Dog Scouts of America, IndyDog SmartTails Troop #177

WE DID IT! Our troop was awarded its first *Blue Ribbon* as a troop this year. In order to be awarded this you have to have *earned* over 300 points. Points are earned by the amount of new members, badges earned by our scouts, activities we have done through out the year, fund raising activities and community involvement. Many of our scouts earned their DSA badges, Clean Up America badges, Swimming, canoeing, and several other badges. This past weekend several also tested for and passed their First Aid and for Basic Manners badges. Each badge comes with a list of items they must meet or *qualify* with under testing of a certified Scout Master of, in the absense of one we can video tape their tests and send it in to the Dog Scouts for veiwing and approval. We also have a member who is now a certified *Scout Master*. Gayle is able to test our scouts for several of the badges

In case you are new to this and don't know what the Dog Scouts are all about, read on. I am happy to provide potentiasl new members with information! Once having read the following if your interest has been piqued, please call me as Best Friends for more information on meeting times and how to become a Scout member. We test for various badges through out the year and can test at meetings when someone thinks their pet is ready for the *big test*.

What is Dog Scouts?
Dog Scouts of America (DSA) was established in 1995. It is a non-profit organization people who are dedicated to enriching their lives and the lives of others with dogs. Founder, Lonnie Olson, has made it her life's ambition to experience as many dog sports and skills as possible with her dogs. If you believe that dogs really enjoy learning new things and spending time with their owners, you're our kind of dog person. Dogs were not meant to be "furniture." Working dogs want to work. Without having an acceptable activity in which to use up all of that energy that comes "built-in" with a dog, our canine companions often get into trouble. By better understanding how your dog thinks, how he learns, and what drives his behavior, and by participating in a variety of dog sports and activities, you will become a more responsible dog owner. We hope to prevent misunderstandings, communication failures and behavioral problems which often lead to dogs being given up as a "lost cause."

We hold monthly meetings here at Best Friends Pet Care (the second Saturday of each month, unless otherwise noted). We also meet elsewhere through out the month to work on different badges. We work on different raisers through the year, and we do an end of the summer camping and canoeing trip (yes the dogs canoe, can you?) and walk as a troop (for all who can attend) with the annual Mutt-Strutt. We have a lot of fun with this troop, with some members being more active then others. You can attend as this fit into your life, but keep in mind, an active dog is a happy dog!

Call us at Best Friends for more information. My name is Kristi and I am the troop leader.

(317) 841-8182