Walk For The Paws

Look for Best Friends Pet Care when you come.  We would love to see you!

Law Designed To Protect, Educate New Pet Owners

What a wonderful thing....

A state bill that requires pet stores and animal shelters to disclose the health history of a dog or cat has been signed into law.  Under the new law, pet shops, animal shelters and control facilities will also have to disclose other information.   That includes the name and address of the breeder, retail price, adoption fees and vaccinations, among other things.  Gov. Quinn signed the bill Sunday. He says the information will help protect consumers before they buy a pet.  The law goes into effect next year.
AP

Brookfield Zoo Baby Pups

According to The Gateways Magazine for Brookfield Zoo they are hoping to have some pups in the near future.  Habitat Africa The Savannah is home to a pack of African Wild Dogs.  They are 2 male dogs Duke and Digger.  They have recently introduced Kim-li a female from the Henry Doorly Zoo.  Check out the Zoo's website for up to date  information on the possibility of  a new family! 

Now that the weather is getting nicer it is a great time to plan a weekend escape to the zoo!  The cooler weather brings the animals out to play.  When you plan your day make sure to plan your dogs day with

Best Friends Pet Care!  We have funfilled day activities for everyone! 

The Shelter Pet Project

I know Toby and I have talked about this website before.  It supports such a great cause I thought I would make note of it again.  Many of you have probably seen the advertisements on television for it lately.  The Shelter Pet Project.  The website itself is remarkable.  It gives you everything from cool activities you can do, to helpful hints for you the care of your dog and cat.  Obviously the best part is the wonderful online resource it provides for people who wish to adopt a dog or cat.  If you have not already definitely check it out!  For those of you who live in our area make sure to bring your new adopted friend over to Best Friends Prairie View for a visit.  We have everything for them to enjoy from doggie camp, to a fun filled retail store!  For all our new friends your first night with us is FREE!  How can you beat that! 

http://www.theshelterpetproject.org/

Adopt Hop

A GREAT cause and tons of fun!  How can one go wrong! 

The 2nd Annual Adopt Hop which will take place on Saturday, September 11th from 2-6pm and will be followed by a Rescue Rally from 6-730pm in Wrigleyville – where they’ll be food, drinks, incredible raffle prizes and, no doubt, a fantastic time! Last year, the Adopt Hop was a tremendous amount of fun and a huge success! With nearly 200 people in attendance and seven of Chicago’s rescue groups participating, our mission to raise awareness was off to a great start.

What is the Adopt Hop? Participants of the Adopt Hop will get to strut their stuff in customized t-shirts. The Adopt Hop will take participants on a pub-crawl-inspired journey to several Lakeview bars. At each location, event-go’ers will have the opportunity to mingle with one of Chicago’s finest rescue groups, where they will hear about the group’s approach to the campaign, as well as learn about how individuals can help make a difference. Our bar partners will have food and/or drink specials tailored especially for event participants, and we’ll have give-away items that no one will want to miss.  But the fun doesn’t stop there! At the end of the Hop, everyone will complete their travels back to the Rock’n’Rescue rally site – where they’ll enjoy live music, great food and a plethora of drink. Event participants who visit all eleven bar locations will be eligible to enter the raffle for our big ticket items, as well as try their luck at winning our other terrific raffle prizes. We will announce our lucky raffle winners at the rally, as well as hold a toast to honor our furry friends.  This year 9 rescue groups will be participating! Every dollar raised from the Adopt Hop will enable participating rescue groups to continue life-saving work. This year’s Adopt Hop participants are - ALIVE, Chicagoland Bully Breed Rescue, Chicago English Bulldog Rescue, New Leash on Life, Project Rescue Chicago, Puppy Love/Love Cats, Tree House Humane Society, Virtually Home Chicago and Young at Heart.

To Order Tickets for this awesome event, go to http://adopthopchicago.org/!

Mutt Mosey 2010

Join Best Friends Pet Care onSeptember 18th

Young At Heart Pet Rescue will have their annual Fundraiser Walk at Twin Lakes in Palatine, IL. This year is bigger and better than ever, with dog training and agility demonstrations, pet vendors, music, games for kids and dogs, kissing booth, prizes for the top three individual fundraisers, and of course, the 1-Mile Mosey around gorgeous Twin Lakes! Create your own fundraising page (coming soon) and help us raise funds for our homeless senior pets!

Sit, Stay

Whether it's basic obedience or problem solving, the key elements to successful training are patience, consistency and time. But finding the necessary time to work with your dog every day can be difficult, so a board-and-train experience is a great alternative.   "Board and train is like a short-term boarding school for pets," says Matt Stewart, professional trainer at Best Friends in White Plains, NY. "Pets live at 'school' for a week or two and we devote hours to training, specifically focusing on any problem areas or the skills he needs to learn."   Any dog can benefit from the program, says Stewart, regardless of age, breed or prior training. A minimum of seven days is recommended for the Best Friends Board and Train program, but even more can be achieved with a 10-14 day stay. "We can get a lot accomplished in a short amount of time," Stewart says, "but the more time we spend together, the more reinforcement is received, making it easier on the owner."

How it works

Board and Train begins with a consultation between the trainer, owner and pet before the boarding stay. At this important meeting (which is included in the fee), the trainer asks questions about the pet, the family and the home environment, and discusses specific training needs and goals. He/she will also evaluate the dog to gauge the amount of training he's already received.   During the pet's stay, the professional trainer takes him for private lessons, generally 30 to 60 minutes each. Some trainers break up the training into two short sessions each day to keep the dog from becoming overwhelmed or bored. The program is customized for each dog's needs, which are identified in the initial meeting.   "Whether you want to work on basic commands or problematic behavior like barking or jumping, the Board and Train program can help," says Steve Forsty, professional trainer at Best Friends in Carmichael, CA. "Most of these behaviors are instinctive to dogs, but can be altered with training techniques. Once the dog is trained, we instruct the owner how to interrupt, redirect and reward."   Puppies especially benefit from the Board and Train program, says Forsty. However, he warns, housetraining cannot be taught in a kennel environment, so if you're looking for a trainer to help with the dirty work, a better option would be at-home consultations or sessions.

Going home

At the end of his stay, the happy pet returns home to his family with new skills ... and homework for his owners. The trainer creates a document outlining specific instructions, details and tasks for the owners. The commands the dog has been taught, and the techniques for working with and correcting him, are outlined in the paperwork. It's up to the owner to practice with the dog on a regular basis, so he retains what he has learned. A follow up meeting between the trainer and owner, also included in the Board and Train price, is arranged at a convenient time. Obedience classes are generally recommended to reinforce new skills and encourage socialization.   Training your dog is one of the best things you can do for him, and for your family. Your dog will be safer, happier, and a pleasure to have in your home. For more information on the training options in your area, contact your local Best Friends Pet Care center.

2010 Readers Choice Awards

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TQ6XHN7


Click on the above link to cast your vote for Best Friends Prairie View! 

Why It's Best To Stay With "Best Friends"

Pet Owners Want More Pampering for their Pets


Max is lounging in his spacious Luxury Suite, watching a movie and enjoying an ice cream treat. He's a little tired after spending several hours in play group with some friends. Later, after dinner, he'll be treated to a bedtime story and tuck-in service for a good night's sleep, snuggled in premium bedding.  No, this is not the scene at a luxury summer camp for children; it's the latest in services offered by Best Friends Pet Care.

Pampering our pets.

Pet owners say they have a special bond with their pets and consider them a member of their family who deserves to be treated as such. In fact, it's the pet owners themselves who have suggested many of the special services now offered for their pets - from playtime with canine friends during the day to a story and snuggle before bedtime.  “Our clients really get a kick out of the activities we offer," says Kelly Kurash, manager of Best Friends in White Plains , NY . "They like knowing that their pets can really enjoy themselves and be pampered and fussed over when they're away from home."

Time for play

Dogs who participate in playgroup or daycamp during their boarding stay expend lots of energy, and usually and sleep better. Supervised play with other pets offers a healthy outlet for a dog's natural energies, instincts and behavior.  Not every dog, however, does well in a group setting. For pets who prefer one-on-one attention, owners can choose an individual playtime or a walk. "Some of our guests are happiest when attention is focused exclusively on them and the setting is more private," says Kurash. "A hug, cuddle, belly rub or nature walk really makes their day … and we enjoy it too!"  'Goodnight Moon'  After a day of play, pooped pooches can settle down for the night with a snack and a reading of Goodnight Moon . "Some clients thought we were pulling their leg about offering bedtime stories," Kurash says. "Then they saw the pictures of dogs cuddled in our laps or sitting next to us looking at the book."  In fact, the value of story time is really in the calming effect that the snuggling and the quiet voice have. And, for many, it's a familiar ritual from home: snuggling in with the family while Mom or Dad reads to the children.

Peeking in

With increasing frequency over the past few years, pet parents have asked for a way to look in on their pet remotely from their computer whether at work or on the road. Webcams have been installed at a number of Best Friends centers, allowing pet parents and prospective customers to take a peek at what's going on.  "The webcams are a big hit with our camper parents," says Kurash. "We've even had pet parents joke that they're on the verge of being fired because of all the time they spend checking on their dog in camp and showing their coworkers."

And Man Created Dog

If humans were as varied as dogs we would range in height up to 22 feet tall and in weight more than 1,000 pounds. In the ultimate canine ancestral story, NGC traces the genetic journey from wolf to dog, taking viewers back 100,000 years to meet the "mother of all dogs." It's no accident that dogs evolved this way, as humans have been selectively breeding them for around 14,000 years to serve our needs as laborer, companion, hunter, herder and warrior, as well as to suit our aesthetic fancy.

Toby and I will definitly have Tivo set for this one!  How interesting...

The Dog Friendly Automobile

Wow!  I love my Challenger and so does Toby, but this option on the Element sounds pretty darn cool!  I love the dog bone pattern on the interior!  Way to go Honda, I am sure it won't be long before others follow suite on this idea!  Where was this when Toby and I had and Exterra.  Nissan..... any ideas??!


Much-anticipated "Dog Friendly" equipment adds to diverse Element lineup

The Honda Element lineup expands for the 2010 model year with an all-new "Dog Friendly™" pet accommodation system designed to improve safety, comfort and convenience for dogs and their owners alike, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today. The 2010 Honda Element arrives at dealerships nationwide by mid-October. The Dog Friendly Element is set to become available on November 16.

"The Honda Element has long been recognized as an accommodating vehicle for people with active lifestyles involving sports and hobbies," said Vicki Poponi, assistant vice president of Product Planning for American Honda. "The new Dog Friendly Element takes that concept to a whole new level with specially designed features for dogs and their owners."

Engineered to integrate with factory precision into the Element EX, the Dog Friendly equipment is intended to accommodate the secure transportation of a dog in the cargo area within a nylon-webbed car kennel. In daily operation the car kennel helps prevent a dog from interfering with the driver in traffic by keeping the pet properly restrained and out of reach of the driver. In the event of a frontal collision, the kennel is intended to help restrain the dog behind the rear seats, reducing the chance for the pet to be injured - or to injure human occupants during a crash.

The Dog Friendly equipment enhances pet comfort by providing a soft floor surface for the dog's legs and paws along with a dedicated fan and a spill resistant water source. Convenience is improved for owners with an integrated ramp, easy to clean surfaces and a full suite of matching Dog Friendly accoutrements.

Major components include:

a soft-sided cargo area car kennel made from seat belt-grade netting;
a cushioned pet bed in the cargo area with an elevated platform;
a 12V DC rear ventilation fan;
second-row seat covers with a dog pattern design (matches the bed fabric);
an extendable ramp (stores under the pet bed platform);
all-season rubber floor mats with a toy bone pattern;
a spill-resistant water bowl; and
Dog Friendly exterior emblems (driver's side and rear).
The ramp stores underneath the bed platform and can be conveniently accessed when the rear tailgate is down. The car kennel was designed and is being constructed by Takata Corporation, one of the world's leading automotive safety systems suppliers. The Dog Friendly equipment group has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $995.

Already designed to be people friendly, the Honda Element received numerous upgrades for the 2009 model year that included a new exterior appearance and a refreshed interior design. Three unique Element models are available that range from the rugged and simple Element LX, to the more refined Element EX, to the sporty Element SC. The Dog Friendly equipment group is designed exclusively for the Element EX trim level.

The Element offers an easy-to-clean urethane floor (carpeted on SC) and an expansive, flat cargo area (up to 74.6 cu-ft. with rear seats removed), wide-opening side cargo doors, low lift-in height, and accommodating dimensions for tall items. The interior provides seating for four people along with a cargo area that quickly adapts to large items with its flip-up rear seats that fold flat, fold up and to the side, or can be removed altogether (64-plus seating arrangements).

The Element LX and EX have a water resistant urethane-coated utility floor that quickly wipes down and seat fabric that resists moisture. Standard equipment includes air conditioning, cruise control, power windows and keyless entry.

All Element models feature a 2.4-liter i-VTEC® 4-cylinder engine with a 5-speed automatic transmission. Real Time 4WD™, available on the Element LX and EX, enhances all-weather traction. EPA city/highway fuel economy ratings1 range from 20/25 mile per gallon for two-wheel-drive models and 19/24 miles per gallon for Real Time 4WD models.

The Element LX comes standard with a 4-speaker AM/FM audio system with a CD player. The Element EX and SC feature a 270-watt high-output audio system, an AM/FM tuner, CD player with MP3/WMA™2 capability, auxiliary audio input for MP3 players or other audio devices, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, seven speakers including a 6.5-inch subwoofer. XM® Radio3 is standard on the Element EX and SC.

The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System is an available feature on the Element EX and includes a rear backup camera and a USB audio interface4. The navigation system features a 6.5-inch motorized display that opens and closes for access to an internal single-disc CD player and a digital audio card reader.

Numerous storage bins and beverage holders provide places for cell phones, CDs and drinks. Available storage areas include: a large three-bin tray above the glove box (ideal for mobile phones and portable music players); a modular 3-compartment overhead storage bin (EX, SC); seat back storage (EX, SC); six hooks for strapping down bikes or other bulky gear; and door storage pockets on all four doors. The Element EX exclusively has a convertible center console with a removable cooler/storage box.

The Element SC provides a unique appearance with street custom-inspired styling, a lowered stance and exclusive premium features. Its exterior styling exhibits a performance-oriented attitude with a monochromatic color scheme and exclusive features that include custom front and rear painted bumpers, large alloy wheels, custom grille, and a lowered stance. The lowered stance is achieved by lowering the ride height and by using uniquely shaped painted side sills and slimmer roof moldings.

Element SC interior appointments include passenger-area carpeting, a fixed center console with storage, piano black trim pieces and unique fabrics and patterns. The exclusive center console integrates the auxiliary audio input jack and two beverage holders. Meter styling color on all Element SC models is copper-hue, replacing the blue backlit illumination on the other models.

The Element's fully independent suspension uses a front MacPherson strut design and a rear compact double wishbone design for responsive handling and a comfortable ride. A 101.4-inch wheelbase contributes to a compact exterior size. An ultra-tight turning diameter of 34.9-feet (36.9-feet, Element SC) provides for excellent maneuverability in tight quarters. Element LX and EX models are equipped with 16-inch wheels (steel on LX, alloy on EX) with all-season P215/70R16 tires. Additional LX and EX standard features include power rack-and-pinion steering and front and rear stabilizer bars (30.0x4.5 mm tubular front / 21.0 mm solid rear).

The Element SC adds 18-inch alloy wheels, P225/55R18 tires, exclusive spring and damper tuning (30 percent firmer), a lowered ride height (approximately 0.7 inches) and increased rear stabilizer bar size (25.0 mm, solid). Compared to Element LX and EX, the solid front stabilizer bar is 25 percent stiffer and the rear stabilizer bar is 30 percent stiffer. The steering gear box also provides a 6 percent faster ratio (2.94:1 compared to 3.26:1).

All Element models have an aluminum Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) engine that produces 166-horsepower at 5800 rpm and 161 lb-ft. of torque at 4000 rpm. The Element's i-VTEC variable valve timing system enhances low rpm torque while also delivering high rpm horsepower. The five-speed automatic transmission features Grade Logic Control to minimize "gear hunting" on hilly roads.

Available on Element LX and EX, the Real Time 4WD system aids traction in snow, rain and sand by sending power to the rear wheels when the front drive wheels experience a traction loss.

Standard safety equipment includes: Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®), commonly referred to as electronic stability control; a pedestrian safety design in the front of the vehicle; dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags; side-curtain airbags with a rollover sensor; front side airbags with a passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); active front seat head restraints; an anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist; and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and active front seat head restraints.

The Element is assembled in Ohio at the Honda of America Mfg., Inc., East Liberty Auto Plant using domestic and globally sourced parts.

1Based on 2010 EPA mileage estimates, reflecting new EPA fuel economy methods beginning with 2008 models. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.
2Windows Media® Audio is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
3Required XM Radio subscription sold separately after 90-day trial period. Subscriptions are governed by the XM Customer Agreement available at xmradio.com/serviceterms. Other fees and taxes apply after trial period; see XM Customer Agreement for details. Fees and programming subject to change. Service not available in Canada, Alaska, or Hawaii. © 2009 SIRIUS XM Radio Inc. SIRIUS, XM and all related marks and logos are trademarks of SIRIUS XM Radio Inc. and its subsidiaries.
4The USB Audio Interface is used for direct connection to and control of some current digital audio players and other USB devices that contain MP3, WMA or AAC music files. Some USB devices with security software and digital rights-protected files may not work. Please see your dealer for details on compatibility.