Kirby's Korner

It's December!

I want to thank everyone who came to our Grand Opening Event November 10th. I met a lot of new friends who have already been back to play with me.

Congratulations to the winners of the Raffle too!

Grand Prize - Daycare Package
Star Morgan

2nd Prize - Bath & Style
Prince Vallandars

3rd Prize - Canine Massage
Co Co Cruz

4th Prize - $25 Gift Certificate
Tallullah Sanders

Dioji Hats
Miss Bella Stevens, Angus & Izzy Rogers, Ellie Moyer, Angus & Malcana Evans

Dioji T-Shirts
Taro & Willy Elliot, Napoleon Leon, Rosebud Perkins, Willow Schuler

And what a blast we had on Thanksgiving! We had a full house spending the night and it was great to spend it with so many dogs & human friends while their families were away. Christmas is filling up too, so it looks like it will be another fun slumber party.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Kirby Wendel

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

December Birthdays

Bailey H.	Baron	Baxter
Bella	Buddy	Cooper
Daisy	Ginger	Gracie
Gus	Kali	Kelsey
King	Martini	Mountain
Pearl	Reily	Ruben
Sasha	Skeeter	Tux
Zoey	Bailey V.	Keelo

Refer a Member

Have a friend join Dioji during the month of December and receive a FREE holiday stocking filled with dog treats!

Featured Product

Holiday Baskets, Stockings & Gift Certificates

Various Holiday gift baskets and stockings are now available. Items include treats, plush toys, chew toys, balls and grooming products. Come in to see our new holiday selection.

Stockings:  $5.00 | Baskets: $27 & up

Don’t know what to get that special someone? Dioji gift certificates are also available for any dollar amount or specific service.

Ask the Expert

Chocolate Toxicity

By Sally Mobraaten, VMD

As the holidays approach, you may encounter gifts of chocolate. Tasty as it is, be a smart pet owner and do not share it with Spot, intentionally or unintentionally.

A dog’s physiology is unable to handle the concentration of methylxanthines (caffeine and theobromine) present in many chocolates.

Aside from an initially great taste, Spot may well experience diarrhea, vomiting and increased thirst within a few hours, and in severe cases chocolate can induce heart arrhythmia, seizures, coma, and occasionally death. If you know or suspect your dog has eaten chocolate, call the vet immediately for advice. The sooner s/he receives care, the better the chances for a full recovery.

Below is a list of the theobromine concentrations per ounce of different types of chocolate:

For Example, while it would take a pound of milk chocolate to be lethal to a 16lb dog, it would only take 4 oz of baking chocolate to reach the same toxic effects.

Methylxanthines can also cross into the placenta and appear in a nursing dog’s milk, so be especially careful with expectant and nursing mothers.

So while you enjoy the holiday season, be sure to keep those chocolates in a safe cupboard or on top of the fridge, away from Spot!

Happy Holidays!

Sally Mobraaten, VMD
Santa Barbara Pet Hospital

Tip of the Month

What are the benefits of Canine Massage?

By Rachel Douglas, Dioji Canine Massage & Aqua Fitness

In the late 1980’s and 1990’s canine massage and other modalities to facilitate canine rehabilitation came into the spotlight because of the positive effects seen on humans with orthopedic injuries who were implementing massage and aqua therapy into their recovery. The benefits of canine massage can be:

• Relaxes muscles
• Enhance performance by increasing range of motion
• Flushes out toxins that cause muscle stiffness and soreness
• Increases oxygen flow
• Improves circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids
• Stimulates healing (post-op)
• Calms anxiety and fear
• Aging/arthritic and chronically ill/terminal animals feel more secure after a massage
• Emphasizes the bond of touch between human and animal
• Can alert you to changes in your dog’s health
• Allows your pet to be accustomed to being handled
• Just plain feels good!!

Rachel will be holding an Intro to Canine Massage class on January 19th from 4-5:30pm at Dioji. The cost is $45 per person. Call for more details and to register!

Note: These statements are what Rachael Douglas, LMT has observed over a period of 17 years in canine massage. Rachael IS NOT A VETERINARIAN. If your dog has health issues, please talk to your vet first before setting up an appointment with Rachael.

In the Club

December 15th, 10am-1pm
Santa Paws @ Dioji

Children and dogs welcome to come have their picture taken with Santa Paws! Pictures are a $15.00 donation. Proceeds benefit the Molly Inspires foundation, dedicated to helping dogs with special needs. FREE gift bag with every picture!

January 19th, 4-5:30pm
Intro to Canine Massage Class

All are welcome to this introductory course. The class will include a brief anatomy discussion, demonstration of basic massage strokes and a hands on portion where you can put your new knowledge to work. Call now to reserve your space in the class. Cost: $45 (includes class materials).

Barkimonials

We love taking our dog Poca to Dioji. Actually, I should say we love that Poca loves to go to Dioji. She started off shy and skittish when we first took her there -- she's been that way about strangers and new places since we first got her. Now, due to the high level of engagement all the dogs have with staff and the fun environment they’ve created, she starts yelping and dancing as soon as we say “Let’s go to Dioji!” Her excitement continues all the way there where she becomes joy personified as she prances her way into the building. And she comes home a happy and very tired girl. Many thanks to the great folks at Dioji for taking excellent care of our girl!

- Robb & Donna Coleman

Ideas for future Tribone topics? Email susan@dioji.com.