IndyDog SmartTails Dog Scout Troop #177

Did you know we have a Dog Scout of America troop at the Indianapolis Indiana center? Dog Scouts of America is like the Boy or Girls Scouts only we do it with the dogs. Started in December of 2007 by center Trainer Kristi Rush it has grown to 77 members. With this, the troop has worked on a variety of badges to be earned by the dogs themselves. A few of our troop members have earned several badges already. Once the dogs pass the DSA test, they are qualified Dog Scout members, thus earning their red vest for the patches to be sewn on. Best Friends does not charge a fee to become a Dog Scout member (not for the owners or the pets) but there is a fee to the non-profit Dog Scout organization.

Dog Scouts is a way of meeting other dog lovers, training with and working toward common goals with other owners. We not only teach new and wonderful things to our dogs, but the owners learn to become responsible pet owners as well. If you would like to join or want more information you can call the center (317-841-8182) or look for our Dog Scout 'meetup group' page for information on each months meetings or additional group outings.

Our grand slam finale for the year is a group overnight camping and canoe (or kayak, your preference) with the troop members. This September we went to the Timberline Family Campground in Anderson Indiana. Even though it turned out to be a rainy start, several members braved the gloom. On Saturday the weather cleared and we worked on the different swimming and water badges. A few also earned their canoe or kayak badges.

The meeting for October has been moved to the last Saturday of the month so that we can do our own version of a howl-a-ween spooktacular party. there will be treats, testing, games and of course it wouldn't be complete without a costume 'contest'.

It's not just all for training testing and learning! We know how to have fun and keep our dogs busy in the process! Everyone has a great time so keep our troop in mind the next time you are wondering what you can do to keep Fido busy and out of trouble. Or maybe a way to work with them and get them in better shape. Or just because!

Southside Animal Shelter Invites You to Yappy Hour!

Help Support Homeless Animals in Indianapolis. Buy a ticket to Yappy Hour, November 5th, hosted by Southside Animal Shelter.

Autumn Leaves Doggy Day Camp Party!

Pupperware Party Success

We held our first ever Pupperware Party on Saturday September 19th and I am happy to say it was a howling success! We had a few new people come in, those who had driven by many times but never stopped. We even welcomed many friends that we have known for a long time. All came in to take advantage of our 50% off sale, enjoy some cookies (for puppies and humans alike) and do some shopping. We sold everything from leashes and collars, to toys and treats. Not to bark up our own tree over this one, but we sold several hundred dollars worth of items. I do believe this will become a bi-annual event here now. Several customers were the lucky winners of our door prize drawings too! If you weren't here when we made a draw, we mailed it to you, so watch your mail, it might have been YOU!

As with any first time party, we waited with beef baited breath to see how well it would be received. I have many ideas for our next Pupperware Party to make it even more fun. After all, what's a Pupperware Party without a game or two thrown in? Watch for it come March 2010!

Paws in the Park Event Indianapolis

Join Best Friends Pet Care and many other vendors at the Paws in the Park event on October 10th, 2009.

1550 Broad Ripple Avenue

Saturday, October 10th

11:30am-4:30pm

Bring your pets for a day of family fun! A day filled with live blues music, contests, face painting, interactive shows, educational speakers, pet care demonstrations. Make sure to come hungry for all of your summertime favorites!

Only $5 dollars at the gate, 10 and under free, or bring a bag of pet food for free admission. Supporting local abused, abandoned, and sheltered animals, Paws in the Park will bring together the most active Indianapolis metro area animal organizations and vendors who will be providing adoptions, low cost vaccinations, low cost spay and neuter, and all kinds of pet goodies.

Indiana Cats Adopted by Prison Inmates!

Twenty Nine inmates at the Indiana State Prison are cat owners! These cats were once stray, somehow finding their way into the prison gates. To read more about this curious topic visit the MSNBC website.

The First Night of Boarding is Free!!

Here is great news for all new customers!!! You will recieve a free night when you stay with us for the first time. For questions, to ask about tours, or to make a reservation please call 317-841-8182.

Having Fun Outside at Doggy Day Camp!

Shopping Extravaganza!

WHAT?? BEST FRIENDS IS HAVING A PARTY??!!

That's right, you read it corrctly........

Through the month of September all of our retail (except for the Frontline) is at a 50% off sale! it's the PURR-FECT time to do some much deserved Christmas shopping for your fur-kids!

From leashes and collars, to toys, treats, grooming supplies, bowls and beds we've got it all and more! You won't find better prices on our retail selection for the remainder of 2009. And to set this into a realm of it's own we are hosting a PUPPERWARE PARTY!

That's right, I said a PUPPERWARE party on September 19th. Running from 10 AM to 2 PM we are hosting a party at our Indianapolis store. Bring your kids, (the human form and the furry variety) for some fun and shopping. It's a fun way to enjoy a shopping experience and a great way to get out and about with your pets.

We will be having a door prize drawn every 30 minutes (you just need to fill out a form to enter for that!). We will have treats, drinks and balloons for everyone. Make sure to bring your four legged friend to help pick out their favorite toys or treats.

Bring your kid dressed up in their furry finest and win a special prize! We will have the *Best-Dressed-Friend Parade* at 1 PM, with the winner taking home something very special.

We're all looking forward to the party and hope to see you and your poochie pals there this coming Saturday! (mark your books for the 19th of September!)

Cats and Kittens at Best Friends!

Let's talk a little more about kittens! Why? Because they are so darn cute!!

Best Friends Pet Care works closely with Southside Animal Shelter to help find homes for some of their cats and kittens that are available for adoption.

We house several of Southside's cats and kittens and have helped find homes for about a dozen so far. If you are interested in adopting a new feline friend, stop by our facility to see the adoptable cats. Or check out Southside Animal Shelter's Website for more information.

We even put some of the kittens to work while they are staying with us. This is Sampson answering phones during a busy moment. Obviously he has it backwards, but at least he is trying!

He has mad computer skills and is putting together a powerpoint presentation with the click of a mouse!

He works for peanuts too!!

Heroes are not always Canines!

Every now and then I read a story about how a family dog saved every one from an intruder or burning home etc. Once I even read one about how a stray dog rescued a woman from her crashed vehicle, got her to the road, and stayed with her until help arrived. Kudos to the doggie heroes...BUT this story has a slightly different *tail* to it.

"Tia Dawn Jenkins, a 27 year old disabled woman who lives in Louisville Kentucky, has just such a story to relate with us about her hero cat named Samantha. We'll let Tia tell you the story in her own words.

Tia writes, "I suffer from depression and I have a medical condition that has left me with no side vision. This means I can only see the big "E" at the top of the eye chart. I also have seizures. They are complicated by the fact that if I were to be hit on my head, it would be fatal, because I have had four brains surgeries.

"I was living in a studio apartment when one of my neighbors brought me this black cat he had, named Samantha. He told me that if I did not take her he would feed her a pit bull dog. He was angry because Samantha had bitten him. I couldn't let him do such a cruel thing to the cat. So I agreed to take Samantha and find a new home for her.

"At tat time I was pending Social Security insurance, so I did not have any money to take care of the cat. My boyfriend, Jason, said that he would buy anything I needed, if I wanted her. I said I would have to think about that."

"I decided to keep Samantha for myself when I noticed that she brought me out of me depressed moods. She would make me laugh by playing fetch with me. I started to train her to bring items that I could not find due to my loss of sight and other disabilities. I trained her to alert me to people and dangers. Samantha also learned how to get help for me, if I went into seizures."

"Jason and I moved into a two bedroom apartment. It had a faulty stove that the landlord kept putting off fixing. On January 20, 2004, I was at the computer in the living room. Jason called home from work and said that he could hear a clicking sound."

"I went into the kitchen and checked for the noise, but nothing was on. I went back to the kitchen about 5 minutes later. That's when I heard Samantha, standing at the kitchen door, making the sickest sounding meow."

"With what little sight I have, I saw a reflection of flames on the kitchen wall. A fire on the stove had caused the George Forman Grill to burst into flames."

"I reached down the side of the wall and hit the fire with the fire extinguisher. At that point I could not see anything. I didn't know that smoke was going up the stove hood. And now it was filling the apartment fast."

"I dialed 911 and told them I had a fire. I was confused about how to get out. All I knew was that I wouldn't leave without Samantha or Shelly (my turtle and Samantha's friend). Then I heard Samantha over against the other wall. I managed to get to the pet taxi by following the sound Samantha was making. But she was not there!"

"Then I heard Samantha clawing at the aquarium's glass. This is where her friend, Shelly, lived. Again, following the sounds Samantha made, I crawled over, lifting the top off the aquarium, and put Shelly in my purse. "

"Now that I knew about the fire, her turtle friend was safe, and I had called for help, Samantha opened the door to her pet taxi. She got inside, ready for me to rush her, Shelly, and myself out of there."

"Just as the fire department arrived, I locked Samantha into the pet taxi, grabbed my purse with Shelly in it, and ran from the apartment."

"Later, the firefighters told me that by the time the smoke detector sounded, the whole kitchen would have gone up in flames. If it had not been for Samantha's warning and bravery, none of us would be here today."

"Ever since Samantha saved my life, I have tried to get my state to recognize her as a service animal. On August 2, 2004 The Epilepsy Foundation of Kentucky paid and sent for Service Animal Registry of America( SARA) and Therapeutic Animal certification for Samantha. this means no one can ever take my angel kitty from me. Samantha will have the protection under the law that she deserves."

"There is not a day that goes by that Samantha is not helping me with my disabilities. Shelly and I both love and are ever grateful to this little angel kitty."

Story written by Allen and Linda Anderson as told to them by Tia Dawn Jenkins.

Heart warming time of the year

Every now and then you come across a story that just reaches right out and hits you between the eyes. As you read this one, please understand there was no pun intended. This story is NO laughing matter. At least this story has a happy ending. hence the heart warming....read on.

Cat shot in head with arrow, survives.
Shelter offering reward for information
leading to an arrest.

"A Monroe County cat is recovering after he was shot in the head with an arrow.
An Animal Management officer rescued four-year old Brownie last week. When officials picked him up from his owners, they found a 13-inch arrow lodged inside of his head.

Investigators believe someone shot the cat on the south side of Bloomington.
The veterinarian who removed the arrow said it entered above his right eye and through the muscles. An x-ray showed the arrow just skimmed his skull.

"It's horribly tragic and a miracle the cat is even alive and has such a great attitude still, through all of that." said Sarah Hayes, CEO of the Monroe County Humane Association.

Hates said stories like Brownies are just one of the many that compel then to work harder to get tougher animal cruelty laws.

Brownie is expected to make a full recovery.

Hayes said their next mission is to find out who caused his injury.

"You cannot, in this society, abuse animals like this and get away," Hayes said.
The Monroe County Humane Association is offering a $500 reward for information leading to an arrest."

Investigators said the person who inured Brownie can be charged with animal cruelty, which is a Class B misdemeanor.

Written By: Daniel Miller
Edited by: Andrew Bonner