Archive for the tag 'Pet Sitter'

The economy and care for our pets. Are some expenses worth the cost?

February 4th, 2009

With the economy looking bleak and people cutting back, there is one expense people are not curtailing, their pets. In a survey conducted by the Associated Press in Dec. 2008, just one in seven pet owners said they had curtailed spending on their pets.

I read this in a monthly magazine the other day and I for one have to agree while I have cut back drastically on many things, my dogs and their life style are not one of them. If your like me, your dogs are your family and you will do pretty much anything to keep them healthy and happy. If only my dogs knew how good they had it.

I recently had a discussion on whether to send dogs to a kennel or keep them home. While kennels are great places for some pets, others are not so happy to be there. That said, there are several reasons why hiring a pet sitter to be with your pets and/ or sitting overnight might be the better alternative. Your pet might be ill, have separation anxiety or you want sole attention paid to your pets. One thing to bear in mind,however, is it is going to cost the owner an average of 30% or more to to hire a  professional pet sitter for overnights. Is this worth it? It depends on whether you want a more personalized service or not.  

I, for one want a more personalized service and am willing factor in the expense. I want my dogs in their own home, not a place where they are competing for some one’s undivided attention. Where they can sleep and play in familiar surroundings. For this, yes I pay more. It is a personalized service.I am asking the pet sitter for their undivided attention, for their time and money spent on gas to drive out to my house just to keep my dogs happy. I don’t ask for “discounts” because I know that they are giving their time for just my dogs. Is it worth it? You bet, I come home to happy dogs. My house is still the same, my plants are watered, my mail has been brought in. I am more than happy to pay the price for the well being of my dogs.

As a pet sitter, I provide not only the convenience of keeping your dog or cat home where they are most comfortable, but I interact one on one. No multiple dogs to divide my attention among. Where the dogs are taken for a walk when they are used to be taken, not when time is slotted for each dog. Where your cats can play, be brushed and feel the attention is solely on them.  I am there to not only watch your animals but to watch your house as well.

The standard for deciding between a kennel and professional pet sitter  is to evaluate who will provide the best care to your animals. Don’t let price be your only judging factor, think of your pet first.

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Messenger Bags and Dog Walking

October 20th, 2008

Recently, as I was walking two of my regular dogs, it occurred to me that perhaps I needed a bag to put all the items I had sticking out of my pockets into.

Here I was walking along and it started to rain, just a little mind you, but enough to get me to start thinking about a messenger bag. At this time, I had two cell phones, poop bags, an extra leash and two sets of keys all crammed in my front and back pockets. Of course I could have used an umbrella at that moment as well, but where to put it.

I started looking at messenger bags. I prefer to buy handmade items made by small business owners, so I started looking online. I found what I was looking by way of Zoe’s Bag Boutique

I wanted a messenger bag made specifically for me that fit my style and my pet sitting/ dog walking business.  The owner of this boutique let me pick out my own fabric and I chose her new line of bags, which has a unique style that lets you change flaps. I have two different fabric prints that I can change when the mood strikes. Now I have a custom made messenger bag that I can put my keys, extra leash, bottled water, cell phones, poop bags and yes, even an umbrella. I am now set, now….where did those dogs go?

You can see my custom bag here: Zoe’s Blog

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Would you know how to save your pet’s life?

July 24th, 2008

One of things I enjoy doing on Sundays is grabbing a cup of coffee then heading over to my big comfy chair to read the morning newspaper. This, however is done “after” I have fed all six of my dogs. They would wither up and die of starvation if I didn’t immediately feed them upon cracking open my eyes..or they seem to think so anyway.

I often look for articles about pets. Events, rescues, tips, tricks or the occasional heart warming stories. One Sunday I found an article on “How to save your pet’s life”. I saved the article and came across it again this week, so I thought I would share with you.

What would you do in an emergency? The best thing to do is stay calm, be prepared and act quickly, but be sure to remain cautious. In some case the animal could bite out of fear or pain.

CAR ACCIDENTS
A pet that has been hit by a car needs to see a vet immediately. Internal bleeding is common, and outward signs of distress may not show for several hours. Also, puncture wounds that close rapidly can cause life-threatening infections later on. Enlist someone’s help in moving the animal by sliding a heavy towel beneath it. To avoid being bitten, tie a strip of cloth over your dog’s nose, or cover your cat’s face with a coat.

BLEEDING
Using direct pressure, apply a clean, dry cloth to the wound. If blood soaks through the first layer of fabric, add more so you don’t disrupt any clots that may be forming. Use a tourniquet only as a last resort, and make it just tight enough to significantly reduce the flow of blood. Loosen it every five minutes, and don’t keep it on for longer than 20 minutes. Transport your pet to the vet as soon as possible.

CHOKING
Dogs or cats that are choking may breathe loudly, drool, paw at their mouth, cough, gag, become anxious, or faint. If this happens, gently open your pet’s mouth to locate and manually remove the object. If your pet isn’t breathing and you can’t find what is obstructing its windpipe, perform a modified Heimlich maneuver. With your pet facing away from you, clasp your hands around its waist, just beneath the rib cage. Compress the abdomen three to five times with quick upward thrusts. Repeat as necessary. If that doesn’t work, take your pet to the vet.

LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS
If your pet exhibits signs of cardiopulmonary arrest—unconsciousness, a weak or irregular pulse, no heartbeat, and no obvious signs of breathing—begin CPR. The techniques used on humans can be modified easily to work on animals. If possible, enlist someone else’s help—it’s best to perform CPR on your way to the hospital, so that resuscitation can be continued there. Do not attempt it on a conscious animal.

POISONING
Symptoms of poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, salivation, excitability, difficulty breathing, disorientation, poor coordination, twitching, convulsions, and collapse. Common sources are medications, household cleaning products, rat poison, antifreeze, insecticides, and plants. Not all poisons are treated alike, so if you think your pet may have ingested something dangerous, head to the vet immediately. Try to bring any plant material, vomit, or toxic substances with you.

As you transport your pet to the hospital, provide a cover for warmth and talk in a soothing voice. That way, it’ll know it’s in good hands.

Do you have a First-Aid Kit for Fido or Kitty?

If not here is a list of things you should have on hand

  • Phone number and directions to your nearest vet or 24-hour clinic
  • Tweezers, to remove splinters, or ticks
  • Antibiotic ointment for wounds
  • Gauze bandage and bandage tape
  • Wound disinfectant
  • Heavy towel or blanket, in case you need to carry your pet
  • Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for allergic reactions
  • Sterile saline for flushing eyes
  • Disposable latex gloves
  • Muzzle or strips of cloth, in case you have to bind the pets mouth

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