Old Navy Pet Event at Clay Terrace

On Saturday, January 23rd Best Friends Pet Care Carmel will be participating in the Old Navy Pet Event at Clay Terrace Mall in Carmel, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Stop by our table to pick up valuable coupons that you and your best friend can use for boarding, grooming and training, plus see a training demonstration by our talented and experienced trainer, Barbara Jolliff. Barb has been training dogs for over 30 years and has been the staff trainer at Best Friends Carmel for 12 years. Let her give you helpful hints on how to use a positive approach to training your dog.

We look forward to seeing everyone there!

January is National Train Your Dog Month!

FUN FACTS: (from PSI World Magazine January 2010)--Dr. Stanley Cohen, researcher and canine behaviorist, recently published his rankings on canine intelligence:

"Dumbest Dogs:"
10. Basset Hound
9. Beagle
8. Mastiff
7. Pekinese
6. Bloodhound
5. Borzois
4. Chow Chow
3. English Bulldog
2. Basenji
1. Afghan Hound

"Canniest Canines:"
10. Australian Cattle Dog
9. Rottweiler
8. Papillion
7. Labrador Retriever
6. Shetland Sheepdog
5. Doberman Pinscher
4. Golden Retriever
3. German Shepherd
2. Poodle
1. Border Collie


Regardless of the breed, many dogs are adopted and brought home over the holidays, so January and February are the perfect months to make sure owners start off on the right foot with their new pets! We want to give owners a chance to see how fun and rewarding training can be, and how patience and consistency can lead to happier, healthier households.

Best Friends currently offers two levels of training, beginning with Puppy Kindergarten for dogs up to 6 months of age. This 5-week class teaches the fundamentals of sit, stay, down, leave it and come, as well as management and socialization. Basic Obedience is a 6-week course that reinforces these principles. Classes are going on now, and 2 new classes were just added for February- a 2/8 Puppy Kindergarten and 2-25 Basic Obedience. Call us to sign your best friend up today!

Winter Weather and Dry Skin in Your Dog

Dry air is a problem for a lot of people in the winter; it can cause dry flakes on your arms and legs, as well as chapped hands and lips. If your skin is dry, chances are your pets may be suffering too. Your dogs' skin might get itchy and flaky, his coat may become dull and brittle and his paw pads might even crack. So what is a good pet owner to do? Fortunately, there are plenty of good grooming strategies that can keep your dog looking and feeling his very best!

Bathe More, Not Less: You may have heard that too many baths can have a drying effect on your dogs' coat. Actually, when it comes to dry winter weather, bathing more often is better, IF you use the right products. Using a moisturizing shampoo can actually increase the moisture in your dogs coat. (Check out the re-moisturizing therapy we use at Best Friends to make your dog silky soft!!).

Moisten the Coat: Even if your dog is a short-coated breed, consider a creme rinse during the winter months, which will add an extra dose of moisture to skin and coat, leaving them silky and shiny.

Remember to Paws and think: Snow, salt and ice can take their toll on sensitive pads of your dogs' feet. Keep the hair between pads trimmed. You can also buy paw-pad balm to rub on your dogs' feet before walks, and if your dog doesn't mind, you might also be able to use doggie-booties.

Supplements: Your dogs skin can suffer if he isn't getting enough essential fatty acids like Omega-3's. You might consider a supplement, and upgrading to a dog food brand that includes fatty acids in the food. Humidifiers in the home can often help too!  (excerpted from AKC Family Dog Magazine, January/February 2010).

A combination of all these methods can help soothe dry skin caused by winter weather. At Best Friends, we offer a wide range of grooming services to help keep your dog looking and feeling their very best. Call us at (317) 848-7387 to make an appointment today!

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Hurry! Last Chance to Save on Retail!

50% OFF all retail in the store.....but only until tomorrow January 6th!

Stop by our retail shop at 376 Gradle Drive to save on the cutest collars and leashes, toys, treats, bedding, grooming supplies and more! While you're here, feel free to ask one of our associates for a tour of our spacious indoor/outdoor boarding facility, where you can pamper your pet in style the next time you need to travel. Remember, all new pets get their first night free! We look forward to seeing you soon!

Animal Lover Moves into Shelter to Raise Money for Needy Pets

(From PeoplePets.com 12/30/09)

Rhonda Estes panicked when she heard that the Madison County Humane Society in Anderson, Ind., had only enough money to remain open until February. So she relied on a tactic that worked for her last year: Move into the shelter for 30 days and hope the buzz would bring in needed donations.


"I was so upset to learn that we were short on donations that I decided to move in on Dec. 7 and live with the animals again," Estes, 48, tells PEOPLEPets.com. "I was worried because it was Christmastime and the economy is so bad. I wanted to do something to help the animals."

So far, sleeping in the kennels with the 125 dogs and cats, eating TV dinners or carry-out from friends, and enduring the early darkness each afternoon have paid off for Estes, who has worked as both a volunteer and employee at Madison County Humane Society since 1995. This month, the adoption coordinator has raised $23,100 with another week left.

"Yes, it is hard to do this," she tells PEOPLEPets.com, "I miss my kids and two grandkids, I can’t get good TV reception here, and the only amusement outside of the animals — who seem to enjoy having me here — is the radio. But the donations have been steady, and I am thrilled."

In April 2008, an accounting employee of the no-kill shelter embezzled $65,000, which crippled the non-profit operation. That is when Estes first moved into the shelter to raise money to replace the now-incarcerated employee’s theft.

"I lived here from April of last year until May and we made $23,000 in those 30 days," she continues. "It was tough but so worth it. It also helped us get at least 20 adoptions with nice families."

A few days ago, Estes really felt the warmth of Christmas. A group of sixth graders from nearby Zionsville, Ind., brought money, a leash and collar to her in the shelter. "They all wrote me notes, and I cried my eyes out at their kindness; it was the best Christmas present for me," she says. "It makes some of the tough moments in here seem easy by comparison."



To support Estes's cause, contact the Madison County Humane Society on Petfinder.com

Our Angel Tree is Flourishing!

'Tis the season again and here at Best Friends in Carmel we have kept up with our annual holiday traditions.  Our Angel Tree program is in full swing and this year it seems that everyone is in the holiday spirit!  Best Friends started our Angel Tree program a number of years ago in an effort to supply shelter animals with much needed gifts of toys and treats during the holiday seasons.  We have accepted tons of donations for all of our furry friends that are patiently awaiting adoption at local shelters.  The community has been generously donating toys and money to those pets that otherwise would not receive a gift this holiday season.  Many thanks to all of our friends that have been so giving this holiday season.

 

Holiday Safety Tips for Pets

With the Christmas and New Years' holidays fast approaching, we wanted to remind everyone of some very important tips to keep your four-legged friends safe and healthy: (from Robin Tierney, Partnership for Animal Welfare )

• Many holiday plants can lead to health problems in dogs and cats. Among the plants to keep out of reach are holly, mistletoe, poinsettias and lillies.
• Snow globes often contain antifreeze, which is poisonous to pets.
• Pine needles, when ingested, can puncture holes in a pet's intestines, so be sure and keep areas free of pine needles.
• The extra cords of holiday lights can look like chew toys to pets. Tape down or cover cords to help avoid shocks, burns or other serious injuries.
• Anchor Christmas trees to the ceiling with a string to keep them from falling on pets.
• Do not let pets drink the holiday tree water. Some may contain fertilizers, and stagnant tree water may contain bacteria.
• Do not put aspirin in the tree water (some folks do it thinking it will keep the tree more vigorous)..if a pet ingests the aspirin-laced water, their health or even life may be at risk.
• Pets, particularly cats, may be tempted to eat tinsel, which can block the intestines. Hang tinsel high to keep out of reach of pets.
• Keep ornaments out of reach of pets. Ingestion of any ornament, which might look like toys to pets, can result in life-threatening emergencies. Put away toys after children open their gifts. Small plastic pieces and rubber balls are common causes of choking and intestinal blockage in dogs.
• Keep candles on high shelves. Use fireplace screens to avoid burns.
• Holiday guests and other activity can be very stressful and even frightening to pets. Make sure pets have a safe retreat in the home, and are wearing current ID tags in case the escape out a dog when guests come and go.
• Do not let guests feed your pets human food. There are many holiday foods, including fatty meats, gravies, poultry skin, bones, chocolate and alcohol, that can cause illnesses ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to highly serious pancreatitis and other toxic reactions. In addition, candy wrappers, aluminum foil pieces and ribbons can choke pets.
• If you suspect your pet has eaten something toxic, call your veterinarian and/or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center's 24-hour emergency hotline at 1-888-3-ANI-HELP.
• Now is also a good time to check smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and other safety devices around the home.

We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday!