2010 Readers Choice Awards

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


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

Letters For Pets

http://www.tailsinc.com/lettersforpets

Toby and I will be busy the next couple weeks, hopefully you all will be too!  Looks like a good cause to me! 

Fun In The Sun With Fido

The following is an excellent article on preparing yourself and your furry friends for fun in the sun.  It was found in the Chicagoland Tails Magazine.

Winter is a fairly sedentary time for our trio of aging pups. They do their duties in the backyard and then stumble back to the door once whipping Chicago winds make them yearn for greener pastures (or slightly warmer laminate flooring, as the case may be) inside. The onset of summer, however, prompts a notable spike in our pets’ outdoor escapades.  We go for long family walks on the weekend, and my husband frequently takes at least one of the dogs jogging before work each morning. When we barbeque in the backyard, the pups are typically rolling in the grass alongside us. My children chase them, splash them, and generally give them an outdoor workout that they would never see the likes of in winter.  Of course, we ultimately pay the piper for transforming our pets into weekend warriors at the first glimpse of 70-degree temperatures. There are consequences to suddenly thrusting our dogs into a regimen of intense outside activities and exercise routines after months of lethargy and sedentary living. Inevitably, our Beagle-Basset mix overworks his arthritic joints, and our somewhat absent-minded Poodle ends up stung by whatever annoyed insect she makes the mistake of pestering.   Like so many well-intentioned guardians, we are guilty of permitting our companion animals to overdo it outdoors as summer gets underway. For people who are concerned with their pets’ health and happiness, this realization then begs the following questions: What are the dangers of turning pets into weekend warriors once warmer weather sets in, and how can they be avoided?

Common Dangers and Discomforts
From the perspective of those individuals who adore the furry members of their clan, it almost seems cruel not to include Fido on an annual camping trip or during an extra-long beachfront jog. But, while there’s no reason that companion animals shouldn’t join their guardians in a little summer revelry, be aware that lack of preparation for a sudden upswing in outdoor activity can have unpleasant consequences.   “After a long winter inside, we want to get outside and enjoy life with our furry family members,” explains Sally Achey, owner of The Sensible Dog in West Rutland, VT. Achey’s company provides a variety of pet products geared toward guardians interested in pursuing an active lifestyle with their canine companions. Achey adds, “Now the sun is shining, and we all head to the hiking trail, the beach, the boat, or a variety of summer dog events. [But] we need to remember to start slowly when we get back into strenuous activities.”   What’s the price of not heeding Achey’s wisdom? Sprains, sunburns, heatstroke, and dehydration are just a few possible consequences of permitting your pet to slip into weekend-warrior syndrome. Though many guardians would not think of it in conjunction with summer heat, hypothermia is a risk, as well. Dogs that are allowed to play in cold pools, ponds, lakes, or surf for too long can experience a dangerous drop in body temperature.  Increased exposure to wildlife can also prove problematic for pets. For starters, many wild animals will attack if cornered. Others are capable of spreading parasites and diseases such as rabies to domesticated animals.   And what pet guardian could live without the warm-weather joys of some of the tiniest members of the animal kingdom? Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes have the potential to inflict painful or itchy bites, not to mention ailments like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and West Nile virus. As Kimberly May, assistant director of communications at the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) in Schaumburg, IL, emphasizes, it’s up to people to safeguard their pets against the dangers they are liable to encounter outdoors.  “Dogs are generally so willing to please and enjoy human company that it can put them at risk,” she observes. “Despite being overheated or injured, a dog will often still happily continue to exercise until she becomes so severely overheated or injured that she physically can’t go on. This could lead to potentially life-threatening problems.”

Pre-Conditioning and Prep Work
Despite these seemingly dire scenarios, pets don’t have to be shooed out of the picture when it comes to summer fun. Experts such as Laurie C. Williams, director of training and behavior counseling at Pup 'N Iron Canine Fitness & Learning Center in Fredericksburg, VA, emphasize that spending more time outdoors with companion animals is not impractical if guardians merely make sensible choices and do a little prep work. For example, Williams insists that pets are less likely to become warm-weather weekend warriors if they remain somewhat active during colder weather.  “People should provide exercise and socialization opportunities for their dogs year round,” she notes. “Even if that means just taking them for rides in the car to the bank, home supply store, [or] post office. Additionally, [guardians] should look for indoor opportunities to exercise their dogs during the winter [like] a dog training facility or doggie daycare where their pet can exercise and socialize regardless of the weather.”   May likewise advises people to gradually increase their pets’ levels of physical activity before thrusting them into marathon workout routines or outings. She also suggests packing accordingly for outdoor adventures with companion animals. This means stocking up on water, sunscreen, and cooling coats, mats, and bandanas.   “Set a reasonable pace and distance for your activities,” she recommends. “Absolutely bring plenty of water for both you and your pet during a walk, run, hike, or jog—the longer you plan to go, the more water you need. Finally, plan for stops to let your dog rest and cool off.”

Outdoor Awareness
Water bottles and sunscreen are an invaluable part of any outdoor excursion with your pet, but so is research. You don’t have to necessarily read up on every indigenous insect that might bother your furry buddy as you head off for a trek through the mountains. On the other hand, it’s not unreasonable to consult your veterinarian on the best ways to prepare for summer outings, whether they take the form of a nightly run along the lakefront or an extended stay in a tent.  “When venturing into the great outdoors, you should become aware of the hazards that lurk where you are going,” remarks Achey. “Many problems can be prevented. Maybe there are porcupines, which can be avoided by careful monitoring of your dog’s whereabouts. There are [also] all the attacks from the insect world. Some problems there can be avoided by taking measures to repel insects such as ticks.”   These examples are but a few methods of prevention and planning that help guard pets against becoming warm-weather weekend warriors. Many experts also recommend keeping companion animals up-to-date on routine vaccinations. Others suggest taking pet first-aid courses that teach which signs and symptoms indicate common health crises, as well as what immediate care should be administered in emergency situations.   Such measures can potentially determine the outcome in life-or-death scenarios that arise as people spend an increased amount of time in the sunshine with their four-legged family members. At the very least, they encourage guardians to be more aware of their pets’ behavior, comfort, and health. Besides, speaking from personal experience, that ninety-minute trek along the prairie path is going to seem a lot less satisfying if your fifty-pound Beagle-Basset mix needs to be carried up the stairs for three days afterward. --Katie Marsico

Dog Parks

The following article was found in the May edition of the Chicagoland Tails Magazine

The social mecca of the modern urban dog, dog parks are a relatively recent phenomenon. Ohlone Dog Park, the country’s first officially sanctioned dog park, opened to four-legged visitors in 1979 in Berkeley, CA. The need for off-leash play areas specifically for dogs became apparent as leash laws implemented in the 1970s became increasingly stringent—and universal—applying even to parks and leaving frisky Fidos with literally nowhere to run. Yet dog parks have stoked controversy from the beginning among city dwellers vying for competing rights over precious green space. Fortunately for Fifi, dog lovers across the country continue to organize and advocate on her behalf with increasing success for the right to frolic unfettered.


The ABCs of Run, Lassie, Run
Functioning as designated locales within city confines where canines can unwind unleashed, dog parks may easily appear as a de facto right to guardians everywhere. But key to the successful establishment of any dog park is a realistic and considerate weighing of the rights of the nonguardian, who may well oppose a dog park in his back yard, so to speak, on the grounds of barking, odor, and noxious nuisance. Dog parks can prosper only when they contribute to the well-being of the community as a whole. Fortunately, with thorough planning, organization, and creative funding on the part of the dog park advocates, a workable consensus is usually well within reach.   Many cities require that community groups seeking funding fall within a nonprofit umbrella structure. As a nonprofit, the dog park group is additionally eligible to apply for grant funding through many private endowments, foundations, and associations. City officials also often take the requests of legal entities—replete with a formal mission statement, annual reports, and elected officers—more seriously than those of ragtag individuals.   Generally taken most seriously of all by city councilmen and councilwomen alike are the intended location of the proposed pooch park itself and the amount of funding requested. Dog park organizations must present a detailed funding proposal to the city council, often allowing for sources outside the city council to fill in monetary gaps. The less solely reliant on city funding the organization can prove itself, the more likely the dog park will get the green light. According to Stacey Hawk, chair of Wrightwood Neighbors Association’s Wiggly Field Advisory Committee and co-founder of Wiggly Field, the city of Chicago’s first dog-friendly area (DFA), “Our major funding continues to be (and always has been) from Wrightwood Neighbors Association—we are an ongoing committee of this nonprofit organization. WNA actually funded construction of the park and gives us an annual $5,000 grant for ongoing maintenance. We also get business sponsorship donations, as well as individual donations from park users.”
The Somerville Dog Owners Group of Somerville, MA, likewise owes much of its success in establishing multiple off-leash park areas in the city to its well-cultivated relationship with city officials. Michele Biscoe, founder and chairperson of the group, reflects, “The city of Somerville has established a fund—the Somerville Unleashed Fund—to which people can make direct donations for the construction and maintenance of off-leash recreational areas. The Somerville Dog Owners Group has donated the proceeds from several fundraisers to Somerville Unleashed.” Dog park dreamers are also wise to set their sights on a strategic location that nonguardians have little reason to covet but that still caters to wanderlusting pooches in matters of shade, water, and space. The less controversial the chosen spot, the more easily city council members can approve it.

A Movement is Born
No dog park is an island. Like all worthy social institutions, the flourishing of the modern dog park owes its existence to some outstanding precedents and poop-scooping pioneers—many of which continue to put their experience at the service of novice puppy park planners. The renowned success of pet-friendly Seattle’s dog parks has occasioned groups from all across the country to mimic the planning strategies of Citizens for Off-Leash Areas (COLA). And for those who had to invent the wheel, so to speak, their grassroots gathering of community support proved time-intensive but worth the effort. Speaking of her efforts to establish Wiggly Field in the early 1990s, Hawk states plainly, “Everyone wasn’t online to communicate, and information wasn’t available on the Internet. We had to gain community support, which meant a long process of all of us getting involved in the community—which was a good thing. We had to establish a process that could be used by others wanting to establish area DFAs.”   In 2004, Michele Biscoe was a prospective dog adopter in Somerville, MA, in search of places for her pooch to play. To her dismay, she soon found that all parks in the area were closed to dogs—and she was not alone in her frustration. “I was surprised that dog [guardians] were not recognized as a significant group of park users. … After I adopted my dog in April 2004, I started to meet other dog [guardians] who were enjoying the benefits of socializing and exercising their dogs off-leash, albeit illegally, in public open spaces,” says Biscoe. “A group of us began organizing monthly meetings to begin to work together on a strategy for legal options for off-leash recreation. At the same time, Mayor Joe Curtatone and members of the Board of Aldermen convened a Dog Owners Task Force for residents to meet with city officials on solutions to address the recreational needs of people with dogs.”   Civic cooperation between Biscoe’s group and city officials soon yielded tangible off-leash results, with the establishment of two off-leash recreational areas (OLRAs) by 2008. Not stopping there, the group has continued to advocate for further OLRAs amid increasingly scarce public space. A third OLRA is also in the works for canine residents of East Somerville, funded through federal community development block grants, according to Biscoe.   “A committed group of people who live in the neighborhood and are willing to work for safe and legal options for off-leash recreation is critical,” Biscoe continues. “Responsible and engaged local dog [guardians] make the difference between whether the community at large perceives dog [guardians] as good neighbors or as scofflaws and whether the community sees off-leash recreation as something that truly benefits everyone who enjoys open space.”   Echoing Biscoe’s insistence on the importance of forming solid relationships for the long-term flourishing of any dog park, Hawk muses, “I think some of our biggest supporters were non-dog [guardians] who recognized the value of having separate, safe areas for our dogs to socialize, exercise, and recreate, while leaving other green spaces dog-free, to be used for their intentional recreational purposes.”

More than Mainstream
Dog parks unfortunately remain a luxury to many communities, which is exactly why those shopping for luxury real estate in intensely urban environs increasingly find dog parks among the advertised amenities. If you’re in the market for a high-end condo or apartment from Los Angeles to New York to anywhere in between, don’t be surprised to read “dog park” next to “indoor swimming pool” and “sky-high ceilings.” Dog parks are becoming par for the course for modern real estate developments aimed at buyers who expect nothing less than the best—for themselves and their pets. Upscale apartment developments are also employing pet-friendly techniques to make their digs more inviting. Stonebridge Ranch in Chandler, AZ, for instance, proudly features a pet of the month on its “Walk of Fame” as a furry ego-boosting way of highlighting the development’s commitment to its community of four-footed residents. And emblematic of the dog park’s encroachment into some of the most sought-after zip codes around, “a whimsical puppy park that accommodates the needs of canine companions” features as one of the chief amenities of the unspeakably chic Upper East Side apartment complex at 205 E. 59th St. in the heart of Midtown Manhattan.   Airports aren’t lagging far behind dog park fever, either. As of May 13, 2009, the Department of Transportation requires all airlines to provide pet relief areas and escorts for passengers with service animals. But many airports are going the extra mile, furnishing spacious off-leash park areas for service animals and jet-setting dogs alike who are on the go and, yes, who sometimes just have to go. The Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, for instance, boasts a 1,000-foot grassy off-leash play area for canines in transit. Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport likewise accommodates three dog parks, aptly named the Pet Patch, the Paw Pad, and the Bone Yard, all with ample room for Rover to stretch his legs.   The age of the dog park is decidedly here. Tail-wagging patrons of dog parks across the country may not realize they’re reaping the benefits of a revolutionary era. But sometimes play speaks for itself, and a good doggie frolic is worth a thousand words. By and large, dog park advocates wouldn’t have it any other way.


Come visit Best Friends Dog Park in Prairie View.  Day and yearly passes are available. 

Minding Your Pets Manners

Toby and I read the following on the Tails Magazine website.  For more helpful hints contact our trainer here at Best Friends. 

Hitting the streets with Fido is fun - as long as he behaves like a gentleman

By Kim Kavin

Springtime brings many things: big-blossoming wildflowers dotting the countryside, longer days filled with endless sunshine, and, in many places, a collective sigh of relief among both humans and animals suffering from cabin fever. Parks, sidewalks, and trails practically burst with pets and their people looking to reconnect with the great outdoors. Inevitably those people and dogs end up connecting with one another—and not always in a good way.  Incidents of poor dog etiquette can occur more frequently during the springtime months when a glut of people and their pets make a mad dash for the streets and dog parks to partake in the balmy weather. Dogs who normally play well at the park may get overexcited and rowdy, those who used to walk well on leashes may try to pull, and in the worst cases, dogs with anxiety or other issues may have forgotten how to be polite in general, resulting in barking, jumping, and even biting.  Using spring as a time to get back to good etiquette is about far more than being able to sit with your pet at a canine-friendly restaurant. It is about ensuring that your dog is socialized well enough to be a respectful member of society.
“When a dog respects you, he’s not trying to drag you into the street, under a bush, or trying to attack another dog or jump on a person walking across from you,” explains Rose Williams of the Dog Lovers obedience school in Los Angeles. “Obedience itself starts with socialization.”  And obedience continues with practice and training. Highly social dogs, for instance, tend to need constant etiquette reminders. Often, guardians who don’t mind a dog jumping on them—say to offer a kiss—have a hard time getting their dog to stop jumping on other people. These mutts get into trouble even when they, and their people, think they are simply being friendly.  “You have to know what that dog is thinking, what he’s getting ready to do,” Williams says. “The dog is thinking, ‘Here comes a little kid waving his hands in my direction, and I’m going to pounce on him.’ You have to pre-think him. Have him do his sit, stay, down, come over here. Make sure they’re up on their commands. You stop all that energy from exuding, and you don’t have to tell people you’re sorry all the time.”  Etiquette challenges become more difficult, and occasionally even dangerous, with dogs who are poorly socialized in the first place. If a dog isn’t routinely being placed in situations where she has to learn good socialization skills by the time she is about 3 months old, she may have etiquette problems for the rest of her life, says Diana Coles of Teacher’s Pet in Eatontown, NJ.  Even worse, some dogs will fail to succeed etiquette-wise no matter what their guardian does, Coles says. Some dogs simply prefer to be left alone. “Bringing the dog out and trying to socialize [her] is not necessarily going to change genetic makeup,” she says of antisocial dogs. “You have to have different expectations for different dogs.”  Knowing what situations your dog is capable of handling can be just as important as having a perfectly trained dog, both trainers say. If you know, for instance, that you have a highly social dog who likes to wrestle with other dogs at an off-leash park, then consider keeping your dog away from herding breeds, who typically don’t enjoy that style of play. That’s good etiquette on your part as much as your dog’s. You are both respecting the other people and dogs around you.  By the same token, if you have a dog who has never gotten along with other people or dogs, then consider walking him in the backyard instead of taking him out in public, where he is likely to fail—and where an unwanted biting incident could lead to calls for stricter regulations and subject him to leash laws, which affect even the most etiquette-perfect dogs. If you’re without a yard, pounding the pavement for an early morning walk around the block could be your only resort. But if you’ve got a biter on your hands, even this could be problematic.  “You can’t trust a dog like that, even on a leash,” Williams says. “If he is 6 or 7 and has never been socialized, that’s like putting a man out there who’s 50 or 60. It’s hard to teach them new tricks. Even if he’s a friendly dog, he’s going to pounce.”

The Newest Pet In Town

I have seen my fair share of interesting family companions while working here at Best Friends. From our Pot Bellied Pig friend who got daily nature walks, to our monkey who got a playtime. Then there was the sugar gliders, chinchillas, rats, (yes, they are family too), and the tarantula named Vicki who is currently boarding in my office. Everything/everyone deserves to be loved by someone!

Check out this latest article I read in a recent edition to Chicagoland Tails Magazine. There goes the neighborhood dog park! LOL...


Pygmy goats the latest pet craze

By By Sarah Hyde
Chicagoans are getting creative with their companion animals. Dogs and cats are out, and pygmy goats are in. Not only are pygmies pretty darn cute, but ranging from only 17 to 23 inches, they fit the ideal size for a household pet. The tiny goats are also valued for their milk, intelligence, and good-tempered personality.
According to the National Pygmy Goat Association’s website, “The pygmy goat is an asset in a wide variety of settings and can adapt to virtually all climates.”
Pygmies sell for $100 to $300. Keeping a goat as a pet is legal in Chicago if the guardian doesn't sell the animal’s milk or cheese.
Although pygmies do make suitable companion animals, they require more resources than the average dog or cat. They need ample space to roam, prefer to live in a herd, and must have a specialized veterinarian.
While many are excited about pygmies being the new “it” pet, others are skeptical. They are concerned that pygmies will become a fad animal whose allure will wear off and eventually overpopulate shelters.

Chicagoland Tails Top Ten Reasons To Adopt

I found this in a recent publication of Chicagoland Tails Magazine. I thought I would share.

TOP 10 REASONS TO ADOPT
1. Rescued Lives

Many people assume animals end up in shelters as the result of abuse or bad behavior, although most often people give up pets for personal reasons. No matter the cause, adopting an animal saves a life and gives new purpose to the guardian’s life too.

2. Healthy Guardians

Pets provide unconditional love and—as research shows—can be psychologically, emotionally, and physically beneficial to their guardians as well. They provide a sense of fulfillment and can lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

3. Community Camaraderie

Shelters provide a community of veterinarians, volunteers, and other adopters ready to share their experience and knowledge. Shelters often organize events for pets and their guardians that provide socialization and a sense of community.

4. Endless Options

Some people avoid shelters because they want a purebred pet and think that shelters can’t meet this need. But shelters host both purebreds and mixed breeds. There are also many breed rescues.

5. Perfect Match

Because shelters often screen animals for particular behavioral issues and temperaments, they can match potential guardians with the ideal pet for their lifestyle, especially among pets coming from foster homes.

6. Good Example

Rescuing a pet sets a solid moral example for everyone in the guardian’s life—from children to friends to neighbors—regarding the value of saving an animal’s life.

7. Healthy Pets

Shelters like to keep their animals happy and healthy (making them the best possible candidates for adoption), so shelter animals undergo extensive health screenings and often receive vaccinations and treatment for any medical issues.

8. Test Drive

Some shelters, like the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), offer fostering programs. This enables potential guardians to interact with the animal and decide if pet guardianship fits their lifestyle.

9. Save Money

Shelters charge far less for pets than pet stores and other resources. Typically, shelters also spay or neuter and vaccinate, which adds even more worth to an already valuable deal.

10. Shelter Support

Instead of putting profit above animal welfare, shelters dedicate themselves to finding the perfect homes and guardians for pets in need.

Champion For The Animals

Do you know someone in your community that has gone above and beyond to help the animals? Chicagoland Tails Magazine is asking for your contributions. The winner will be posted in their spring publication.