“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!

[Kelly]

Karen helped me so much with Skeet. I was feeding Skeet Z/D ultra and he wasn't doing well and it was very expensive. I just thought that since the vet put him on this it was the thing to do because we have a wonderful vet and he takes very good care of Skeet. Well Karen gave me several suggestions and tips to solve various problems and to make a long story short, Skeet is healthier, looks better, never throws up,  and at about half what we were spending. Thank you Karen so much for your help and hard work. All our dogs are better off as a result.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks Kelly, I'm glad Skeet is doing well!

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

WTG Karen!  An honor/ recognition, truly deserved!  In my very short time here, you have enlightened me with many of your posts.  Thank you for all that you do and the help you are so willing to dole out! 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Ro!

[Carol and Banjo]

Well deserved!   Congratulations Karen…you're truly are an invaluable member of DK!   I feel so blessed to have "met" you and consider you a friend.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you, Carol. 

[Debbie and Belle]

Karen has been a tremendous help in educating me about finding a food for Belle with her sensitive stomach, and making recommendations regarding food related issues for Belle. I am so grateful for all her hard work in starting and running the Food Group. I have learned so much from karen about food and food related issues.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Debbie.

[Kim]

YES!!!!!  This is a much needed THANK YOU honor that Karen definitely deserves!!!!! She probably has saved my Allie's life - no exaggeration.  I can't even put into words how thankful to Karen we are!  Thank you Karen - for my healthy doodle girl :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you, Kim!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm overwhelmed, and very grateful for this. Thank you so much. Mail hasn't come yet but I will let you know when it does. I really needed something to smile about this week. Should have known I'd find it here on DK. :) 

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

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