Funny Video of the Week! Puppies Dressed as Cats!

Check out this clip from the Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien. It is guaranteed to make you smile!!!

Now Offering Pet Sitting & Dog Walking Services!!

Best Friends, a trusted name in Pet Care for over 18 years, is now offering dog walking and pet sitting services at the Norwalk, CT location! Our trustworthy pet-sitters can provide everything from Daily Dog Walks to Overnight Stays! This service is especially great for older pets and more timid animals who are overwhelmed by the kennel experience.

Please click here to visit our Home Pet Care Website!! Or feel free to call us at 203-849-1010 for more information.

Dog Age Article from Dogster.com

"A popular misconception is that dogs age 7 years for each calendar year. In fact, canine aging is much more rapid during the first 2 years of a dog’s life. After the first 2 years the ratio settles down to 5 to 1 for small and medium breeds. For large breeds the rate is 6 to 1, and for giant breeds the rate is 7 to 1. Thus, at 10 years of age a Great Dane would be 80 years old while a pug would only be 64." This Dog Age Chart above from Dogster illustrates the theory.

I found this awesome article and chart on calculating a dog's age from a website called www.dogster.com. For more information on this subject visit the Dogster website!

National Dog Day is August 26th!

Send this Crayola E-Card!

"National Dog Day is celebrated August 26th annually and serves to help galvanize the public to recognize the number of dogs that need to be rescued each year, and acknowledges family dogs and dogs that work selflessly each day to save lives, keep us safe and bring comfort. Dogs put their lives on the line every day - for their law enforcement partner, for their blind companion, for a child who is disabled, for our freedom and safety by detecting bombs and drugs and pulling victims of tragedy from wreckage." Visit http://www.nationaldogday.com/ for more details.

Crayola has created seven E-cards specifically designed for National Dog Day on August 26th. Show your support for dogs while staying in touch with friends and family. Click here to send a card!

PAWS 2nd Annual Bark in the Park!!!

On September 13th, 2009 (Raindate 9/20/09) you and your dog can walk the trails of Cranbury Park while supporting the shelter animals at PAWS in Norwalk, CT. There will be plenty of other activities going on including demonstrations, vendors and more! The event kicks off at 9am.

If you are interested in walking visit the PAWS website to register or click to download the Walker Information Packet.

Don't forget to stop by the Best Friends Pet Care booth to say hello and to enter our raffle!

Oodles of Doodles!

Don't miss out on the Oodles of Doodles Meet Up Group this Saturday August 22nd, 2009 at Best Friends Norwalk! All Doodle breeds are welcome! The Meet Up will run from 11am-2pm. If your Doodle dog would like to join the party and play with other friendly dogs visit our Meet Up Group Site at http://www.meetup.com/oodoodlesofdoodles/?a=mu_t6fyutt6pi.

Choose the Breed

More Pool Party Pics!!

August Doggie Pool Party!!!

August is almost half way over so we have to take full advantage of the warm weather. That is why we threw another successful Pool Party in Doggy Day Camp this past Wednesday!! The dogs had a ball splish splashing away! In the Small Dog Daycamp the dogs are usually more cautious about getting wet, but this English Bulldog jumped right in. You show them how it's done!!

On Thursday August 27th, 2009 we will be having another Pool Party in our big and small dog camps. Don't let your dog miss out on all of the fun! If you haven't signed up for camp yet, now is the perfect time. Don't let all of the other dogs have all the fun! Give us a call at 203-849-1010 to get signed up, or visit our website http://www.bestfriendspetcare.com/ for more information.

Hope to see you soon!

Tested and Not Tested on Animals Labeling

How can you tell if a product was tested on animals? Wouldn't it be nice if it were stated on the label? Well, the petitionsite.com is hosting a cool petition to have all products labeled "tested on animals" or "not tested on animals". If this interests you, visit Care 2's petitionsite.com to sign the petition to have all beauty and cleaning products labeled with whether or not they test on animals.

For a more complete list of companies or products that do and do not test on animals check out http://www.caringconsumer.com/.

Human Foods That Are Poisonous to Pets

Human Foods Poisonous to Dogs Include:
-Chocolate
-Onions and Garlic
-Raw Potatoes and Potato Peelings
-Peaches and Apricots
-Some Fruit Cores and Seeds
-Raisins & Grapes (very harmful to the kidneys)
-Mushrooms (some types)
-Walnuts & Macadamia Nuts

Human Foods Poisonous to Cats Include:
-Apple Seeds
-Apricots
-Avacado
-Eggplant
-Green Tomatoes
-Cherries
-Mushrooms (certain types)
-Onions

These are just a few of the items that can be found in your home that may be toxic to your pets. If you think your pet has ingested a food poison or any other type of toxin please visit the ASPCA Website for more information or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline at (888) 426-4435.

Kitty's First Boarding Stay!

Three Month Old's Mookie and Rocket are staying with us in Kitty City this week. It is their first trip to Best Friends so we rolled out the red carpet! Mookie, the grey tiger kitten was born with a neurological problem so he stumbles alot, which makes him that much cuter! He is so sweet and loves to be held. Rocket the black and white cutie is loaded with personality. He is always ready to play and explore!!

August 12th is Adopt A Less Adoptable Pet Day!!

August 12th is Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable Pet Day!!

All across the world there are animals in need of homes. Some pets are in and out of shelters in days, for others it may take years to find their forever homes. Most people looking to adopt gravitate towards young heathly animals, pure breds and small dogs. What about the less adoptable animals? Many times they call the shelter their forever home because people can't see past their short comings.

Less Adoptable Pets are typically:

1. Older Pets who are in their "Golden Years"

2. Special Needs Animals. Those who may need medical care, more attention, or more love.

3. Breeds and types of animals with bad reputations. These animals can be Black Cats (who are believed to be bad luck, which in my opinion is a lot of bologna!), Bully Breeds, Large Dogs, etc.

4. Pets with Behavioral Problems. These animals may have been abused, they may need more training, etc. They just got off to the wrong foot in life.

If you are looking for a cat, you may want to Consider "Prince Laurel" pictured below. He is a black cat with many years behind him. He was once a house cat but was abandoned and found wandering the streets of Stamford. He is very affectionate and needs your love. He is neutered and has all of his shots. Please contact Friends of Felines, Inc. in Stamford if you would like to give this sweethart a chance. Their phone number is 203-363-0220 and you can visit their website at www.adoptapet.org.

The next Less Adoptable Pet that I would like to introduce you to is "Zoe". Believe it or not "Zoe" is 17 years old! She is a slow moving sweet little girl who would like to find a loving home to spend her last couple of years in. She is a Labrador/Shepherd Mix and is up to date on all of her shots. Because "Zoe" is so fragile she would do best in a home with out children. If you would like to make "Zoe's" dreams come true please contact Norwalk Animal Care and Control at 203-854-3240.

Adopting a pet is a huge commitment and a big decision, so please make sure you are ready before you bring a new pet into your home. But, if you are ready, consider one of these "Less Adoptable Pets" or one of the many more that are out there. To browse more adoptable pets in your community visit www.petfinder.com.

Dog nurses abandoned red panda babies

Once in a while an inspirational story comes our way. This one pulls at all of the heart strings. In a China Zoo, two Red Panda cubs were abandoned by their mother. A little Chihuahua mix would not stand by while these cubs were orphaned! Instead she has been nursing them as if they were her own (as seen in the photo below).

Photo by Associated Press

Dog nurses abandoned red panda babies

Check out the full story on Lohud.com.

Join us for a Doggie BBQ & Pool Party!

Calling all Doggy Day Campers!! Next Wednesday August 12th we will be having a BBQ and Pool Party featuring doggie favorite... Bobbing for Hot Dogs! If your dog hasn't signed up for our Daycamp program yet, what are you waiting for? Give is a call at 203-849-1010 to set up your camp interview or visit our website for more information.