What a cool idea! Hope a Pooch Buddies client or fan is the winner. Let me know if you do win!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
A cool contest!
Just got word of a fun Pet Video Contest from Swim Town Pools. They are looking for people to submit videos of their pets by their pool. Its really easy, they can all be submitted on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/group/poolspetcontest . The winner will receive $250, and the first ten people to submit an entry will win a $10 gift card to Fandango. The contest will run until June 30, 2010. More info can be found here: https://www.swimtownpools.com/swimtown-pet-and-pool-video-contest-a/143.htm
What a cool idea! Hope a Pooch Buddies client or fan is the winner. Let me know if you do win!
What a cool idea! Hope a Pooch Buddies client or fan is the winner. Let me know if you do win!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Walking the dogs in Tarzana
There are some beautiful hilly areas in the Tarzana and Encino Hills that make for a vigorous dog walk, but also for gorgeous views. (Studio City and Woodland Hills have great hilly areas too, but you don't get the same views.) This particular time of year is especially fantastic, because flowers are in bloom, and as you walk, you take in the smells of rosemary, jasmine, lavender, roses and other fragrant flowers.
It puts a spring in my step. I have a small team of walkers and I can guarantee that on these gorgeous days, we'll often take a minute to send a text to one another about the great good fortune we have, to be walking with the human best friend while breathing in nature.
Ahhh. Heading out for a walk.
It puts a spring in my step. I have a small team of walkers and I can guarantee that on these gorgeous days, we'll often take a minute to send a text to one another about the great good fortune we have, to be walking with the human best friend while breathing in nature.
Ahhh. Heading out for a walk.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Parvovirus alert
There has been a bit of an outbreak of Parvovirus in Florida (particularly in Cape Coral, Fort Myers and across Lee County.)
The Cape Coral Daily Breeze published a warning, so if you are planning to bring your pooch to Florida, or you have a guest with you, whose pet has come from Florida make certain your shots are up to date. The Parvovirus shot is usually included in a bundle of shots at your pet's annual exam -- your vet will know by your records if your pet is due. It is an easily preventable disease, but if your dog doesn't have shots and contracts the disease, it is like a very bad flu virus. Symptoms include diarrhea and serious dehydration. Animals usually die due to dehydration.
The Cape Coral Daily Breeze published a warning, so if you are planning to bring your pooch to Florida, or you have a guest with you, whose pet has come from Florida make certain your shots are up to date. The Parvovirus shot is usually included in a bundle of shots at your pet's annual exam -- your vet will know by your records if your pet is due. It is an easily preventable disease, but if your dog doesn't have shots and contracts the disease, it is like a very bad flu virus. Symptoms include diarrhea and serious dehydration. Animals usually die due to dehydration.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Cat sitting in a pinch
One of the more interesting things about Los Angeles is that people make very last minute plans. I'm not sure why, but when I first moved here from Canada, it drove me crazy. I always wanted to know by Wednesday what my weekend plans would be. Over time, I came to realize that the way of the wild west is really wild. Because you CAN just jump in a car and head to Santa Barbara, San Diego, Palm Springs or Las Vegas for a quick weekend getaway...people do!
Sometimes people with dogs are able to plan a bit further out -- they'll do research online, do google searches, interview and get references on walkers, sitters, boarding facilities. Bottom line, dogs are just not self-sufficient in any way. Even outdoor-only dogs (that was new to me, too, here) still need some human time each day or they get depressed.
Cats, on the other hand, do tend to be self-sufficient. You change their water, refill dry food, empty the litter and they are good to go. Or are they? Cat owners have discovered that their fuzzy pets will also get pretty darn down if they don't get their daily dose of the human factor. But because their cats generally are low maintenance, when a last minute travel op comes up, panic sets in. Maybe they've only gone for an overnight before...but when the cat owner gets into the LA groove, they, too, start setting up last minute travel plans.
If I did a survey (it would be very unscientific), I could tell you that 80% of my clients book their dogs with me 2 weeks to 4 month in advance. Basically when they make their longer vacation plans. They secure doggie care before their trip so they can book with an easy mind. I could also tell you that only about 20% of my cat clients book further out than 2 weeks. There may still be the last minute scramble for dog or cat pet care for those last minute forays, but 8 times out of 10, it will be for a cat.
I find that fascinating.
Sometimes people with dogs are able to plan a bit further out -- they'll do research online, do google searches, interview and get references on walkers, sitters, boarding facilities. Bottom line, dogs are just not self-sufficient in any way. Even outdoor-only dogs (that was new to me, too, here) still need some human time each day or they get depressed.
Cats, on the other hand, do tend to be self-sufficient. You change their water, refill dry food, empty the litter and they are good to go. Or are they? Cat owners have discovered that their fuzzy pets will also get pretty darn down if they don't get their daily dose of the human factor. But because their cats generally are low maintenance, when a last minute travel op comes up, panic sets in. Maybe they've only gone for an overnight before...but when the cat owner gets into the LA groove, they, too, start setting up last minute travel plans.
If I did a survey (it would be very unscientific), I could tell you that 80% of my clients book their dogs with me 2 weeks to 4 month in advance. Basically when they make their longer vacation plans. They secure doggie care before their trip so they can book with an easy mind. I could also tell you that only about 20% of my cat clients book further out than 2 weeks. There may still be the last minute scramble for dog or cat pet care for those last minute forays, but 8 times out of 10, it will be for a cat.
I find that fascinating.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Memorial Day coming up
A quick reminder that Memorial Day weekend is coming up soon and for those of you with kids in LAUSD, Friday, May 28th is now a furlough day...which means a 4-day weekend for your kids.
If you are thinking of a quick get-away without your pets, I've still got space for home visits, walks, overnights and boarding over that weekend. Also, school will let out one week early, on June 18th, and start one week later, on September 13th -- so a longer summer than usual -- and lots more dates for vacation planning. If you already know when you might be taking vacation this summer, and haven't quite figured out what to do with your dog or cat, please contact me so I can pencil you in!
If you are new to Pooch Buddies, I'd love to meet you and your pets! You can reach me at 818.430.3245 or at info@PoochBuddies.com. Big bonus -- if you are first-time client, let me know your found out about Pooch Buddies via my blog and you'll get a patterned Lupine collar or leash with your first booking!
Pooch Buddies regularly serves the following areas in Los Angeles: Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, Bel Air Ridge, Valley Village, Encino, Lake Balboa, Tarzana, Reseda, Woodland Hills, Winnetka, West Hills, Calabasas. We can help you in other areas...call for rates.
If you are thinking of a quick get-away without your pets, I've still got space for home visits, walks, overnights and boarding over that weekend. Also, school will let out one week early, on June 18th, and start one week later, on September 13th -- so a longer summer than usual -- and lots more dates for vacation planning. If you already know when you might be taking vacation this summer, and haven't quite figured out what to do with your dog or cat, please contact me so I can pencil you in!
If you are new to Pooch Buddies, I'd love to meet you and your pets! You can reach me at 818.430.3245 or at info@PoochBuddies.com. Big bonus -- if you are first-time client, let me know your found out about Pooch Buddies via my blog and you'll get a patterned Lupine collar or leash with your first booking!
Pooch Buddies regularly serves the following areas in Los Angeles: Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, Bel Air Ridge, Valley Village, Encino, Lake Balboa, Tarzana, Reseda, Woodland Hills, Winnetka, West Hills, Calabasas. We can help you in other areas...call for rates.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
The inside scoop on the inside of a dog's brain!
Ever wonder what really goes on in a dog's brain? What their sense of their space and "being" is all about? Can they really hear better than we do? (The answer is a definitive "no"...) Check out this article from ABC news.
Memorial Day
If you live in LA and your kids go to an LAUSD school, then you've recently found out that you now have a 4 day weekend. Due to furlough days, Friday, May 28th is now a holiday for kids! That means many of you will take advantage of the extra long weekend and head out of town. If you think you MIGHT be heading out, make sure to book your dog or cat care ahead of time so that you aren't left out in the cold last minute.
Happy holiday!
Happy holiday!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)