Kirby's Korner

For My Smaller Dioji Pals

Attention all small dogs and puppies!

You barked and we listened! As VP of Quality Control, I am always keeping my ear open for ideas to make the days at Dioji even more enjoyable. Our latest facility upgrade comes at the request of my smaller pals. I am happy to announce that we have increased the height of the fence separating the small and large dog areas to keep the bigger rascals from popping in to say ‘hi’ to the little ones! Now my small pals are running and wrestling on the new turf in glee...also, be on the look out for the infamous turtle pool for the smaller guys to splash around in on warmer days!

Kirby Wendel

VP of Quality Control
Owners Jeannie & Bryce's yellow lab

April Birthdays

Ace	Amber Lyn	Angel
Annabelle	Annie	Annie
Baku	Bella	Billy
BJ	Brindle Ray	Buddy
Chai	Charlie	Cody
Curly	Daisy	Daisy
Daisy	Dean	Ellie
Emma	Fanny	Fergie
Grace	Gracie	Gretzky
Heidi	Henrietta	Hero
Jake	Jasmine	Java
Joey	Katie	Kickback
Kiwi	Kona	Lexi
Lollipop	Lucy	Madison
Mambo	Marley	Mason
Max	Mia	Mia
Moe	Molly Tinka	Molly
Nala	Phoebe	Pippi
Prince	Princess	Rafael
Rhoda	Riley	Rizzo
Roxy	Rusty	Ryder
Sam	Sammy	Sammy
Savate	Sedona	Shamus
Sheba	Sierra	Sissy
Snickers	Snoejoe	Sonny
Sophie	Sophie	Splash
Trapper	Wally	Willie
Wrigley	Yuki	Zola
Addie	Bailey	Beau
Bella	Biggs	Callie
Chaz	Chewy	Chica
Dory	Emmy	Halley
Hula	Ilka	Jasmine
Joe	Karma	Lucas
Madison	Molly	Rocky
Royo	Shona	Shadow
Tuco

Ask the Expert

Wild mushrooms are Serious Business

By Dr. Beverly Place Holmes

Spring in Santa Barbara can be absolutely beautiful. As warm weather follows the rains however, the fruiting mushroom population can cause the unsuspecting dog a lot of trouble. There are multiple species of mushrooms that can cause us all problems (pets and owners alike). In Santa Barbara it appears like our most troubling species of mushroom is Amanita ocreata, one of several that go by the name "Destroying Angel Mushroom". These mushrooms can cause severe liver disease resulting in death.

All "Destroying Angels" look similar and all are deadly, though it can take a mushroom expert to tell them apart. They can be solitary to scattered, usually under Coast Live Oak; I have had clients tell me they often see fruiting increase around horse manure. The only sure way to tell them apart is by examination of their spores. In general you and your pets should always avoid unknown and suspicious mushrooms. If you see a WHITE smooth cap, WHITE gills, WHITE spores, and a WHITE stalk = DANGER. Remove your pet from the area. If these are found on your property, they should be cleared daily while fruiting before your pets can gain access to them.

If you are aware your dog has eaten mushrooms, the recommended treatment is to induce vomiting when these mushrooms are ingested, and in addition give activated charcoal. Unfortunately, this ingestion is easy to miss, and our four legged friends arrive at the hospital weak, with vomiting or anorexia and diarrhea and are in liver failure. Supportive treatment for liver disease is necessary. This often involves 24 hour hospitalization for any chance of survival. An innocent looking mushroom can cause big problems, so please keep a lookout.

Beverly Place Holmes DVM is the Past President of the Santa Barbara Ventura Veterinary Medical Association; she practices Preventative Medicine and Surgery at La Cumbre Animal Hospital.

Inside the Club

Sunday April 26th 9:30am
Dioji Puppy School Training Class

A six week course begins for dogs 7 months of age or younger.

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Sunday April 26th 10:45am
Dioji Adult Basic Obedience Class

New six week course begins for dogs over 7 months of age who have either never had a training class or could just use a refresher. Call to sign up!

More information on our training classes can be found here.

Outside the Club

April 13th

CARE Hospital welcomes the first full time board certified veterinary surgeon to Santa Barbara! Dr. Tammy Da Costa Gómez performs both orthopedic and soft tissue referral surgery. Call 899-CARE or www.carehospital.org for information.

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April 25th
Gaucho Gallop & Dioji Dog Dash

Join us for the 2nd annual Gaucho Gallop! Race alongside the pounding surf and past many UCSB landmarks. Bring your pooch for the pre-race Dioji Dog Dash and then drop them off at the Dioji Doggie Lounge. Celebrate your finish in style at the Finish Line Festival, with music, vendor booths, Woodstocks pizza, an awards ceremony and raffle for great prizes. Click here for more information & to register!

Tip of the Month

Did you know???

The arrival of spring brings gardening fun...and a few hazards for your furry pals. While many people are aware that certain fertalizers are harmful to animals, you may be shocked to learn that the mulch in your yard may be poisoning your dog. Cocoa bean mulch, while known for its clean look and pleasant aroma, enticies dogs with its chocolatey aroma, yet is known to be hazardous to their health and even fatal if ingested in large amounts!

Barkimonial

Shelby was a rescue dog, and unfortunately, wasn’t very socialized when it came to fellow canines, and we would avoid the park if there was another dog playing. I was worried that something was wrong with her, but the staff at Dioji reassured me that Shelby simply needed ‘canine therapy’.

Sure enough, after just 2 sessions at Dioji, she was a different dog. Now, I relax when other dogs are around. Shelby can sense when a dog is friendly and she’ll approach them. The best: she ignores dogs that are unstable or out of control.

We drive up from Ventura for her to play and get a bath once a week…when we pass the Turnpike Road exit, she sits up because she knows we’re ‘close’. It’s so fun to see her run up to the counter to get hugs from all the staff when she comes in. It’s obvious that they genuinely care about her. My husband initially said that taking a dog to day-care was a luxury, but between the great grooming and the socialization, he now says it’s the best money we spend on Shelby. Besides, after a day at Dioji, her little paws move in her sleep and I know she’s ‘playing at Dioji’ in her dreams. Thanks, Dioji!

-Deborah Hatchell

Dioji Family

Each month we would like to introduce one of our valuable team members to you so you can get to know the Dioji staff even better.

Who
Theresa Groth

Hometown
Harbor Beach, MI

Pets of your own
Dixer (6 yr old Doberman) & a Pru (4 yr old calico rescue cat)

Something people may not know about you
I will be going to grad school back in MI this fall and sadly will be leaving Dioji

Favorite activity with the dogs
Pool-time; the dogs are abuzz with excitement - you can tell that they are truly having a blast. It's pretty obvious when you have to actually lure a dog out of the pool to go home!

Funniest Dioji moment
When the new turf was laid, Uno (a Chihuahua) didn't know what to make of the new grass. He would awkwardly walk around - picking up his feet quickly after he took a new step: it was almost as if he were dancing! Now he sprawls out on it to sun himself.

Featured Product

Natural Balance Sausage Rolls

• Your picky eater will enjoy their meal much more when you mix this in.
• Training? They’re sure to be more obedient for a taste of all-natural sausage.

$4.99 for 1lb roll. Available in Lamb, Beef or Turkey.

Refer a Member

Have a friend join Dioji during the month of April and receive a FREE Dioji poo bag dispenser! Just have your friend tell us you sent them!