tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83153204072693953972024-03-05T08:09:05.526-05:00Your Best Friend's Pet Sitting BlogWhat's it like to be a professional pet sitter? I am Kristen, owner of Your Best Friend Pet Sitting located in beautiful Hamlin, PA, nestled in the Poconos. I love to write about my experiences running a business, being a pet sitter, and living in one of the most beautiful natural places on Earth!Your Best Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00505064235206852269noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315320407269395397.post-1652326984320383132012-01-31T10:37:00.003-05:002012-01-31T10:37:38.377-05:00NAPPS Annual Conference, and Investing in ClientsI just returned from Las Vegas where I attended the annual conference for the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. It was fantastic! I got so much information and education in just three days, not to mention networking, learning about new products from vendors who attended, and gathering tons of ideas. I said it on my Facebook page but it bears repeating: My clients invest in me all year. This is one way that I can invest in THEM and their furry family members. <br />
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So here are some fun tips and facts I learned!<br />
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1. If you are going away, put a few washcloths or t-shirts in your bed as you sleep to mark them with your scent. Put them in a plastic bag and tie it to keep the scent in. Then when you are away, your pet sitter can take out a scent-marked item each day to help reassure your pets and let them smell, if not see, your presence.<br />
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2. Domestic cats are descended from the African Wildcat. These cats were mostly desert-dwellers. In the desert, rivers and pools were to be avoided due to crocodiles, and standing puddles of water were usually not drinkable. So while cats got most of their moisture from prey, they learned to get a little extra moisture from dripping leaves. To this day, many cats like to drink from faucets or fountains that drip, rather than from a bowl. (I always wondered why my cats were so fascinated with the faucet!) <br />
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3. When was the last time you saw a dog or cat eagerly running to a corn field to eat corn? Never! Cats and dogs are not designed to eat corn - it is a cheap filler and NOT suitable for feeding to your dogs and cats. If your pet food contains corn, get rid of it!<br />
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This is just the tip of the tip of the iceberg of what I learned. Plus I got to network with the experts, authors, and leaders in the industry, so if you have questions I can't answer, I probably know someone who can!<br />
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On another note, I get calls and emails from folks who want to be pet sitters and start their own businesses. I think that's great! It's a much-needed service! But when I recommend they join a professional pet sitting organization like NAPPS, where they would have access to a ton of free information, resources, contacts, and business forms, many say "$160 per year! That's too much to spend." I only have one reply to that: "If you can't invest $160 in your business, please rethink being a pet sitter". How can a pet sitter expect clients to invest in them, when they can't even spend $160 to kick start their business the right way?<br /><br />Thankfully times are changing, and pet guardians expect a LOT out of the person caring for their pets. There are always a few pet owners who shrug and say "It's just a dog" or "My cat is really independent, as long as she has a pile of food and a bucket of water, we can leave her alone". Maybe they will pay a bargain-basement sitter with no insurance, training, or a real, tax-paying business. But for those who cherish pets as part of the family, including me, they want more. And they deserve more. Their pets deserve more.<br />
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That's why I LOVE it when owners ask me for references and details on my training and experience. It tells me that they love their pets enough to expect only the highest quality care for their babies. That's what I intend to deliver, for every client, every time. Look into your pet's eyes. Don't they deserve the best?Your Best Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00505064235206852269noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315320407269395397.post-22284352985865861672012-01-16T18:33:00.001-05:002012-01-31T10:08:06.442-05:00We've been so lucky here in Northeast PA to have a relatively dry and not-too-cold winter (although that seems to be changing!) I try to stay informed about weather issues and how they can affect pets. So I was interested to see this article cross my virtual desktop today:<br />
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Dog Feet Have Special Blood Vessels That Protect Them From Cold: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/13/dog-feet_n_1204709.html<br />
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That's good to know! Although I still err on the side of caution and I don't let dogs linger too long outside when the weather conditions can create a hazard to safety or their health. The same goes for very hot days too, some dogs just can't handle the heat.<br />
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I think this winter I finally have the cold-weather gear I need. Seems like every year I'd be missing some component, but this year I've had occasion to bundle up, and I stayed warm outside, so I think I'm set.<br />
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The holidays are over, and that means two things - folks planning cruises somewhere warm, and families planning summer vacations. Don't forget to book pet care, too! Give a call or send an email, we'll get you scheduled for pet sits and you can cross that off your to-do list!<br />Your Best Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00505064235206852269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315320407269395397.post-37178676152319210612012-01-12T16:41:00.002-05:002012-01-12T16:41:53.742-05:002012 Here We Come!What a year 2011 has been. Your Best Friend Pet Sitting celebrated it's 5th year in business - can you believe it? This has been a year of feeling immensely grateful and appreciative to all of my clients who trust me with their furry (and finned, scaled, and feathered!) family members. When you can go to work every day feeling grateful for the opportunity, regardless of what you do, you will put your all into it. That's my theory, anyway! <br />
In addition, in 2011, I became a <a href="http://www.petsitters.org/index.cfm?section=Certification" target="_blank">Certified Pet Sitter</a> through the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters! This was an immensely challenging process. I had no idea! The certification is an in-depth course on pet care, nutrition, illness, as well as good business practices and principles. I learned so much practical information that I can bring to my clients and their pets, from observing the more subtle signs of illness in dogs and cats, to methods of communicating with animals to help bond with them and understand their needs. I can't say enough good things about this course! <br />
<br />In 2 weeks I'll be off to the annual conference for NAPPS. This is where I get a lot of great information, ideas, and education. My clients invest in me year-round. I wouldn't be where I am today if I didn't invest in THEM. I want to be the best sitter I can be, and that means learning, learning, learning. It never stops, it's all part of the process. <br />
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What else is in store for 2012? Stay tuned and find out! You can follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=574813156&sk=photos#!/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/BestFriendPet" target="_blank">Twitter</a>!<br />Your Best Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00505064235206852269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315320407269395397.post-39398075149906833242011-10-07T10:54:00.005-04:002011-10-10T22:24:42.576-04:00Taking Care of Homeless Pets<div><div>As times get tough for humans, they get even tougher for the pets we care for. Let's face it, the mortgage crisis forced a lot of families out of their homes, and finding pet-friendly apartments at an affordable price is next to impossible. The lucky pets were rehomed with a friend or family member. The not-so-lucky pets were dropped off at shelters, which are already strained. the really unlucky ones - they were set loose, or worse, left inside the home with no food, water, or companionship, until they died (or were found barely alive - some made it, some didn't.) </div><div> </div><div>I network daily with local shelters and rescue groups, and to say they are in need is an understatement. What they seem to need most right now are good foster homes to help with the overflow of pets that come in daily. </div><div> </div><div>Have you ever considered fostering a pet? Have you thought about opening your home and heart to an animal in need on a temporary basis, until they can move on to their "fur-ever" home? Maybe you thought that you'd like to try it, but you are afraid you'll get attached and will have too hard a time giving them up. Or maybe you weren't sure how it all worked. Or maybe you have pets or kids and are a little nervous as to how they'd get along. </div><div> </div><div>These are really important questions. And there are answers! </div><div> </div><div>Shelters and rescue groups have resources for you. No reputable shelter would just dump a pet on you and leave you to deal with it. That doesn't help you, the pet, OR the shelter! Shelters want to create great relationships with their foster families. They have the skills and experience to guide you through the process. </div><div> </div><div>If you currently have pets, they'll make sure that the pet you foster has been tested around dogs or cats. That does not mean that you won't have to supervise their interactions, or that it will be 100% hassle-free! But experienced shelter / rescue workers will give you tips on introducing the new pet into your home, and they're there to answer questions for you every step of the way. </div><div> </div><div>Fostering is not forever! The upside to that is you get to enjoy all of the fun of having a new addition to your home, knowing that you're saving a life, and they will soon have their "furever" home. You can make that possible! The downside, of course, is saying goodbye. That can be tough. But you can make the transition easier by always keeping in mind that you're really just watching a pet for a little while, helping it on its path to a loving home. Will you get attached? Of course. But the pain of saying goodbye is tempered by the joy of knowing you saved a life. And of course, you can then foster another pet in need, and save another life! </div><div> </div><div>Cats and dogs are in the most need when it comes to foster homes. But I have also seen rabbits, ferrets, rats, lizards, and snakes needing foster homes. If you have some experience with those types of animals, why not foster? </div><div> </div><div>If you live in Northeast PA, and you are interested in opening your heart and home to a foster pet, contact me and I'll be happy to help put you in touch with area shelters and rescues in need. </div><div> </div><div>To those who work in animal rescue - I salute all you do for homeless animals!</div></div>Your Best Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00505064235206852269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315320407269395397.post-91874116965758123872011-10-04T14:15:00.004-04:002011-10-04T14:23:42.831-04:00I Can Has Website? LOLcats and New DesignsIf you want a wonderful way to waste a little time or laugh at some cute pet photos, check out <a href="http://icanhascheezburger.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" >http://icanhascheezburger.com/</span></a>. I'll admit it is torture trying to decipher the really over-the-top "LOLspeak" on some of them, but the cute pics are worth it. <div> </div><div>Your Best Friend Pet Sitting is working on a new website (that is to say, <i>I</i> am working on a new website, I am a "do-it-yourselfer"), one that will provide easier navigation and more information for pet owners and clients. If there's anything you'd like to see included on the site, drop me a line at kristen (at) bestfriendpetsitting.com and let me know! I am happy to share the many resources I've developed over the years in running my business and taking care of homes and pets in the area. I welcome your ideas, always. </div><div> </div><div><br /></div>Your Best Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00505064235206852269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315320407269395397.post-22586319579960568542011-10-02T15:41:00.002-04:002011-10-02T15:58:12.068-04:00Rainy Dogs and Muddy PawsWith the rainy days, I'm of course dealing with lots of muddy paws. My usual solution was a good old towel, I keep a stash of them in my car in case people don't have a "paw towel" of their own. I guess I never thought of another option! But recently I have found that there are a whole line of products to deal with this very issue. <div> </div><div>Some are vase-like vessels for water, and you dip the dog's paws in to get them clean. <a href="http://www.thepawwash.com/">The Paw Wash</a> and the <a href="http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/paw-plunger-3">Paw Plunger</a> are examples of these. I've never used them, firstly because I just found out about them, and secondly, because I am trying to imagine my own 3 dogs using these. My 3 pups are used to barreling out and in, usually at top speed, and the idea that they would slow down or sit still while I dipped all 12 paws in water...I just can't picture it! But for a single dog who is a lot more laid back about things, they may be a good solution. Although you'd have to wipe the paws anyway to get them dry, wouldn't you? I'd be interested in hearing people's thoughts on this! </div><div> </div><div>Another item I just found out about is a paw-cleaning mitt. Here are some examples of what's out there: <a href="http://www.spotlesspaw.com/">The Spotless Paw</a>, the <a href="http://www.jardenstore.com/productdetails.aspx?BrandId=502&pid=1481">Paw Monster</a>, and the <a href="http://www.evriholder.com/Evripet-Paw-Cleaner.asp">Evri-Pet</a> paw cleaner. I have used a mitt like the Evri-Pet, and I found it to be a lot easier to get water, dirt and mud off dogs' paws. It's not flawless, only because dogs are dogs and some wiggle less than others of course! But I found it really fast to use and clean. </div><div> </div><div>I don't get paid by any company to mention products (I'd mention it if I did!), but I always want to help people find good solutions to everyday pet problems. </div>Your Best Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00505064235206852269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315320407269395397.post-59395618673552721092011-09-29T13:57:00.002-04:002011-09-29T17:27:09.329-04:00Doggies in the Rain<div>It is no fun walking dogs in the rain. Some dogs don't mind it, but other dogs tuck their tail and try to hide when it's time to go out. I try a few strategies in cases like these.</div><ul><li>I go out myself and lead the way. Some dogs may not be crazy about the rain, but they'll go if I go first and show them it's not so bad.</li><br /><li>Gentle encouragement. This may mean sitting in the doorway with a treat and a soothing voice, reassuring the dog, and helping to remove the stress from the situation. It takes time, but you cannot rush a good relationship with a pet, it must be earned, and that takes time and patience.</li><br /><li>Bribery. For many dogs, a treat is a great motivator. If they are really stubborn, I will bring out the freeze-dried liver treats - I have not known a dog to resist them.</li><br /><li>Compassionate understanding. There are times when the weather is just so rotten, the rain or wind too fierce, or snow too deep, and a dog just flat-out refuses to go. Nuh-uh, no way, not gonna do it. And every signal they are communicating - the drooping ears, the tucked tail, the submissive licking (or even growling) - says "If you force me, it will damage our relationship. Please do not put me in that position." In those cases, we make the pooch as happy and stress-free as possible while we're there, and just try again next visit. </li></ul><div>Maybe one of these tips will work for you if you have a reluctant, weather-weary pooch!</div>Your Best Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00505064235206852269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315320407269395397.post-64101822242422876492011-09-27T13:58:00.003-04:002011-09-27T18:09:51.971-04:00Time Flies!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHt6pVH9Pgt4N8uDv74tfx56lozuUmtvJ1SU4Zc7uETxMA1sSge0RwlVbjcQ8fHtSeyEz0j2yoEAUMF0AHZN8gOXHynaLR99vYa9j4hrlHrTIU9Z0rgdX8FLxJotlgmnbwcmZv5kEJnvo/s1600/IMAG0055.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHt6pVH9Pgt4N8uDv74tfx56lozuUmtvJ1SU4Zc7uETxMA1sSge0RwlVbjcQ8fHtSeyEz0j2yoEAUMF0AHZN8gOXHynaLR99vYa9j4hrlHrTIU9Z0rgdX8FLxJotlgmnbwcmZv5kEJnvo/s320/IMAG0055.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657137285893639890" /></a><br />Hello online peeps, happy fall! Here in the Poconos, the leaves are starting to change color, always a spectacular time of year. The weather has been fair, always a good thing when walking dogs. <br /> <br />I just got back Friday night from an in-person board meeting of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. We're an all-volunteer board, and all of the board members give their time and effort to making the pet sitting industry better for sitters, and in turn, the clients we serve. It's a great organization, you can check them out at <a href="http://www.petsitters.org">www.petsitters.org</a>. <br /> <br />One of the ways NAPPS benefits the pet sitting industry is through their Pet Sitting Certification program. It's a 3-credit course that covers a wealth of topics from business practices to first aid care for pets. I am proud to say I have passed the test and I am now a NAPPS-Certified Professional Pet Sitter! This was no easy test and I devoted many hours to studying and learning all I could. The knowledge was invaluable and has already been beneficial to my clients. The content was very in-depth, and covered almost everything a pet sitter should know, including when to take a pet to the vet, how to perform pet first aid, common ailments in dogs, cats, small mammals, birds, and reptiles, home security and client privacy issues, best business practices, and much more. It was very complete and detailed - they didn't skimp on the information. <br /><br><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHt6pVH9Pgt4N8uDv74tfx56lozuUmtvJ1SU4Zc7uETxMA1sSge0RwlVbjcQ8fHtSeyEz0j2yoEAUMF0AHZN8gOXHynaLR99vYa9j4hrlHrTIU9Z0rgdX8FLxJotlgmnbwcmZv5kEJnvo/s1600/IMAG0055.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHt6pVH9Pgt4N8uDv74tfx56lozuUmtvJ1SU4Zc7uETxMA1sSge0RwlVbjcQ8fHtSeyEz0j2yoEAUMF0AHZN8gOXHynaLR99vYa9j4hrlHrTIU9Z0rgdX8FLxJotlgmnbwcmZv5kEJnvo/s320/IMAG0055.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657137285893639890" /></a><br /><br><br />(Hey, I worked hard for this certificate! Of course I'm going to show it off!) <p><br /><br /><p><br />I look forward to putting my new knowledge and skills into practice by providing only the best, most loving care for your beloved pets!Your Best Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00505064235206852269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315320407269395397.post-320934156009755822011-05-11T10:51:00.004-04:002011-05-11T11:28:15.996-04:00Springtime as a Pet Sitter in the Poconos!If you live in or visit the Poconos, you've probably been ecstatic with the weather recently - warm, sunny, perfect weather for boating and fishing and all of the other incredible things to do in the area. <br />I am loving it too! Winter is a rough season for pet sitters (in the Northern climes, that is) so when I see those daffodils poking up through the ground, I get very excited. <br />Every season brings different challenges and opportunities for those who live and work with animals. In the springtime, I am extra-vigilant on my dog walks, because everything has melted, and sometimes the snow and ice can leave dangerous (or just icky) presents behind, and some dogs just can't resist nibbling, sniffing, eating, or rolling in things that are probably not very good for them!<br /><br />Wildlife in northeast PA is also abundant. As a pet sitter, it is your Best Friend Pet Sitting's policy (and also a requirement of my insurance!) that I keep dogs on leashes at all times (unless they have a securely fenced yard.) Chipmunks, squirrels, turkeys, deer, skunks, foxes groundhogs, even the occasional bear have all crossed my path on dog walks, and no matter how well you know your dog and trust him or her, you simply can't predict what they'll do when confronted with wildlife (and you can't predict what another animal will do!) Keeping a dog on a leash is not just good sense, it can save their life! <br /><br />The Hamlin, Lake Ariel, and Greentown areas, and all of the areas around Lake Wallenpaupack and the various other lakes in the area, feature many community associations (like The Hideout, Wallenpaupack Lake Estates, Tanglwood POA, etc.) Most, if not all of these communities have strict regulations about cleaning up after your dog. As a professional pet sitter, I clean up after every dog, always, regardless of what the association rules are, or even if it's just a private residence. That's my company policy, yes, but mostly it's just common sense and good manners!<br /><br />I hope you and your pets are having a wonderful spring! If you plan to spend some time outdoors exploring the Poconos, don't spend the day feeling like you have to rush to get back to the pets - just give me a call! I'll pamper your pets so you can enjoy hiking, swimming, fishing, and boating, guilt-free!Your Best Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00505064235206852269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315320407269395397.post-31626885049195494802011-04-25T18:31:00.001-04:002011-04-25T18:39:14.164-04:00The Business of BusinessYour Best Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00505064235206852269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315320407269395397.post-56026880795255341122011-03-19T12:06:00.003-04:002011-03-19T12:22:38.945-04:00Yard Waste Pick-UpIt's that time of year! The time when we see the snow melting, and we start planning our vacations! I love this time of year. the snow is juuuuust about gone, the dogs I walk sniff the ground like crazy on our walks to see what the melted snow has left behind, and if you pay attention, you can hear the robins singing. All right, all right, when I start talking like that my husband says he's going to bring out a violin. Haha. But it's true, it's a great time of year, especially after that long, dreary winter. Am I right? <br /><br />So with vacations comes pet care, and things are already busy! Give me a call or send me an email if you're ready to book pet sitting services, and if you live in the Hamlin / Lake Ariel / Greentown / Moscow / Mount Cobb / Newfoundland areas. The summer holidays are almost fully booked up already - yikes! Fortunately, I am pleased to announce that I will be bringing on an employee or two in the next month or so. Stay tuned! <br /><br />I'm off to walk my own dogs. We've all been feeling a little "pent up" this winter with the awful weather, so we are ready for some long walks! I hope you and your pets are having a great day!Your Best Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00505064235206852269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315320407269395397.post-55067897673853955102011-03-15T16:07:00.003-04:002011-03-15T19:03:44.735-04:00Emergency PlanningI'll admit - it's been hard to watch the news lately. The earthquake and tsumnami in Japan are heartbreaking events and my thoughts have been on the people there. Living in the mountains quite far from any coast, I don't really have to worry about tsunamis, but there are so many other weather-related disasters that can occur, and I think it's good just to be aware and have an emergency plan in place. As a pet sitter, it's part of my job. But what about pet owners? <br /><br />Fortunately, there is a great document from NAPPS (<a href="http://petsitters.org">The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters</a>)called the Emergency Planning Guide for Pet Owners. It's totally free to download - just visit www.petsitters.org, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click the link that says "Download a free copy". <br /><br />One of the best things you can do right away, if you haven't done it already, is to microchip and photograph your pets. Photographing your pets once a year or so can aid in finding a lost pet, and microchipping your pet can make it much easier for others to find you, should they find your pet.Your Best Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00505064235206852269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315320407269395397.post-20018010318276635102011-02-13T16:27:00.002-05:002011-02-13T17:04:13.515-05:00It Happened Again...It happened again...another call from a new client who is calling me because they had a friend checking in on their pets while they were away, and they returned to find that the pets were not well cared for. While I am always happy to get new business, I am always dismayed to have to get it in this fashion - where someone trusted a friend, housekeeper, or *eek* a kid to care for their 2 most important things - their home and their furry family members - and...got what they paid for. <br /><br />I network with professional pet sitters across the country, and we ALL have these stories (with varying degrees of horror, unfortunately). You can even find news stories where people trusted their home and pets to non-professionals, and came home to find their pets missing, abused, neglected, or...well, let's not go there. It's heartbreaking. <br /><br />I think of it a little like insurance. Why do we have auto and home insurance? What if our car is in great shape and we never get into an accident? What if our home stays safe and sound for years and nothing ever happens to it? Why should we pay month after month for insurance when we're pretty sure nothing's going to go wrong? <br /><br />Simply put, because everything is fine until it's not. <br /><br />So why pay for a trained, certified, experienced professional to come into our home and care for our precious pets, when we're pretty sure the neighbor or housekeeper can feed the cats and walk the dog? <br /><br />The answer is in the call I got from the new client. "We didn't think it would be that hard, just walking a dog and putting down food. We were wrong." Their friend did not have the experience to recognize signs of distress and discomfort in their pets. They did not have the inclination to clean the litter box as often as it should have been - and they didn't know that cats will often start to potty somewhere else if the box isn't clean. And once they start that habit, it's difficult and time-consuming to retrain them. Their friend didn't understand the dangers of rock salt on a dog's paws (and the tummy distress that happens when a dog comes inside and licks its paws clean, ingesting all of those toxins). Their friend was doing them a favor, and not getting paid much, so after a few days of having their day interrupted by the pet sits they took on to help out, they were burned out and cut corners, without realizing how it impacted the pets. They just didn't see the signs. Fortunately the pets are okay - but the money my new client saved in using a non-professional all went to vet bills and carpet cleaning when they returned from their trip. Not to mention the strained friendship. <br /><br />Those who hire pet sitters (including me!) expect more than someone coming in and dumping food in a dish and giving a quick walk to a dog. We want our pets to be happy! We want to know that while we are away, they are being loved, and nurtured, and carefully observed for signs of problems that an experienced eye will catch. We need to know that our instructions are being followed. We need to know that the litter box is being cleaned daily, not just on the last visit so it looks like it's been clean all week! We need the peace of mind that comes from hiring a professional, who has a career and reputation at stake which means the job will be done RIGHT. <br /><br />While the economy is slowly getting stronger, we are all still looking for ways to save money. But when it comes to the care of your cherished furry family members - it's worth paying a little extra for an experienced, insured professional to provide the best care when you're not there. Because everything is fine until it's not. When it comes to the health and safety of your pets, I firmly believe that it's just not worth the risk. My new client heartily agrees.Your Best Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00505064235206852269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315320407269395397.post-58925596574121497382010-12-29T11:07:00.002-05:002010-12-29T14:31:53.550-05:00What Do I REALLY Do?I read an interesting article the other day about a pet sitter detective! Pet owners noticed that their pet wasn't acting quite right when they were away, so they hired a pet sitter detective to see what the pet sitter really did in the owners' absence. <br /><br />At first I thought it was a little creepy, I wouldn't want to be followed without knowing it. But then I thought that it was actually a good idea- there are so many people who think that all you need to be a pet sitter is a leash and a business card, and they are the ones who would cut corners or worse, not show up at all! <br /><br />So I thought that I would be my own "Pet Sitter Detective" to give you a glimpse of what I do on a typical pet sit. <br /><br />The first thing I do as I pull into the driveway is look around. I am checking for security risks. Open doors or windows, unknown people or vehicles, that kind of thing. I am not a security expert, but ideally, I like to see a home looking just the way it did the last time I was there. I also check around for wildlife, including bears, coyotes, foxes, and raptors like hawks and eagles, which can take off with a small dog. I usually encounter lots of deer, many who love to graze in yards or at feeders, and I keep my distance even from them, because deer attacks are not unheard of! Here in Northeast PA, knowing your wildlife is very important. I carry a canister of bear mace with me now after a too-close encounter with a black bear. <br /><br />The next thing I do is enter the home, and I make note of the lock. Was the door locked? If not, why not? I make sure to not only lock every door after I leave, but to double- and triple-check it, security is definitely important to a pet sitter!<br /><br />When I enter, again, I glance around the entryway and make sure things are as I left them. I don't check all over the house unless specifically requested to by the owner, I just observe the rooms that I use to enter and care for the pets, to make sure there are no signs of trouble. <br /><br />I always check to see if a note has been left for me before I do anything else! The last thing I want is to come in after a dog walk to read "Please don't walk Fido outside today as he's recovering from a fall". I LOVE when owners leave me notes - I like to say "You can never give me too much information!" <br /><br />After I read the note, THEN it's time to work with the pets! If I'm sitting for a dog, the dog gets leashed and we go out right away. I only let dogs out if they are in a secure, fenced area, or on a leash. I follow the walking route the client has established, and usually the dog knows the way. A pet sitter detective would probably note that I tend to let the dogs sniff and meander a lot - unless the client directs otherwise, I like to let dogs enjoy their walks and sniff at their surroundings. If there's snow on the ground, and the dog likes the snow, we usually spend some time playing outside, and I'll throw snowballs for the dog to chase, or I'll let them run through the drifts. I love watching dogs enjoy the snow! If dogs are not fans of the snow (or excessive heat in summer), I'll get them out and in quickly so they don't feel too uncomfortable. Just yesterday I actually shoveled an area for some small dogs who don't like the snow, and I could tell they were grateful! It's hard for a dog to squat when the snow is up to their bellies. Years of dog experience help me to read the signs of a dog who really wants to potty but just can't get comfortable, and it's my job to help make it as easy as possible for them. Of course, poop pick-up is included with service. In many of the areas we serve, it's a requirement to clean up after your dog. No client should ever have to worry that they'll get a call from their association or neighbor saying that someone left a mess! We have poop bags and lots of 'em, and we aren't afraid to use them! Unless the client specifies otherwise, we dispose of pet waste off-site, so that clients don't have to come home to any unsavory smells. <br /><br />Once the potty break is over, we'll spend some time playing or cuddling, (or both!) depending on the pets' preference. I like to have playtime before mealtime, so as not to upset any tummies. If it's mealtime, I feed the pets based on the client's instructions. These are as varied as the pets themselves! Some pets get dry food measured into a bowl, some get meals with meat and gravy that are warmed up, some are on special diets. It is absolutely essential to me that pets are fed exactly as the client describes. Firstly, because my clients know their dogs best, secondly because part of my job is to reduce stress for the pets as much as possible, and keeping to the exact routine helps to achieve that, and thirdly, it's a sound business decision! If I were to just feed pets whatever _I_ thought was best, disregarding client instructions, the pet could get sick and I would be to blame! I take no chances with that. There are times when I have to use my judgment, for example, if a pet is sick, it might not be the best idea to give them food or treats. But I will always report to the client so that they are informed of the situation. We usually take dogs out after eating, too, since that's when many dogs prefer to do their business. <br /><br />We follow client instructions when it comes to water too - for some it's just a matter of keeping water bowls fresh, and for others, there are specific watering instructions. If we observe food or water bowls that are getting a little grungy (they all do at some point!) we clean them - that's just part of our job.<br /><br />Cat litter gets scooped once a day or more (and again, waste disposed of off-site unless instructed otherwise), kitties get fed and if they're social, they get cuddles and playtime too! Some cats prefer to hide from those who aren't family, and in those cases we leave them alone. Cats don't like to be chased from room to room, it stresses them out, and that's exactly what we don't want! If they hide, we check to see that the food and water levels are lower, and the litter box is being used and the bowel movements look healthy. Cats, especially male cats, or older cats, are prone to bladder infections, so we like to see that they are urinating normally. Urinating outside of the litter box can be a sign of trouble so we keep our eyes open for those kinds of problems as well.<br /> <br />We take care of other animals too - lizards, fish, birds, and small mammals. We follow client instructions, and if they aren't the kinds of animals that like playtime, we at least talk to them and pay attention to them as we feed and water, so that they know they are loved. True, snakes and iguanas may not care if we tell them they're beautiful, but it doesn't hurt to tell them. :)<br /><br />Before we leave, we review our checklist or client paperwork to make sure we took care of everything. We tidy up after ourselves and the pets, and leave a note to let the client know how everything went with that visit (we also record the date and time so clients know when we were there.) We do a headcount - VERY important in homes with multiple pets! In fact in homes with more than two or three pets, I record my headcounts on my cell phone audio recorder, noting the date, time, and I recite each pets name as I look at them, so I know that I had visual confirmation of each pet as I said their name on the recording. We make sure doors and windows are secure, water faucets are turned off, lights are off (or on, depending on the client), plants watered if need be, mail brought in and packages taken in (so as not to alert potential burglars that nobody is home). Then I check to make sure that the keys are in my hand and my cell phone is in my pocket. I check that again, and then I triple-check. THEN I lock the door, close it, push it and pull it to make sure it's latched, check it again, and when I am fully satisfied that the door is secure, it's time to go. <br /><br />Whew, that's a lot to do in each visit, and every pet sit is different! But each step is important, because we are entrusted to provide the best care for the homes and pets we watch over. Your Best Friend Pet Sitting has been in business for almost 5 years now, and we wouldn't still be in business, with glowing client testimonials, if we didn't take our job seriously!<br /><br />So if you're considering hiring a pet sitter detective, these are the types of things he or she should be looking for. And if you're using a pet sitter who you think is cutting corners or not doing the job you asked them to do, call Your Best Friend Pet Sitting, and we will do the job RIGHT!Your Best Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00505064235206852269noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315320407269395397.post-90910013898913574882010-12-09T17:28:00.002-05:002010-12-09T18:13:03.643-05:00It's that time of year again - winter has arrived in Northeast PA. Brrrr - it's getting cold. I bought a little hand warmer this year, which I've used twice so far and found it to be useful. <br />The dogs I've been walking are all troopers in the cold. Except for my own little Fiona. She's part Italian Greyhound and she doesn't have much body fat, and her fur is pretty short. So, a new coat is in order. I've been looking at the Snuggies for dogs, but she needs coverage on the belly too. I wish I could sew, I'd make her a cute little jacket!<br />Essential pet sitter gear in cold weather: I love my hoodies, they keep my head warm without me having to carry an extra piece of clothing. When you have your hands full of leashes and keys, the last thing you need is a hat falling off! I also love my waterproof boots for the wet days, and Yaktrax for the ice. This time of year, I wear my bright orange vest, and I have orange bandannas for the dogs I walk when we're in wooded areas. I now carry bear-repellent spray on my walks - that's a story for another blog post, but I now make sure I have it with me on every walk!Your Best Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00505064235206852269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315320407269395397.post-39865092046572936042010-10-20T10:05:00.005-04:002010-10-20T10:58:07.301-04:00Volunteering!I have been a member of the <a href="http://www.petsitters.org">National Association of Professional Pet Sitters</a> since June of 2006 - I actually joined before I started my business! I have run businesses before and I know that there's no need to reinvent the wheel - there are resources out there (no matter what industry you're in) to help you. I get a lot out of my membership that has made me a better pet sitter and a better businesswoman, so I wanted to give back. NAPPS is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization, which means that it's not like a company that's in business for itself and tells it's customers what to do or what to buy. NAPPS is run by pet sitters all over the country who all come together to shape the future of the pet sitting industry. <br /><br />I started on a committee, and earned a position as committee chair, and eventually made my way to a volunteer position on the NAPPS Board of Directors. There's a lot of work involved, but it is so rewarding. When you volunteer for an organization like this, your input doesn't just affect yourself, or other board members. It impacts pet sitters (and their clients) all over the country. Okay, okay, I'm not trying to grandstand here, what I'm driving at is that just by stepping up and saying "I have an idea that will benefit pet sitters and our clients, and I'll volunteer to help make it happen," you can make changes that help countless others. If I reach out to just one struggling pet sitter, and point them to NAPPS and all of the resources, education, and support they provide, and that pet sitter learns and uses that education to benefit their clients and take better care of pets, that benefits every pet sitter, everywhere. It benefits every client and every pet entrusted to our care. <br /><br />This, to me, is a BIG part of the difference between a true professional pet sitter, and a "hobby" sitter - the hobby sitter has no motivation to improve their services, as it's not their primary source of income, and they don't invest money in their own education. They aren't running a real business, so if they remain uneducated about pet care and think it's as simple as clipping a leash on a dog, sure they won't have many clients, but that's okay - it's not their livelihood. For those of us who do this for a living, we have a STRONG motivation to be the very best pet sitters we can be. We have to continually delight clients and their pets with our service...or we won't have any clients! I'm glad I have NAPPS' resources at my fingertips!<br /><br />I sound like such a cheerleader today because I was in conference call meetings with fellow NAPPS volunteers for over 3 hours yesterday. And I was thinking about it afterward - how 3 hours of meetings are enough to make anyone's head spin, but I was feeling energized and excited instead of burned out. And I realized that I felt energized firstly because NAPPS volunteers have become my friends, and I really enjoy talking to them, but mainly because we are doing so many great things, awesome, fun, exciting, beneficial things to help our fellow pet sitters. I love being a part of this process and adding my voice to the mix. I love hearing what other pet sitters have to say about where they want to see the industry go. I love that even though this is a solitary job, I have a legion of peers out there supporting me and helping me, and to whom I can lend support and help. <br /><br />I never thought 3 hours of meetings could make me feel so good. <br /><br />If you want to learn more about the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, visit their website at <a href="http://www.petsitters.org">www.petsitters.org</a>. If you're already a NAPPS member, join me in my enthusiasm and get involved! The two or three hours per month you'd spend helping out is an investment that will pay dividends for you and your business.Your Best Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00505064235206852269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315320407269395397.post-27201767419054257092010-10-13T18:24:00.002-04:002010-10-13T18:43:53.176-04:00Pet Sitter Secret: The Tick PullerI had to share a great tool that I received from a fellow pet professional that has saved me a lot of time and allowed me to help pets! I'll preface this by saying that nobody is paying me for my review, I am just sharing a great tool in the hopes that others can use it. (I'll always disclose if I receive money to promote a product. So far there is no line of rich corporations banging on my door to offer me buckets of cash, but I will not turn down their beautiful cash buckets! I'll just be sure to be up front about it.)<br /><br />The item is called the O'Tom Tick Twister. You can see their website here: http://www.otom.com/en/1-how-to-remove-a-tick.php<br /> <br />It's a really quick and easy way to remove a tick. Here in Northeast PA, ticks seem to be more and more common (is it just me? I NEVER saw ticks as a kid!) so having this handy is a good idea. <br /> <br />Some suggest keeping ticks that you find in case your pet experiences any health issues. <br /><br />Of course, prevention is the optimal solution, and worth taking a few minutes to research (searching for "Tick Prevention" in Google is an ideal start).<br /><br />In other news- the weather in Northeast PA has been spectacular these past few days. I see the dogs I walk soaking in that sun, they know that winter is nigh!Your Best Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00505064235206852269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315320407269395397.post-83487720837551546922010-09-12T21:50:00.002-04:002010-09-12T22:17:54.305-04:00Developing RelationshipsThis weekend I got to bond with some really great dogs. As a pet sitter, one of the most enjoyable processes of my work is the relationship I develop with the pets I care for. <br /><br />Last year I attended the annual conference of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, and spoke with Bill Berloni of Theatrical Dogs (he trains dogs for live performances in stage shows, and he is not only talented, witty, and fun, but the dogs he uses in shows are all rescue dogs! How cool is that?) Bill said that when it comes to working with dogs, he aims to "honor the being". I repeat that to myself all the time - "Honor the being." It really clicked with me. Every pet, every creature, has it's own personality, likes and dislikes, and way of communicating. Part of what I do is to try to open my mind and heart to the pet in my care, and ask "What do you need right now? How can I make sure you are comfortable and happy?" I observe the pets I care for constantly to learn their language. Of course pets need food, water, shelter, etc. But for dogs and cats, there are games they like to play, ways they like to be held (or not held at all!), toys they prefer over others, a special blanket they have to sleep with. I love the process of learning about pets likes and dislikes. <br /> <br />So this weekend I sat for a bunch of beautiful dachshunds (and other pets too!) and they all are so unique. A few of the dogs I have known since they were puppies, and even though it's been a year since I saw them last, they remembered me and immediately one was in my arms (she always loved to be held), another was wrestling my sneaker (she's a playful one), and another wanted his tummy rub - he knows I give great tummy rubs! I loved that I know these dogs well enough to know what they like, and to be able to provide that to them. The response from the dogs is always favorable, it's like they are expressing to me that they appreciate that I know them so well!<br /><br />Bonding with pets is never a wasted effort, and it can be done with the right gesture, or word, or tummy rub, or toy.Your Best Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00505064235206852269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315320407269395397.post-43775084630972638742010-09-11T18:00:00.001-04:002010-09-11T18:03:21.963-04:00You KNOW You Want To See More of ThisNow you HAVE to come to the dog wedding. You don't want to miss THIS!<br /><br><br /><p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZAc1kjH7YSuNGXQDROuYFMCn8upIFlZUQPGjrjFFDlviIGUFS8Jqsz2NIi2JfUOp_yfMRhf-OjH4oekuS5i-NFwfqQQAQo_DhDP01Hnttuz5T-iP9y44nAQmEkoBXZxNBQp11VzFtbqP/s1600/Fiona+the+Bride+5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZAc1kjH7YSuNGXQDROuYFMCn8upIFlZUQPGjrjFFDlviIGUFS8Jqsz2NIi2JfUOp_yfMRhf-OjH4oekuS5i-NFwfqQQAQo_DhDP01Hnttuz5T-iP9y44nAQmEkoBXZxNBQp11VzFtbqP/s320/Fiona+the+Bride+5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515779600861973650" /></a>Your Best Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00505064235206852269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315320407269395397.post-30465373273852535262010-09-11T17:46:00.001-04:002010-09-11T18:00:29.142-04:00The Dog Wedding!I was trying to think of something to share about pet sitting to give a little insight into the pet sitting world. And today I thought that one thing I didn't know before I became a pet sitter was that pet sitters have to be good at waiting. <br /><br />It's sort of interesting now that I think about it. When I worked 8-5 (or actually, 6 to 6 with Chicago traffic), I went to work, and I came home. But pet sitters leave and come home throughout the day. Sometimes I get home and it may only be an hour until I have to go out again. So I find productive ways to fill small amounts of time. I have about a half hour before I leave for another pet sit, and that seems like the perfect amount of time to write a blog post. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Dog Wedding</span><br /><br />Most? All? of you know that next Sunday, September 19th, my puppy Fiona will be joining her puppy friend Jake in canine matrimony. Come join us - it will be a lot of fun and a great fundraiser for Hillside Animal Shelter and One Life to Live Rescue. You're invited!<br /><br />What: Jake and Fiona's Dog Wedding and Fundraiser<br />Where: Nay Aug Park, 500 Arthur Ave., Scranton PA<br />When: Sunday, Sept. 19th, 2010 at 1:00 p.m.<br />Cost: Free! Although we are asking for voluntary donations of $2.00 OR new or gently used pet crates, beds, toys, food, towels, blankets, leashes, etc. to benefit Hillside Animal Shelter and One Life to Live Rescue. <br />What Will Be There: Live music by Analog Velvet, raffles, face painting, canine contests, and of course - Jake and Fiona's wedding!<br /><br />Come on out, bring the kids and the dogs, and celebrate with us! And help homeless animals at the same time. We really appreciate it and I hope to see you there!Your Best Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00505064235206852269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315320407269395397.post-31620861948597797332010-08-20T08:47:00.003-04:002010-08-20T09:29:33.670-04:00Daily Visits for CatsI've been enjoying the beautiful weather, planning for <a href="http://bestfriendpetsitting.com/ybfpetsittingpresents4pets.html">Jake and Fiona's Dog Wedding & Fundraiser</a>, and I've been getting lots of calls from new customers (Hooray!) <br />One question that has come up three times in the past week is about cat care, and why I don't do every-other-day (or EOD) visits for cats. <br />There are several reasons, but the main reason is simple - I am a professional and my job is to make sure your pets are safe, comfortable, and happy. Since cats can be fine one day and deathly ill the next, and there is no predicting when a pet can get hurt or sick, time becomes THE deciding factor in cases like these.<br /> <br />Fortunately I never had to learn this first-hand. Through the great organizations NAPPS and PUPS, I can network with other professional pet sitters and learn from THEIR experiences. So when enough professional pet sitters come forward and say "EOD visits for cats are a BAD idea, and here's why," I listen. <br /><br />My job is to help minimize risks to your home and pets, and making daily visits for cats is a standard and accepted way to make sure your cats get the care and attention (not to mention food, water, and clean litter boxes!) they need. Day to day, I can check the food and water levels as well as litter box output (yes, I do check these things since they can provide clues to a pet's health! Not the most glamorous of tasks but a very important one). Having this daily information is important, especially if a cat gets sick. A vet might ask "When did the cat last eat?" and there's a big difference between "within the last 24 hours" and "within the last 48 hours". <br /> <br />Working with cats all these years has taught me so much. There's this perception that cats are less than social, and I have found the opposite to be true. Cats are very social, and even the seemingly aloof ones crave attention sometimes. I like to address the social needs of cats and make that a part of my visits, just like I make sure they get food, fresh water, and a clean litter box, too. I like to learn what their favorite toys and games are, and get to know their personalities as well. <br /><br />Generally people who call a professional pet sitter are not the type to skimp on pet care - they cherish their pets as part of the family and want the best for them. But they may not realize that daily visits for cats is not only the norm, it's what is best for the safety and well-being of the cat.Your Best Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00505064235206852269noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315320407269395397.post-70120044112797701572010-07-18T12:51:00.002-04:002010-07-18T13:03:56.284-04:00Day Off!It's rare for a pet sitter to have a day off in the summer, let alone on a weekend! and truthfully, I didn't have the whole day off - took care of some wonderful kitties in the morning. But the rest of the day was mine to be had! <br />My husband and I drove around and had fun checking out some garage sales. We got some nice deals and of course spent a buck buying some stuffed animals for the dogs. We can't buy them stuffed toys at the store because they tear them open (yup - even the "nearly indestructible" ones) in 5 minutes. So we get the "garage sale specials" for them, and of course they tear them to bits in a day but they have the best time doing it and it was cheap (although cleaning up all of the stuffing is a bit of a pain! And we take the eyes/noses off beforehand so there's no accidental swallowing). Seeing Loki grinning on top of a pile of stuffing is definitely amusing. <br /> <br />After that I did what everyone else was doing - I hit the lake! Ahhh, it was beautiful. Those of us who are fortunate enough to live and vacation in the Poconos know that feeling. Drifting on a beautiful lake on your raft, or in your boat, with blue skies above and green trees all around, a light breeze to keep you cool, and the sweet sound of nature all around you. <br /> <br />I could have spent the day doing work (even though I didn't have afternoon pet sits, I still have some paperwork-stuff to do). But when it's a beautiful day and there's so much fun to be had, I think sometimes the choice to go out and experience the sweetness that life has to offer is the RIGHT choice. Work will still be here for me Monday! <br /><br />I hope you have been able to enjoy this gorgeous summer. If you haven't, what are you waiting for? Give me a call, I'll spend time with your pets so you can have some guilt-free fun in the sun!Your Best Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00505064235206852269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315320407269395397.post-80566438292503414792010-07-04T23:45:00.003-04:002010-07-04T23:54:13.529-04:00Happy Independence Day!Whew! What a busy day! Lots of pet sits this weekend. And what a weekend it was; am I right Poconos people? Blue skies, fresh air, green trees - it makes you happy to be alive.<br /><br />Because of the heat I took it easy with the dogs I walked outside. That midday sun gets hot! I spent some time combing and brushing some pets (including my own) to help get rid of some excess fur. (It's also a great way to for me to bond with a pet for those pets that enjoy being brushed or combed!)<br /><br />Luckily the pets I'm caring for this weekend are okay with loud noises. Some pets don't handle the 4th of July fireworks well at all, and extra care must be taken with them to ensure their safety and level of comfort. (I recommend putting the radio on for background noise to help drown out the sounds of the fireworks. Others have recommended an item called the Thundershirt to help calm dogs.)<br /><br />I'm up past my bedtime, tired but happy, and looking forward to a fun, busy day tomorrow!<br /><br />Happy Independence Day everyone!Your Best Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00505064235206852269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315320407269395397.post-27560665226756575652010-06-23T09:00:00.002-04:002010-06-23T10:42:44.099-04:00Pet Sitting in the PoconosTo those who live in Northeast PA - is this not the BEST time of year? We put up with the long, miserable Pocono winters because we know that the summers are sublime.<br /><br />Dog walking in the summer, especially in this beautiful area, is perfect. Of course keeping an eye on the heat and on the dogs is part of the job - some dogs don't do well in the heat at all and professional pet sitters and dog walkers know it! We accommodate our furry friends as necessary to minimize any risk of overheating.<br /><br />There's so much for dogs to see and sniff, it's a pleasure watching a happy dog enjoy time in the beautiful outdoors.Your Best Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00505064235206852269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315320407269395397.post-84750542195016795512010-06-21T09:55:00.002-04:002010-06-21T10:52:33.573-04:00Pampering PetsOne of the best things about pet sitting is getting to pamper pets! Clients of pet sitters rely on us for being there to feed, water, and provide potty breaks and cleanup for their pets.<br />And there's so much more to it than that! I often get asked if I play with the pets, and at first I was a little confused, since playtime is the best part of the job - of course I play with the pets, and make sure they get lots of affection! When you hire a pet sitter, you are getting one-on-one time for your pets, and that makes for happy pets!<br /><br />Pet sitting gives me the opportunity to spend quality time with each dog, cat, bird, hamster, and lizard I care for. I take the time to learn each pet's little quirks and habits. I know that Molly's favorite toy is her stuffed chicken, and Sally likes it when I toss a kitty treat across the tile for her to chase and pounce on. I know that Zoee likes to lead the way on our walks, and that Fremont makes happy little moaning noises when I scratch under his collar. Dexter the iguana is a slow eater, Bane likes to roll in the grass, and Tommy the Bichon will stand on his hind legs and wave his front paws in the air if he thinks I have a treat.<br /><br />It's such a pleasure getting to know these amazing animals so well, and being able to hear those purrs and satisfied sighs after a long tummy rub, or see the grins of tired, happy dogs. I love hearing from my customers, too: "Kristen, we're home, and everyone seems so happy and relaxed! Thank you!" Music to my ears!Your Best Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00505064235206852269noreply@blogger.com0