Saturday, February 27, 2010

March 15-21 is National Poison Prevention Week

Roscoe Village Animal Hospital, in their latest e-news letter listed things to watch out for when you "pet proof" your home.  They also suggest that you contact the ASPCA Poison Control Center at 1-866-426-4435 if you think your pet may have been poisoned.  Also contact your local veterinarian.

Hazards in the Home
Foods:
-Avocado
-Chocolate
-Coffee
-Macadamia Nuts
-Raisins & grapes
-Yeast Dough
-Onions & onion powder
-Alcoholic beverages
-Products sweetened with xylitol (ex. gum)

Medications:
-Aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, naproxen
-Cold & flu medicines (pseudophedrine)
-Antidepressants & anti-cancer drugs
-Diet pills

**human medications can be potentially lethal, even in small doses.**

Other household items:
-Antifreeze, coolant
-Ice melting products & salts
-Insect & Rodent products & baits
-Fabric softener sheets, detergent
-Cleaning products & disinfectants
-Cocoa bean mulch fertilizer & moldy compost
-Batteries
-Post 1982 pennies (due to high concentration of zinc)
-Citronella candles

Many common plants:
-Tulips
-Lillies
-Morning Glory
-Ferns
-Hydrangea
-Aloe

For a complete list of products and for more information, please visit www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control.http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Worlds Tallest Dog reported on CNN

CNN talks with the owner of the world's tallest dog, a Great Dane, standing 3 feet, 7 inches, a Guinness World Record.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Foster Care Saves Lives

 From Lake Shore Animal Shelter foster parents Mike Lesch and Lisa Mills.  Lisa is also the Activities Coordinator here at Best Friends Windy City.  Pictured are Lisa with Mini and Mike with Rocky.










To anyone wishing to get involved with animal rescue that isn’t sure how to help, consider opening you home and your heart to a foster dog.

Our decision to foster for Lake Shore Animal Shelter (LSAS) was tempered by two concerns; our fears that taking in a strange animal would be a difficult transition for both us and our pets (when we started we had two dogs and two cats of our own – an important fact to which we’ll reference later), and that we would become attached to our charges and would have difficulty when the time came to send them off to their new home. Allow us to address the latter issue first. We do grow attached to all the animals we foster, and it is a difficult, sometimes emotional part of the job to give them up, but there are several factors that ease this burden…

LSAS has always allowed us to be an integral part of the adoption process.

We personally meet with each potential adopter and we are able to find a comfort level with each candidate, so we’re sure they’re going to a proper and loving home.
We have been welcomed to stay in touch with many of our adoptive families.

We regularly receive emails, photos, and updates on their progress. We have even “babysat” for several of our former fosters when the need arises.

We know there is always another deserving dog waiting to be rescued.

Finding another home for our fosters allows us the space to take in another dog who needs a second chance.

Regarding the lifestyle impact of becoming a foster parent, let us relate a story…

Our Beagle was old, sick, and on the decline when we took in Rocky, an 80 pound,10 year old Shepherd mix with bad hips and a crooked smile. During Farley’s last week, Rocky kept a silent vigil, sleeping alongside him and protecting him from any perceived threat. His mood after Farley passed was noticeably dour as he obviously mourned with us. This from a dog who had lost his own home and owner just two months prior. He now is best friends with Sarah, another Beagle who before joining our extended family was scheduled to be euthanized. Both of these sensitive and loving animals have a chance at a new life because of the work done at LSAS. We have never felt burdened or inconvenienced by our role as foster. On the contrary, it has been immensely rewarding.

We are proud and thankful of the opportunity we’ve been given to work with LSAS. Over the course of almost three years and 29 dogs and counting, we haven’t regretted a minute.
Lisa Mills and Mike Lesch

Our fostered dogs (we think this is everyone).... Ginger + her 8 puppies (Curry, Sage, Pepper, Licorice, Rosemary, Nutmeg, Sugar, and Anise), Boomer, Mason, Parker, Lila, Peekaboo, Dickens, Jamie, Lily, Cooper, Duchess, Tiny, Playdough, Hitomi, Stitch, Sweetgum + her 3 pups (Ash, Willow, and Bonzai), Rocky, and Sarah. There was also the time Nutmeg, renamed Missy, was returned to us.

If you think you’d like to get involved with foster care and you are a seasoned dog owner, call 312 409 1162, and Mary, Elizabeth, or Ann will get back to you. We set you up with what you need and provide you with support throughout your fostering experience.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Hugs and Kisses from our Daycare buddies

Love was in the air in Daycare Friday!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

All Fours Dog Training featured on WCIU the U

Dee Lulik, All Fours Dog Training, was featured on WCIU the U recently.  Dee teaches Agility at Best Friends Windy City on Thursday nights.

WCIU, The U / You and Me This Morning / Home / Dog Agility: Part 2

Dee Lulik, All Fours Dog Training, on WCIU the U part 2

"NEW LIVES", a new book by Joanne Wannan, stories of rescued dogs from shelters and the streets

Joanne Wannan has written a book of stories about 18 dogs rescued from shelters and the streets who go on to work miracles in animal therapy and as sevice dogs.  Her book has been endorsed by the ASPCA and the Humane Society with the forward written by Dr. Marty Becker author of Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul.  You can read an exerpt at her blog http://www.inspiringrescuestories.com/.
In a recent email to us Joanne writes "While writing this book, my eyes were opened to how many truly amazing animal shelters and organizations are making a difference.  I also discovered the negative affects ths slow global economy has caused for these groups.  The animal shelters/organizations who are hurting the most aren't tho large nationsl groups.  Its the small local shelters and organizations that are really struggling right now."

As a result, she is donating a portion of the proceeds of the sale of the book to shelters.  There is also a contest where people can tell their shelter stories and win valuable prizes.  2 lucky winners will each have 15% of the profits from the sale of New Lives donated to the shelter of their choice.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Safe Humane Chicago Meet and Greet at Windy city

Safe Humane Chicago is holding a "meet and Greet" at Best Friends Windy City for Dog and Handler Teams.