Happy Hula-ween

Happy Hula-ween from the Triple Threat!

We hope that you get lots of treats for your tricks, but remember to be safe. Here are a few tips on dog safety during this scary holiday season.

1. No human treats. That bowl of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for Scruffy. Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also cause problems. If you do suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.


2. Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic, but they can produce stomach upset in pets who nibble on them.


3. Wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations should be kept out of reach of your pets. If chewed, your pet might suffer cuts or burns, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.


4. A carved pumpkin certainly is festive, but do exercise caution if you choose to add a candle. Pets can easily knock a lit pumpkin over and cause a fire.


5. Dress-up can be a big mess-up for some pets. Please don't put your dog or cat in a costume unless you know he or she loves it like we at the Knowlton household do. For pets who prefer their “birthday suits,” however,wearing a costume may cause undue stress.


6. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn't annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict the animal's movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breath or bark. Also, be sure to try on costumes before the big night. If your pet seems distressed, allergic or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting him go naked.


7. Take a closer look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.


8. All but the most social dogs should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets.


9. When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that your cat or dog doesn't dart outside.


10. IDs, please! Always make sure your dog has proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can be a lifesaver, increasing the chances that he or she will be returned to you!

2013 Calendars

Many of you have asked if there will be a Triple Threat calendar again this year. General Roger E. Lee, General Newlysses S. Grant and Clara Barkton just received news via Pony Express that there will indeed be a 2013 Calendar for sale.

Battle of Bully Run 

Like last year, the wall calendars will be printed on premium glossy 8.5x11 paper and saddle-stitched. Cost will be $15 per calendar ($17 if being shipped to you via USPS). Any proceeds made above cost will be donated to the Morris Animal Foundation Canine Cancer Campaign and Adopt A Boxer Rescue. 

The calendars make wonderful presents for dog lovers who have everything and people who find it amusing to see pets dressed in silly costumes, so make sure to order enough for friends and family.

In addition to traveling back in time to the Civil War, we also went on a jungle safari and ran into Tarzan, Jane and Cheetah.

Me Tarzan. You Jane. He Cheetah.

If you would like to order a calendar(s), please e-mail Mom at newmanontheblock@gmail.com no later than November 1 so that we can get them to you in time for Christmas and provide the following information:

• ____ Number of calendars
• ____ Shipping Address(es)
• ____ I will make arrangements to pick up my calendar.

If ordering a quantity of 5 or more, payment is requested at the time order is placed. Checks should be made out to me and mailed to: Pamela Knowlton, 1167 Centerville Road, Newville, PA 17241.

For those of you who have never had the privilege of seeing a Katandy's Triple Threat calendar, you can view copies of prior editions here: 2012 Calendar and 2011 Calendar. 

Stop, drop, and roll (not in something smelly!)

K-9 Rescue Squad on Standby 

Did you know that October 7-13, 2012 is Fire Prevention Week? Are you familiar with the term "Stop, Drop and Roll?" And I don't mean stop, sniff a putrid pile of poo, roll in it, and then go jump on the couch to show your owners how much you love them. I'm talking about the simple fire safety technique taught to children. Primarily, it is a method to extinguish a fire on a person's clothes or hair without, or in addition to, the use of conventional firefighting equipment.

Roger and I are doing our part by alerting you to this little known fact! We beg of you to take a few minutes to visit the National Fire Prevention Association's web site to educate yourself on the importance of smoke alarms and to take the steps to maintain your home alarm protection.