In Memoriam...Harley Sams

HARLEY SAMS We here at Best Friends Carmel have certainly had our fair share of losses over the past month, and unbelievably, we lost yet another friend in Harley Sams this past week. Harley and his faithful sister Zoe have been long-time boarding and grooming clients here...they have been together for the past 11 years. Poor Zoe is nearly lost without her Harley but her owners and the staff at Best Friends are keeping a close eye on her. Our thoughts go out to his family in this sad time.  We will miss you, Harley!

Household Products to Keep Away from Fluffy and Fido...

In keeping with our last post where we let readers know about common plants that are poisonous to pets, we thought we would also remind everyone that there are certain household products that are poisonous to pets as well. Some of the more common ones are:

Acetaminophen, aftershave, antifreeze, aspirin, bleach, boric acid, brake fluid, carburetor cleaner, cleaning fluid, deodorants, deodorizers, detergents, disinfectants, drain cleaner, dye, fungicides, furniture polish, gasoline, hair colorings, herbicides, insecticides, kerosene, laxatives, lead, mineral spirits, mothballs, nail polish & remover, naproxen, paint, permanent solution, photo developer, pool chemicals, rat poison, rubbing alcohol, shoe polish, sleeping pills, snail and slug bait, soaps, suntan lotion, tar, toilet bowl cleaners, turpentine, Tylenol (cats), windshield washer fluid, wood preservatives, Xylitol (artificial sweetener).  

Be sure to keep these and any other potentially harmful products out of your pets' reach to ensure a safe and healthy summer for all!

Pretty plants can be pretty dangerous...

Summer is on it's way, and while you are getting your garden back in shape, it can be helpful to know what plants are pet-friendly and what should be avoided.  Common plants that are poisonous to pets...

Amaryllis, Andromed, Apple Seeds, Arrow Grass, Avocado Seeds, Azalea, Bittersweet
Boxwood, Buttercup, Caladium, Castor Bean, Cherry Pits, Chokecherry, Climbing Lily, Crown of Thorns, Daffodil Bulbs, Daphne, Delphinium, Dieffenbachia, Dumb Cane, Elderberry, Elephant Ear, English Ivy, Foxglove, Hemlock, Holly, Hyacinth Bulbs, Hydrangea, Iris Bulbs, Japanese Yew, Jasmine Berries, Jerusalem Cherry, Jimson Weed, Laburnum, Larkspur, Laurel, Easter Lillies, Locoweed, Marigold, Marijuana, Mistletoe berries, Monkshood, Mushrooms, Narcissus Bulbs, Nightshade, Oleander, Peach (leaves and pits), Philodendron, Poison Ivy, Rhododendron, Rhubarb, Snow on the Mountain, Stinging Nettle, Toadstool, Tobacco, Tomato (green fruit, foliage), Tulip Bulbs, Walnut, Wisteria and Yew.

Summer! The Most Dangerous Season for Your Pets!

Summer is right around the corner but with the warm weather and sunshine come some potentially life-threatening hazards for your pets...

Below are a just a few steps from "The Pet Safety Guy", Thom Somes, that you can take to prepare for what's just around the corner:

1.  Get to know the labels on all products you use around the house.  Read the directions for use and actions to take in case of poisoning.  You can check the Material Safety and Data sheet (MSDS) for any chemical that you aren't familiar with by doing an internet search for "MSDS".  This will give you information on toxicity, first aid protocols, etc.

2.  This one is just common sense!  Keep an eye on your pet!  If you wouldn't let your toddler play unsupervised in your backyard, you shouldn't let your pet be unsupervised either!

3.  Know how to induce vomiting!  Only induce vomiting when the substance ingested is known or upon recommendation of your vet.  If the substance ingested is caustic (bleach, acids, etc.) it burned on the way down and will burn on the way up. If this is the case, do NOT induce vomiting but get to an emergency animal hospital ASAP!

4.  Call your emergency animal hospital first, not Animal Poison Control.  Your local emergency animal hospital is probably familiar with what your pet has ingested and will be able to immediately assist you with the proper response protocols.  Time is your biggest enemy when it comes to saving your pet.  The problem with calling an 800/888 number is that they must first process your credit card number- this takes time and your pet doesn't have any!

5.  Stay trained and current in pet CPR and first aid.  To find out about CPR/first aid classes, go to http://www.pettech.net/

These are just a few ways to make your summer a safe and happy time for you and your pet!

In Memoriam....

SETH LARSEN

Sadly, Best Friends Carmel had to say goodbye to yet another good friend today.....Seth was a 13-year old retired, rescued racing Greyhound who lost his battle with cancer today. His owners made the painful, yet merciful decision to let him go when they realized his quality of life had deteriorated to the point that he was suffering. Seth was both a boarder and home care doggy...he loved his daily walks with his pet sitters, and when he came to the kennel, he loved resting on his big fluffy bed in his indoor suite. He was a gentle, passive, beautiful dog who touched the hearts of everyone he met. He will be greatly missed, and our thoughts go out to his family in this sad time.

Foster a Dog for the Canine Express!!!

Indianapolis Animal Care & Control is involved in a unique partnership with shelters across the northeast part of the country. The Canine Express project transports animals from overcrowded Indiana shelters to shelters in New England where there are spay/neuter laws in effect and there are very few unwanted dogs!
Each month approximately 30 IACC dogs are selected as part of this program. Once selected, these dogs sit on the IACC adoption floor for two or more weeks (while medical protocols are completed) until the transport leaves. That means over 1/3 of the adoption kennels at the shelter are full of animals that cannot be adopted. As such, the animals available to the public are limited and wonderful animals are not reaching the adoption floor, leaving them vulnerable to potentially fatal diseases and the risk of euthanasia.
This program runs monthly and IACC needs your help! We are looking for foster homes for these dogs to free up kennel space at the shelter. This is a great opportunity to foster since these dogs have already passed temperament testing and are all healthy. Plus, since the transport leaves on a consistent schedule, there is a set end date to your foster commitment! If you can help, please complete the online foster application. The fate of hundreds of canine lives is in your hands!

To find out more information about the Indianapolis Animal Care and Control facility, go to:   http://www.indy.gov/egov/city/dps/accd/Pages/home.aspx

For more about the Canine Express, go to http://www.canineexpress.org/

National Dog Bite Prevention Week

No matter how sweet and loving your four legged friend is, EVERY dog has the potential to bite. Luckily, (for you and your pet) there are many ways to significantly reduce the chances of this happening. The following are just a few tips that can help:


Spay or neuter your dog. This important and routine procedure will reduce your dog's desire to roam and fight with other dogs, making safe confinement an easier task. SPAYED OR NEUTERED DOGS ARE MUCH LESS LIKELY TO BITE.

Socialize your dog. Introduce your dog to many different types of people and situations so that he or she is not nervous or frightened under normal social circumstances.

Train your dog. Accompanying your dog to a training class is an excellent way to socialize him and to learn proper training techniques. Training your dog is a family matter. Every member of your household should learn the training techniques and participate in your dog's education.

These are just a few things that a responsible pet owner can do to ensure everyone (and your dog's) safety.

To find out more, go to:

http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/prevent_dog_bites.html

To find out more about our training classes, go to:

http://www.bestfriendspetcare.com/ctr_carmel.cfm/Training

In Memoriam~~Bailey Webber

We here at Best Friends Carmel were all heartbroken this past week to learn that one of our dearest furry friends, Bailey Webber, passed away. Bailey has been boarding at Best Friends since he was just a puppy, and over the past 15 years he has crept into the hearts of each and every staff member he has come in contact with. He was sweet, gentle, happy and loving to everyone. He loved to lay in his suite and rest, but would always greet everyone who passed by with a wag of his tail and his famous doggie "smile."  He loved treats, cuddles and his walks on the nature trail. This was his home away from home, and we will always cherish the relationship we had with not only him, but his family as well. His heart could have gone on forever, but sadly his poor body could not.  We love you Bailey Webber; you will never be forgotten!

PET OF THE WEEK

SANDY LILLY

Hi!! My name is Sandy, and as you can see, I am a fun-loving, playful Lab who likes to get wet! This picture was taken last summer in playgroup, but the ones below are more recent. I am getting older and can't move as fast as I used to, but I still have a ton of fun at Best Friends in Carmel! I go on playtimes, and I especially like to carry my half-ball (see below) around in my mouth!  (They save it just for me because it's my favorite!) When I'm not playing, I love to sleep in my suite...I can sleep anywhere!   

I have been coming to Best Friends for so long that I know my way aruond the entire kennel. They put a leash on me to take me outside even though I don't need one, since I know this place better than half of the staff! My parents travel a lot, so I get to come here and see my friends all the time...I highly recommend it!

Bark for Life Event

Join Best Friends Pet Care in Carmel on Sunday, May 16th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at West Park in Carmel, for the Bark for Life canine event benefiting the American Cancer Society! West Park is located at 2700 W. 116th Street in Carmel, and registration begins at 10:00 a.m. Cost is $25 for the first dog and $5.00 for each additional dog prior to 5/1, but registration will increase after that time. For each registered dog, owners receive a pet bandana. If participants raised $100 they will receive an event T-shirt, and the top 12 fundraising dogs will be featured in the 2011 dog calendar.

Activities include the walk, demonstrations, contests for pets and their owners, a silent auction, vendor booths and many other family friendly activities. Shelters and rescues have been invited to come and bring some of their 4-legged friends that are searching for their forever homes. All dogs must be on a leash and owners must present proof of current vaccinations. We hope to see everyone there!

Schedule a grooming appointment today!

A Hairy Situation...

Most of us have heard about the oil spill that occurred a few weeks ago off the coast of New Orleans. With massive amounts of crude oil being pumped into the Gulf of Mexico the result has been devastating and it has only just begun.
Everyone can help in one way or another and a non profit organization called Matter of Trust is making it easy for everyone (furry friends included!) to lend a hand! The volunteers at Matter of Trust are collecting donations of clean hair and fur of all kinds to clean up the oil in the ocean. Hair is hydrophobic which means it repels water, it is also great for absorbing oil (greasy hair means that hair collects oil). Matter of Trust uses these donations and creates hair mats and hair booms made of recycled nylon stockings that are then used to absorb oil.  After this big spill, hair is in high demand- and you and your furry friend can help!
Bring your dog in to the hair pros here at Best Friends and let them do their magic on your dog! Don’t have a long coated pooch? No problem- our Shedicure treatment works wonderfully on long or short coated breeds! The Shedicure system helps eliminate loose hair and undercoat. You will see up to an 80% reduction in shedding within 3-4 days!

This is a win-win situation for all involved: you go home with a clean, good looking pet and your hairy donation helps the environment!!! Give us a call today to set up an appointment or visit us on our website at http://www.bestfriendspetcare.com/
To find out more about the Matter of Trust organization, go to

http://www.matteroftrust.org/programs/hairmatsinfo.html or watch their video at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwQOD_Ir2vQ.

Adopt a Furry Friend at the Humane Society of Indianapolis!!!

It's May in Indiana and you know what that means!  That's right: It's time for the 500 Pets of May Humane Society of Indianapolis adoption drive!!!

Bring a new furry friend into your family during the 500 Pets of May and receive special discounts and incentives:


• 10% off your total purchase from the Humane Society of Indianapolis retail store in May*.

• Adopt one kitten or adult cat at the regular adoption fee and get another buddy cat for no additional fee.

• Adopt a Lap Leader (visit the shelter to meet them all) and get:

$25 discount off adoption price - This includes spay/neuter surgery, most vaccinations, microchipping, and much more!

Free year-long pass to our Pet Park or a free lifetime-guaranteed Lupine leash and collar for dogs

Free cat-care kit for adult cats or kittens

*10% retail store discount does not apply to adoption fees.

To find out more about the adoption drive go to:

http://indyhumane.org/index.php/hsi/article/500_pets_of_may_2010/

Dollars for Collars!

Enjoy a day at the spa with your best furry friend and help some of the homeless pets in our community!  Come out to Dream Weaver Salon & Day Spa in Fishers on Sunday, June 6th and receive the service(s) of your choice including haircut, facial, massage, shampoo & blow-dry and waxing. ALL proceeds from services that day will be generously donated to the Hamilton County Humane Society!

 Appointments are recommended and may be made by calling 595-6000.  The salon is located at 11061 Allisonville Road and this event will be held from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

If your hair and skin already look fabulous, we hope you'll stop by anyway and drop off cash donations, bring items from the shelter's wish list and visit with some very special adoptable animals from HSHC.

Plus, canine nail trimming, nail painting and microchips will be available for a fee which will also be donated to the shelter. While your pooches enjoy their pawdicures they can nibble on gourmet animal treats and enter to win prizes!

Everyone deserves a day of pampering. You can have your day and help the Humane Society too.

To find out what items are needed at the Hamilton County Humane Society, go to http://www.hamiltonhumane.com/

Free Microchipping!!!

Panic. Dread. Frustration.  For most pet owners there is nothing more upsetting than to realize that your best friend has gone on an outing without you.  Avoid that sick to your stomach feeling and save yourself (and your four- legged friend) a LOT of worry and heartache by getting your dog (or kitty!) microchipped!

The kind people at Monroe Bank will be offering a FREE Pet Microchipping event at their Noblesville Banking Center located at 15941 Cumberland Rd. at the corner of SR 37/Greenfield Ave. on Saturday, May 22nd. The first 150 microchips will be free, limit 2 per household.


Join us not only for pet microchipping, but also refreshments, prizes and, of course, irresistible adoptable pets from the Humane Society.

Monroe Bank is the proud sponsor of the Humane Society for Hamilton County's P.A.W.S Program--Partnering Animals with Seniors.

PET OF THE WEEK

DAWG LEONARD

Hi! My name is Dawg and I can kind of be considered the "resident" dog of Best Friends Carmel! My Dad travels every week and he has been bringing me to see my friends here for years and years. I am the most laid back, quiet dog (until I see food--then I get a little excited) and I love lounging on my cot in my suite during the day. Dad always gets me an indoor suite, which means I get to go out to one of the big yards four times a day. I love to hang out in the sunshine, and I always welcome everyone with my gentle eyes and smiling face. If you're ever in the neighborhood, stop by and see me!

Save the Date!!! Tails and Trails!

Vendor Booths

Costume Contests

Adoptable Pup Strut

Giveaways

Microchipping (free for the first 50 dogs; max. 2 per family)

K9 unit presentation

$5 per car (all admission will be donated to the Survivor Fund at the Hamilton County Humane Society)

www.myhamiltoncountyparks.com

Grab a leash and your four-legged friend for a day at the park! Join Hamilton County Parks and Recreation and the Hamilton County Humane Society on Saturday, May 15 from 11:00a.m.-3:00p.m. at Potter's Bridge Park for an event geared towards your doggie! Dog related vendors, activities, giveaways, contest, and on-stage entertainment will make this day a memorable one for you and Fido.

11:30 a.m. White River Greenway Trail
Take a strut on the White River Greenway Trail! Sniff out treats along the way for a chance to win pooch prizes! Complimentary gift will be handed out to all walkers, while supplies last.

12:30 p.m. Look-a-like contest
Do you think you and your dog look alike? Let Hamilton County Parks and Recreation be the judges! Registration is on-site from 11:00a.m.-12:00p.m. Prizes awarded!

1:30 p.m. Costume Contest
Dress up your doggie in their (We mean your) favorite costume! Registration is on-site from 11:00a.m.-12:00p.m. Prizes awarded!

2:30 p.m. Adoptable Pup Strut
The Hamilton County Humane Society will show off their pups available for adoption! 

To find out more information about the Tails and Trails event, go to http://www.hamiltonhumane.com/events/tails_trails.htm

For directions and a map of Potter's Bridge Park, go to http://www.co.hamilton.in.us/parks_details.asp?id=2929