“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!

[Hazel & Chester Wayte]

I have learned so much from Karen. Through both her answers to my questions as well as the many other questions she answers on a regular basis. Not to mention all the extremely well put together posts on allergies and vet food. I have read books she recommended -. I always use the food groups recommended list.
I even have said to a dog food store employee who was trying to sell me on the latest and greatest food.. I have to wait for a Karen rating. Like he knew WTD I was talking about. ( doesn't everyone know about this list??)
I think that I am lucky to have a doodle (for many reasons) or I wouldn't have discovered DoodleKisses.com or the Foodgroup. And I would be feeding my dog some crap.
I know we are talking Food groupies but. I have also learned so so much about Doodle Rescue through what Karen Posts. Congratulations Karen and Jack doodle!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Hazel!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Karen has helped me so many times with advice on everything from what dog food to feed Darwin - to how to handle a puppy that was abandoned on my doorstep by someone. She is smart, kind, fearless, and very passionate about what she does. DK is a better place because of her, the world is a better place because of her! 

We love you Karen!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you Camilla, and backatcha.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Congratulations Karen on recognition well-deserved. I have personally been the beneficiary of your wisdom on not only dog food but health issues. Your wisdom and compassion have been a blessing!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Bonnie!

[Penny, Comiskey & Beemer]

Congrats Karen....you really deserve this honor....for all you do, this salutes for you.....

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Penny!

[Heather]

A well Deserved Honor for Karen!!! Recently my Ellie had surgery on a lump that the vet thought was Malignant, I couldn't talk about it or sleep for over a week. I private messaged Karen and she got back to me with the Kindest, Most Heartfelt message immediately. It was not something I wanted to discuss in a platform, I am a pretty private person. It ended up to be benign (Thank God), but speaking to Karen really Helped me Tremendously. Karen you are a wealth of information, but Most of All, you have the Biggest, Most caring Heart~

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you, Heather! 

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

Thank you Karen for your time and energy you have spent in helping all of us become better doodle owners and keeping our beloved fur babies healthy! 

An honor well deserved!!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Elizabeth!