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.