Lucky Pet Petsitting

How does a dog drink water?

2008-10-07T09:50:00.001-07:00

Miscellaneous Links

2008-06-08T16:24:00.000-07:00

Natural Resources Defense Council: Harmful Pet Products FAQ
Great information on pesticides in flea products. I've dealt with flea products for years and never knew this! Unfortunately, this knowledge doesn't make me feel any better about them. Quite the opposite, actually.

G r e e n o p i a: Critter Care
Greenopia is a cool environmental resource site I heard about earlier today, and I was delighted to see they have a section on pets.
Let me know if you would like to discuss any of their suggestions in person. I have years of experience with this stuff!

City Farmer: Pet Waste Composting
First off, City Farmer is an awesome source of gardening and environmental information. They are Canada's Office of Urban Agriculture, based in Vancouver, BC, and they rock! I can easily spend hours at their website. And to make things even better, they have a whole page dedicated to pet waste composting. Some may be familiar with Doggie Dooleys, here you can learn how to make your own. Check it out!

Pet Waste Products and Management
Following up the DIY pet waste composter, here are some products already out there, as well as 100% biodegradeable pick-up bags.

Car Safety

2008-06-05T20:16:00.000-07:00

Some people love their little dogs so much, they have them ride on their laps while driving. And while they very well may be superb drivers, there's no accounting for other cars on the road. All it would have to take is one person not paying attention, rear-end the car, and that beloved little dog would be crushed between the driver and the steering wheel. A little dog that would fit there in the first place, would be too small to survive such an accident.

The safest place for your beloved little friend is in a secured carrier, or in his/her own seat with a safety harness that is secured to a seat belt. There are harnesses made for such use. These harnesses have a wide section across the chest, nothing binding around the neck, and sometimes come with latches that fit right into your seat belt attachment.

If it's important for your dog to see out the window, there are raised dog car seats that are secured to the car seat, and are very safe. There is a leash to attach to the dog--be sure to attach it to a safety harness and NOT a collar.

Puppy Mills: What You Should Know

2008-05-29T17:06:00.000-07:00

If you are unaware of Puppy Mills and what goes on in them, and you missed Oprah's special with Lisa Ling uncovering just that, please go to her website and visit all the links and educate yourself on the horrible happenings. Even here in Seattle, there are stores that sell puppies from puppy mills.

Click here for more info on puppy mills:

What's so great about Pumpkin?

2008-05-29T12:45:00.000-07:00

It tastes good and brings great relief to your pooch suffering from diarrhea!

When your dog (or cat) is suffering from diarrhea, add some organic pureed pumpkin to their food. This will help stabilize their bowels.

Pureed pumpkin is good for balancing the bowels in both directions, whether it be diarrhea or constipation.

For big dogs I usually give them approximately one tablespoon with each meal, and go from there. Cats and little dogs maybe a teaspoon.

Does your furry friend suffer from chronic constipation? Consider adding a regular dose of freshly ground organic flax seeds. Start with a small amount (1/4 tsp) and work your way up until you find what works best with you pet. Best to discuss with your vet first if the constipation is caused by a medical issue.

Introducing Kait's Calling

2008-04-23T10:13:00.000-07:00

Kait is a young aspiring (and very inspiring!) artist, currently attending the Art Institute of Seattle, who does wonderful portraits of dogs in her free time.

Most of her portraits are very traditional, but with both of our loves of art, I told her to forego tradition and have fun with it, when she did a great protrait of Mephisto! Here is what became of that:

Mephisto
(pastels and water color on 11"x17" board)

The photo I supplied her with:

Visit Kait's website, Kait's Calling to see more of her work!

Lily drinking from the tub faucet

2008-03-20T20:57:00.000-07:00

Just the cutest thing!

Best Tip Ever!

2008-03-18T09:12:00.000-07:00

(and not just because this was my own idea!)

Do you have a dog that has trouble slipping on hard wood floors?

Don't spend tons of money on expensive dog shoes. Get yourself human toddler socks with the no-slip grips on the bottom! They are lighter and less bulky than dog shoes, thus making them much more comfortable and less awkward for you dog to wear, and they are cheap!!!

If I owned a pet supply store, I would definitely carry theses!

Introducing Mephisto

2008-03-10T20:42:00.000-07:00

Just to add some color to this blog, this here is my doggie, Mephisto. He's a 4.5yo Flat Coat Retriever and Border Collie mix, and we've been together 3 years.

iGoogle Widget

2008-03-08T12:03:00.000-08:00

If you use iGoogle like I do, consider adding my new Widget to your page!

It's a shortened version of my posts here, that I hope to update weekly. Check it out and let me know what you think!

Bowls

2008-03-08T11:28:00.000-08:00

Don't Use Plastic Bowls
When it comes to the bowls your pets eat and drink from, don't use plastic. Plastic is porous and holds on to bacteria, which can make your animal sick--even cause acne. Don't believe plastic is porous? Have you ever put pasta sauce in a plastic food container only to have it be forever stained red? That's the sauce trapped in the porous holes!

So what should you use instead? Metal, ceramic or glass. I use a metal bowl for my pets' water bowl, because the metal helps keep the water cool. And for my cats, I use adorable little sushi dishes I get at Uwajimaya and Daiso. They're ceramic, and they're so fun to use!

Wash Those Bowls
Also to avoid bacteria, always wash those dishes and bowls. And don't forget the water bowls! Have you ever wondered what all that slime was? It's animal saliva and bacteria!!! Yuck!!!

I'm Back

2008-03-08T11:02:00.000-08:00

I have been on a blogging hiatus for quite some time as you can see. Problem was, I was making it too hard on myself. I wanted to write perfect articles. But I'm not much of a writer. So, I'm going to make this easier on myself, go small, and thus hopefully post a lot more often. Let's see how it goes!

Happy Holidays

2006-11-29T11:27:00.000-08:00

Professional Pet Sitters vs Hobby Sitters

2006-03-17T17:03:00.000-08:00

I was just working on an article of Professional Pet Sitters versus Hobby Sitters, when I came across this little gem. I couldn't have put things better! And though I am not the original author, it pretty much sums up what I was trying to put together.

What to Look for in a Professional Pet Care Provider
By Peggie Arvidson-Dailey

More and more people are jumping on the “pet-care bandwagon” which is a testament to the amount of money Americans are spending on their millions of pets.

I’m committed to helping pet-lovers have great experiences with their pet-care providers – so, I’ll share some things that you should be aware of that differentiate professional pet-care providers from hobbyists. Hobbyists think that pet-care is an easy way to make a few bucks. Professionals are in business for the long-haul and realize that making money is not easy.

Here are 11 concepts to keep in mind when researching pet-care providers.

1. Professionals have a back-up plan. Because they consider themselves business owners, they have procedures and plans in place to accommodate all the pets in their care – even if they get a flat tire, have a personal emergency, or catch the flu. As you interview pet-care providers make sure you understand, and are comfortable with their ‘back-up’ plans.

2. Professionals are prepared. Any pet-care business owner has had their share of ‘emergencies.’ These range in scope from dealing with a deceased pet to dealing with keys that don’t work. Make sure your pet-care provider has a process for dealing with any issues that may come up.

3. Professionals never overbook. Find out how many visits your pet-care provider makes on an average day – then do the math. Ask your pet-sitter to be realistic about how many trips they can make each day in order to ensure your pet is getting visited for the length of time you’ve contracted. No pet-sitter starts out wanting to short-change their clients, but sometimes during busy seasons, in an effort to serve all the clients who make requests, they may be forced to shorten visits. If you are booking for visits during busy times, be aware of this.

4. Professionals recognize their value. It’s tough to make a living in this business, and many pet-sitters start out with the goal of helping as many pets as possible. However, the cost of running the business often can run a great pet-sitter out of business if they are not charging enough for the value they provide.

5. Professionals use a contract. In order to protect you as well as the business, pet-care professionals have a contract that details their responsibilities while you’re gone. It’s important to spend time reading the document and ensuring that both you and your pet-care provider are clear on what’s expected, and, what’s NOT expected. I’ve heard of pet-sitters who trim nails, clip fur and provide ‘extras.’ This is great, as long as you expect your dog to be trimmed when you return home.

6.Professionals put the well-being of the pet above all else. As a pet-care business owner, my goal is that when you come home your pet is happy and healthy. For that reason, we do not remove dogs from their home, let them roam free or transport them in packs. Even if it’s something you would do!

7.Professionals have their business in order. Ensure that your pet-care provider has the appropriate insurance and business license required to provide service in your area. I recently heard a story about a person who had to cut their vacation short, because the friend who was caring for their house left the water running over night and flooded the finished basement – where the kitties lived! Luckily the kitties were okay, but the clean up was expensive a the destruction was fairly extensive.

8.Professionals spend time educating themselves on topics related to business and pet-care. A pet-care business owner should be up-to-date on pet-care first aid as well as issues affecting business owners in their jurisdiction.

9. Professionals are easy to talk to and are happy to communicate with you – even when you have a less than great experience. They are in business for the long-haul and are committed to addressing your needs and concerns.

10. Professionals provide real-life references. They have a list of testimonials in their marketing materials and are happy to provide you with names and contact information of happy customers.

11. Professionals take pride in their profession! They never bad-mouth other pet-care professionals either by name or association.

Whether you’ve just added a new puppy to your home and need someone to provide midday walks and potty breaks, or you’re planning your first trip since adopting your kitten, keep these tips in mind as you interview professional pet-care providers.

Peggie Arvidson-Dailey is the owner of Peggie's Pet Services (one of her region's BEST Pet-Care companies selected by The Washingtonian Magazine. She's also the Pets in the City Columnist for The Del Ray Sun and an engaging and lively speaker on topics related to the love affair between dogs and their humans. She's an advocate for happy and healthy homes for all species and is eager to assist in creating them. If you want a monthly dose of tips and golden nuggets of information on living with and caring for your pet throughout his life, be sure to subscribe to "The Care of Pets" e-zine at http://www.peggiespets.com. If you're a pet-care business owner interested in taking your business to the next level, be sure to visit http://www.petcareuniversity.com.

If you want to use this article in your publication be sure to include the entire author's box with live links to all web-information!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peggie_Arvidson-Dailey

Pet First Aid

2006-02-20T16:01:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, I attended/completed the Red Cross Pet First Aid class. The information I took away was so valuable, I highly recommend anyone who owns a cat or dog, or works with cats and dogs, to take this course.

We learned CPR, the ABCs of CPR, seizures, poisoning, choking, broken bones, bandaging, how to take the pulse and breathing rate, and how to deal with an eye popping out of a short snouted dog, plus more. We learned so much more than I had anticipated.

Here's something you can do now, to keep on hand incase of emergency:
Have a current picture of each of your pets, with their personal information on the back. This information is vital, because what might be normal for most dogs/cats, might be different for one of yours. Having this information available will help whoever is administering first aid know what is normal for that particular animal. The information should include:
Name:
Normal Pulse Rate:
Normal Breathing Rate:
Normal Body Temperature:
The rates and temperature should probably be taken a few times to get a good average, and also do it about an hour after dinner once they've settled down.

Here is another good tip. There are poison control centers that charge for their help. For instance, if you call a particular center for help, they will take your credit card information first, and then proceed to help you. Here is a number you can call in Washington State that is free of charge: (206) 222-1222. It is Poison Control Center for Washington, most of which is to serve humans, but 7-10% of the calls are animal related. Good to know!

Again, I highly recommend taking this course, or one like it. To get a first aid book and reading it just isn't the same as hands-on training. And when it comes to saving the life of your best furry friend, it's worth the time and effort!

Letting the Cat Fend for Himself Over the Weekend?

2006-02-01T17:54:00.000-08:00

I was recently asked if it's okay to leave the cat extra food and water, with access to the outdoors via a cat door, and let the cat fend for himself while away for a weekend. That's an excellent question! With cats being independent creatures, and knowing how your cat would be in a circumstance like this, it would probably be okay. However...

Here are some things to consider that might make you want to have a pet sitter for even a weekend get-away:

- If there is a malfunction in the home, such as a water pipe busting, or the cat knocking something off a shelf that could cause danger, it's good to have someone stop by at least once a day to make sure that everything is up to par. If there is an emergency, the pet sitter can deal with it.

- The cat, with or without access to the outdoors, could possibly get injured. That is something a neighbor or passerby would never notice. With a pet sitter stopping by, they can get the cat to the vet as soon as possible.

- The cat might get sick from something it ate, or start showing signs of a blocked urethra (something that doesn't make itself obvious until they are experiencing it), which if not dealt with immediately could be fatal. A pet sitter would notice this and get medical care immediately.

- If your house has a pet door without magnet locks, it's possible that other animals can come into the house, cause ruckus, or simply eat all your cat's food, leaving the cat hungry. A pet sitter would make sure that there is always enough food, and deal with any unwanted guests.

- Speaking of unwanted guests, burglary is another possibility. Having a pet sitter come to your home gives the house a lived-in look, deterring would-be thieves. And if someone should break-in, the pet sitter would be able to notify the police immediately.

- And lastly, even though cats are by and large independent creatures, sometimes they don't appreciate being left alone, and will sometimes leave "protest poops" as a way to let you know. A pet sitter would provide fresh food, as well as lots of love and attention, in your absence!

Pet sitters provide many benefits, even for weekend jaunts!

Friends & Neighbors VS a Pet Sitter - My Personal Experiences

2006-01-16T15:17:00.000-08:00

Why should you spend good money to have a professional pet sitter when a friend or neighbor is willing to do it for free? I'll tell you.

Here are some things I've experienced through-out the years, having a friend or neighbor watch my cats for me.

- A friend/neighbor (f/n) once watched my cats for me. Before leaving I really pressed upon him how important it was to make sure one of the cats didn't get out. I told him this particular cat knows when it's not me, that he has a better chance of getting by the unsuspecting individual. My f/n told me not to worry, he'd pay attention. Well, when I got home, I found out the cat did indeed did get out. My f/n said he didn't see it coming.

- A friend of mine once watched my cats and tended to my two salt water fish tanks while I was out of town. When I got home, the smaller fish tank's water temperature was in the mid eighties. All but one of my fish died, and the last remaining one never swam straight again. He was aware of this, but didn't know what to do.

- Another friend/neighbor watched my cats for me on a regular basis. While I knew that the cats were well fed and kept inside, my f/n would continuously ignore my other instructions. I would come home and find my window blinds wide open, and my lights turned on. I didn't live in the safest of neighborhoods, and this really bothered me. I would leave very detailed instructions, specifically about the windows even, and she would still ignore them.

While none of these scenarios ended horribly, with exception of the dying fish, they all went against my wishes and instructions. These were all people I trusted and cared for, but their mindset just wasn't in the right place for caring for someone else's animals, and the way they do things.

A good pet sitter will be mindful of these and many other scenarios. They will be on alert for things to go wrong, and will know how to handle situations. They will be consistent in following your instructions, how you want things done, and to the routine the animal(s) is used to. You can count on an experienced professional to do things the way you want, and to come home with everything in order, and happy furry family members. Really, the peace of mind alone is well worth the spent money!

About Me and Lucky Pet Petsitting

2005-12-21T17:42:00.000-08:00

My name is Yani, and while I started out my career-life as a graphic artist in the corporate medical world, my passion for animals has existed my entire life.

What got me into animal health, was the loss of two cats. I had three cats, and lost two of them to Inflammatory Bowel Disease, within one year of each other. I found it odd that I had two cats, not genetically related, die of the same disease, so I started looking at the common denominators.

I thought my cats were eating healthy food, as I was buying it from supposed upper scale stores. I read everything I could get my hands on from renowned holistic vets around the world, and started to really learn about foods. Dogs and cats are biological beings, just like us, and they need real foods, just like us. Thus started my journey in the world of pet health--not to mention a healthier lifestyle for myself and family, as well.

One day while shopping for raw food for my one surviving cat, I chatted with the owner of a very health-conscious pet supply store. She was impressed with how much I knew about the subject, so I took the opportunity to ask if they were hiring. And voila, I was hired! Things just fell into place, as I had recently quit my corporate job in hopes of finding work that was more personally inspiring. This was the perfect setting to get myself started in the pet health world.

Working at the shop has provided me with numerous troubleshooting and learning opportunities, as people would constantly show up with new and challenging health issues. Teaching people how to provide a healthier food and lifestyle for their furry family members has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my life. I am not exaggerating!

As for pet sitting, I started doing that while working at the shop. Customers would come in and either be searching for a pet sitter, or they would scare us with their stories of how they planned to leave a cat alone while vacationing, at which point we would inform them about the care and safety of a pet sitter. Since I had been doing pet sitting essentially most of my life--watching for friends, family, and neighbors--it was natural that I would start doing it professionally. These days, I have my own professional pet sitting business, which I enjoy immensely.

Lucky Pet Petsitting is located in the Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle, and I basically go to your home and provide the same loving care you would give your furry family members, in your absence. I take care of a variety of animals, including some small hobby farm animals, and try to assimilate the care you normally provide. The idea is that your furry family member will have the same routine and care, thus making your absence less stressful. Also, the advantage of staying in their own home, keeps them from the unnecessary stress of traveling to a kennel, and being in an unknown environment with other animals, some of which might be crying. That can be confusing and scary for some pets.

In a nutshell, I am experienced, professional, caring and trustworthy, as well as licensed, insured and bonded. I hope that you will consider letting me care for your animals!