July Newslette

 

Leash on Life Unleashes BIG donations…

We will be supporting the Iowa Humane Alliance (IHA) mission to provide low cost spay and neuter services to eastern Iowa.

 

Please join us Saturday, July 24th, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm to meet IHA staff & learn about IHA's lifesaving services.

 

Your support is as easy as $1, $2, $3.

Fromm Family Foods, Primal Pet Food and World's Best Cat Litter will Spay It Forward by donating to IHA based on your purchases.

 

We will be offering this fundraiser July 24th - August 7th.

But wait, there's more...

sign up for door prizes to be drawn each Saturday!

May Newsletter

Spot Light…

Covid19 has effected all of the wonderful pet services in our area. Here’s an update on just a few of our friends.

Pooch Palace will pick up your dog and gear at your home for free and perform all "business" over the phone.  Or you can drive them over, and we'll chaperone your dog to the Palace without you ever having to leave your car!  Dogs can come board, play, relax, and go home (even bathed!) without us humans having to be any closer than at least six feet! Also, if you'd like to purchase a Gift Certificate or Pay Ahead for Future Services, please let us know!  We make our Gift Certificates with a personal touch. Contact us at poochpalace@southslope.net or 319-624-5164. Rene`

 

The Pet Sitters is finding its way through the pandemic. Happily, our boarding facility remains open. Business is very slow but, the kennels are ready, the yards are a luscious green and the playrooms are set up for fun. We are here to provide resources for everyone who needs us, especially, those working in essential services and those whose health has been affected by this virus. We practice social distancing both at work and at home and are making important sacrifices to maintain our own health to remain open. For more information about our services get in touch with us by email at icpetsit@yahoo.com or leave us a voicemail at 319-321-5301.  Our very best to you and yours. 
Take good care,
Vicky and the rest of The Pet Sitter family.

 Two Sisters Kennels, located in West Branch just outside Iowa City, offers dog boarding and day boarding for your pups! We are currently offering Doggie Day Boarding Punch cards, 5 days for $80 ($100 value)!  Day boarding is a great way to get your dog socializing and exercised.  Dogs will be let out in small, hand selected groups to play throughout the day.  In addition to our dog boarding services we are offering a "doggie delivery" service.  We are available for pick up and drop offs for day boarding, grooming, and vet appointments.  If you have an appointment with The Groom Station or your vet, just give us a call and we will come to your home for a no contact pick up.  Check us out at www.twosisterskennels.com or reach us at info@twosisterskennels.com  /319-371-3200. Lauren & Michelle

 

Be one of the first to schedule a day or overnight at any of these great home away from homes and receive a $10 Leash on Life gift card.

 

Keeping your dog busy…

Here is some information from two great local trainers. While they are not able to have classes at this time, consults are still available. Remember to get your dog or new puppy signed up ASAP once these businesses open again.

SPOT & CO. Dog Training
(Sung to the tune of “If I Only Had a Brain”) If I’d gone to training classes, I’d not have chewed your glasses, Or caused you so much pain, Oh I would have been a good dog and I could have been a good dog, If I only had been trained!”

The arrival of COVID-19 does make it a little more challenging to train a dog these days, but our trainers are resourceful!  While we wait to resume in-person classes, we remain available by phone, email and for “virtual” consults and training.  For more information, call (319) 354-0885 or email spotandco@mchsi.com . You can also check out our Facebook page for training/behavior tips. 

In the meantime, here are some fun things you can do with your dogs and puppies at home:

“Play In & Out” using your dog’s kennel/crate.  You can also play “on and off” of a footstool or other low item.  Use treats to lure your dog “in and out” or “on and off” and always praise your dog when she gets it right.

“Nose work” – put a treat in a small, open cardboard box and let your dog/puppy watch.  Have another family member hold the dog while you put the box down on the floor.  Tell your dog to “find it” and praise when he goes to the box to get the treat.  Repeat this several times and when your dog is reliably going to the treat box, add a second box so he will have to figure out which box contains the treat. Try to find boxes that are about the same size and always put the treat in the same box so only one box contains the scent.  As your dog reliably goes to the right box, add another box and spread the boxes apart to make it more difficult.

We would also like to extend a special “thank you” to the staff at Leash on Life for making it easy for all of us to get food, toys, treats and other fun things for our dogs while we practice social distancing. We miss seeing everyone with their dogs and puppies and hope to see you back in classes with us soon!  Sue

Given the current state of covid-19 in Iowa, Best Friends Dog Academy has expanded our services to offer distance/online dog training. Distance training is practical, effective, and fun! Here are just a few benefits:

  • Work on specific behaviors tailored to your needs
  • Convenient and flexible scheduling
  • Work with a credentialed and experienced professional trainer while in the comfort and safety of your own home.
  • Fewer distractions for your dog = more success to build on
  • Owner does the training resulting in more engagement from the dog as well as a stronger bond
  • Video allows for precise coaching and immediate feedback to enhance your skills and get results
  • Great for manners, behavior modification, key skills like attention and recall, teaching/conditioning nail trims and more!

Email info@bestfriendsdogacademy.com for more information or visit us at www.bestfriendsdogacademy.comFollow us on facebook for free tips on enrichment, dog training, and behavior modification:

https://www.facebook.com/Best-Friends-Dog-Academy-170918286972991/

We remain grateful for your business and support. Stay healthy and happy training!

Liz & Sara

 

Stocking the Pantry…

Thank you a thousand times over. As a matter of fact, five thousand times over. That is how much our community has donated in pet food, through Leash on Life, for dogs and cats in need. Our local human food pantries are busy and there are many requests for pet food. We are partnering with the Iowa City CommUnity food pantry, Coralville pantry, North Liberty pantry, Paws and More in Washington and the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center. The need continues and we continue to distribute your donations as they come in. We couldn’t do this without you. Thank you!

 

Adoptable Pet of the Month…
While the Iowa City Animal Center maybe closed there are still a few dogs and cats available for adoption. Visit the web site and give them a call if you are interested.
Call (319) 356-5295 or visit
www.icanimalcenter.org  to learn more about all the animals at the Center.

February Newsletter

                                February 2020

New Behind the Scenes…

Many of you may have noticed our frustration when it comes to the lack of reliability of our credit card PIN pads. We are excited to announce we have decided to change our point of sale and ordering system. This is not a small undertaking, but we are all excited about increased functionality on the back side and markedly increased reliability at check out. We plan on a start date the first part of February. Our old system will be on ‘phased retirement’. Your sales history will not be pulled into the new system, so we will still have our old system available to look up your past purchases. With the new system we will now be able to take all forms of payment including AmEx and Apple Pay and can email you receipts if you like.

 

Winter is Upon Us…

Another Midwest winter is upon us. An important thing to remember is to always keep your pets away from antifreeze solution. Antifreeze is attractive to pets and is deadly, even in very small amounts.

Darn that ice, no one seems to like it! What is the solution? Melt it! While that may keep us from slip-sliding away, it doesn’t always help our canine companions. The salt in most ice melt can be irritating not only paws to, but stomachs (when licked off paws). Ice melt is available in paw friendly form and it’s easier on your lawn. Unfortunately, you can’t always control what others do (try as you might). So, after jaunting around the neighborhood, wipe off your dog’s paws and legs. Another solution is boots for your dog. This protects them from the harmful salt and will keep the painful snowballs out of their toes.

 

 

 

Share the Love…

Nulo (where NUtrition meets LOve) will have a Valentine’s special for the month of February offering dollars off all bags of dog and cat food. Nulo is proudly made in the U.S. using only the highest quality domestic ingredients. Nulo is low in carbs and uses only low glycemic ingredients in every recipe. Great nutrition isn’t worth much if it isn’t digested thoroughly. Nulo has a patented probiotic, BC30, to support your pet’s immune system and provide better nutrient absorption.

 

 

 

 Adoptable Pet of the Month, Sansa… Sansa is   about 2 years old. She is currently at our   North Liberty Leash on Life store. While she   might prefer being an only child, she loves   people attention and is very social. Feel free to   stop in and meet her, she will make someone   a wonderful companion. Sansa is available   through Paws and More Animal Shelter. Call   (319) 653-6713 or   visit  www.pawsandmorewashington.org/ to   learn more about all the animals at the shelter.

December Newsletter

Leash on Life would like to thank you for your business throughout the entire year. Back, by popular demand…our customer appreciation party. Store wide sale to stock up for your own pets and help fill the donation boxes for our local shelters. We will have drinks and hors d’oeuvres for you too. This can be a busy time and we ask that you leave your four-legged friends home. Plus, you would not want them to see their surprises early! Please join us:

 

Iowa City…Saturday December 14th, 10am – 4pm

North Liberty…Sunday December 15th, 11am – 3pm

 

 

Save the Dates…

Share the joys of the season with volunteers and animals at area adoptions centers. Enjoy refreshments as you interact with wonderful animals.  

 

PAWS & More Animal Shelter - Holiday Open house

Saturday, December 7th from noon to 4 PM

1004 ½ West Madison Street, Washington, Iowa

 

Iowa City Animal Care & Adoption Center -
Holiday with the Hounds

Saturday December 14th 11 am – 2 pm

3910 Napoleon Lane, Iowa City

 

 

 

Thank you…
All of us at Leash on Life would like to thank you for your support. We have again won the Locals Love Us and Johnson County Best of the Area, in the category of pet supply store. We are proud to be in our community and plan on being here for years to come!

 

 

Iowa City                                                                                                                     North Liberty

M-F   10 to 6                                                                                                                   M-F   10 to 6

Sat 10 to 4                                                                                                                         Sat 10 to 4

Sun noon to 4                                                                                                                      Sun 11 to 2
319-665-2186
                                                                                                                319-354-4334                                                                                         

 

Adoptable Pet of the Month, Phantom…
Phantom is about 4 years old. He is a snuggle bug Shepherd mix. He is a little nervous but enjoys people, other dogs and toys. Phantom is available through the Iowa City Adoption Center. Call (319) 356-5295 or visit www.icanimalcenter.org learn more about all the animals at the Center.

November Newsletter

Holidays…

Leash on Life will be closed for Thanksgiving Nov. 28th and Friday Nov. 29th.

 

We will be open 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Saturday for Small Business Saturday.

We will have specials on Fromm, Fussie Cat Zignature, Nutrisource & Nulo food. We will also have sales on collars/leashes, kennels/beds, treats, chews and much more. 

Please join us for great sale items all day Saturday November 30th.

 

Blast From the Past…

We have a limited number of Bushnell’s Turtle cookbooks! If you have lived in Iowa City longer than you care to admit you may remember the best sandwich, soup, or dessert in town was found at Bushnell’s Turtle. It has been twenty five years since the last veggie on whole wheat or carrot cake was made. But never fear, none of those wonderful recipes were lost. As a matter of fact they have been put together in a cook book that is now available at Leash on Life.
 

Keep Warm and Dry…

Yep, winter in Iowa is approaching. We all need to have our cold weather gear ready to go. We have new doggie coats and sweaters in stock. They are easy to put on, washable and oh so stylish. Warm sweaters, fleece coats and windbreaker jackets should be just what is needed to keep old man winter at bay. Don’t forget about the tender feet. Salt on the sidewalk, snowballs stuck in paws and just the bitter cold can all be painful. Boots are a good way to protect the paws. Come in, take a look and see what you think will work best for your dog.

If you are not bringing your dog in for a “fitting” please take a few measurements. For coats measure around the neck, chest behind the front legs and then length along the back from collar to base of tail. For boots simply ask your dog to stand on a piece of paper and make a paw tracing.

Adoptable Pet of the Month, Priscilla…
Priscilla is about 3 years old. She is currently at our North Liberty Leash on Life store. She loves people attention and is very social. Feel free to stop in and meet her, she will make someone a wonderful companion. Priscilla is available through Paws and More Animal Shelter. Call (319) 653-6713 or visit www.pawsandmorewashington.org/ to learn more about all the animals at the shelter.

September Newsletter

Together We Did It!

 A huge thank you to FROMM Family Foods and all our customers for making our goal of $5,000 toward the new-to-them PAWS & More Transport Van. With Leash on Life and Fromm making donations for each and every bag or can purchased by you during our campaign, we met our goal! That is VAN-TASTIC. After accepting our check, Director Amber Talbot and Board member Terry Woods left to go van shopping.

We couldn't have done this without the generous support of Fromm Family Foods and great customers. Both of you care about the right things in life. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Doggie Cross…

  If you have never seen a cyclo-cross event, now is your chance. The Jingle Cross World Cup will be at the Johnson County Fair Grounds September 13-15th. This biking event is full out fun…riding, running and more.

In conjunction with the biking event, Doggie Cross will be sponsored by Nulo dog food. During the Doggie Cross you can run a shortened course full of obstacles with your dog. There will be a prize basket for the winner of three dog races, by size. Buy a bag of Nulo with us before September 10th and enter to win free entry tickets to the Doggie Cross. Visit Doggie Cross for full details.

 

Doggie Health Fair…

Friends of the Animal Center is hosting the 3rd annual Doggie Health Fair.

When: Sunday September 29th, noon-3pm

 

 

 Where: Thornberry Off-leash Park on the Peninsula

 

Join us for this FREE community event designed to provide information on various dog health and lifestyle topics.  The first 100 dogs will get a complimentary goodie bag filled with fun stuff.  Leash on Life and other vendors will be providing helpful information about their services and answering any questions that you might have about your dog.

 

 

 

 

  Adoptable Pet of the Month, Ian & Kaia…
Ian & Kaia arrived at the Center overweight. Ian is about 5 years old and purrs for chin rubs. Kaia is a sweet 12 years old. She has an old eye injury which does not bother her. These two are very bonded and the Center would like them adopted together.  Both are available through the Iowa City Adoption Center.
Call (319) 356-5295 or visit
www.icanimalcenter.org  to learn more about all the animals at the Center.

 

August Newsletter

Weighty Issues…

are often asked how to facilitate a dog or cat who is pleasingly plump, to lose weight. Ideal body condition for dogs and cats includes being able to feel their ribs, smooth over the hips and a waistline you can see from above. Here are a few things to remember. The amount of food listed on the bag maybe more than your pet requires. Like us, your pet’s individual metabolism, exercise, age and overall health will determine what is really needed to remain lean and healthy. Remember to think about all sources of calories your pet is getting each day. This includes treats and chews. Come in and check out our 2-3 calorie treats.

 

Now, how do you get the pounds off when most of our pets ‘lie’ to us and say they need more to eat. Increasing exercise, as your dog will tolerate, is a good place to start. An extra lap around the block for your dog is good for everyone in the house. Now is a great time to do this before old man winter returns.

 

To increase cat activity a wand toy is always fun. Also, including an active food dispenser is good for any cat or dog. These add activity and the bonus of mental engagement as well!

 

The next step is to feed fewer calories. Most folks frown when we recommend feeding less. A good place to start is a reduction of 10% in calorie intake for several weeks until your pet achieves the weight you want, and really, your dog or cat will be OK. A guideline to estimate daily calorie intake is this formula… convert your pet’s ideal weight to kilograms (pounds divided by 2.2), take the weight in kg x 30 + 70=Kcalories per day.

A Community of Caring…

Leash on Life cares about our community and so do you! Together we made an impact helping many dogs are cats. Leash on Life had some great partnerships to help several area animal service organizations.

Running from July 12 – August 12 we have partnered with Fromm Family Foods to help Paws & More Animal Shelter fund a much-needed transport van. For every bag or can of Fromm food you buy we will donate

  • money to Paws & More. In the first two weeks we have funded over $2000, with over 15% coming from the addition of your generous donations. We are shooting for $5000 by August 12th to put Paws & More over the top for the van. We are happy to add your donations to get the van rolling.
  • We really made a splash on July 27th with Iowa Humane Alliance, to raise money for spay & neuter programs. Thanks to the all-star efforts of Hills Bank volunteer washers and Lemon Bosses, as well as Heartland kennels providing pooch pedicures. We bathed/nail trimmed 25 dogs and 11 microchips. A nice time was had by all, even with a little bit of rain
  • Best Friends Dog Academy has taken the lead on helping the Friends of the Animals shelter in Tipton, with some desperately needed supplies. Best Friends Dog Academy is donating training time and Leash on Life has sent out Kong toys, leashes and training treats purchased by you at significantly reduced prices. Please check out some of the nice pets at this often-overlooked shelter.

Going to New Heights…

          All the area shelters have an abundance of wonderful cats to adopt.  Our store in North Liberty is now featuring a cat up for adoption from Paws & More Animal Shelter in Washington. We have added a climbing play area for cat enrichment. Stop into North Liberty to meet the current great cat up for adoption.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adoptable Pet of the Month, Jackson…

Jackson is about 6 years old. He is currently at our North Liberty Leash on Life store. He loves people attention.

Jackson might not be excited about living with a dog or another cat, but he sure likes humans. He has been front declawed and has been doing well on a urinary care dry & wet food. Jackson is available through the Paws & More Animal Shelter. Call (319) 653-6713 or visit https://www.pawsandmorewashington.org/ to learn more about all the animals at the shelter.

 

May Newsletter

Kitten Shower…

Picture1Spring flowers and KITTENS are here. Join us in helping fill the bins for the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center Kitten Supply Drive. We have the wish lists here at the store. Special discounts for purchase of donated items…

  • Purchase over $25 receive 10% off
  • Purchase over $50 receive 15% off
  • Purchase over $75 receive 20% off
Visit all the cats and kittens at the Iowa City Adoption Center for the Kitten Shower Saturday May 11th from 11am – 1pm

 

Two for One…

Picture1May 15th  – June 15th, come in and purchase a bag of Zignature dog food and receive a FREE bottle of Primal Goat’s Milk. Picture2 Primal goat milk is a nice digestive aid containing probiotics, vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, protein, and fatty acids.

Check Out the Time…

We are going to add some consistency to our hours between our Iowa City and North Liberty store. Starting in May, our North Liberty weekday hours will be 10am – 6 pm, Monday through Friday, same as in Iowa City. Thanks for stopping in! Picture4

Adoptable Kitten of the Month, Kismet…

Picture3Kismet is a single 6 month old kitten. He would love an active home and maybe another cat to play with. Kismet is available through the Iowa City Adoption Center. Call (319) 356-5295 or visit www.icanimalcenter.org  to learn more about all the animals at the Center.

APRIL NEWSLETTER

Finding Doggie Zen…

Picture3

Symptoms of situational stress brought on by thunderstorms, fireworks, loud noises, or other environmental stimuli are frustrating and heartbreaking for pets & owners. The good news is there are training techniques, management tools, and holistic products that can help. We’ve teamed up with Best Friends Dog Academy to bring you real-life solutions to reduce your dog’s stress, and give you & them more peace of mind.
What:           Helping your anxious dog find doggie zen

When:          Thursday May 2nd 6:30-8pm

Where:         Best Friends Dog Academy
4852 Sand Road, Building C

Best Part:    This is FREE, but please register on line at…
https://www.bestfriendsdogacademy.com/

 

Beautiful Plants and Landscaping…

Picture2Lilies are a beautiful addition in homes, gardens, and bouquets. Tiger lilies add plentiful color in roadside ditches during the Iowa spring and summer. Unfortunately, several types of lilies can be deadly to cats. Owners should avoid plants of the Liliaceae and Hemerocallis family. Don’t speak Latin? Included in this list are the Easter Lily, the Tiger Lily, the Ornamental Japanese Lily (rubum), and even some species of day lily. Any part of the plant is deadly, and only a small amount can cause toxic effects. Within only a few hours of ingestion of the lily, your cat may vomit, become lethargic, or develop a lack of appetite. These signs continue and worsen as kidney damage progresses. If you suspect your pretty kitty of eating a lily be on the safe side and contact your veterinarian. Kidney failure develops quickly. For a list of safe and unsafe plants visit the ASPCA web site.
One other thing to look for in the garden…Cocoa mulch. When choosing mulch for landscaping your yard, consider your dog’s eating habits as well as neighbors walking their dogs. Don’t select mulch made from cocoa bean shells if your dog is an indiscriminate grazer or if it is readily available to pups passing by. Cocoa mulch contains theobromine, the ingredient in chocolate which is toxic to dogs.

 

Just Bag It…
In years past we have given away reusable shopping bags in honor of Earth Day. This year, you will see we are transitioning away from plastic bags to paper. We will also use more boxes for dog & cat food cans and other items. The paper bags cost a bit more than plastic, but Mother Earth appreciates the compostable paper and cardboard. Best of all we appreciate it when you bring in your reusable shopping bag.

Picture1

Adoptable Dog of the Month, Noelle…
Noelle is a 6 month old lab mix. Like all six month old lab mixes she has energy and will want a good amount of exercise and training. Noelle is available through the Iowa City Adoption Center. Call (319) 356-5295 or visit www.icanimalcenter.org  to learn more

MARCH NEWSLETTER

Puzzling Ideas…cat 1

What you feed your cat is important, but have you thought about how you feed them? All cats are carnivores and have a strong hunting instinct. Multiple small meals meet their instinctive needs verse one large meal a day. If you have more than one cat they prefer to eat alone. Even if they will eat together it doesn’t mean they should eat together. Eating together may cause gorging, fighting or anxiety. Cats are pretty good at hiding signs of distress, but stress can lead to medical or behavioral issues.

 

A few feeding tips include, feed cats separately away from other pets or small children. Do not free feed, this causes weight and cat competition issues. Using puzzle feeders can satisfy the desire to hunt by keeping your cat busy working to get the food to fall out. This method of feeding will provide both mental and physical stimulation. Feeders may vary in complexity, so always start easy and work into more difficult toys. These puzzles do not add stress to your cat, but may help alleviate boredom, anxiety and obesity.

 

 

cat 2Perrfect Puree…

New from Nulo are cat Perfect Purees. These tasty lickable treats have been a feline hit. Our dogs seem to want to join in too. The Purees are:

  • High in moisture & rich in flavor to support hydration in a delicious way
  • Supports digestive health with prebiotic fiber from inulin
  • Great as a treat or to assist with medication

 

We would like to give your cat a great treat this month by offering – a buy four get one free special on the Purees. This way you can try all five flavors for the price of four or pick the one your think your cat will like best. Also, in march we are offering free purees with a purchase of Nulo cat food.

 

 

 

Your Support, Supports the Community…
Leash on Life appreciates all the support we receive from our loyal customers who support shopping local throughout the year. We always remember that we would not be here without you. We do our best to give back to the community that has been so kind to us. During 2018 here are just a few of the organizations we have supported with monetary donations, product donations, or donations of our time.

cat 4

*Friends of the Animal Center Foundation *Paws and More Animal Shelter*Safe Heaven of Iowa County*Johnson County Humane Alliance*Johnson County Humane Society*Witty Kitties *Farm Sanctuary*Johnson County Therapy Dogs*Numerous K-12 schools and athletic programs*Crisis Center*Johnson County United Way*DVIP, Cooper’s House*Last Hope Rescue*North Liberty Food Pantry*Fur Fun Rescue*Compeer Program*Mayor’s Youth*Film Scene*Iowa City Quire*Miracles in Motion* Girls on the Run*Hounds Haven Basset Rescue*Bur Oak Land Trust*JC Dog PAC*NAMI*Make a Wish*North Liberty Fire Fighters*Women’s Build Habitat for Humanity*

 

 

cat 3Adoptable Cat of the Month, Bella…
Bella is a beautiful 3-6 year old cat. She arrived with bad teeth and has had most removed. She is otherwise healthy and looking for a great home. Bella is available through the Iowa City Adoption Center. Call (319) 356-5295 or visit www.icanimalcenter.org  to learn more about all the animals at the Center.