In honor of National Dog Day 2012, Best Friends Pet Care will be giving away a free doggy ice cream treat to every dog who visits any of its 42 pet care centers across the U.S. on Saturday, August 25. The treats are made of yogurt or soy with dog-preferred flavors like peanut butter and honey.

Best Friends Pet Care, which provides boarding, grooming, training and doggy day camp, has 42 locations in 18 states. For a complete list, visit www.bestfriendspetcare.com.

“National Dog Day acknowledges the important role that dogs play in our lives,” says Best Friends Vice President Renee Coughlin. “And, while we celebrate dogs every day at Best Friends, we wanted to do something extra special for this occasion.”

“Although Sunday is the official day, we’re celebrating early. All dogs – whether Best Friends clients or not – are invited to stop by any of our 42 locations on Saturday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. for a free ice cream.”

Canine guests must be on leash and accompanied by a human companion.

Founded in 2004, National Dog Day is observed annually on August 26. It honors dogs of all breeds — from working dogs to family pets — and encourage pet owners to do something special for their dog.

This is the second year that Best Friends has hosted an ice cream giveaway in honor of the day. This year, the company is expanding its celebration, starting its observance on Friday, August 24, with treats for all dogs participating in its doggy day camp program that day.

Best Friends Pet Care, is a leading pet care company, is celebrating its 20(th) anniversary this year. The company is headquartered in Norwalk CT and provides high quality boarding, grooming, training and doggy day care in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia. For information, visit www.bestfriendspetcare.com.

So where can you celebrate with your pup? There’s one Oklahoma location:

Best Friends Pet Care
13517 Railway Drive
Oklahoma City, OK 73114
(405) 751-1944

The zoo celebrated a milestone recently when it tallied up attendance for the 2011-12 fiscal year. The zoo recorded 989,622 visitors, making the year the highest attendance ever in its 108-year history.

“But this particular year is one for the record books without one specific reason,” zoo officials said in a news release. “The Zoo has enjoyed sensational success over the last twelve months without opening a major new attraction.”

The previous record of 982,721 was set last year.

“This accomplishment is the result of a tremendous amount of hard work from devoted staff, ZooFriends, Trustees and community partners,” Executive Director Dwight Scott said in a statement. “We are incredibly thankful to Oklahoma City taxpayers for their ongoing support so we can continue to improve the Zoo, provide quality experiences for our guests and increase our conservation efforts.”

Edmond resident Rita Gray-Martin will sign copies of her book Erick on Saturday, July 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Vintage Timeless Coffee, 900 NW 150th in Oklahoma City. As an educator, Gray-Martin encounters children who are very angry. In her book, a student acts out. Ms. Gray, his teacher, discovers why he is angry. Erick shows how a caring and loving relationship from an adult can make a positive difference in a child’s life. Rita Gray-Martin says “Erick is meant to help adults understand and take the time to investigate further into a child’s outbursts. Children see themselves in Erick.”

In addition to hardback and paperback books, Erick rag dolls, coloring books, CDs and bookmarks will be available. Ten percent of sales that day benefit Best Friends of Pets, a local animal welfare organization dedicated to reducing pet overpopulation by helping pets and their owners.

Rita Gray-Martin has spent over three decades in education. She currently is a Certified Trainer of Trainers, Transformation Coach, and motivational speaker. For more information, go to www.ritagraymartinauthor.webs.com.

Who can hear the familiar notes of the Beatles’ classic, “Yellow Submarine,” without feeling like the ocean is nearby? Patrons of the upcoming Symphony by the Sea, 6:00 p.m., August 25, 2012 will have the closest substitute in the Oklahoma Aquarium. Symphony by the Sea is a cooperative fundraiser to benefit the educational programs of both the Aquarium and Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, and specifically Symphony by the Sea for Students. The collaborative program immerses school children in arts and science education by introducing them to both classical music and aquatic life. Since joining forces in 2010, the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra and Oklahoma Aquarium have educated and entertained more than 3,000 students through stations such as Brass by the Boat and Sharks and Strings.

Adult patrons of the upcoming fundraiser are treated to similar ambience, with the opportunity to dine alongside the shark tank, coral reef or other exhibits. A premier silent auction will be offered throughout the Aquarium Galleries while Tulsa Symphony Orchestra musicians provide the soundtrack for the evening. The musical entertainment will continue with a concert in the Aquarium Great Hall. “Selections from an Octopus’s Garden” will highlight classical, theatrical, and popular music.

The Aquarium and Symphony are pleased to recognize Becky Frank, Chairman of the Tulsa Metro Chamber, as this year’s Honorary Chair of Symphony by the Sea. Frank’s tireless dedication to promoting the Greater Tulsa region by fostering a spirit of regional cooperation through cultural tourism and economic development make her the ideal honoree.

Sponsor tables and tickets are now offered at the following levels: Conductors and Captains, $15,000; Sharks and Strings, $10,000; Reeds and Reef, $5,000; Brass and Bass, $2,500; Paddlefish and Percussion, $1,500; Mermaids and Musicians, $250 per couple. Reservations can be made by contacting Janis Davis, 528-1555, jdavis@okaquarium.org. The Oklahoma Aquarium and Tulsa Symphony Orchestra are both 501 (c) 3 non-profit organizations.

For some reason, a group called The Pet Collective has done a parody video of their video “One Thing.” With dogs. Yes. It’s just dogs running around. Let’s just be grateful that the dogs aren’t barking along. The doggy suspenders are pretty hilarious, though.

We thank you, Oklahoma City Zoo supporters, for all you do! Tuesday, July 17, 2012, marks the twenty-second anniversary of the 1/8 of a cent dedicated sales tax being passed by Oklahoma City citizens for the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, and to celebrate, the Zoo is offering free admission to all on Tuesday, July 17.

Passed by Oklahoma City citizens in 1990, the sales tax has made numerous capitol improvements possible at the Zoo including Great EscApe, Cat Forest/Lion Overlook, the main entrance facility, the Canopy Food Court, Oklahoma Trails, the Children’s Zoo and the Elephant Habitat. Moving forward the sales tax will help fund a new animal hospital slated to open in 2014.

“We are extremely grateful to the citizens of Oklahoma City for their ongoing dedication to the Zoo. The significant support we receive from the community enables the Zoo to continue to grow and strive for excellence in our mission of conservation, education, research and recreation; while becoming a world class attraction that Oklahomans are proud to call their zoo.” said Dwight Scott, Executive Director/CEO.

Take advantage of the free admission and make plans to visit the Zoo on Sales Tax Appreciation Day, Tuesday, July 17. Group reservations are not required. Regular prices apply for all rides and attractions.

Visit Oklahoma’s #1 attraction and one of the top three zoos in the country as named in the 2012 10Besties Readers’ Choice Travel Awards. The Oklahoma City Zoo is a proud member of Oklahoma City’s Adventure District located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for children ages three-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children two and under are admitted free.

Now through August 26, the Zoo is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for Morning Zoo Rise. Guests can take advantage of our late Saturdays through September 1, and stay and play until 8 p.m. All guests must leave grounds at closing. Become a Zoo fan at http://www.facebook.com/okczoobg or follow us on Twitter @okczoo. To learn more about these and other happenings, call (405) 424-3344 or visit okczoo.com.