It's Not Too Late To Book Your Christmas Rooms!!

We still have a handful of rooms available for Christmas and New Year's so don't forget to call and book your stay.  If you're a first time client, you'll even receive your first night free!

We're Booking Up Fast For Thanksgiving!!

Don't forget to make your reservations for your furry friend for Thanksgiving!  We have just a few rooms still available so call us soon!  We also have a yummy turkey dinner planned so even the dogs get to eat good on Thanksgiving!

Bet I Can Catch The Ball First!

Rex and Belle never get tired of playing fetch.  Looks like Rex won this round but Belle is certainly ready to catch the next one!

Check out all my tricks!

Bella is enjoying showing off her tricks to us during her playtime.  It also helps that we usually carry a pocket full of treats so we can spoil them too!

Let's Play Ball!

Fitz could play ball all afternoon if you let him!  He's having a blast catching as many tennis balls as you can throw!

Puppy Fun

At only 6 months old, Leo has a lot of energy.  The play yard is his favorite place to run around and play so he's all worn out at nap time.

I Could Use A Drink!!

Drego and Indy can't get enough water out in this heat.  Its just one way they're trying to stay hydrated enough to run around and chase each other in the yard.

Staying cool in the pool

Ginger knows how to beat the heat!  She's taking a break from playing with her friends to take a dip in the pool.

Best Friends Pet Care Dog Training Meetup Group

Join us for our Meetup group this Saturday July 31st at 10:00am.

Professional dog trainer Shawn Murace will help answer any training questions you have about your furry canine friends.

It's playtime!!

Charlie is ready to get some energy out in the play yard despite the sock he ate last week!  Labradoodle's are always up for a good time!

Run, Fetch, Play!!

Camie loves playing fetch out in the play yard!  She's a regular here and never misses an opportunity to catch a tennis ball. 

Fun in the Sun

Walker and Turbo are having a blast chasing each other out in the play yard.  They have their own vacation when mom and dad are out of town!

Hot Weather Safety Tips for your Furry Friends

1.  Make sure your pet has plenty of shade to get out of the sun or try to keep them indoors in air-  
     conditioning.
2.  Know the symptoms of over heating such as excessive panting, increased heart rate, drooling, mild
     weakness or even collapse.  They can also include seizures, diarrhea, vomit and elevated temperatures
     over 104 degress.
3.  Never leave your dog alone in a parked car, even with the windows open.  It is also illegal to leave pets in
     unattended cars in extreme weather in several states.
4.  Do not leave pets unsupervised around a pool or water.  Not all dogs are good swimmers.  Make sure to
     rinse the chlorine or salt off of their fur after a swim as well.
5.  Consider getting a light-weight summer haircut for your furry friend.  Try to leave a one inch length so it
     still has protection from the sun.
6.  Don't let your dog linger on hot asphalt.  The extreme temperature can burn sensitive paw pads.
7.  Most importantly, make sure your dog has fresh, clean water at all times.

Rooms still available for Fourth of July!

If you haven't made your travel plans yet, we still have rooms available for your furry pooch for the Fourth of July.  Call us today at (919) 596-0235  because we're booking up fast!

Join us for Dog Days of June on Saturday June 5th

Come out and join us for Cary's Dog Days of June event on Saturday June 5th from 9am to 2pm.  The event will be held at Bond Park in Cary. There will be lots of fun events including Skyhoundz K-9 Flying Disc Competition, Rabies and Micro-chipping, Greyhound Racing, and K-9 Good Citizen Testing.  Bring your dog and have some fun!

Dog of the Week

My name is Henry and I'm having a blast playing with all my buddies in the play yard at Best Friends!  I'd love to make even more friends too.  Remember when you're boarding here for the first time, your first night is free!

Best Friends Donates Fur for the Oil Spill!

A non profit organizaqtion called Matter of Trust is collecting donations of clean hair and fur of all kinds to clean up the oil in the ocean.  Hair is hydrophobic which means it repels water, it is also great for absorbing oil (greasy hair means that hair collects oil).  So Matter of Trust has volunteers making devices called hair mats and hair booms out of recycled hair and nylons - which are then placed in the water to soak up the oil.

Schedule your dog for a grooming today.  Best Friends Pet Care will be donating all hair clippings to Matter of Trust to assist in the Oil Spill clean up.  Give us a call at 919-596-0235 and start saving the world!

Here is a video that was posted on youtube.com explaining what Matter of Trust is doing and how it works!!

Join us for our Meetup Group on Saturday May 15th at 1:00pm

Due to a break in Shawn's competition schedule, we are offering a training session with national K9 competitor Shawn Murace. Spend some time socializing with your dogs in a safe setting. You'll learn the mechanics of how and why dogs do what they do. Some of the discussions cover topics such as:




Socializing

House Training

Crate Training

Problem Solving

Obedience (pet and competition)

Handling Nervous or Aggressive Dogs

Behavioral Modification and much more!!



The session lasts around two hours and fill up fast. We look forward to seeing you!!

RSVP now at http://www.meetup.com/ .

Foods Toxic to Dogs

1. Onions- contains Thiosulphate
2. Chocolate- contains Theobromine
3. Grapes- contains unknown toxic substance
4. Raisins
5. Fruit pits and Seeds- contain Cyanogenic Glycosides
6. Macademia Nuts- contains unknown toxic substance
7. Potato Peelings/ Green Potatoes- contains Oxalates
8. Broccoli- only in large quantities
9. Yeast Dough- can produce gas and swelling of the digestive system
10. Coffee, Grounds, Tea, Soft Drinks- caffeine
11. Alcohol
12. Human Vitamins- can cause kidney and liver damage
13. Spoiled Food
14. Persimmons- can cause blockage
15. Raw Eggs/ Fish- salmonella
16. Salt, Baking Soda, Baking Powder- in large amounts
17. Mushrooms- can cause liver and kidney damage
18. Sugar Free Foods
19. Nutmeg
20. Avocado

Join us at the APS Walk for the Animals

Come join us for the 2010 Animal Protection Society's Walk for the Animals, which will be on May 22nd.  The walk will be held on Duke University's East Campus and will be from 9am - 1pm.  It will begin at the Gazebo and will continue 1 1/2 miles around Duke's campus.  Pledges will help the Animal Protection Society of Durham care for the needs of many animals in their shelter.

Best Friends Associate earns Another K9 Title

On April 8, 2010 Chloe from Best Friends Raleigh won her BH (begleithund) at the OG Carolina German Shepherd Clubs Spring Schutzhund trial with her dog Kiki. To attain a "BH" the dog and handler are evaluated as a team. The exercises for part 1 are as follows:

• Heeling on Leash
• Heeling off Leash (gunshots are also fired during this portion)
• Sit
• Down With Recall
• Long Down

The exercises for part 2 are as follows

• Ability to Perform in Traffic
• Behavior of the Dog Under Extreme Traffic Conditions
• Behavior of the Dog Left Alone During Traffic Conditions

Chloe and Kiki both passed under Judge Rudiger Mai. Congratulations to them both!!!

Best Friends dog trainer Shawn Murace also came in 5th place during the confirmation portion of the show with Enschi Vom Globalhaus Sch1, KKL1. He placed in the category "Working Title Female".

Off Leash Dog Parks in Raleigh

Dog parks are a great place to bring your dogs out to play and socialize with other dogs.  There are several great off leash dog parks located throughout Raleigh.  Remember when bringing your dog out, its important to be a responsible dog owner and clean up after your pet.  It is also imperative that you keep your dog up to date with its vaccinations.

Millbrook Exchange Park is Raleigh's oldest dog park. Its located at 1905 Spring Forest Rd and is the only dog park with lights.  It is open from sunrise until 10 pm. It also features a water spigot and buckets so you can provide your dog with water. 

Oakwood Dog Park is located at 910 Brookside Dr. In addition to its main dog park, it also has a small dog park for older or more anxious dogs. It is open every day from sunrise to sunset.

Carolina Pines is located at the Carolina Pines Community Center at 2305 Lake Wheeler Rd.  It contains three separate fenced in areas all covered in a layer of mulch.  It is also open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset.

With the spring weather upon us, grab your dog and head out to the nearest dog park!

Join Us at Raleigh SPCA K-9 3-K

When: Saturday, April 17, 2010




Event starts at 10:00am;

WALK at 11:00am;

Stay for the fun until 2:00pm



Where: Moore Square, downtown Raleigh across from City Market
 
Day of Schedule of Events


Saturday, April 17, 2010 (Rain or Shine)



9:00 AM - 10:45 AM

Day of Registration (pre-registration is highly encouraged)



10:00 AM FESTIVITIES START

Get your dog Microchipped for $25! or try your dog’s luck at the “Steak Walk”, our version of a Cake Walk. Visit the SPCA Pet Pals Club and purchase a refreshing treat for your four-legged friend. Check out our vendors and sponsors! Register your dog for a post walk contest at the Main Stage.



11:00 AM 3K WALK

through downtown Raleigh

Walk Route: Details Coming Soon



11:15 AM 1/2 K SENIOR WALK

Walk counterclockwise around Moore Square Park, starts on the West side of the park across from Tir Na Nog.



12:00 PM DOG CONTESTS START @ MAIN STAGE

12:00 Most Vocal

12:05 Dog & Owner Look-a-like

12:10 Best Kiss

12:15 Best Costume

12:20 Best Trick

12:25 Donated Prize Giveaways



12:30 Musical performance by: TBD

Stay for lunch or a snack from a food vendor in the park



2:00-5:00 PM BARK BEFORE DARK After Parties

The party continues at dog-friendly downtown venues: COMING SOON!



Where can I park?

Most downtown City of Raleigh parking decks are free on weekends.



Wilmington St. Station Deck (Entrance off Blount Street, just north of Hargett (across from Exploris / Marbles) Moore Square Parking Deck (Entrance off Wilmington Street between Martin and Hargett)

Enjoying Kitty City

Willie and Monroe are having fun playing with each other in Kitty City.  They are two year old brothers that are Siamese mixes.  After watching all the excitement through the window, they decide to tune in to todays showing of Snow White on video.

Having Fun in the Play Yard

Tuck is a yellow lab doing what labs do best, PLAYING !  At Best Friends Pet Care we have two outdoor play areas where dogs can run and have a good time.  After his playtime, he went back to his suite to take a long well deserved nap.

Best Friends Interview with The Cute Pet Gazette!

During the Edison 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.

2010 Bark Around the Park

Come visit us at the 2010 20th annual Bark Around the Park.  The event is scheduled for Saturday April 17th from 12pm - 4pm at Millbrook Exchange Park on Spring Forest Rd.  Bring your furry friends for an afternoon of fun filled with contests, give-aways, exhibits, sales and games.  There will also be a micro-chip and rabies clinic at discounted rates and adoption opportunities.  For more information contact Nikki Speer, Event Coordinator, at 919-872-4156.

Do you have your 2010 City of Raleigh pet tag yet?

In case you were not aware, the City of Raleigh requires that all dogs and cats over the age of four months have a pet tag.  In order to get a tag, you must provide proof that your pet has a current rabies innoculation.  The cost is inexpensive at $7.00 for spayed/neutered pets and $14 for intact pets.

Most vets in the city can provide you with the City tags.  You can also get more information at http://www.petdata.com/cs/ral/index.htm.

Durham Anti-Tethering Law

As of January 1, 2010, Durham County residents will no longer be allowed to tie up their dogs outside.  If a dog is tied to any type of chain or runner, the owner will face a $50 fine and possible criminal charges.

This ordinance has been enacted to protect the dogs of Durham.  If a dog is left tied outside it could be at risk of accidental choking or entanglement.  If the tie is broken, the dog could run away and be at risk of getting lost, injured or even killed.

In order to continue keeping a dog outside in Durham County, the owner must provide a fence.  If the dog is under 20 lbs it must be a minimum of 100 square feet and 200 square feet for all larger dogs.  There is also the option of having an underground fence installed.  Questions regarding the anti-tethering law can be addressed to the Durham County Animal Control at (919) 560-0630.

Dog Training Meetup February 13th

Best Friends at Shady Grove will once again be hosting a dog training meetup group on Saturday, February 13th. To participate all you have to do is register at http://www.meetup.com/ and RSVP for the event. Space is limited and fills up fast. This is where you and your dog can come train with pro trainer and national competitor Shawn Murace. You can ask questions, socialize and train with your dog in a comfortable setting without the pressure that group classes can have. These training sessions are open to all breeds and problem solve behavioral and obedience problems for pet, working and competition dogs. The meetup group will be held at 11 a.m.

Universal Seiger Championship

Inaugural South East Regional Universal Sieger Championship

April 9-10, 2010. Events will be held in Apex, North Carolina with the Honorable SV Judge Ruediger Mai.

To compete you must have a Sch3 German Shepherd Dog with an a-stamp or passing OFA rating for hips and ED-stamp for elbows

Are AKC registered

Owner is a GSDCA-WDA member in good standing and ready to compete

For more information please contact:
Yulia Matvyeyeva
(770)774-9288
info@vonlotta.com

Dining Out with Your Dog in Raleigh

You may soon be able to take your furry friend out to dinner with you in Wake County, according to the Division of Environmental Health.  Last fall, Wake county health inspectors told Raleigh restaurant owners that pets were no longer allowed in outdoor dining areas.  The exception to this rule is of course service animals and guard dogs that are fenced outside.   However, after hundreds of phone calls, emails, and letters to the Food Protection Branch of Environmental Health, this rule may soon be reversed.  The proposal would allow pets to come to the table at outdoor restaurants as long as they don't do anything that would contaminate people's food.  A hearing will be held on February 16 to discuss the regulation.

COLD WEATHER SAFETY TIPS FOR YOUR DOG

With winter in full effect in most regions, its important to take safety measures for our four-legged furry friends.  Here are a few tips to keep everyone safe, warm and happy.

1.  Never let your dog off leash with snow or ice on the ground because they can lose their scent and easily 
     become lost.

2.  After coming in from the snow, wipe their paws well because they can be covered in salt which may 
     cause paw pads to bleed or chip.  If your dog tolerates it, use doggie booties which protect their paws
     and provides extra traction outside.

3.  Never leave your dog in a car because it can hold the cold air inside and cause the dog to freeze to death.

4.  If your dog begins to shake or shiver excessively, bring him inside to warm shelter immediately.  Dogs can
     also suffer from hypothermia.  You should also prevent your dog from eating too much snow because that
     too can lead to hypothermia.

5.  Small dogs with little or no fur, or puppies, may benefit from a sweater or light jacket.  They do get   
     colder than their furrier friends. 

6.  Make sure your dog has a warm palce to sleep off of the ground and away from drafts.  Indoor shelter is
     best.

7.  If you do notice your dog is acting abnormally or showing any signs of illness, take it to your vet 
     immediately.

Cats of the Week

Meet Lady and Sasha Sekora, our two cats of the week.  Sasha is a four year old Balinese, who loves to play and is fast as lightening.  Lady is her sister and she is a five year old domestic long hair.  Lady enjoys cuddling and watching Disney movies on our tv.  When it's a movie she's seen before, she likes to watch the fish in the 55 gallon tank.  They are both enjoying relaxing in our kitty city.

German Shepherd Travels 9,400 Miles

Best Friends guest Enschi Vom Globalhaus has returned to the States after a year long hiatus in Hassloch Germany. Enschi is a frequent guest at the Best Friends kennels. She was locally bred by Chapel Hill NC breeders Globalhaus German Shepherds and handled by our trainer Shawn Murace.  After competing in regional and national events in the United States with Shawn she was then shipped to Germany to compete internationally. In Germany she also completed her requirements for her Schutzhund (protection dog) title. Now that she's back in the States she will continue training for further Schutzund titles. We're happy she is back with us and look forward to seeing Shawn and Enschi back on the podium.