MARCH 2013

If it's March - It Must be Spring Time

It's that time of year when all dogs start smiling a little more and their tail ends start wiggling a little more vigorously! They begin to sense that change is a 'coming......longer walks outdoors, romps and rolls in the new grass, grazing on new grass shoots (My Emma loved doing that), chasing squirrels and bunnies, riding in cars on errands with the windows open again, new odors in the air as the earth thaws out and takes in more sun and warmth, and a whole lot of other fun things to do outdoors. Gosh, we thought spring would never get here, right?

So while you're thinking about your own personal spring time rejuvention and ways to spruce up your home and gardens, think about getting your dog ready for more outdoor activity. I'm sure you're wondering, what should I be thinking about?

Well, here are a few things off the top of my head...Think about what you'll be doing this year for flea and tick prevention for your dog and remember that we have quite a few excellent, chemical-free natural options to help your dog fight these pests. Check that your dog's ID tag, dog license tag, microchip tag and rabies tag are on the collar, that they contain current information, are easily readable and replace if necessary. Be sure collars, leashes and harnesses are in good condition and fit comfortably. Refresh your knowledge of plants in the garden that are poisonous to dogs and avoid planting them in your garden. Clean all their bedding and toys or maybe it's time to splurge on new ones! Re-visit training and all of the opportunities here for participating with your dog in training classes and dog sports; customers taking Flyball classes here at Godfrey's are having a blast! Agility classes will be coming soon, too. And while our dogs don't have to worry about looking good or fitting into a bathing suit, they do need to remain svelte and fit so that there is no undue pressure on their joints. Sign up and attend one of our Wellness and Conditioning classes to help strengthen your dog's muscles and lose some weight. Join or come back to our dog parks for exercise, socialization and fun!

There's so much to enjoy this time of year. We have so much to tell you in this newsletter about events coming up at Godfrey's. We hope you'll join us:

St. Patty's Day Celebration this Saturday

"Honey's Fab Fotos" Photography Appointments by Andrew Orth Photography-Sign up NOW!

Honoring and Remembering Your Beloved Animal Companion-A Class to Soothe Your Soul

Pooch Smooch "Spring/Easter" Photo Shoot

7th Annual Easter Egg and Bone Hunt

"Bark for Life" of Western Berks-Family Fun Day at Godfrey's-Sign up to Join our Team!

First State Greyhound Rescue "Meet and Greet"

I wish you peace and joy and moments that make your heart sing again this Spring!

Hugs to your pups,

Barb and the Staff at Godfrey's

 

Sat., March 16, 2013: "Lucky Dog" St. Patty's Day Celebration 10am-4pm 

 

Share the luck of the Irish with us! One day discounts (Think "Green")!

Pups come out sporting green? Win a prize!

Complimentary refreshment for people and dogs.

Come out and share some fun with us!

 

 

Sat., March 16 and Sun., March 17, 2013: "Honey's Fab Fotos" Photography

"Honey's Fab Fotos" Photography appointments with Andrew Orth at Godfrey's this weekend!

Learn more about Andrew and see his gallery of photos.

Learn more about how the gallery shoot is done, what you'll receive, and the costs.

To book your appointment, email info@honeysfabfotos.com or us at info@godfreysdogdom.com.

WHERE? Andrew will have his temporary studio set up in our Canine Learning Center.

Andrew's golden retriever. She sure looks like a photographer!       Pat and our golden retriever, Charlie,

                                                                                                           by Andrew Orth Photography

                                     

 

A dear friend and his golden retriever by Andrew Orth Photography

 

Wed. Evening, March 20, 2013: 

Honoring and Remembering Your Beloved Animal Companion    6pm-8pm  

This class will be held downstairs in Godfrey's retail building.

This special, warm, and accepting class is:

• For those who have recently or not so recently lost a

      beloved animal companion

• For those who are looking for recommendations on ways to honor and remember your special loved one.

• For those looking for ways to help heal from the loss of a beloved animal companion.

• For those who want a place and space to talk about
• your loved one with like-minded people.

This time together will be led by Heather Groff, who during the last 2 years, has lost 6 of her beloved feline companions and who has had to create her own methods and practices for healing from those losses. Heather is a Physical Therapist, Reiki Master, energy worker, spiritual seeker, and alternative medicine seeker. She continues living and loving with her 3 dogs, 3 cats and her husband.

Please bring along a picture/pictures of your companion. Questions?  Call Heather at 717-271-1295.

Cost: First time only fee of $10 for the 2 hour session.

10 spaces only: Call Godfrey’s at 610-777-5755 to confirm your seat.  

 

Sun., March 24, 2013: "Spring/Easter" Photo Shoot  11:00-4:00pm 

Angela Stehl, professional pet photographer, is back at Godfrey's for our Spring/Easter photo shoot. Our customers love Angela's work and her ability to capture their pets in photos. She'll bring spring-themed props and her setting will be for Spring or Easter.

To see samples of her work, visit www.poochsmoochphotography.com. And yes, she says she will have them back to us for Easter.

The photo shoots take place downstairs in Godfrey's retail building.

Sitting fee is $10. Various packages are available. You will

review all photos she takes that day and select just what's right for you. Cash or check required on the day of the photo shoot. Appointments are scheduled every 15 minutes. To book an appointment, call us at 610-777-5755!

 

Sat., March 30, 2013: "7th Annual Easter Egg and Bone Hunt" 10:00-4:00pm 

Mark your calendar for our very popular Easter egg and bone hunt! We knew our own dogs would love an event like this and when we tried it 7 years ago, they proved us right. We all have so much fun with this one and we hope you do, too!                                             

                                                                                                             Our Easter Puppy Bunny starts the Hunt!

                                                                                                                          
We're having an indoor event and an outdoor event

(weather-permitting) this year. This way, we stop worrying about the weather and no matter what your Saturday schedule, you can join us!

Our own Easter "Puppy Bunny" will be here from 1pm-3pm!

Bring along your camera and take a photo of your dog with the

Godfrey's "Puppy Bunny."

Here's what's happening Indoors: Come shopping any time between 10am-4pm. Hidden eggs in the shop contain prizes and coupons for terrific in-store discounts up to 40% off! Yummy biscuits will also be hidden.

Here's what's happening Outdoors:
We'll start promptly at 2pm in the small dog park!

Feel free to bring along your own Easter basket. We'll give out

bags to those who don't have a basket.

Our small dog park will be filled with plastic colored eggs and homemade biscuits (healthy ones, of course!).

Our Godfrey's "puppy bunny" will give the signal to start the hunt. With your dog on a leash, you'll help your dog select biscuits and eggs. And of course, some of the eggs will contain prizes and coupons for terrific in-store discounts up to 40% off!

Advice from previous 'egg and bone hunters': Be patient with your dog....they'll get the hang of it, especially when the eggs have yummy biscuits hidden inside!

To participate in the outdoor hunt, your dog must be: Dog-friendly and people-friendly
OK around food - No dogs with food aggression issues-makes sense, right? On a leash no longer than 6 ft. NO FLEXIs, PLEASE Current with rabies vaccination One dog per handler.

PLUS, we'll also have many sale items inside the shop and free refreshments!

NOTE: In lieu of admission for this event, we will be taking donations for the Animal Rescue League of Berks County. Please check their web site to see items they really need right now.

 

Sat., April 6, 2013: "Bark for Life" of Western Berks - Family Fun Day at Godfrey's   9:00am-1:00pm 

We are delighted to be a part of this great cause! Come out for a great time and learn more about the Amercian Cancer Society's "Bark for Life" (BFL), a canine event to fight cancer. A group of volunteers will be running family/dog-friendly games, activities, and more at Godfrey's!

Also at our event on April 6, we hope that you will consider joining our Godfrey's "Bark for Life" team! Our team will walk in the annual event to be held on April 27, 2013 at the Western Berks/Liberty Fire Company Grounds, Ruth and Ralph Avenues, Sinking Spring, PA. Godfrey's is a "Bronze Sponsor" for this event. If you're interested in being on our team, let us know! Now through March 30, registration is just $10 per dog! Prizes will be award to the top teams and dogs. And each person team that signs up for our team will receive a special gift from us to you for joining us!

More about Bark for Life from the Debbie Musser, Volunteer Coordinator for the Western Berks event: "The American Cancer Society's Bark for Life (BFL) is a non-competitive, family-friendly event that honors the care-giving qualities of our canine family members. It presents an opportunity for people to be empowered through their canine companions and for them to contribute to cancer cures through the mission of the American Cancer Society." At their inaugural event in 2012, they raised over $5,000!

 

Sat., April 6, 2013: "First State Greyhound Rescue "Meet and Greet"

12:00-3:00pm 

First State Greyhound Rescue, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue and adoption of ex-racing Greyhound dogs. They place greyhounds in homes around the tri-state area of Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey.

We are hosting our second greyhound event here at Godfrey's and we are very excited about it. Thank you, Kristin and Joe, First State volunteers and greyhound adopters, for spearheading this and getting it all together!  

                                                                                "Greyhounds" by Lorena Pugh

What is a greyhound "Meet & Greet?"

 

It's an opportunity for the public to interact with

greyhounds, to bring attention to adoptable

dogs, as well as to promote greyhound advocacy and awareness. Please stop by and talk to the volunteers and meet some great greyhounds. You may find your next family member there and want to adopt!

 

More from the www.firstgreys.org web site:

"We strive to place dogs in quality adoptive homes, while providing pre-adoptive education and post-adoptive support to make the transition for both the dog and the adoptive family as smooth as possible.

It is important to us that we share our love and admiration for this noble breed with the public so that everyone may see the joy these dogs bring to many families."