Saturday, October 31, 2009

Make over and Pet of the week

MAKE OVER OF THE WEEK

HI! My name is Merty

I am a Bichon Frise. My coat isn't always the easiest to keep looking on the gorgeous side but my Best Friends Groomer, Claire always does such a terrific job. I go home looking like the true prince that I am! Now, a bath might not always be the best part of it all but when Claire is all done grooming me and I get to go greet my family again I always feel SO much better!

And look at me now......wouldn't you agree? I really AM gorgeous!
PET OF THE WEEK

Hi! My name is Gigi
I'm a Miniature Poodle. I may be an older lady but I'm young at heart. Everyone here at Best Friends all love me to pieces. But hey what's not to love? I mean just ask my mommy and daddy. They love me like crazy too! When I first started coming to Best Friends I was a little on the shy side.

Everyone saw that and bestowed on me all the love that I so richly deserve. That brought me
right out of my shell. Now I love it when I come here to stay because I get to see all my wonderful friends. When we walk in the front door my little tail starts wagging like crazy





Howl-a-ween Party with our Dog Scouts

Welcome to the fun! October 31 2009 we held our *annual* Howl-a-ween party for our Dog Scout troop. Our scouts came dressed up in their Howl-a-ween finest. Everything from Princesses to a Dragon, a Pirate and the Ghost of Grandpa Bush


We played games with the scouts. One we played was to see who could grab the most rubber ducks out of the circle in one minute. (without grabbing the *devil ducks*)
Here Saba (the princess) is trying to decide if this game is really up to her High Princess standards. Ozlo (the Dragon) is hiding behind his Princess.
Charlie, all decked out in his pumpkin outfit lays in wait....waiting for the next game, the next treat, the next wrestling match..the next ANYTHING! Charlie is always ready for Scout fun!
Dolce is getting her fortune told by our Clairvoyant Madam!


Halle and Robyn are talking with Sarah Barefoot, who so wonderfully put together opur party this year







Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Meet The Staff

Introducing Caitlin Routh
Caitlin Routh is one of our wonderful Customer Service Reps. She's one of the first faces you'll see smiling at you the moment you walk through the doors of Best Friends. You might be feeling a bit frazzled, but Caitlin isn't. She greets everyone with the warm welcoming smile that has become her trademark.

Caitlin graduated high school in 2001 and went on to attend Ivy Tech school for Hospitality, graduating in 2005. Her one big desire when she *grows up* is to be a professional baker. In the meantime she warms her families hearts (and tummies) with her wonderful creations, while living at home. She has one older sister who still comes by the family home regularly to sample her treats.

Caitlin has one dog, a large Shepherd/Shar Pei mix named Harley. Harley, who is 4 years old now, had a rough start to life, proving his courage in conquering what could have been a deadly fight with Parvo. She has brought Harley into several training classes while at Best Friends, working to prove the Army isn't the only one that can *make you the best that you can be*.

Caitlin has worked for Best Friends Pet Care for nearly two years. Not only is she a Customer Service Rep, but she also is certified as an Animal Care Tech, as a Playtime Associate and as a DayCamp counselor. She's a hard worker willing to help cover all bases, as needed. Caitlin says the best thing about working for Best Friends is *having the chance to meet and to get to know all the new pets that come in to board or groom with us*.
In her spare time Caitlin loves to bake, and an avid reader who enjoys her favorite authors, Debbie McComber and JoAnna Fluke. If she's in the mood to watch a movie you will find her attention riveted to a good romance-comedy. Caitlin prefers to either dine on her mothers *best ever Lasagna* or to go out to her favorite restaurant, Red Lobster.


When you come in to board or to have your pets groomed, or if you just want to come in and check out all the wonderful things that Best Friends Pet Care has to offer, please give a shout out to Caitlin and let her know how much we all appreciate the work she does for us!






















































Winter Pet Care

In this next installment we're going to talk more about Pet Safety and give you some suggestions on winter pet care.

Remember to be very careful with sick or older pets since they are more sensitive to cold weather. For any pet sensitive to the cold due to age, illness, or breed type, take him/her outdoors only to relieve themselves. Puppies don't tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs and may be difficult to house break during the winter. If necessary, train your puppy to the paper inside if he/she appears to be sensitive to the cold. Our trainer at Best Friend's can help you to retrain them to go outside when they get older and the weather warms up again.

Even brief exposure to sub-zero temperatures can lead to frostbite of the feet nose or ears. Frost bitten skin appears red, gray or whitish and may peel off. Prevent frostbite by removing ice and snow from their paws and fur right away. If you suspect frostbite, take your pet to a warm place and thaw out frostbitten areas slowly by applying warm moist towels. Change them frequently. Continue until the affected areas become flushed. Then contact a veterinarian for further care.
Brush your dog vigorously and regularly. The air in most houses becomes dry during the colder months, which depletes moisture from the dog skin and fur. Brushing improves skin, coat and circulation. A thick coated dog typically needs grooming in cold weather. The fur can get wet and matted, making it an irritant. Clean fur lofts and holds air in a manner similar to a layering of clothes, thus helping your pet to stay warmer. Try to never shave your dog down in the winter. Leave the coat longer for warmth. When you bathe your dog, completely dry him/her before taking them out for a walk. If you find the grooming is too much of a hassle for you in your home in the winter months please feel free to call and make an appointment with our Best Friend Groomers. They would be more then happy to help keep your pet safe from the winter chill!

Use a fatty acid supplement during the winter, ideally starting several weeks before cold weather sets in to help the skin and coat conditions. If your dog engages in a lot of outdoor activities or is a frequent visitor to our Doggie DayCamp program, increase his/her food supply to help keep the coat thick and healthy. They also burn a lot more food in the precess of staying warm! Keep in mind as well that the dryness in our homes can make animals more susceptible to problems such as dry noses, upper respiratory infections, dandruff, itchy skin, hair texture changes, dry throats and more.

Portable heaters and fireplaces can be deadly hazards for our pets. Use screens for the fireplaces and put portable heaters out of their reach. Do not run a portable heater when you are not there to monitor them. Each year a number of house fires start this way.

To avoid injuries, hypothermia and drowning, don't let your pets venture out onto frozen ponds.
If you see an animal in distress, please call your local humane society right away. It doesn't take long for a companion animal to suffer and fall victim to severe winter weather. Remember that frostbite occurs when the fluids in the tissues freeze, frequently on the tips of the ears, paws, pads or flanks and belly. Hypothermia, which can lead to death occurs when the animals body temperature drops significantly below normal, causing the systems to shut down.



Contributing to this article:
Kyle Raun; University of Minnesota, Veterinary Medicine
University Commons; Naperville Illinois
Partners for Animal Welfare

Howloween Party in DayCamp

Lugnut as the Ghost of *Grandpa Bush*
Don't forget....October 29th is Best Friend's annual Howl-o-ween party in Daycamp! Fun, games, and trick-or-treat bag filled with goodies and a Howl-o-ween picture of your Spooky little fur friends are all included in this once a year special event! Bring them dressed in their Howl-o-ween finest so we can have a costume parade/contest!




Sunday, October 25, 2009

MEET THE STAFF

We're a bit late in putting this out because of *technical issues* (aahhh isn't technology just GRAND!) but better late then never. This week we are introducing one of our fabulous Animal Care Attendants.

Welcome Mike McManigal

Graduating from High School in 2007, Mike began his career working at Best Friends while still in school. He has been a much valued employee of Best Friends for four and a half years. As a Animal Care Attendant he is the one responsible for the *creature comforts* of your beloved fur kids. He makes sure they are fed on time. He also keeps their water bowls topped off with the sparkly clean good stuff and stays on top of keeping their suites spic and span. He's even better then Mr. Clean! Mike also takes your pets out for their play times and other good activities. He really enjoys being around all the pets and lists that as his favorite reason for working here. Of course he has his favorites, but they are way to numerous to list.

In his spare time Mike is an avid computer man. He does enjoy a good movie (he really enjoyed 300) and his favorite TV show, Family Guy. While watching you may find him noshing on his most favorite food, the good old American Cheeseburger!

We all enjoy working with Mike. He's hard working, attentive to every detail and his love of the animals shows in his care and treatment of them. When you come in with your pet, or just to visit give a shout out to this weeks "Best of the Best"- Friends, Mike!!!!


Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Winter Pet Safety continued

In continuing with our Winter Pet Safety Series with Best Friends, this week we're going to talk about caring for your pets in the winter. All the *little things* we don't always think about.......


During deep snows, shovel out a potty spot for your dog, Especially the little ones. You can't expect them to relieve themselves in snow too deep for them to even walk through!

Keep your dogs and cats away from the anti-freeze. In the winter, car owners break out the anti-freeze to ensure that their vehicles will start, Cats and dogs are attracted to the sweet smell and taste of anti-freeze but it is deadly. Even in small amounts. Keep a close eye on your pets while they are outside and never allow them to lick anything off the street or driveway.
An animal poisoned by anti-freeze may appear to be intoxicated, having trouble with balance and co ordination. If you suspect your pet has ingested anti-freeze, don't watch and wait. Take it to the vet or animal hospital immediately. Kidney failure can set in within 24 hours.
Limit exposure to the cold. Dogs and cats build up winter coats over time. If your pet spends most of the time indoors, it may not have had a chance to develop a thicker coat. Let your pet develop tolerance to the cold slowly by limiting outdoor time at the beginning of the season.

Streets and sidewalks can irritate his/her paws. Once the snow begins to fall, city streets and sidewalks are often coated in salt and sand that can irritate their paws. Upon returning home (or letting them back in if you have a fenced yard), wipe the snow and ice off of your dog's feet legs and belly. Little ice cubes can form in sensitive spaces between the toes and toe pads. Remove the ice carefully with your fingers since it may cling to the hairs between the paws. Wiping off your dog will remove any salt, anti-freeze or other harmful chemicals that he or she could ingest when licking the paws.
If your dog lifts its paws and whines during walks or when out in your snow covered yard, they may be uncomfortably cold and may even have snow balls stuck to the pads of their feet.

Consider keeping a container of warm water and cloths by the door for use after walks. It is a good idea to rinse the paws before you wipe them dry because lime rock salt and calcium chloride salt can irritate the foot pads and cause vomiting and diarrhea when licked. Dunking in the water will also dissolve ice and remove mud. Antifreeze can be fatal to your pets! Always act responsibly and put the needs of your pet and the environment ahead of personal convenience. Try to use only Pet Friendly Ice Melt products, instead of traditional rock salt of calcium chloride. Keep the hair trimmed from between the toes and on the pads to help ensure no snow sticks to the bottoms of their feet. If you are unable to do this or uncertain how to safely, please visit our Best Friends groomers. They will be happy to help keep your pets safe this winter with proper grooming.
If possible, keep cats inside during the winter months. Their highly independent nature makes them hard to supervise outside. Cats can be frostbitten on their paws and ears in very cold weather. They may also crawl under the hoods of cars for warmth, a potentially deadly situation.

Most owners who take their dogs for walks do so on a leash (most areas have leash law ordinances anyway). Be especially vigilant on this during snow storms and do not let them off leash. They may want to play, but they can easily lose their scent and become lost in the snow. Make sure your dogs have their ID tags on before you take them out in the snow. Consider a safer play environment while you work. It will also cut down on the amount of frigid walks you need to take with your pet on play days! Best Friends Doggie DayCamp is a perfect way for them to burn off energy, get their play time in and not have to be out in the snow all day.

Notice whether your home has drafty areas and move their beds and dishes away from them. The floor can be very cold, even in a warm home. If your pet has not already invaded your bed, make sure he/she has a bed or cushion to sleep on to protect it from the cold floors.
The easiest way to think about what your pets need for winter safety is, if it would feel bad to you, it probably feels bad to them as well!


Contributing to this article:
Kyle Raun; University of Minnesota, Veterinary Medicine
University Commons; Naperville Illinois
Partners for Animal Welfare







Monday, October 19, 2009

Happy Halloween!!

Click the picture below to see the Jack-O-Lantern masterpiece that our Houston location created! Happy Halloween!

Best Friends

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Meet The Staff

MEET THE STAFF



This week we're jumping from the doggie daycamp program all the way to the other side of the facility and introducing Carolyn Kidd, one of Best Friend's fabulous groomers.


Carolyn Kidd


Carolyn shares her home with her 16 year old daughter Breanna and her 5 months old grandson, Brayden. Besides her human kids, she also has 6 cats that patrol the house on a nightly basis and her 13 year old Standard Poodle who is the true *Grand Patriarch* of the family.
Carolyn has worked as a groomer for 14 years and has spent the last 4 of those years gracing Best Friend's with her many talents. Working here has been a real treat for her. Carolyn says she appreciates the nice facility at Best Friends and enjoys all the wonderful people she works with here. Carolyn likes the fact that she has long term clients who return to Best Friends on a regular basis. It gives her the chance to get to know the owners and their pets so she can best serve them and their needs.



Lugnut Day, ready to enjoy his bath with Carolyn!


When Carolyn isn't at work you will find her at home up to her elbows baking for her family (which I am sure they all appreciate as well!) or buried to her eyebrows in the latest Stephen King or Dean Koontz book. If she's not in the mood to read Carolyn enjoys watching comedies or scary movies. When the opportunity presents itself she also enjoys going out for dinner, letting someone else pamper her for a change. Though her tastes in favorite restaurants will change from time to time, her overall favorite if the Cracker Barrel.


Trixie is waiting for Carolyn to make her magic.


When you come in to get your favorite fur-kid made more beautiful by Carloyn say HI to her and let her know you enjoyed reading all about her on our blog!


Trixie loves it when Carolyn makes her gorgeous again.


Best Friends brings its signature style of personal care and attention to pet grooming. All breeds, long or short-haired, large or small need regular grooming to maintain health and happiness. It's never too soon to start grooming your pet, though usually around 3 months is a good time to start. An early start allows the puppy to become accustomed with standing calmly while being groomed, the feel of the brush and the soothing sensation of a warm, massaging bath.
Call or come in and make an appointment today, A free consultation starts with every visit so you can discuss the personal grooming and styling needs of your pet with our experts.
You will work with the Best Friends grooming associates to create the perfect health and grooming regimen for your pet. We offer the following services in our grooming packages:


* Hypoallergenic shampoo


*Brushing and Combing


*Conditioners*Drying


*Nail check and trim


*Ear cleaning


*Pad and foot trim


*Sanitary trim of rear and underside


*Cologne


We also offer additional services like the Shedicure, tooth brushing, anal gland expression, remoisturizing treatments, or medicated shampoos, nail grinding, and even nail poish to make your little girl a true diva!
You can count on us for the health and happiness of your pet while in our care and you can always expect to find a clean and comfortable facility, state of the art monitoring and environmental systems.
Come and see it all for yourselves. Give us a call today to schedule a tour.

Trixies mom, Sara has this to say when she picked Trixie up from grooming on October 15, 2009. "Carolyn is a great groomer. It's always a pleasure to have her groom Trixie. I know Trixie loves her."




Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Winter Pet Safety


Winter is the one time of the year when keeping our pets safe from the cold is a mandatory thing to do. As the temperatures drop, it's easy to get caught up in the demands of the end of one year and the beginning of another, and forget about the needs of our most important non-human friends, our pets. Our pets face special challenges in the winter, but it's easy to avoid problems with a little consideration and extra preparation. Responsible pet owners need to stay focused on weather changes and react accordingly. If you feel uncomfortable with the outdoor temperatures, then your pet might be feeling that as well. If at all possible, try to keep pets inside as often as possible when Winter weather comes around.

Best Friends Pet Care recognizes the importance of Winter Safety for our pets. Throughout the remainder of October we will be posting Winter Safety Tips to our blog once a week. Stay tuned as all the tips we will be providing are of value to you and your pets!
For our first installment lets talk about our pets being outside in the cold and snow:



Never leave a pet locked in a car during cold weather. Cars can actually act like a refrigerator and hold cold air in, putting your pet at risk. Don't let your dog off his leash in the snow, unless they are in a safely enclosed outdoor area or they are completely trust worthy on staying close to you and coming back when called. Dogs can lose their scent and become lost very quickly when it snows. More dogs get lost in the Winter than any other time of the year. Keep a winter survival kit in your car. Include blankets, towels, water, bowl, first aid kit and a sign that your pet is in the car.
Cats left outside and wild animals sometimes climb onto car engines or beneath cars to seek warmth. Bang on the hood of your car, or honk the horn before starting the engine to warn them away.



Small dogs can be an extra consideration. They have less body mass so they have less protection against harsh winter weather. They are also closer to the ground. More then decoration, dog boots, sweaters and coats are a must have. A raincoat in particular helps protect your dog's skin and coat from pelting rain and snow. A cozy dog sweater raises your pets body temperature. It's important to note that most breeds that we cherish in our mid-west/eastern climates aren't natural to the region, therefore not bred to the Winters we face. Small dogs aren't the only ones in need of extra warmth. Short-haired breeds, dogs who are sick, puppies and older dogs may also need extra protection in the winter weather.
No matter what the temperature is, windchill can threaten a pet's life. A dog or cat is happiest and healthiest when kept indoors. If your dog is an outdoor pet, he/she must be protected by a dry draft-free dog house that is large enough to allow the dog to sit and lie down comfortably, but small enough to hold in his/her body heat. The floor should be raised a few inches off of the ground and covered with cedar shavings or straw. Be sure to use straw and not hay as the seeds from the hay can germinate and grow in your pets house. The house should be turned to face away from the wind, and the doorway should be covered with waterproof burlap or heavy plastic.


Pets who spend a lot of time outdoors need more food in the winter because keeping warm depletes energy. Feeding your pet a higher protein diet can help him/her hold up better in cold temperatures as well. Higher protein food can also help to keep your dogs fur in better shape to protect against cold temperatures. Routinely check your pets water dish to make certain the water is fresh and unfrozen. Use plastic food and water bowls rather then metal: when the temperature is low, your pets tongue can stick and freeze to the metal.
Next week we will talk more about outside pet safety and how to care for their feet and their coats during the winter.



Contributing to this article:
Kyle Raun; University of Minnesota, Veterinary Medicine
University Commons; Naperville Illinois
Partners for Animal Welfare





Saturday, October 10, 2009

Pet and Make Over of the week 10-10-9

Drum roll please...................here are our Pet and Make over of the Week winners for October 10, 2009!!!!!!!!


HI My name is Patrick. I am an American Bulldog, not to be confused with me English *cousin*. (we're not really related) I love to come and play in daycamp. but this is my first over-nighter with my Best Friend's and I have to say, pretty cool dude! I get to play and visit with my friend's and even made a couple of new ones. My bedroom was WAY cool, lots of room for a big boy like me! Cow-a-Bunga dude I LOVE to play outside with my friends! This was a GREAT sleep over!

HI MY name is Sassy. I'm a Shih Tzu, an older lady really but that just puts
a feather in MY cap. I'm a wise lady with a world of love and knowledge in my eyes. This is my first time in to see my new Best Friend Sara. Didn't she do the best job on me? Of course I gave her the perfect *canvas* to work with too, being naturally beautiful to start with. And now I get to go home looking, feeling and smelling just lovely. Spa days are SOOOO good on the soul! You can see my before and after pictures (that's Sara my groomer...say Hi Sara!). I look SO good!






Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Meet the staff

MEET THE STAFF
Once a week we will be profiling a member of our staff so that when you do come in for boarding, grooming, training, or daycamp you will feel like you are already a part of this wonderful family!
This week we are "meeting" Sherri Timmons, DayCamp Counselor.
Sherri lives at home with her husband, two children (one of which is grown and has left the nest), 6 cats and the three dogs you see here. The little one is Milo. He is a wonder dog who manages to get around really well, even on three legs! Then we have Josie (the bigger collie mix) and Sandy. All three of them come to work with Sherri during the day and either hang out in DayCamp with Sherri or in a kennel suite where they can nap undisturbed.
Sherri enjoys reading, gardening and taking a nap in her spare time. When her and her family want to go out for dinner she prefers to go to the Olive Garden. She enjoys watching comedies with her family or when she wants some *down time* to herself she reads her books on animals.

Sherri has been doing DayCamp for dogs for about 8 years now and has been with Best Friends for over two of those eight years. She is a much loved asset to our DayCamp program here. As you can see the dogs certainly love her! How hard can it be to spend your days playing with or cuddling with everyone's favorite family pet? As we all know there is definite work to running the DayCamp program, it but the rewards you get from their unconditional love makes up for any down side there might be. (dog-doo scooping) She also likes the fact that working here means she can also work with some of our cats that we have in.

When weather permits, Sherri likes to take the dogs outside to our fenced in play yards. Everyone likes to get out in the fresh air! During our warm months she makes sure the doggie pools are put to good use. Year round you will find her either playing kong with our Golden's cuddling with our little ones or laughing over the antics of our younger members. We also hold a DayCamp party once a month, (theme's vary) where Sherri keeps them busy with fun and games, we take pictures (sometimes of your pet *dressed* for the occasion) which of course you get to keep, and each pet gets to take home a goodie bag filled with treats.

Sherri is always on the look out for a prospective new addition to the DayCamp program. She often attends events for Best Friends so watch for her. And please, when you see her talk to her about the program. It is a terrific way for your dog to become a social king or queen, have a lot of fun and best of all, go home tired at the end of the day! And tell Sherri everyone from Best Friends loves having here her with us.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Pet and Make over of the week!!

IT'S TRUE! Each week we pick one of our Best Friends to be our Pet of the Week and our Make Over of the week. Let me introduce you to our lucky friends this week....

PET OF THE WEEK
OCTOBER 3, 2009

BRYCE ROBERTS


HI! My name is Bryce and I am a Vizsla mix. I'm a great happy boy who just LOVES to play. If I could spend my day running, jumping, and playing with a ball or kong, you'd never hear ME complain! Life's just too good to waste it sleeping, but then there has to be something good said for an occasional nap in the fall sun too. Us Vizsla's are pretty easy to train, you just have to find the right combination of activities to appease our hunting spirit and sometimes overwhelming sense of FUN FUN FUN! My Best Friend's here LOVE to play with me when I stay with them. Oh yeah...life is GOOD!!!!


MAKE OVER OF THE WEEK
SANDY JONES
BEFORE

AFTER


Hi, my name is Sandy. I am a Miniature Poodle. Don't let that word miniature fool you. I may be small in size, but I have a large heart full of love or my mommy and daddy. Mommy says I am a constant shadow and it's true. Where ever SHE is, is where I am! They make my life complete and I Do the same for them. I love coming to Best Friends Groomers for a nice bath and grooming. They make me look SO good when I am all done.

Swimming in dangerous waters

John Kuglin, AP
10-3-09

(note: Even though this is an article from Wisconsin many of the lakes and ponds around Indianapolis [Indiana] are seeing the same problems. Local veterinarians recommend if you do swim your pets or if they go in to the water on their own that you get them washed off thoroughly as soon as possible.)

WAUSAU, Wis. -- Waterways across the upper Midwest are increasingly plagued with ugly, smelly and potentially deadly blue-green algae, bloomed by drought and fertilizer runoffs from farm fields, that's killed dozens of dogs and sickened many people. Aquatic biologists say it's a problem that falls somewhere between a human health concern and a nuisance, but will eventually lead to more human poisoning. State officials are telling people who live on algae-covered lakes to close their windows, stop taking walks along the picturesque shorelines and keep their dogs from drinking the rank water.

In what's become a growing problem, some waterways in the upper Midwest suffer from malodorous, blue-green algae blooms that have already sickened some people -- and killed dozens of dogs. Earlier this month Peggy McAloon, 62, lives on Wisconsin's Tainter Lake and calls the algae blooms the "cockroach on the water.""It is like living in the sewer for three weeks. You gag. You cannot go outside," she said. "We have pictures of squirrels that are dead underneath the scum and fish that are dead. ... It has gotten out of control because of the nutrient loads we as humans are adding to the waters.

"Blue-green algae are common in waters but not every lake develops serious problems until plentiful "man-induced" nutrients like phosphorous arrive, said Jim Vennie, a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources expert. The toxins released by the algae can be deadly. Symptoms include rash, hives, runny nose, irritated eyes and throat irritation. No people have died in the U.S. from the algae's toxins, according to Wayne Carmichael, a retired aquatic biologist and toxicology professor in Oregon. Many, however, have gotten sick:

"Sooner or later, we are going to have more acute human poisoning," Carmichael said. The scum has killed dozens of dogs over the years — including at least four in Oregon, three in Wisconsin and one in Minnesota this summer. Wisconsin wildlife experts are warning duck hunters with dogs to be extra cautious this fall. "If the water is pea-soup green, be sure to have clean water along to wash the dog off," Vennie said. "Don't let it drink the water."Fewer than 100 lakes in Wisconsin typically have some problems with algae bloom each summer and the ones in western Wisconsin causing so much discomfort this year are being fueled by a perfect storm, Vennie said. The last month has seen little rain, warm, sunshiny days and little wind. The blooms just sit there, growing, then decaying and smelling."Some people say they have gotten nauseous and vomited from smelling it," said Ken Schreiber, a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources water quality specialist.

Officials have banned recreational activities at some lakes in Washington state because of blooms. And in Oregon, the blue-green algae is the number one water quality issue, Carmichael said. Yet other countries have worse problems, Carmichael said, because many have waters with even more nutrients than exist in U.S. lakes. In France, a horse died on a beach in July after falling into some decaying algae sludge. Last year, the Chinese government brought in the army to remove the slimy growths so the Olympic sailing competition could be held. Stephanie Marquis, a spokesman for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, said her agency had received 41 complaints related to health concerns with blue-green algae so far this season. Rashes, sore throats and eye irritation among the problems, she said.

In Minnesota, Matt Lindon is a pollution control specialist for the state and he called 2009 a typical year for complaints about algae scums. But for some reason this summer, Bagley Lake in northwest Minnesota, an "historically clean lake," generated respiratory and odor problems, he said. "It may be related to the water level or some new runoff source," he said. Loren Hake, 71, has lived about two blocks from a Lake Menomin in western Wisconsin since 1963. He feels like a prisoner in his own home, isolated by a stench "something like a pig pen" that forces he and his wife to run the air conditioner although it's not that hot because they can't leave the windows open, he said. For the first time, the couple hasn't set on an outside deck because of the smell from the algae-covered bay."I don't know what they can do about it," Hake said.There's little anybody can do besides wait for cooler temperatures, Vennie said. John Plaza, president of the Chetek Lakes Protection Association, which represents six lakes in northwest Wisconsin, said farm runoff, lawn fertilizers, septic systems and even ashes from leaves being burned on the shorelines are among factors contributing to the algae problems."I have been a user of these lakes since 1962," he said. "I have never experienced anything like this before. It's nasty. People are saying we can't live with this any more."

Friday, October 2, 2009

Service Dog Training Class

We've started a new class for our advanced training dogs *in need* at our Indianapolis location. That is, if the owner has a legitimate need and has had their dog in obedience for an extended period of time, (taking them as far as they can), we offer a Service Dog Training class. Right now we have three dogs in this class.

1) Lugnut, a one year old Golden Retriever. He belongs to my son and has been in training since he was 8 weeks old. I am taking him through the class as I work with the other dogs, and their owners. He will eventually be certified as an assistance dog.

2) Sophie, who belongs to Shawn Roberson, our center manager. She is taking this class with Sophie with the intention of getting her certified as an assistance/alert dog.

3) Sophie and Anita Dudley. She is a 1 year old Goldendoodle who has been in our training classes for one year as well. Her owner does have the physical need of an assistance dog. Rather then being placed on a long waiting list for a trained and certified dog, they have committed to Sophie's training themselves.

In taking this class you have to understand first and foremost that not all dogs will be able to be certified. You could spend a year or more in training them for obedience, then just as long in training for the Service Dog test, only to find along the way that they will never be able to qualify because of one particular quirk or another. What each person may end up with is a very well trained and loving family pet. Given that, if they are willing to take the chance, I am willing to work with them.The class has been on going now for 6 weeks and we are at the point of working in stores and malls. There are certain things that they all need to be able to *pass* for this first class. The only way to reach that point with them is to work, work, WORK! All three have their *Service Dog in Training* vests and patches and are now allowed to go any place a human can go. Our eventual *test* at the end of this class will be dinner at a restaurant. No, they won't be certified at this point. They will merely have passed their first class. Keep in mind I said this will be a year or more undertaking in training.Each has picked three *service* chores to train with their pets; for assistance. All are learning to pick up dropped objects and return them to the owners.







Sophie (Roberson) is learning retriever dropped objects, and to turn on and off lights, using a touch base lamp so that she can turn on lights as they enter their home or turn them off just before exiting. She will also be learning to alert her owner to ringing phones, doorbells, smoke alarms etc.

Sophie (Dudley) is also learning to retriever objects, and she is learning to BRACE for her owner so that he may use her body to help lever himself to a standing position from a sitting position. This Sophie is also learning to *pull* her owner slowly up an incline and will eventually be able to use that training to pull a wheelchair, should he progress to that.

Lugnut has already learned to retrieve objects that have been dropped, or that are needed by me. (his biggest issue with that at this point is that he is now *stealing* things left sitting around and bringing them to me so that he can be *rewarded* for *finding* them!) He has learned to BRACE to assist someone in standing up, and he is learning to open handicapped access doors by touching the pads to open those doors with his foot. Lugnut is also in the process of learning to help me off with my shirts, a robe or a coat.

Watch for us in area malls and stores or restaurants. Just please remember, when their vests are on they are in training and can not be petted at that time.