Happy New Year from our Daycare buddies at Best Friends Windy City

"When Highlanders have WAY too much time on their hands!"

This was sent to us by Stacey Hawk, Hawk City K-9 agility training.  Very funny!! Check it out!
http://video.telegraph.co.uk/services/player/bcpid1137883380?bctid=17075685001

HAPPY HOLIDAYS from your friends at Best Friends Windy City!

Click to see who's "Waiting for Santa"

Seasons Greetings from your friends at

Best Friends Windy City

Our Holiday Hours will be:

Thursday December 24th 7:00 am - 4:00 pm

Friday December 25th  CLOSED

Thursday December 31st  7:00 am - 7:00 pm

Friday January 1st  CLOSED

Have a Happy and Safe Holiday Season!

Santa Visits Daycare at Best Friends Windy City

Holiday Daycare Party

Winter Holiday Special!

Hallmark movie inspires Petfinder's foster a lonely pet for the holidays program

A Dog named Christmas aired on Hallmark Hall of Fame's presentation on November 29th and presented a new program for Petfinder.com.  Petfinder started the Foster a Lonely Pet for the Holidays program hoping you will invite a shelter pet into your home for this special time of year.

Joan,Happy Tails editor writes in her post November 17th, 2009, "by contacting a perticipating Foster a Lonely Pet for the Holidays shelter or rescue, you'll be helping a shelter during a season when it's short-staffed or when the pet's regular foster "mom" or "dad" needs some respite time.  Plus, you'll be making a difference in some little critter's life."

Click the link to learn how you can help out check out Petfinder.com
http://www.petfinder.com/blog/2009/11/17/foster-a-lonely-pet-for-the-holidays/

A Dog Named Christmas

Now available on DVD at a hallmark Store near you.

Angel Tree to benefit Chicago Canine Rescue

This year our lobby Angel Tree is for the benefit of Chicago Canine Rescue.  Guests of the center may select toys from our retail store to donate to the shelter animals or make a cash donation at the service desk to go towards the purchase of toys for the shentered animals. 

Please check out the shelter website to see the many pets in need of a forever home.

http://www.chicagocaninerescue.org/

Thanksgiving Daycare Party

Art + Wine for Homeless Canines + Felines!

A Benefit for Animal Care and Control

Saturday, November 21

2-5pm Dog friendly open house

7-10pm Evening Event

Join us on Saturday, November 21st when we host an all day event to raise money for homeless animals in the Chicago land area while helping support the Friends of Chicago Animal Care and Control in their efforts! As many as 30,000 animals make their way to Animal Care and Control every year. Your donation to Friends of Animal Care and Control helps make sure they get the very best care while at CACC—and the greatest chance of being adopted into new homes. We have a day of great activities planned for you and your animals, we hope to see you there!

EVENT DETAILS

Dog-Friendly Open House 2-5PM

• 
  
  How to bake organic treats for your pet
  
• Pet Portraits
  
• Paw Prints
  
• $10 suggested donation
  

Click here to make a donation!

Evening Event 7-10PM

• Silent Auction
• Wine/ Hors D'oeuvres
• Raffle prizes
  
• Art available for purchase (donated by local artists)
  
• Goodie bags
  
• $20 ticket
  

Click here to buy tickets!

Fill In The Blank Gallery

5038 N. Lincoln Ave.

Chicago, IL 60625

773.878.1750

fillintheblankgallery.com

Meet & Greet Event for Safe Humane Chicago

http://www.safehumanechicago.org/

Come see us at The Great American Pet Expo

http://www.americanpetexpo.com/index.htm

Check out Circus Cats

 

Spooktaculer time was had at Windy City

Sit Stay Read featured in Sun Times article

Sit Stay Read pairs kids and dogs to make reading fun.  Using dogs as a tool to improve reading skills and foster the love of learning in children living in poverty, Sit Stay Read is the leading literacy organization in the United States to Reading to a dog increases confidence and generates excitement about reading. Combined with dog-themed books and writing assignments, the dogs bring the sessions to life and provide a text-to-world connection—read about a dog; see a dog; touch a dog.  Their cirriculum is designed with the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) Center for Literacy.  The trained volunteers and dog teams work  to make reading fun while improving reading fluency and inspiring children to become life long.

Check out the Sun Times article Sit Stay Read! program geared toward low-income youths and see their programs in action on the NBC Nightly News segment, "What Works"

Agility Run Throughs

Stacey Hawk, Hawk City K-9, will host agility run throughs Friday October 30, 2009 from 7:00 - 9:30 pm at Best Friends Windy City.  $20 for 2 runs.  Novice & Open/Excellent courses are open to anyone who has completed at least 6 weeks of Agility Traininig classes.  Dogs can be run on leash.  Motivational treats and toys are encouraged.

1st Walk-through:    7:00 - 7:15 pm    Run through 7:15 - 8:30 pm
2nd Walk through:   *8:30 - 8:45 pm    Run through *8:45 - 9:30 pm
* Time dependent on # of dogs running in the first session.

Pre registration is not required.  Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to desired walk-through.
For more information, please contact Stacey Hawk at 773-348-2832 or Best Friends Windy City
at 773-384-5959.

Cat Ships Himself Over 1000 Miles!

Check out this story of a cat who shipped himself 1000 miles!

I found this story on one of the Animal Planet Blogs.

"...However, Cody the Dallas-based cat got a little bit more than he bargained for when he nestled himself into a cardboard box last week filled with cushiony chiropractic supplies. According to the Northwest Herald News, Cody inadvertently shipped himself via UPS to Chicago when he managed to jump unnoticed into said box of cushy chiropractic supplies, ending up in the office of a bewildered Chicago-based chiropractor.

According to reports, the chiropractor was initially annoyed when he first opened the box of supplies shipped from Texas and noticed tufts of fur. Then he spotted the accidental tourist, who had hitched a free ride from Dallas. (No word if Cody was shipped overnight express, two or three-day air. I am hoping it was overnight express...)

The cat's owner, Marie Webster, runs a Texas-based company which supplies materials to chiropractic offices. She was taping up a large box at her office Monday when Cody settled in for an impromptu snooze.

A bit thinner, but no worse for wear, Cody hitched a ride back home in a proper crate and is safe and sound with his guardians. Learn more about Cody's wild misadventures at the Northwest Herald News. " Photo courtesy of the Northwest Herald

Best Friends Pumpkin Masterpiece!

Happy Halloween from Best Friends! Click below to see the Jack-O-Lantern masterpiece that our Houston location created! Cool right?!?

Halloween Activity Package Special for October 31st

Halloween weekend is fast approaching.........do you have your pets' costume picked out yet?  Here at Best Friends Windy City, we will be offering a special Halloween activity package for all the pets boarding with us over the spooky holiday weekend, which will consist of a Trick or Treat Excursion (walk and explore), a Pumpkin Patch playtime and a special Halloween Goody Bag! Normally $17 worth of activities, your pet can have this special package for only $14 per day in addition to our normal boarding rates!

If you are boarding over Halloween, be sure and dress your pet in his or her very best costume....we will have a contest and the pooch with the best costume will win a prize!

Here is a GREAT DEAL for the Thanksgiving Holiday!!!

The holidays are approaching quickly! Make sure you call in your reservations soon, as space fills up fast during the holidays. To say thanks to our customers, we'd like to extend this offer to you! All dogs boarding over Thanksgiving will receive 50% off their boarding night for Tuesday, 11/24. (Offer is only valid on this night and cannot be used towards any other nights).

And for a limited time, save an additional $5

when you book on line.

Safe Humane Chicago Teams Up with Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

Safe Humane Chicago has teamed up with Best Friends Animal Sanctuary to make Chicago a humane place for animals and people alike.  Read the full article Teaming Up, Chicago kids work toward a kinder city at http://www.bestfriends.org/allthegoodnews/magazine/090109teamingup.cfm

For more information about Safe Humane Chicago go to

http://www.safehumanechicago.org/

PUPkin Party at Brands Park

Join us Saturday, October 31st from 9:00 am - 12:00 noon as Brands Park and the Chicago Park District host a PUPkin Party.  $5 per dog rain or shine.  This fun filled event is designed just for our furry friends, so dress your Best Friend in their doggie costume and join the fun.  There will be a doggie costume parade, photos and contests and give aways.  Brands park is at 3259 N. Elston Ave. 773-478-2414.

Howl O Ween Daycare Party

Life's Ruff

Life's Ruff at Gorilla Tango Theatre is here to prove, you can train your dog and to have fun while doing it.  They use positive reinforcement to help them. While entertaining they also cover some serious topics in the dog community.  According to Chicago Reader the show is "like the Price is Right and Pet Star all rolled into one."

The shows are Saturday, October 17th at 4pm and 6pm at the Gorilla Tango Theatre.  Tickets are $12 and can be purchased here, by just clicking on Life's Ruff!

Life's Ruff is produced by The Dog Saving Network, where you can volunteer, donate, and learn about the dog community! They are a national not-for-profit (new) rescue and awareness group

Here is a video that is about The Dog Saving Network and the Life's Ruff show from a MSNBC special.

"The Chocolate Lab" Event for Lake Shore Animal Shelter

http://www.lakeshoreanimalshelter.org/choclab/

Vote for Chicago Cubs Pitcher Ted Lilly for the Roberto Clemente Award and Help Homeless Pets!

PAWS is asking for all our help with this effort. In their September Newsletter they feature an article about voting for Ted Lilly for the Roberto Clemente Award to help further is work with PAWS Chicago.

"Your help is needed! By voting for Ted, you can help him with the national award and advance his work on behalf PAWS Chicago and homeless pets! Every day from now until October 4th, you can cast your vote for Ted at www.chevy.com/clemente."

To learn more about PAWS Chicago go to http://www.pawschicago.org/

These guys need a home!

Please check out the link and help find these guys a new home.

http://www.wgntv.com/news/wgntv-home-sought-four-dogs-of-couple-killed-sep17,0,1859541.story

Sportaculer Daycare Party

Police and Fire Discount at Best Friends Windy City

Best Friends Windy City offers Chicago Police And Firefighters 10% discount as our way of saying Thank You for all you do.

First Night Free

Best Friends Pet Care now offers 1 FREE night boarding for all new clients, it is our policy. For mor information please call the center at 773-384-5959.

Inventory Blow Out Retail Sale

"Bark"tacular Savings

Now through September 30th take 50% off on all retail items at Best Friends Windy City.

50% off all toys, beds, collars and leashes, treats and more.

(Sale excludes Frontline and food)

Join us at Mutt Strut

Click on the link below to register for Chicago Canine Rescue Mutt Strut

http://www.chicagocaninerescue.org/

Time to Vote! Chicagoland Tails Magazine Readers Choice Awards

Vote today, it only takes a minute. Click on the link to go to Chicagoland Tails Magazine Readers Choice. Ballots are only on their web site for 2009. Please go to http://www.chicagolandtails.com/ to cast you vote for your favorites. We would truly appreciate your support.

SPLISH SPLASH WE'RE HAVING A DAYCARE POOL PARTY

Don't miss out on the fun! Breakout the swim suit and beach towel! Best Freinds Windy City is having a super fun time summer daycare pool party Tuesday August 4th from 9:30 am - 5:00 pm. See your pup there!

DOG DAY ON THE GREEN

Bring your four legged friend to the beautiful and scenic Soldier Field "Green" Sunday August 2 from 10 - 5 for the Inaugural Dog Day On The Green sponsored by the Chicago City Clerk Miguel del Valle. There will be Doggie Olympics, photo booth, and celebrity autograph signings. Stacey Hawk with Hawk City K9 and Best Friends Windy City will be there with an Agility trial course.

See you there!

For more information go to http://www.dogdayonthegreen.com/

Come Check Us Out

We'll be at West Fest this weekend! Wondering what we're all about? Why all the great reviews on Yelp? Come check us out at West Fest!

The Petfest is at Wolcott and Chicago Ave. Saturday and Sunday from 12 - 7pm. Come get some tips on how to keep your dog healthy and safe this summer. Learn what plants are toxic for your pet (some may suprise you!), get some tips on DIY nail trims, share secrets on finding lost pets, and of course grab a goodie bag stashed with free stuff!

See ya there!

In honor of all our new best friends...

...We're offering a free night to all of our new clients! We're so confident you'll love us, we want you to try a night - on us. Give us a call to set up a reservation!

Did you hear about us through one of our existing best friends? Great! Let us know and you and your friend can BOTH receive $20!

Free stuff! What could be better?

Hogan in a 4th of July hat comes close :)

The Best Thing In the World....

...DOGS IN SUNGLASSES!!!!!!
Having a rough Thursday morning? An even more hectic Thursday afternoon? Take a look at how much fun our daycare beach party was!






Riley teasing the boys

Oliver looking dashing

Fergus ischeckin out those beach babes!

Same some for us Bear!

Jaxee and Robert - matching shades!

Take Your Dog To Work Day

Don't forget about your pooch this Friday! It's Take Your Dog To Work Day! Don't think your boss will approve? Bring your buddy here instead. It all started in 1999 to celebrate what great pets we have. The purpose is to spread the word about adopting from humance societies, breed resuces, and shelters. Show the big man what a great thing a dog can be!

Told Ya So!

Here's our pictures from our dog festival, as promised!!



We had paw painting....

...and shelters full of adoptable dogs....

...and Barker and Meowski was selling shirts, artwork, and tasty treats...

...we even sponsored a dog wash with all procedes benefiting Lake Shore Animal Shelter and Chicago Canine Rescue!!