Monday, February 8, 2010

Mardi Gras Dogs & Others









Sunday was the annual Beggin' Strips Barkus Pet Parade held in the historic district of Soulard in St. Louis, Misssouri. The event was benefiting the Open Door Animal Sanctuary, a no kill shelter in Jefferson County. The parade was a huge success with Soulard's Mardi Gras streets jam packed with dogs of all sizes and even a goat, horse, and several cats thrown in for fun! Every year, Mardi Gras is celebrated throughout the streets of Soulard with a month long celebration of food, drink, and revelry....and of course our furry friends have to get in on the act. I've posted more photos on our Best Friends Studios flickr page. Check them out. I promise they'll make you smile!
Mary Ann

Friday, February 5, 2010

Just for Fun Friday: YouTube Video of Dogs on the Beach


Stuck in the gray doldrums of what seems to be an ever-lasting winter? Check out this feel-good video of dogs on the beach. It will make you smile, sing and long for summer! Ellen
Best Friends Studios

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Questionable Bones, Throwing Up, and Vet Bills


In the wee hours of Monday morning, Shaetze nor I got much sleep. Between bouts of vomiting, Shaetze was shivering from undoubtedly painful stomach cramps. As I lay awake sick to death with worry and unable to comfort my little guy, I kept wondering what on earth could have caused this trauma. It was that bone I gave him last night, I just knew it. It came from a reputable store and was packaged so nicely for our four legged friends that I had no doubt it was safe. I have no proof of course because it could have been anything the little scavenger had come across in the yard. So as soon as the Vet opened Monday morning, he was off to be healed. Sure enough, he was fighting an infection and not until they gave him antibiotics did he start to show signs of improvement. The vet is sure that it was something he had eaten. It got me thinking about all the things that can make a dog sick that I might not be aware of like fatty meats, grapes, garlic, or avocados. Some of these ingredients can even be found in food that is specifically produced for dogs. Sometimes though it is the amount, or the form that these seemingly innocent ingredients come in that can wreck havoc on an animal's stomach. Adrienne Carlson has compiled a list of "25 Common Foods That Can Be Toxic for Your Pet" over on her blog Veterinary Technician Schools Online. It's a must read for any pet owner. You might be surprised at some of the foods included in this list.

Shaetze is better by the way. We still don't know exactly what he got into and whether it was the dog bone or not, but you can be sure I'll be watching him like a hawk!
Mary Ann
Best Friends Studios

Monday, February 1, 2010

$5 OFF COUPON at Best Friends Studios

Ellen's puppy, Scamp, celebrates his first birthday today, February 1st. In honor of this little guy's big day, we're offering customers a $5 OFF COUPON on all orders over $25 at BestFriendsStudios.com from now through Monday, February 8 [sale ends 11:59 PM CST]. Limit one coupon per customer. Enter coupon code SCAMP at checkout. Happy Birthday, Scamp!  Ellen and Mary Ann

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Pill Popping for Dogs



Anyone who has ever had a dog has surely, at some point, had to administer a pill or two for medical reasons. I've always gone the "hide the pill in food" route. My vet recommended using the stinkiest food around because those incredible noses will always sniff out a lurking pill. My "go to" food has always been Braunschweiger which actually has worked beautifully for all of the pups in my life...until now. I don't know about your little friends but my Schaetze has become a master of artfully chewing his way around the pill and then promptly spitting it out, clean as a whistle, on to the floor.  In my search for a more effective method of delivery, I happened upon "Pill Pockets" from the Greenies company. They work like a charm. They too are stinky, but I think their malodorous sent is more potent than Braunschweiger's. What ever their secret is, they have worked for me and I couldn't be any happier! They also have Pill Pockets for cats. They are offering free samples for both dogs and cats from their website. Just go to the second page of products to locate this offer!
Mary Ann
BestFriendsStudios