone: (314) 995-5477

www.ggrr.com

Next Meeting

Thursday, February 12th at 7:30 p.m.

at the Dog Museum in Queeny Park.

We love having happy healthy Goldens

at our meetings! Please make sure your

dog is up to date on shots and

vaccinations please!

Mentors

Intake Phone Lines

Mike Stemmler

[email protected]

Adoption Phone Lines

Pat Moran

[email protected]

Home Visits & Dog Visits

Shane Stark

[email protected]

Foster Homes

Kathy Dierkes

[email protected]

Coordinators

Intake Coordinator

Michelle Frasca

[email protected]

Adoption Coordinator

Penny McNeil

[email protected]

Membership Coordinator

Tim Miget

Events Coordinator

Julie Goldman

[email protected]

Webmaster

Paul Swarthout

[email protected]

Officers

President

Mike Stemmler

[email protected]

Vice-President

Jim Dilg

[email protected]

Secretary

Shane Stark

[email protected]

Treasurer

Lynn Stark

[email protected]

Membership Representative

Chris Rogers

[email protected]

ter · You should watch for the following symp-toms: 1. Bad breath 2. Red or swollen gums 3. Bleeding gums 4. Sudden change in eating or chewing habits 5. Pawing at the face or mouth

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