Best Friends Pet Resort & Canine Academy

03/30/2022

As many of you already know, March 31, 2022, is my last day at Best Friends Pet Resort & Canine Academy; I will be heading to Albuquerque soon after.

Dr. Rob Santos will take over under the new name, RoamNBoard, bringing new opportunities for our guests, customers, and staff. Westside Animals for Adoption will be replaced by Kate’s Furreka, which will continue with adoptions and fostering of pets needing homes. I’m grateful for the welcome given by this community when I moved here in 2000. I had no idea that the business would flourish and morph into a mission of giving back to people and their pets. I’m indebted to my employees, customers, friends, community, and, of course, all the thoroughly delightful 4-legged guests. It truly has been a miraculous life.

My miracles:
*Puppies sleeping on my lap; hearing dogs snore; watching dogs
play and cats watch us
*Being able to foster-board pets when under-resourced owners are
n need
*Being surrounded by dedicated, caring, and smart employees and
volunteers
*Seeing students smile when experiencing flow as they train their
dogs
*Returning lost pets to their happy owners—sometimes more than
once
*Being supported by a community that believes in the human-
animal bond
*Nailing excellent customer service
*Watching our junior volunteers flourish
*Thanks to our donors, helping needy owners access veterinary
care for their pets
*Sharing space with coyotes, fox, owls, birds and bugs, frogs, toads,
geese, and ducks
*Watching the seasons unfold—the hills, river, fields, and orchards
*Eating almonds off the trees (don’t tell the farmers)
*Taking dogs for a swim in the river
*Being part of the team saving lives

03/19/2022

Aren't these kitties cute? So curious.

02/16/2022

Finally. CA has allocated millions to help animals and , by extension, their people. Our area will no doubt be targeted.

In California, we dream different to do different. California for All Animals exists to unite and amplify the work of California animal shelters to achieve our shared…

02/15/2022

While not directly addressing this issue, feel free to use different languages when you are talking to and educating your dog. She will register the difference.

When brain researcher Laura Cuaya moved from Mexico to Hungary, she wanted to know if her two dogs would recognize the change in language. So she devised an experiment.

02/10/2022

02/06/2022

With a little help these two cuties had a blast today playing nice. Willow, the Cane Corso, didn't take long to realize she could cut corners to catch Loki, the shepadoodle. Both are here for a puppy training program.

02/04/2022

Part of puppy training is to teach them the learning game and to be comfortable in their environments. Oh, yes, and having fun, too. Loki had fun too.

02/03/2022

I'm blessed to have the staff that makes these reunions with family members happen. It takes many hands and skills to pull this together. Thank you. And thank you to this community for believing in the value of the human animal bond.

01/30/2022

Fyi. Give them a call if you're feeding community cats.

In the last 2 weeks, we have "birthed" 3 new cat trappers. Together they have caught 19 cats. 2 trappers are completely done with their projects and can now relax knowing NO kittens will be born. Just imagine the look of joy in their faces when they realized how incredibly easy TNR is. This boy is 1 of 8 males checked in today. If you are feeding stray of feral cats, give us a call and we will get you started on your Trap-Neuter-Return project. It's easy, fun ad the only way to control feral cats from having kittens over and over again. We cannot trap every cat in our county. But we can teach you all. Call us at 209-735-0604 for more information 😊 🐈

01/30/2022

Rocky turned out a natural on the agility course. Her human went home dreaming of obstacles to build for her. Teamwork at its best.

01/29/2022

Making the decision when to euthanize your 4-legged family member is rarely easy. I came across this free link for support from the University of Tennessee. A phone number is included.

Our Pet Loss Support Group is held via telehealth. We will think about resuming in-person meetings when and if the […]

01/13/2022

Yes, those are people climbing the ladder. Must be good cat entertainment...

01/13/2022

It takes a team..

01/10/2022

We get many inquiries re free-roaming cats. Here's the curruent policy advocated by animal control.

It is the position [policy] of the National Animal Care & Control Association that, at every opportunity, officers should [will] work to educate the public regarding humane and responsible co-existence and care of pet and community cats, to include education on the benefits and resources for spay/ne...

01/09/2022

It's a "yes" to dog ownership. "...Overall, the research (see paper below) finds that pets benefit human health, although the available evidence is inconsistent. The research on dog ownership and physical activity offers the clearest benefits. ...The exercise provided by dog-walking provides cardiovascular and other health benefits. Moreover, dog walking offers opportunities to build social support through interactions with other dog walkers, and the combination of pet ownership and social support appears to mediate depression and stress. The dog walking research thus has substantial public health implications, indicating the importance of further research and suggesting opportunities for involvement by the veterinary profession."(https://www.academia.edu/35990453/The_Value_of_Pets_to_Public_and_Private_Health_and_Well_Being_Prepared_for_the_American_Veterinarian_Medical_Association?email_work_card=view-paper)

Report prepared for the American Veterinary Medical Association

01/07/2022

Thinking about daycare for your dog? This article has useful information to understand the possibilities.

Not all dogs are daycare dogs. Although many dogs can thrive in a doggy daycare environment, it isn’t right for every dog.