A Good Waste of Time

Purina’s Petcentric website has a lot of fun stuff like Learn to Speak Dog (type "I’m Cold" to see the most talented dog ever) and PetIQ. It was educational, fun, and great time waster this Monday morning.

Best Part of My Job!

The best part of my job is that one moment—as we’re heading out the door for a proper walk—when all my dogs fall into line—and I think, This is the best part of my job! If you’ve ever walked a pack of dogs, you know what I’m talking about, and if you haven’t, it’s something you should experience as soon as possible.

The reason I love it is twofold. First, I’m the pack leader. And there’s a sense of pride in knowing that I’m doing something great for my pack. Secondly—and this is what brings me the most joy—is that the dogs are LOVIN’ it. Their gaits are confident and I know they are thinking, Oh yeah…gonna check out that grassy patch at the end of the block…gonna check that tree stump…gonna check out what’s gone down in the neighborhood since the last time I checked that spot. And if it’s a new environment where they’ve never walked before, they think, Oh yeah…gonna check out this new environment!

And that, by far, is the best part of my job!

p.s. – and the second best part of my job is experiencing the residual effect of having them all sound asleep as I type this.

Taao Yai Tuesday – Post 2

Every Tuesday is Taao Yai Tuesday where posts are dedicated to Taao Yai, a rescue who is super sweet but who’s had trouble finding a home because he’s insecure and scared of new people.

Taao is a citizen of the world having lived in Thailand, the U.S. and Canada. After spending his summer in Canada with his foster family’s grandparents, he is back in Arlington where I can work with him on overcoming his shyness. He can be nervous on lead sometimes pulling to the side while heeling. He doesn’t realize if he would just follow me and not try pulling away, it would make his life (and mine) a lot easier. I’ve started correcting him with sound or by quickly blocking him with my leg. Both are effective and I love seeing him slip into follower mode because he is completely relaxed and enjoys his walk instead of worrying. He is getting better and this type of leadership is exactly what Taao needs in a pet parent. If you think you could be a good match for Taao, please email me.

Become a Doggie (or Kitty) Hero

I am officially certified in Pet First Aid for Dogs and Cats by the American Red Cross! Last weekend’s seminar was worth the money and touched on a number of possible emergencies, many of which had never crossed my mind: bleeding (spurting and gushing and the difference between the two), how to stop the bleeding, doggie CPR, first-, second-, and third-degree burns, lesions, lacerations, puncture wounds, unconscious animals, allergic reactions, emergency preparedness (and those little stickers many of my clients have on their front doors), injured eyes, injured ears, injured paws, injured necks, injured backs and everything in between. No wonder the class was four hours long! I highly recommend this class for all pet sitters and dog walkers, pet owners with active breeds and anyone else who would ever be inclined to help an injured dog or cat.

Exercise is the Best Medicine

We love our dogs, but let’s face, they can be annoying as heck sometimes…the constant stare, the nudging, excessive barking, not obeying, and the like. But let’s be honest, unwanted behaviors can be stopped, or avoided all together, if we give our pups exactly what they want and need—mental stimulation and physical exercise. Most of your dog’s life is spent waiting which is completely natural for a dog; however, all that waiting shouldn’t be for not. They wait and then they walk—or if they don’t walk, they annoy us. The next time you think your dog is annoying, take a proper walk (or hire someone to do it for you) and when you come home, I promise your dog will be too tired to be annoying.

Taao Yai Tuesday - Post 1

Every Tuesday is Taao Yai Tuesday where posts are dedicated to Taao Yai, a rescue who is super sweet but who’s had trouble finding a home because he’s insecure and scared of new people.

Taao Yai is a Dobie mix rescued from the streets of Thailand by SCADBangkok.com—a rescue organization dedicated to improving the lives of feral dogs and controlling the pet population in Thailand. Taao came to the U.S. as a foster over a year ago and hasn’t been placed because of his shyness. Meeting new people literally scares the crap out of him which doesn’t make a good first impression on people looking to adopt an already balanced dog. Despite his insecurities, Taao is one of the sweetest dogs I walk and a great catch for someone willing to invest the time and energy rehabilitating him. Taao can and will overcome his shyness with the right person!

First Aid for Pets

I just signed up to take the American Red Cross Cat and Dog First Aid training course on October 17 in Fairfax. Courses are offered a couple times each month in Prince George’s and Fairfax Counties. You never know when an emergency will crop up— no one expects them and they happen so fast. A couple years ago, Boonie, one of my rescue dogs from Thailand, ate something so disgusting I shall not speak its name. I was ready to rush him to the vet, but the owner instructed me on how to induce vomiting. I was scared because the bottle of hydrogen peroxide clearly stated For External Use Only, but I did as the owner said and within five minutes, Boonie threw up and was fine. Thank God! Later, I asked my veterinarian friend about inducing vomiting in dogs and the warning label on hydrogen peroxide. He said, “That’s why there’s a warning label…because it will make you throw up!”