Welcome to Best Friends!

Friday, February 26, 2010

Grooming star of the day!

Hi my name is Bailey!
Mommy brought me in to get pretty so I may look good for my fellow friends in daycamp

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Kids Care For Pets Left Behind By Deployed Troops - Cincinnati News Story - WLWT Cincinnati

Kids Care For Pets Left Behind By Deployed Troops - Cincinnati News Story - WLWT Cincinnati

Some local students are helping troops stationed overseas by caring for their pets.
The program started when first grade teacher Stacie Kegley, of Stephens Elementary School in Boone County, introduced a lesson on making a difference.
"We talked about how large groups of people make a difference in the world every day, but that each of us can make a difference," Kegley said.
The students help care for dogs left behind at Sundance Pet Resort by deployed troops.
"Even if you're a first-grader, you can make a difference," said Deanna Scott, who owns Sundance Pet Resort.
That's what student Austin Duncin learned through his work with the dogs.
"We go like anywhere and buy food treats, toys and a whole bunch of other stuff," the first-grader said.

Copyright 2010 by WLWT.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

'Giant George' the Great Dane is Newly Crowned World's Tallest Dog

Great post on Paw Nation!

The world has a new tallest dog! At four years old, George the Great Dane stands 43 inches high from paw to shoulder, which is the method Guinness World Records uses to determine a dog's official height. The announcement settles a hotly-contested debate that had been brewing since last November when Guinness proclaimed Titan, a Great Dane from San Diego, Calif. who measures 42.25 inches high at the shoulders, the World's Tallest Dog. George's owner, David Nasser of Tucson, Ariz., claimed that his Great Dane was taller, but there were conflicting reports about the dog's actual height. To settle the controversy, Guinness sent a representative to preside over an in-person measurement. The outcome? George had edged out Titan by three-quarters of an inch. (Prior to Titan and George, the previous holder of the World's Tallest Dog title was Gibson, a Great Dane who passed away in 2009.) At 43 inches tall, "Giant George," as Nasser likes to call him, is the tallest dog ever recorded by Guinness World Records. He's already appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and has over 21,000 fans from all over the world on his Facebook page. "It's been amazing," says Nasser. "Fans have written in from the United Kingdom, Germany, Korea and South America."The sable-colored Great Dane weighs a whopping 245 pounds and measures seven feet and three inches from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail -- though he doesn't raise up on his hind legs, he's too big for that. "When George is standing on all fours and lifts his head, the tip of his snout measures 55 inches, or more, off the ground," Nasser tells Paw Nation. "You have to be careful. Nothing is off-limits to him."As a puppy, George had huge paws and already weighed 17 pounds at seven weeks of age. "He looked like a thick fur ball. He was so pudgy and cute," says Nasser. George quickly outgrew his crate. He used to sleep in a king-sized bed with Nasser and his wife, until the arrival of the couple's infant daughter. The massive dog now sleeps on a queen-sized mattress at the foot of the couple's bed."We had no idea he would get this big," says Nasser. "He weighs 100 pounds more than the regular Great Dane." Not surprisingly, George has a fondness for food. "The first thing he does when he wakes up is eat; it's the first thing on his mind," says Nasser. "Then he goes outside to use the bathroom." George goes through 110 pounds of dry dog food each month, but "that's actually not that much," says Nasser. Like many of us, George is forced to watch his weight. "He used to eat a lot more, but he's on a diet right now because he's getting a little heavy," says Nasser. "At 245 pounds, it would be better if we could take about 10 pounds off him."
For most of the day, George naps and keeps an eye on the house. "He's a good watchdog," says Nasser. But come evening, George gets a burst of energy and needs to be walked or taken to the dog park.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Tiny clothes for tiny dogs

    
"Designs for Dinky Dogs" 
Specializing in couture fashions and accessories for the little dogs. Offering a wide
selection of dresses, tanks, coats, sweaters, hats, pajamas, robes, shoes & sunglasses.
Rhinestone collars, harnesses and hair bows. Beautiful carriers, front carriers & pet strollers.
Also offering original custom clothing designs for your pampered pooch.
Accepting most major credit cards.
Discover the difference with Designs for Dinky Dogs.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Electronic greeting cards

http://petphotofun.com/

So while surfing the web I came across this link that has a cute idea for the animal lovers out there. Does somebody you know have a birthday coming up or maybe they just lost their pet?  Well,why not send them an electronic card starring their best friend to cheer them up!

3-legged dog wins 1st place in NYC shelter contest




AP – In this photo released by the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), 'Prince,' … Sat Feb 13, 7:42 am ET

NEW YORK – A three-legged pitbull mix that played in a game of doggie baseball has won "Best in Show" at a talent competition held by one of New York City's largest animal shelters.
Nine dogs competed in Friday's contest at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. But it was Prince who impressed the judging panel the most with his feat of catching three baseballs.
The nearly 2-year-old dog lost one of his legs and had a pin inserted in another after being struck by a car.
The ASPCA's senior vice president of the adoption center says Prince's disability doesn't hold him back.
Gail Buchwald says he "struts his stuff like a winner."

Ohio's Bald Eagles Begin Incubating Eggs

bald eagle (Win McNamee/Staff, 2010 Getty Images) OAK HARBOR, OH - Ohio's bald eagle nesting season is underway with at least two eagle pairs already incubating eggs, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife.
An eagle pair in Huron County began sitting on eggs February 1. Another pair in Ashtabula County began incubation on February 5. Wildlife biologists anticipate the Huron County eggs will hatch sometime on or around March 7.
During the recently completed aerial mid-winter survey of bald eagles, biologists observed 121 birds throughout the state. Eagles are continuing to expand their range around the state, establishing nesting territories in central and southern Ohio.
"Thanks to good management and the support of Ohioans who purchased bald eagle license plates and contributed to the Wildlife Diversity and Endangered Species tax check-off, these majestic birds are once again thriving in our state," said David M. Graham, chief of the Division of Wildlife.
Ohio's bald eagle population grew from only four nesting pairs along the southwestern Lake Erie shore 31 years ago, to a record 215 eagle nests in 2009. In 2009, 197 eaglets were produced from 113 nests.
The Division of Wildlife staff and a dedicated group of trained volunteers monitor existing nests during the season and continue to look for nests that may as yet be undiscovered.

Anyone who observes eagles building a new nest should contact the county wildlife officer, a wildlife district office, 1-800-WILDLIFE or wildohio.com. Individuals are reminded that state and federal laws protect bald eagles and their nest sites. Any type of disturbance around a nest could cause the birds to abandon the site or discourage them from using the nest in the future.

Bald eagles range over great distances until mature enough to breed at 3 to 4 years of age. They usually return to nest within 100 miles of where they were raised. Although eagles generally keep the same mate, if one of the pair should die the other will find another mate. An eagle's life span in the wild is about 15 to 20 years.
Bald eagles build huge nests in the tops of tall trees near water, often reusing the nest year after year. Nests may reach 10 feet in diameter and weigh as much as 2,000 pounds. Eagles lay two to three eggs once a year. The eggs hatch in about 35 days.
The young will fly within three months, but remain under the care of the adults for another seven to 10 weeks. Immature eagles are mottled brown in color and do not acquire their signature white head and tail feathers until age 5 or 6.
The Division of Wildlife initiated the state's bald eagle restoration program in 1979. The program is partially funded by donations to the state income tax check-off for Wildlife Diversity and Endangered Species. Contributions to the fund can be made by checking line 25Con the 1040 or line 18C on the1040 EZ 2009 state income tax forms. Donations can also be made via the Internet at www.wildohio.com.
The program is also funded by the sale of Ohio conservation license plates, including the bald eagle and cardinal plates. The license plates can be purchased through a deputy registrar license outlet, on the Internet at OPLATES.com, or by calling the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles at 1-888-PLATES3.
The Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.

Cincinnati Zoo Rhino Soon To Be A Dad

Cincinnati Zoo Rhino Soon To Be A Dad    

Andalas “Andalas,” the Cincinnati Zoo’s first Sumatran rhino calf has produced the first Sumatran rhino pregnancy in Southeast Asia for the global captive breeding program.
Andalas and his mate, “Ratu”, both eight-years-old, are expecting a calf in May of 2011. Both are living at the Sumatran Rhine Sanctuary in Indonesia
Andalas was borng in 2001, the first Sumatran rhino born in captivity in 112 years. Ratu, a native Indonesian, wandered into a village just outside the Way Kambas Park and was brought to the Sanctuary to keep her safe. The two rhinos will remain at the 250-acre complex built and supported by the International Rhino Foundation.
Considered the most endangered of all rhino species and perhaps the most endangered mammal species on earth, it is estimated that 50 percent of the Sumatran rhino population has been lost in the past 15 years. The primary cause is conversion of rhino habitat for agriculture, even in some national parks, and poaching for its horn which some Asian cultures believe contains medicinal properties.

Today, there are only 10 Sumatran rhinos living in captivity worldwide and fewer than 200 animals exist in isolated pockets of Sabah, Malaysia and the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. Sumatran rhinos can live 35-40 years.

Channel 12 news Cincinnati

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Twitter for dogs


Twitter for Dogs Who Can’t Type

Maria Goodavage
52121814You think your tweets are trivial? Just wait ’til your dog can start using Twitter on his own. “Sleeping on couch.” “Scratching my ear.” “Barking at moth.” “Licking my tail.” “Yawning.” “Sleeping again.”
“Ha ha ha,” you may say. “Dogs can’t tweet on their own. They don’t opposable thumbs. In fact, they can’t even type!”
Newsflash! Thanks to a device soon to be released by Mattel, dogs won’t need typing skills to keep their Twitter followers up to date with their every single move. All they’ll need for their litany of Twittany is Puppy Tweets.
Puppy Tweets employs a plastic collar tag that’s a sound and motion sensor. If a dog barks, growls, or moves, the noise and movement generate one of 500 canned tweets. With the accompanying USB receiver and special software installed on  your computer, the tweet automatically posts to your dog’s Twitter page.
According to the Los Angeles Times:
A round of woofing could lead to a tweet of “I bark because I miss you. There, I said it. Now hurry home.” A frenzied run through the backyard might garner “I finally caught that tail I’ve been chasing, and . . . OOUUUCHH!”
Sounds kind of corny. And accuracy is thrown to the wind. If your dog lazes his way from one end of the living to the other to go nap on the sofa, he could emit a tweet about chasing squirrels.
But still, it’s a fun toy if you want your dog’s “voice” to be heard on the internet. And it’s a nice way to keep track of what your dog is up to while you’re at work — even he’s not really up to it.


A must-have shirt for the serious canine Twitter fan. Click on the picture to get details.
A must-have shirt for the serious canine Twitter fan. Click on the picture to get details.

Puppy Tweets will retail for $29.99. It’s slated to hit the market this fall, but Mattel officials are giving a sneak peek to industry insiders today in New York.
Also adding to the canine Twitter craze is an upcoming iPhone application from Japan. It’s based on the Bowlingual dog emotion translator, reports PC World. When a dog barks, it’s classified into one of six emotions. From there, it gets “translated” to one of many fixed phrases. The app will even take a photo of your dog. The phrase and photo automatically go from the iPhone to Twitter. All this for only $4.99!
And in case your dog is hankering to know what about other hip canines who tweet, he should check outDogs Who Twitter. It’s a growing database of canines who like to let the world know what’s up, one tweet at a time.

Courtesy of dogster.com

White blanket of FUN!



Cincinnati in the last 2 weeks has gotten a total of about 12" of snow with a level 2 snow emergency. So in order to show you how we are handling the snow the following pictures represent our FUN!







Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Adopt an animal

The Shelter Pet Project is the coolest network I have seen in a long while. It is an interactive site for adults and kids. For the adults it is nice because you can go on the site and list your zip code then it will give you a list of animal shelters and pet rescues in your area. They also have direct links that allow you to go directly to that rescues website. For the kids they have a really neat video collection to explain the reasons that pets get put up for adoption, and what you can do to help. They also have a neat section called The Adopt A Gram. I and Toby personally thought this was rather cool! You can send someone a virtual pet with a message. The Shelter Pet Project is a joint venture between The Humane Society of The United States,
The Ad Council, and Maddies Fund. The next time you are looking to find another best friend I would recommend this site.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Valentines Day camp pawty

Basic Manners Graduates

                                                                                  Lydia with Benson
Mary with Geneva











                                      


                                 
                                                           

Friday, February 5, 2010

DOGGY DAYCCAMP VALENTINES PARTY

Come pawty with us on Feb.12, 2010 at Best Friends Petcare doggie daycamp.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

February is pet dental month

Schedule a toothbrushing with Best Friends Petcare today!


Signs of Dog Dental
Disease                                                                        

Bad breath
Discolored or loose teeth
Dog uncomfortable with owner touching its mouth
Dropping food or drooling
Bleeding mouth
Loss of weight or appetite

These are all signs of dog dental disease.Why Dog Dental Care?


According to the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC), the most common disease in dogs is periodontal disease (gum disease). Just as with people, it is an infection created by a buildup of soft dental plaque around the gums and on teeth surfaces. If the plaque (which comes from food particles, bacteria and debris) accumulates, it can lead to infection in the bone surrounding the teeth. In fact, this is so common the AVMA reports more than 85 percent of dogs at least 4 years old have periodontal disease.
Bad breath is the most common sign of gum disease. Additionally, a dog can be in pain from irritated gums, which can lead to appetite loss. The key to beating gum disease is prevention.
“As bacteria grow inside the mouth, the plaque turns to tartar. If not treated, plaque and tartar buildup can result in gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums,” says Candice Veloce, junior vice president of CanCor Innovations Inc., an Orono, Ontario, Canada-based company that created a dog-dental chew toy.
“An even worse situation would result in periodontal disease,” she says. “Other severe infections can affect a dog’s heart, liver or kidneys.”

Copyright © 2010 BowTie, Inc. All rights reserved.
http://www.petproductnews.com/pet-health-news/gearing-up-for-pet-dental-month.aspx

Pet Food Pantry opening in Cincinnati needs donations

Pet Food Pantry To Open in Cincinnati            

Last Update: 2/03 12:17 pm


Pet Food (Getty Images) Two Cincinnati-area pet rescue groups are combining to open a pet food pantry. Recycled Doggies, a 501(c)(3) non-profit Cincinnati Dog Rescue, and the Pet Alliance are opening the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry to help owners who are currently unable to afford food for their pets.

The organizers say they noticed, in their work rescuing animals, that many dogs and cats are given up or put down because their owners can't afford to feed them. So they decided to step in and help.
Dog and cat food as well as a limited supply of cat litter will be available at the new center, located at Queen City Self-Storage, 4775 Red Bank Expressway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45227 (located behind the Red Bank Emergency Vet Clinic just off I-71 at the Red Bank exit).

Distribution days will be as announced to the public, depending on availability of donations, beginning on March 6th. Organizers are hoping for donations from individuals and businesses. The center will conduct pet food drives each Saturday this month to gather supplies and haas already gotten a large donation of treats and supplies from Hartz.

Patrons of the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry can also receive low-cost spay/neuter services through the Pet Alliance program Spay Ohio and affordable microchipping from MicroChip USA during the month of February, thanks to a donation.

People wanting to help should gather food and other items among their friends and co-workers and donate them on one of the four dates:

- Saturday, February 6
- Saturday, February 13
- Sunday, February 21
- Saturday, February 27

Financial donations, which are tax-deductible, should be mailed to:

Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry
2319 Madison Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45212

Anyone interested in volunteering at the pantry should e-mail cincinnatipetfoodpantry@gmail.com or call (513)275-5842.



Copyright 2010 The E.W. Scripps Co. All rights reserved
http://www.wcpo.com/news/local/story/Cincinnati-To-Open-Pet-Food-Pantry/mdSJoVF36EiafwklGvnZHA.cspx?rss=703

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Reindeer gets a new leg on life

What would santa do if he didn't have his reindeer?

A 1 yr old  reindeer named Holiday lost his leg due to infection around Christmas. His owners couldn't bare to think of putting him down so they asked Kathy Simmons from Clark Orthotic and Prosthetic Services who makes prosthetic limbs for humans, but has never made one for a 300-pound reindeer and she was honored!

http://www.myfox28columbus.com/shared/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wsyx_vid_2434.shtml

The groundhog saw his shadow:6 more weeks of snow!