Desert K-9′s was first started just to send toys and treats to the K9′s that were working with our troops, but after meeting a disabled veteran that actually worked as a veterinarian tech with the working dogs and learning about them, I decided that I could not just leave it at that.

I had worked with the Desert Angels Organization for about 2 years in supporting our military troops by sending care packages to the deployed soldiers and now it was time to include our 4 legged “SOLDIERS” too! After all the working dogs are not just dogs they are soldiers with 4 legs and they work hard save the lives of many of our men and women each and every day. The work they do is comparable to that of a human’s.

I have talked to so many people over the past couple of years since I started this organization and I have gotten the same reaction from many of them and that is: “The dogs? I never thought of the dogs as soldiers!” Well it’s time to make everyone aware that yes, military working dogs are indeed soldiers, they just happen to have 4 legs instead of 2 and we need to support them as well. The work they do is also very important and the government does not pay for all of the items they need. It is costly for their handler to have to pay out of his or her own pay. This is why I have started this organization to help raise money so that our men and women do not have to use their own money to purchase these items for their partner and best friend.

I had the honor of meeting the mother of a handler of a 4 legged soldier as I like to call them and I keep in touch with her by email. In April of 2011 they were both injured when an IED exploded, but thanks to our 4 legged soldier, their lives were saved. He was able to sniff out the IED and get out of the way instead of stepping directly on it. Thankfully they are both doing well and back serving our county again.

K9 soldiers need Items such as cooling vests which help to keep them cool in the desert heat, boots which protect their feet in the cold and also from getting cut in some of the debris that they may have to go through in rough terrain, and Doggles (goggles for dogs) which protect their eyes from the bright sun and blowing sand, snow, and flying debris. We also send other items such as toys, treats, beds, grooming supplies, some medical supplies, leashes, collars, and more.

Until recently we heard little of the work of military working dogs. That changed when a navy seal dog went in to help capture Bin Laden.

For more information on Desert K-9′s you can go to our website about Dogs as Soldiers, find us on Facebook or write to: sandie@thedesertangel.org. Please also see Dog About Town.

If you would like to help support Desert K-9′s, you may send a check or money order to: Desert K-9′s, P.O. Box 210455, Auburn Hill, MI, 48321. Desert K-9′s, is a division of Desert Angels, Inc., a 501(c)3 non- profit organization and donations are tax deductible. Receipts will be sent upon request with donation.

UPDATE

The Cherry Hill Dog Park was opened on October 30, 2011. Come one, come all.

We are very excited about the Cherry Hill site, and are very hopeful that the new park can be completed this year.

When: Saturday, July 9, 2011 – 9:00 AM to 1:00PM

The Kootenai County Dog Park Association and Coeur d’ Alene Parks Department invite you to join us July 9th for the 4th annual Park’s Day Celebration. Park’s Day was established in 2007 as a way to get Coeur d’ Alene families, friends and its visitors out to enjoy our city’s beautiful parks. July 9, 2011 our Park’s Day celebration will take place at Northshire Park (home of Central Bark) between 9:00am and 1:00pm. It will be a morning of wonderful activities; dogs romping, pickleball, horseshoes, a bounce house, live music, a pancake feed and numerous booths. We hope you will be excited to join us.

As you can imagine, we are excited to get the word out about Coeur d’Alene’s first ever dog park. It is a place where our four legged friends can run and play freely. It is neutral territory that promotes canine socialization. But what we love most is it’s a place where we too, along side our best friends, can connect and interact. Enough said, we are sure you understand.

We invite you to set up a booth, share educational, dog friendly information and meet the community. There are NO fees and nothing will be sold. This is your opportunity to advertise, give back and just have fun. Since your participation is voluntary, the hours for your attendance are up to you, we just want you to be there! One thing we would like to ask if you do choose to participate is to speak to our philosophy: the health, welfare, etiquette, friendship, and behavior of our four-legged friends. If you have an interest in presenting or demonstrating we welcome that too and look forward to coordinating any activity with you.

Please consider joining us. It will be a great, summer day!

Joyce Summers
Ronnee McGee
Jonathan & Patricia Coe
Debra Oberhofer
Bonnie Warwick
Dorothy Hatch
Eugene Wassom
Nancy & Jason Hart
Waste Management
Larry & Bobbie Wolf
Francis Fuller
Paul & Darilyn Dircksen
CdA Auto Parts
River City Animal Hospital
Danelle & Bill Reagan
Francis Fuller
Richard Chuvala
Foundation for Protection of Animals-Wendy Haugen
J.B. Doehlman
John & Joy Wheaton
Century 21 Beutler & Associates
Caroline Crollard
Emily Hopkins
Judi Laufenberg
Scott Skolrud
Ainsworth Properties
Roni Anderson
Terri Hawkins
Coeur d’Alene Galleries, LLC
United Restoration
Nancy Flagan
Susan Ball
Trista Zaragoza
Ruth Pratt
Chrisie Chetrit
Ben Hammett
Steve Bell
Mimi MacDonald
Suzanne Aspy
Ben Hammett
Rita Manko
Specialty Tree Service Inc
Leslie & Eric Petersen
Sandra McKenzie
Diane Moran
Wendy Kelpin
Reid Harlocker
Christmas at the Lake
Renee Sutton
Linda Wylie
Kelly Wentz
Stewart Colpitts
Dorothy Hatch
Rotary of Post Falls
Erik Michels
Chris Shafer
Tad & susan Leach
Lloyd & Kay Ragan
Janice Odenthal
Vickie Davis
Terry Trainer Wright
Debra Vigil
Janet Waterdown
Lenore McDonald
PJ Maylandt
Barbara Holcombe
Kiwanis Club of Idaho Panhandle
Lindsey Wilson
Andrea Rainey
Magen Schmidt
Kiwanis Club of Coeur d’Alene
Joy Fishley
Amber Hanson
Catherine Donofrio
Joel & Catherine Donofrio
Don Haus
Kary Krieger
Mary Fisher
Bill & Alesa Momerak
Pamela Nordby “Good Dog”
Susan & Glen Garcia
Janette Villagomez
Lacey Breidenbach
Cheyrel Stevenson
Foundation for Protection of Animals-Wendy Haugen
Amy Burky
Denny & Kathryn Davis
Ellen McNeely
Dorothy Hatch
Judith Lyding
Kristine Buchler
William & Janet Crane
Karen Olson
H.D. & Joy Fitzpatrick
Miranda Leverich
Camran Nassiri
Trust and Wealth Dept at Panhandle State Bank
Donna & Richard Lawrence
Jim and Shirley O’Brien
Buy Moore
“Friends of Dave & Ginny Delong
ART FLAGEN
DOUG SCHEDLER
JIM CURTIS
WARREN & LINDA BAKES
KAY NELSON
DOUG OLSON
CLARK LUSK
ED HATTER
SANDY EMERSON
JACK BEEBE
JEANNE EMERSON
ANN SMART
SUSAN AND CHARLIE NIPP
LIDWIN DIRNE
DARILYN DIRCKSEN
JUDY MEYER
KAREN SINES
MURIEL AND BILL STAMPS
BEV MOSS
KRIS WOLD

”
Ellen McNeely
Marilyn Montgomery
Gary and Donna Williams
Paulette Farmer
John & Joy Wheaton
Jerry Neff
Richard Jones
Terry Trainer Wright
Nancy Haugen
Kathy Eshoo
Shannon Harrison
Bonnie Warwick
The COEUR Group
Christmas at the Lake
Kathy Taylor

Larry & Joan Leach

As of July 9, 2010, here’s what’s been completed.

1. Grading

2. Installation of surrounding fence and double gate.

3. Fencing of small dog area.

4. Irrigation

5. Walkway

6. Benches

7. Trees

8. Hydroseeding

Remaining projects include:

1. Construction of “Paw-Villions”

2. Installing doggie fountains

We look forward to opening with a “leash cutting” over the Labor Day weekend in September, 2010.

Latest Activity

Grading has been completed and fence posts were installed on June 12, 2010. Fencing mesh will be installed on June 19.

Coordination with the Coeur d’Alene Parks and Recreation Department has led to ground breaking and commencement of construction of the first dog park for Coeur d’Alene and Kootenai County, Idaho as of late May, 2010. This follows completion of our initial funding drive in which, thankfully, we’ve gone over the top. The new dog park site is located adjacent to Northshire Park in Coeur d’Alene at Atlas Road and Nez Perce Drive.

Under the construction schedule now in place, it’s anticipated that we’ll have a “leash cutting” to open the dog park around Labor Day, 2010.

Purchase an engraved brass bone as a memorial for your four-legged friend that has made their journey to rainbow bridge or you can honor your faithful companion, champion show dog, agility or obedience winner, child’s best friend, or your four-legged hunting partner. See all details below.

YES! I want to give my dog a bone.

(Please see inscription examples below)

1st Line (20 characters max)

2nd Line (20 characters max)

Please Specify Your Park Selection, Central Bark or Cherry Hill

 

It’s your choice and your personal message permanently displayed on one of our

Dog Park Paw-villions

Your contribution will help build and maintain dog parks in Kootenai County

THANK YOU!

You get up to 20 spaces per line for two lines to
personalize your message.

Some examples:

YES! I want to give my dog a bone.

1st Line (20 characters max)

2nd Line (20 characters max)

Please Specify Your Park Selection, Central Bark or Cherry Hill