“Thank You!” to a very special DK member

[Adina P]

There is a very special Hopeless Doodle Addict that deserves recognition for her significant contribution of time, effort, and love of dogs to Doodle Kisses.  She leads a popular interest group on DK and always does her best to help knowledge-seeking members navigate the confusing information on the web in order to feed their doodles appropriately.  If she doesn’t know the answer, she digs and digs until she finds it.  She doesn’t give recommendations without ensuring that her advice has strong supporting evidence from reputable sources. She does all of this is because she has a huge heart for dogs and a mind for science and wants to be sure that DK doodles get the best care and feeding.  :-)

Karen (Karen & Jackdoodle) has been a fearless leader of The Food Group and a thought leader throughout the Doodle Kisses community.  For this reason, we present Karen with official recognition.  Today, Karen, your postal worker will be dropping off a token of our appreciation.  I will post photos of it below once I know Karen has received it.

A few people who I let in on this surprise ahead of time had some praise of their own to add:

From Allyson (Allyson Peri & Taquito):

“Karen has given countless hours of her time to educate members of DK, especially those members of the Food Group, on the dos and donts of feeding our doodles (and non-doodle dogs!). Whenever a member has a question about a specific food that might not be on the Recommended List, Karen takes the time (on a volunteer basis I should add) to research that food to determine whether it is of high enough quality for our wonderful doodles.  Sometimes this involves reaching out to manufacturers to determine ingredient sources and more.

On a more personal note, when Taquito was diagnosed with kidney disease 4 years ago, Karen spent so much time researching alternative commercial kibbles that had comparable, but much better ingredients, than the Rx food recommended by the vet.  I cannot explain how much her guidance helped me navigate through a very difficult time.  I can assure you there are countless other members who would chime in and say the exact same thing about her.  Whenever someone posts a question about their doodles digestive problems, concerns, etc...Karen is there!”

From Laurie (Laurie, Fudge & Vern):

“When I first joined DK, I wrote that my dog, Fudge, was eating a terrific food called Life's Abundance. I may have also mentioned that I knew of another great food called Science Diet. Well, the next thing I knew I had my ass handed to me on a platter by none other than our Karen. WTD! Here, I was sure I was an expert on any topic and I quickly found out I don't know nothing about birthing no babies or feeding dogs either.  I think a plate is perfect for Karen and represents all of us who she has counseled in her no nonsense way, educated about truly good dog food, and handed our sometimes smug posteriors to us on a less cool plate. I think it should be engraved, "This represents all the butts everywhere you have helped!" I really would trust Karen with anything in regards to my dogs and that is saying a lot, because I love those two dogs like nobody's business. Thank you, Karen! Fudge and Vern have benefited in so many ways from all of your knowledge!!”

From Jane (Jane, Guinness & Murphy)

“When my older Doodle, Guinness, was first diagnosed with IBS my Vet suggested that I begin to feed him RX food.  Because of Karen’s research and all of the great information in the food group, I knew that this would not be the best thing for Guinness.  So with Karen’s guidance I began  to do some research on home cooked diets.  I consulted with a nutritional veterinary specialist and was able to develop a recipe that was balanced and would help to control what had become daily episodes of diarrhea.   Later when my second Doodle received the same diagnosis, I knew exactly what I had to do.  I really think that if it were not for Karen and the [DK Food Group], my guys would be eating that RX food which is clearly not the wholesome diet that they deserve.”

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Karen, thank you for all you have done and continue to do for doodles and doodle owners!

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

LOL, no. But that was entirely my fault. Glad somebody else can learn from my mistakes. :-)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You're a good sport, and I think you helped a lot of people, too! 

[Wendy and Myla]

Wow, I've been away for a couple weeks and am just catching up!  Karen, you so deserve this!  I am always waiting for your response to so many questions on here and I have learned so much from you!  DK is lucky to have you!!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you, Wendy!

[a.k.a. Rodney]

If you think about how unique it is to trust a person you have never met & place a strong confidence in she means only the best for you & your dog....well, to me it seems entirely out of the ordinary, BUT Karen has accomplished that with me. I am Impressed more by her genuine deep concern for my pet than anything else. Her response time is almost immediate and she not only investigates an issue but looks at all possibilities. Her counsel is invaluable. Absolutely happy for her to receive this well deserved acknowledgement of her great value added to DK! Congratulations, Karen

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you, Rodney!

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Wow, I am not sure how I missed this discussion but I ran across it today on the DK FB site. Karen you are truly irreplaceable and your wealth of information is priceless to those of us lucky enough to receive it. I know you have helped me and my doodles to have a better life. You helped tremendously with my grand pup who is not a doodle. You have helped countless people that I have come in contact with. Many people see me at Petco each week and now they think I work there. (My doodles go for puppy playtime to help socialize other dogs). I am often asked for advice on food. I'm sure that the petco people would NOT appreciate my advice which ALWAYS comes from the invaluable information I have learned from you! You are a rare gem!!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you, Lori! 

[DonMarie and Picco]

Thanks Karen, and all the others on this site. There is so much GREAT information flowing. I haven't had any major dog problems but I consider this a very informative site and would consult you all in conjunction with any vet diagnosis. For my own health problems I do this, so why not for my dog.  Thanks all!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you, DonMarie!