Makeover of the week!

Sparkle H.

Hello! My name is Sparkle. I am a four year old Miniature Poodle.  This is my first visit to Best Friends.  I board with my housemate and best buddy, Koda.  He is a eleven and a half year old Great Pyranese.  We are quite a pair and like to play, play, play!  As you can see from my before picture, all my playing gets me quite shaggy and tangled.  Today I am getting a complete makeover from the awesome groomers at Best Friends before I go home from my boarding stay.  You won't even recognize me after my haircut and bath!  I'm ready to do it all over again!



Makeover of the week!

Lily R.



Hello my name is Lily. I am a 4 years old Shetland Sheepdog. When I stay at Best Friends I enjoy getting a bath and haircut before I go home. Whether I am staying at Best Friends or at home I love to play which means that I can get a little dirty and not feel so beautiful. When Sara is all done with my bath and haircut I look and feel like the Princess that I am. Thanks Sara for making me look and feel like a million bucks.

Makeover of the week

Ziggy N.

Hello my name is Ziggy. I am a 3 year old Cockapoo. This is my first time coming to Best Friends for grooming. As you can see from my picture, I love to run and play. This is why my Mom brought me to Sara for a bath and haircut. I am a shaggy boy, but I clean up very nicely! 

Make Over of the Week

MAKE OVER OF THE WEEK

MAKEDA G

HI My name is Makeda. I am a Miniature Schnauzer. My mommy

brings me in to see my favorite groomers here at

Best Friend's. They know how to make a girl look

gorgeous! It's not a difficult job, I mean look at what they start with!

With a beautiful *canvas* like me, how hard can it be to

 go from fabulous to gorgeous?

My groomers just apply their loving skill and

WALLA! Look at me..... Look at ME!

Makeover of the week

HI! My name is Shasha D

I'm an English Cocker Spaniel. My mommy takes

really good care of me but sometimes my hair starts to

 look a bit mussy. When it does she brings me in to my favorite

 groomer, Claire. Claire always turns me back into

quite the glamour girl!

I always feel SO much better after my*spa* day. I get

moisturized, my teeth get brushed and I get my nails

done. AAhh the full Spa treatment! YES!

Make Over of the Week

MAKE OVER OF THE WEEK

OSCAR B

HI! My name is Oscar. I am a Shih Tzu,

and I am GORGEOUS! I come in to see

my Best Friends groomers every few months.

I play with my little sister

Gretta and we both get a bit *rough* on

the exterior from our play. No matter,

this time Sara and Tina spent the day making us both

gorgeous and we go home happy clean

as a whistle* puppies!

We enjoy our spa

days and our mommy enjoys the outcome

of our *gorgeousness*.

 

Makeover of the week

                                              

Buddy D.

   BEFORE

 Hi, My name is Buddy.  My mom rescued me from an abusive home.  Someone was very mean to me & would hit me in the head.  That's why my right eye doesn't open all the way.   I can be very scared of new people, but the folks at Best Friends were VERY patient with me!  I don't like anyone to touch my face or head unless I know them very well, so I tend to get a lot of mats on my head and in my beard.  I let Sara, the groomer, shave all the mats off my face & boy do I feel good now!  The 1st thing I did was rolled my face on my blankey, I hadn't been able to feel that good scratching thing for a long while!

AFTER

Makeover of the week 4/24/10

                                                           Quito D. 

Hello my name is Quito. I am a Bichon. As you can see from my picture I love to run and play. When it is time for a haircut my family brings me to see Claire at Best Friends. No matter how hard I play and mess up my hair, Claire knows how to make me look great. If you like to play hard and get dirty, you should have your family bring you to the groomers here at Best Friends and they will make you feel great like me.

Makeover of the week!!

Hello, my name is Baxter. I am a Yorkshire Terrier. I am an older pup that loves to be pampered. When I need a good haircut and to get man pretty, I come and spend a day at the Spa at Best Friends. Sara knows just how to make me look and feel great!! Now..this is the best way to spend a Saturday. Thank you Sara!

Makeover of the Week

Hi, I’m Kayli, and as the makeover of the week.  I now look and feel Marvelous!,

Simply Marvelous!

Benefits of good grooming

Grooming a dog builds a bond between the owner and the dog, it is something that should be an enjoyable experience for both parties.


Regular grooming, every day if possible, has three benefits.

Firstly it helps build that bond between the owner and the dog. Starting with puppy grooming you reinforce a social relationship between owner and dog, mothers always groom their puppy.

Pet grooming can allow the owner to check for early signs of health problems and hopefully prevent them developing.

The obvious benefit is the fact it keeps the coat looking in first class condition.

Grooming every day can remove the need to bathe the dog, except in the most extreme circumstances. You may choose to visit the dog groomer and allow your dog to be bathed and pampered with the use of specialist tools such as dog grooming scissors, dog clippers, a special dog bath with dog shampoo available. Be careful though you do not want to over do bathing, too many baths can lead to dry skin or even the opposite, greasy skin, where the dog has produced too much sebum (natural oils) to compensate for all that is washed away.

For dogs, like hard coated terriers and poodles, a special technique called stripping is used to remove the dead hair that is retained within the coat. With double coated dogs such as Golden Retrievers, they normally shed their undercoat twice a year and their top coat once. Your regular grooming can help reduce the aftermath that would be left on your carpet. Single coated dogs such as Yorkshire Terriers, Pugs, Lhasa Apso and Dalmatians need to be groomed with care as they may be very sensitive to wire brushes.
(Best Friends has experienced groomers and we offer the Shedicure for dogs who drop hair all over your home.)

All grooming should be done with the dog in a relaxed position, either standing or in a "Down".

When grooming you should check as you work down your dog.

Eyes - you are looking for discharge, redness, tears or anything that looks wrong and maybe even foreign bodies that may be in the eye. Hold your dogs head and tell the dog to "Look" at you.

Ear - discharge, strange smell, scratches or redness are signs you need to be on the look out for. Gently inspect the inside and the outside of the ear. never push anything down into the ear if you are trying to clean.

Nose - again any discharge or scratches should be dealt. A visual check should pick up any problems.

Mouth and teeth - bad breath, plaque, missing or broken teeth or lumps. Brushing teeth regularly is a very good idea. Any serious problems here need the attention of your vet.

Skin and Coat - check for dryness or greasiness, flakes of skin, parasites, lumps, bald patches, matted hair, dirt or rashes. Massage your dog all over will let you find any of these problems. Stiff brush or rake will remove most dead hair followed by the use of a soft brush to give a soft and shiny coat.

Nails - look for tears or missing nails and infections. Exercise should normally keep the nails short but if they do grow too long it is better to let an expert groomer or vet deal with the cutting. Never use scissor a specialist pair of mail clippers are needed.

Feet - check the pads and between the pads and toes for any seeds or such like or any infection. A visual inspection should be sufficient to check this.

Anus - heck for swelling or discharge. Anal glands might become blocked and need emptying or an infection can occur. A messy job you could do but I usually leave it to the vet.

So groom regularly and use the time wisely, it will help you keep your dog in tip top shape.

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roy_Dickinson

Dog Paw Care

The fact is, those precious paws can become seriously infected from a wedged-in piece of gravel or shard of glass, as well as from the cracking that results from heat or dryness. So make sure you are doing your part to ensure your pup is looking forward to joining you on your daily walks, and not secretly dreading them.


The easiest method of prevention is to get to know the pads of your dog’s paws. Feel them out and gently check between them for any bothersome pebbles or debris. Your pup might not find this especially enjoyable at first, so it’s best to be armed with a few distracting treats until they adapt to the routine. Be sure to check them after they have romped around outdoors.

Additionally, it is important to make sure that your dog’s claws are trimmed to the proper length (just before reaching the “quick”) in order to prevent catching or their loss of grip on hard surfaces. It’s best to check the length of your dog’s claws about once a month to see if they need a trim. Some dogs’ nails grow faster than others, though, so find a schedule that works best for your pooch.

Some products can potentially help your pup avoid paw-related injuries–including booties, balms, and even wax. Simple prevention should be adequate enough to keep your pooch safe from a nasty wound or infection, but if need be, seeing your canine stroll around in little booties might just be the highlight of your day.

Make Over and Pet of the Week

MAKE OVER OF THE WEEK

PRINCE HIATT

HI! My name is Prince. I come in to see my favorite groomer, Claire a few times a year. As you can see I get a bit shaggy in between grooms. Guarenteed though, Claire and her wonderful skills can turn me from Prince the Shaggy Rocker into Prince the American Cocker.

I'm ALWAYS handsome, but once you remove the shag.....well you'd think magic was involved in the transformation I go through under Claires hands!

PET OF THE WEEK

SHAGGY MEILS

HI! My name is Shaggy. I'm a Cavashon. Which is a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Bichon. That's what the *books* say anyway. If you ask me I'll tell you I'm just a fun loving cuddleable sort of boy who loves to give kisses!

I've enjoyed my stay here at Best Friends and have LOVED going outside with my new friends to play in the snow. WOOHOO!!!!!!! It's been GREAT fun here! Best Friends has become my most favorite place to stay when my family takes a vacation.

Winter Safety and a quick check list

In our final chapter of the Winter Pet Safety series, we're going to talk about common poisons found during the winter months and give you a brief reminder list of safety for your pet. The staff here at Best Friends hope you have found the information provided in our series to be informative and helpful. Have a safe and happy winter with your fur friends!

Let's start with poisons.......never a pleasant thought but necessary to be aware for the safety of your pets. Many traditions can pose a risk to them.


HOLIDAY FOODS:
Various holiday foods are toxic to your pets, including chocolate, alcohol, macadamia nuts, grapes, raisins and onions. Even the fatty meats and table scraps can cause pancreatitis in dogs. Sharp bones from the holiday turkey and other meats can perforate the intestines. Even if they beg don't give them the bones! If you are having a party where alcohol or any of these foods listed are being served, please think about keeping your pet in a back room or in a crate.

HOLIDAY PLANTS
Common winter plants such as Mistletoe and Holly berries are dangerous if ingested and can lead to gastrointestinal and cardiovascular problems. Lilies are deadly to cats. Poinsettia leaves/stems, balsam/pine/cedar; angel hair (spun glass);
Christmas tree preservatives (don't let your pet drink the Christmas tree water!); snow sprays/snow flock; tree ornaments; super glue; Styrofoam; icicles (tinsel) and crayons/paint.

Quick Check list of Safety

1) Keep all pets away from Anti-freeze
2) Do not leave your pets outside unattended when the temperature gets below freezing. They are susceptible to hypothermia and frostbite, even death.
3) Short coated dogs should not go outside without a coat or a sweater in very cold weather, except to quickly relieve themselves. Small dogs with short coats are especially vulnerable to the cold.
4) Dogs with fur on the bottoms of their pads often develop ice balls between the pads and toes. To prevent this from hhappening, trim the hair around the feet and toes and apply a small amount of Vaseline, cooking oil, or PAM spray to your dog's feet before heading out. This will prevent the snow from sticking to their feet. (make sure you use edible oil as most dogs will lick their feet afterwards.
5) If your pet walks on salted sidewalks or streets be sure to wash their paws after exposure. Salt is very irritating to footpads and can make them very ill if they lick their feet afterwards.
6) Honk your car horn or bang on the hood of the car before starting it as many times cats or other animals will seek warmth from the engine or under the vehicle.
7) Various holiday foods and plants are toxic to your pets so keep them out of their reach.

If you find you need a place for your pet to play during the day to burn off some of that winter boredom please don't forget our fabulous Doggie DayCamp.

If you have training needs, come speak to our trainer, we have a rotation of classes going on through out the week.

And if your pets coat becomes matted or wet and smelly from too much winter play please come visit our groomers. Just call and make a reservation for any of the above. Our staff here at Best Friends are always happy and willing to please!

You can find out more about toxic plants at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Website at http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_apcc
The ASPCA has a 24 hour hotline to deal with pet poisoning cases. A fee per incident (with unlimited follow ups) may apply. They can be reached at (888_ 426-4435.


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

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

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

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."

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!

Best Friends Pet Care Indianapolis