MAKEOVER OF THE MONTH

MILEY SMALL

BEFORE................

...........AND

AFTER!!!! Awwww......SO pretty!!!

Help Zoey Find Her Forever Home!!

Hi! My name is Zoey and I am ready to meet my forever family! I was at a kill shelter in Southern IN on the euthanasia list just because they were over crowded. Thank goodness a nice lady pulled me out just in time and took me to TLPets Doggy Daycare where I was living for awhile. I thought I had found my home, but it turns out that as much as my foster Mommy loves me, she can't keep me after all. :-(

 I LOVE to play and snuggle. I get along great with all my doggy classmates and my teachers tell me I am the sweetest thing they have ever met! Plus, I am much prettier than this picture makes me look :-)  I am a really good wrestler, but I also love to run around and play ball. I am super fast, so be careful that I don't sneak out the door! I can be a little shy when I first meet someone, but after a few minutes I am a total Velcro dog. Because I am part Shepherd I am really smart and would love to be taught new tricks. If you think you have an open spot in your house and heart please call or email Best Friends Pet Care in Carmel at (317) 848-7387 or crm@bestfriends.net  .Zoey is up-to-date with routine shots, house trained and spayed/neutered. She will be returned to the shelter in a matter of days if we can't help!! She is the sweetest dog....don't let her get away!

Flea Season is Coming!

Are you prepared? Here are some common misconceptions about pet flea control, from http://www.petcare.suite101.com/ :

Effective flea control in pets begins by understanding how and where fleas live, and by understanding that all dogs and cats are susceptible to flea infestation. Fleas are the most common pests seen on dogs and cats. Many pet owners believe that their pets are not susceptible, or that they are easy to get rid of once an infestation has been established. Unfortunately, it is NOT true that healthy dogs and cats are not susceptible to fleas, and even 1 or 2 fleas on the animal can be a sign of a much bigger problem.
Effective flea prevention and control should be considered as part of a complete pet health program.
Another common misconception is that pets need to go outdoors to become infested with fleas. The truth is that fleas are common even on cats and dogs which spend no time outdoors. Fleas can hitch-hike on people coming into the home, as well as find their way through small openings in screens, doors and other portals into the home. Flea control programs are just as important for indoor pets as for dogs and cats that live part of their lives outdoors.

Adult fleas can produce eggs quickly and in large numbers. Fleas lay their eggs in the environment where the pet lives, and for most pet owners, that environment is the home. Flea eggs may take several months to develop into adult fleas, depending on environmental conditions. Therefore, owners should have a comprehensive flea control program which kills not only adult fleas but also eggs and larvae.

One such program is Frontline which can be conveniently purchased at Best Friends Pet Care in Carmel! Stop by and see us today!

Professional In-Home Pet Care

Best Friends Pet Care in Carmel, a leader in pet boarding, grooming and training, offers in-home pet care as well! Whether you are stuck at the office and need a mid-day walk, or you are planning an extended vacation, let the trusted pet care professionals at Best Friends care for your pet like we would our very own!


Oftentimes, pets do better in their own environment, so rather than bringing them to us, let us come to you! We are bonded, insured and experienced in caring for dogs, cats, birds, fish and small cage animals. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call (317) 848-7387 or visit us on the web at http://www.bestfriendshomepetcare.com/

Pet of the Week

SHADOW ARCENEAUX

Hi everyone! My name is Shadow and yes, I am a curious fellow who loves the camera! Actually, I love everything and everyone, but I especially love hanging out in Kitty City at Best Friends Carmel and watching the birds...this is my home away from home, since my Mom travels a lot, but I love it here and am sort of the "mascot" of this place! I make friends with all the other kitties as they come and go, and I show them all the fun things to do here! From cuddletimes and playtimes with activity toys, to tuna snacks on Ritz crackers and cozy kitty beds, this place is the best!

Submissive and Excitement Urination

Working in a kennel setting, we have all seen the occasional "nervous piddler" or those doggies who seem to potty at the drop of a hat, so we thought we would explore these conditions to get some more facts!

Submissive urination occurs when a dog feels threatened. It may occur when he's being punished or verbally scolded, or when he's approached by someone he perceives to be threatening to him. It's important to remember that this response is based on the dog's perception of a threat, and not the person's actual intention. Submissive urination may resolve itself as your dog gains confidence, and you can help to build this confidence by teaching him commands and rewarding him for obeying. You can also gradually introduce him to new people and new situations to make sure his experiences are positive and happy.

Your dog may be submissively urinating if:
-urination occurs when he's being scolded
-urination occurs when someone approaches him
-he has a history of rough treatment or punishment after the fact
-urination occurs when he's being greeted
-he is somewhat shy, anxious or timid
-the urination is accompanied by submissive postures, such as crouching or rolling over and exposing his belly.

What to do if your dog has a submissive urination problem:
-Take your dog to the vet to rule out medical problems
-Keep greetings low-key
-Encourage and reward confident postures from him
-Avoid approaching him with postures that he reads a dominant; for example: avoid direct eye contact, get down on his level by bending at the knees rather than leaning over from the waist, pet him under the chin rather than on top of the head, or approach him from the side rather than the front.

Excitement Urination occurs most often during greetings and playtime and is not accmopanied by submissive posturing. Excitement urination usually resolves once the dog matures, if it is not made worse by punishment or negative reinforcement.
--Keep greetings low key
--To avoid accidents, play outside until the problem is resolved
--Don't punish or scold
--Take your dog to the vet to rule out medical reasons for the behavior
--Ignore him until he's calm

Hopefully these tips will help all of you owners out there who may have experienced these issues~~HAPPY SPRING!!

(from the Humane Society of Indianapolis)

Best Friends Interview with The Cute Pet Gazette!

During the New Jersey Super Pet Expo Danielle the manager from our Windsor, NJ location was interviewed for the "How Cute is Your Pet" segment of The Cute Pet Gazette.  This is a great interview loaded with awesome information on Best Friends Pet Care.

Snuggie for Dogs?

We have all seen the commercial---the people sitting around the campfire, watching TV and talking on the phone, bundled up in either their "standard" Snuggies or the now-popular "designer" Snuggies....and while the commerical is amusing, we have to admit those things look pretty darn comfy! And now, there's one for dogs too! Well, why not? Although the Dog Snuggie may seem silly to some, the point of putting a coat on your dog IS to keep them warm, right? We have to admit it seems like an economical way to keep your pooch cozy and warm in chilly weather, and although they don't offer a wide variety of colors (it only comes in blue or pink), they have a variety of sizes and the cost is pretty hard to pass up.  Can't see The Puggle tolerating it (he likes to go au natural), but for all you other chilly pooches, go for it!

Animal Dermatology Clinic Comes to Indianapolis

Animal Dermatology Clinic, specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic and severe skin and ear disease, immune mediated and hormonal skin disease, nail and nail bed diseases and skin manifestations of internal disease, has recently opened an office in Indianapolis. The office, located at 3901 E. 82nd Street, Indianapolis IN 46240, is staffed by Lori Thompson, Diplomate ACVD and is open Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays by appointment.

There are hundreds of different skin diseases currently recognized in the dog and cat, and many of these diseases look very much alike. The dermatologists at Animal Dermatology Clinic are trained to focus on the differences and pursue the most cost-effective diagnostic work up. According to their website , their services include the latest technology including:
--intradermal allergy testing
--video otoscopy
--in-house biopsy services
--CO2 laser surgery
--equine dermatology

They also occasionally have exotic patients. Since we all likely know of someone who has a pet with skin or allergy conditions, we are glad to have them in Indy! Welcome!

For more information, visit http://www.animaldermatology.com/ or call (317) 578-7773

Pet of the Week

DANTE MILKEY

My name is Dante and everyone here at Best Friends Carmel says I'm one of the happiest, friendliest bulldogs they've ever met! I absolutely LOVE to run around the yard and have the associates try to catch me during my playtimes, and as you can see, I am extremely photogenic! This is my first time here, but I know for sure I'll tell my Mom and Dad not to take me anywhere else from now on!

Local Bark Parks

Spring is almost here, and what better time to take your best friend to one of our local dog parks---here is a listing of some of the more popular ones in our area:

Indianapolis:
Broad Ripple Canine Companion Zone
1550 Broad Ripple Avenue (pooch passes/dog tags required). All dogs must have current vaccinations to receive tags. Call (317) 327-7161 or visit http://www.indygov.org/

Eagle Creek Bark Park/Gordon Gilmer Dog Park at Eagle Creek:
5900 N. High School Road just north of 56th Street. Pooch passes/dog tags required--must have proof of current vaccinations to receive tags. Call (317) 327-7110 or visit http://www.eaglecreekbarkpark.org/

Indianapolis Humane Society Dog Park:
7929 N. Michigan Road. Park has agility course, open area and trails for people to bring their pets. Shade, trees and park benches available. $30 per year for up to 3 dogs in one family. Must have rabies, parvo, distemper and bordatella for each animal. Call (317) 812-5650 or visit http://www.indyhumane.org/

Fishers:
Pierson Bark Park. 11787 E. 131st Street. 4 fenced-in acres and includes pond with fountain for doggie swimming, small/elderly dog area, brick wall around the entire park and drinking water for dogs. (317) 577-BARK. http://www.piersonbarkparks.com/

Lawrence:
Waggin' Tails Bark Park. 10450 E. 63rd Street. Membership only. Contact City of Lawrence Parks for membership information at (317) 549-4815 or http://www.cityoflawrence.org/

Happy Spring!

7th Annual Mutt Strut Planned For April

The Humane Society of Indianapolis invites everyone to join them for Mutt Strut on April 25, 2010, the day the track goes to the dogs! Animal lovers and their pets from across the nation will be on hand for this family-friendly event that includes a 2 1/2 mile walk (with or without a pet) around the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Check-in is from 11:00 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. and participants may check in any time during those hours. Cost is $25 minimum pre-registration fee for ages 16 and over. $15 for ages 7-15, children under age 7 are free but will not receive a T-shirt. All individuals must be pre-registered before April 21. Also visit the IMS Plaza to hear music from DJ Mama Mia, visit the sponsor and vendor booths and shop the HSI Re-Tail store and have your pet microchipped! For more information about Mutt Strut and the Humane Society of Indianapolis, visit http://www.indyhumane.org/

March is Pit Bull Education Month.....

.....at the Humane Society of Hamilton County! On Saturday, March 20th, the Humane Society invites everyone to come and celebrate with them at their facility located next to the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds for a fun-filled and educational day. The schedule of activities is as follows:

12:00 p.m.    Kiss a Pit Bull

Chris Denari, the announcer for the Indiana Pacers and proud owner of his adopted pit bull Bailey, will be on hand as spokesman.

12:30 p.m.    Pit Parade

Bring your Pit Bull, Pit mix or Bully breed and join the Humane Society for their first-ever pit bull parade, that will begin in the shelter parking lot with a walk around the 4-H Fairgrounds. Dogs must be on a leash at all times and current on their vaccinations.

2:00 p.m.      Free Seminar!

"The American Pit Bull Terrier--Fact vs. Fiction," by Rebecca Stevens, Executive Director. RSVP is required as seating is limited. Contact Mandy Maxwell at mmaxwell@hamiltonhumane.com

3:30 p.m.      Dog Safety Tips and Pit Bull pack demonstration

Learn basic safety tips and see a "meet the pack" demonstration by acclaimed dog trainer Fernando Pastran.

Please come and show your support for these often-misunderstood dogs!

Say Cheese!

We thought it would be nice to show off some of the great pictures that have made it into our photo album! Some of our pet guests just love to have their pictures taken and will really ham it up for our camera! These are just a few of our favorites…enjoy!

Thinking of Getting a Bird?

(excerpted from ASPCA 3-5-10)

Welcoming a bird into your home can mean a world of cheerful song and beautiful plumage, but adding a feathered friend to your family is not to be taken lightly. Birds require specialized housing and diets, and their veterinary care can be quite costly. The ASPCA recommends never getting a bird from a pet store, but rather seeking a reputable bird breeder or adopting a bird instead. The experts at the ASPCA have put together a list of the top 10 things you should know before getting a bird:

Adoption is Great Option:  Many avian rescue groups and local shelters are overflowing with unwanted birds. Petfinder.com is also a good resource to help with the search.

Birds live a long time:  Some birds live between 25 and 60 years, so be prepared for a life-long friend.

Find a reliable avian vet: Your bird will require the same veterinary care that a pet cat or dog would, except you would need to visit a veterinarian that specializes in birds.

Birds love a varied diet:  Seeds, grains, beans, vegetables, fruit and a high quality pellet food are all good choices, but it is also important to note that most birds need to eat half their weight in food each day!

Birds can be noisy:  Birds sing and chirp, but they can also screech and squawk. Some of their vocalizations can be ear-splitting, which may upset neighbors if you live in an apartment building or other close quarters.

Birds like space: A typical cage for small birds should be about 25 inches tall and 25 inches from front to back.

Birds are sensitive to their environment: It is extremely important to place your birds' cage in a warm, bright area away from drafts and direct sunlight. Avoid kitchens at all costs--birds are extremely sensitive  to fumes from self-cleaning ovens and Teflon-coated cookware.

Birds are social butterflies: Birds should be taken out of their cages and handled every day for at least an hour. Daily exercise and ample out-of-cage time are essential to to a happy, well-adjusted bird.

Birds need exercise: Just like any other pet, birds can become overweight and unhealthy if they don't get enough exercise. Be sure to secure the room before allowing free-flight, by closing windows and doors, turning off ceiling fans etc.

Birds are naturally clean: Birds are self-cleaners, and will preen their feathers daily. No need for shampoos or baths--a simple nail trim will do.

Hopefully these tips will start you off on the road to happy bird ownership!

Meet Our New Trainer! (and her faithful pooch Lugnut!)

Best Friends Carmel  proudly welcomes Kristi Rush as our new trainer! Kristi has been the trainer at our Castleton location for a long time now, but we get the benefit of her expertise in Carmel now as well. In 1974, Kristi joined the Pooch Paw Raiders 4-H Club and began her love of training. In 1987 she started her own business called Kristi's Kritter Kollege and spent the next 5 years running a successful canine and equine training center.  Since returning to the midwest, she has continued providing individual training to animals and their owners in a variety of fields. She brings her years of expertise and deep love of animals to our Carmel location, and will be offering a wide variety of classes including, but not limited to: Puppy Kindergarten (Wednesdays from 8-9p.m.), Adult Obedience Classes (Wednesdays from 7-8p.m.), Private Lessons, Agility Training, Behavioral Modification, Canine Good Citizen testing, and Board and Train.  We are so excited to have her with us! For more information on our training programs, please call (317) 848-7387 or stop by for a tour!

Pet of the Week!

Charlie Wojcik

 

Hi there! My name is Charlie Wojcik and I'm a 13- year- old Shiba Inu. I've been visiting Best Friends Pet Care in Carmel for as long as I can remember- which is a REALLY long time! When Mom goes out of town, she always schedules playtimes for me so that I can be sure to get my daily walk. She knows how important it is for an older gentleman to stay active!

As much as I love Mom, she insists that I smell clean when I come home, so she always schedules a go- home- fresh bath (silly humans, go figure)… Anyway, I HATE baths!  My personal stylists at Best Friends are SO patient with me though and always make sure I go home smelling amazing! That makes Mom super happy which makes me happy too!!!

 

Is your Best Friend a Record Breaker?

Every pet is a record- breaker in their own way but this pet made the Guinness World Records!  One week ago, Guinness World Records announced that “Giant George”, a blue Great Dane hailing from Tucson, Arizona, is the new Guinness World Record holder of the Tallest Dog title. The 4 1/2- year- old Dane measures 43 inches from paw to shoulder- ¾ in taller than the former Tallest Dog title-holder, Titan. “Giant George” weighs in at a massive 245lbs. and his owners, David and Christine Nasser, say he eats about 110 lbs. of dog food each month. From nose to tail, George measures in at a whopping 7ft 3in! George is living the good life with the Nasser’s who say that he even has his own Queen Size bed.

Dr. William Wallace of the Buena Pet Clinic in Tucson , who witnessed the documentation necessary for the Guinness record, said: 'In my 45 years of experience working with giant breed dogs, without question, George is the tallest dog I have ever seen.'

Craig Glenday, Editor-In-Chief of Guinness World Records said:
“This is a hotly contested record and after some controversy and conflicting media reports we decided to send our own official adjudicator to put the final stamp on this record holder. We can indeed say now that George is the top dog. This record has also sparked great interest in finding other pet records, so we’re asking everyone to check their dog houses, scratch posts and under the bed - they just might be living with a record-breaking pet!”

Guinness World Records has launched a new search for the following pet records: Longest Ears on a Dog, Smallest Dog (Length), Oldest Dog, Smallest Cat and Oldest Cat.  Contact Guinness World Records at http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/ if you think your pet could qualify!