Pooch Buddies

Trouble getting your cat into their carrier?

2011-06-22T10:28:00.000-07:00

Here's a great little video from the Catalyst Council on training your cat to love (yes, love) their cat carrier.

Have you heard of Patch.com?

2011-01-11T21:08:00.000-08:00

There is a cool hyper-local online community publication called www.Patch.com. Hyperlocal because the news and features focus on what is going on, literally, in your neck of the woods. Owned by AOL, who are putting their considerable power behind it, it is growing quickly and seems to be catching on in a “best-kept-secret” vibey way.

I was asked to write a bi-weekly pet column for our Encino Patch, and have been doing so since the September launch. Thought I’d share a few of the articles — you’ll see they are punchy, fun, and very specific to my area. They are also all about dogs because of my other life, that of running a very busy, also hyper-local pet services business!

Hope you enjoy these few short samples, and check out if there is a Patch for your community!

Man’s Best Friend
New Year’s Resolutions
Holiday Hazards

Puppy play group in Encino

2010-10-18T14:03:00.000-07:00

The weather has cooled down and I'm pleased to announce that starting Tuesday, November 2nd Pooch Buddies will be running a Puppy play group, the Puppy Koffee Klatch, every 1st and 3rd Tuesday morning of the month.

Space is limited, and reservations are taken on first-reserved basis.

What: Puppy play group -- in a lovely Encino garden, fully gated, controlled and limited to puppies from 4 - 12 months only. Your puppy must be fully vaccinated, and licensed. A fantastic way to get your dog socialized in a safe environment with other young dogs.

When: The first and third Tuesday morning of each month, from 9:30 - 10:30

Cost: $10/session (includes home brewed fresh ground coffee, homemade baked goods, and a worry-free hour to enjoy watching your puppy socialize & some free basic puppy training tips.) Pay at the door.

RSVP: info@PoochBuddies.com

Include the date you are attending in the subject line. You will receive a confirmation email. Please print out and bring with you.

Pooch Buddies reserves the right to refuse any puppy/owner.

Watering the dogs

2010-08-12T15:59:00.001-07:00

Ahhh...it's midsummer and it is seriously hot in the San Fernando Valley. I usually take a water bottle along with me as I'm walking and am now on a deliberate search for the best dog water bottle out there. A client gifted me the Pet Trek walker, a clear water bottle with a snap on bowl for the pups. One of our dog clients is a vigorous little guy who needs a long, long walk...heat or no...just to slow him down a bit. But in the heat, he really needs hydration throughout the walk and our lame homemade versions of a doggie water bottle leave a lot to be desired. Of course, we were VERY excited about the Pet Trek. I gave it to the assigned walker and as she started to use it for the very first time, the bottle fell on the hard floor...and cracked.

I've sent a note to the manufacturer to see what they have to say...you'd think a dog water bottle would stand up to a dog-like environment. I'll let you know what they say. In the meantime, I'm still in search mode, but I'll share what I find that I like.

Getting skunked!

2010-07-08T23:03:00.000-07:00

At some point in the life of your and your dog, you may discover what getting skunked is all about. I have had a dog get porcupine quills in his nose, I've known a dog that ate someone's pet chicken, experienced dogs with thorns,bee stings, spider bites and had run-ins with brambles. But, until this past week, I'd not had the experience of a dog skunking.

I was out walking two gorgeous dogs, when they took off, like a shot, ran into some nearby hedges, where I heard this sound...."PFFFFFFFFT". The dogs ran out of the hedges and started rolling around in the grass, shaking their heads. The odor was unmistakeable. Skunk.

After I got them home (in the garden, NOT the house), I knew that the old remedy of a tomato juice bath would NOT do the trick. So I moved to step 2. There is a mixture that you can create from products in your home that gives an amazing result. A chemist, Paul Krebaum, came up with the formula in 1994 and after an article was written in the Chicago Tribune, the remedy caught on like wildfire. The article explains the science behind the formula. And the formula mixes hydrogen peroxide with baking soda, which creates an oxygen wash that completely neutralizes the odor. A bit of liquid dish soap is added to the mix to break down the oil from the secretion so that the oxygen can blast it away.

In a bowl mix 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide (I only had 1/2 quart and it was sufficient for 2 dogs), 1/4 cup baking soda and a couple of teaspoons of liquid dish soap (I used Dawn, known for its grease-cutting ability.) You slather this all over your dog...wherever the skunk oil is attached. It is very important to avoid the eyes (you can put in a few drops of vegetable or mineral oil in your dog's eyes to help prevent any burning sensations), nose and mouth. Of course, the dogs in my story got the spray full face, so pretty tricky work to avoid the eyes.

You leave it on your dog 3-7 minutes (different times on different websites) and then rinse off thoroughly with water. You can follow up with dog shampoo. Then let your pet dry completely. If there is still any smell after your pet is dry, give a good sniff and identify the exact area and repeat the process on that area.

It absolutely worked. There was one spot on my patio that smelled like skunk from where one of the dogs was lying and the solution worked on that as well! Just make sure not to cover the mixture or try to seal it in a bottle for later use. You will have a small explosion from the gas buildup.

Final note -- when the dogs were first sprayed, they didn't actually smell as bad as a little later. I'm guessing that as the oil heats up on the dog's body, the smell increases! So make sure to wash your dog off quickly!!

Summer tips

2010-06-28T14:43:00.001-07:00

Well, summer is here -- which means dealing with different dangers to your pet. The most dangerous of all is extreme heat, which can result in sunburn, dehydration, and even death for your pets. Here is good summer overview from the Humane Society website: http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/summer_care_tips_for_you_and_your_pets/

Stay cool.

Pet travel redefined

2010-06-25T00:18:00.000-07:00

Have you read about Pet Airways? Now your pets can travel in style. Flying between quite a few major US cities, your dogs fly, owner-free, crated in cabins rather than in cargo. Here's the "how it works" page. From drop-off at the pet lounge, to potty break pre-flight, to drop-off at the pet lounge on arrival, sounds like a nifty travel experience for Fido. No snack or beverage service, and I'm still trying to find out what the movie is...

If you are sending your dog and need pickup service in LA, feel free to get in touch. You know Pooch Buddies will help!

A cool contest!

2010-05-27T11:16:00.000-07:00

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!

Walking the dogs in Tarzana

2010-05-26T11:15:00.000-07:00

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.

Parvovirus alert

2010-05-17T10:32:00.000-07:00

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.

Cat sitting in a pinch

2010-05-11T19:28:00.000-07:00

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.

Memorial Day coming up

2010-05-08T06:26:00.000-07:00

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.

The inside scoop on the inside of a dog's brain!

2010-05-02T22:33:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-02T15:57:00.000-07:00

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!

My Review of Dream Baby Extra-Tall Swing Closed Security Gate with 2 Extensions - White

2009-06-21T14:57:00.001-07:00

Toys R Us

Dream Baby® Extra-Tall Swing Closed Security Gate with 2 Extensions - White. This EXTRA TALL (39.4") gate is great for climbing toddlers and large pets! It is loaded with features such as auto close, double lock that can be easily opened (by adults) with one hand, curved gate top for a s...

Baby Gate doubles as dog gate

Pooch Buddies Encino, CA 6/21/2009

Pros: Useful Application, Strong Construction, Easy Use

Best Uses: Dog gate

Describe Yourself: Pet Care Professional

I was looking for a product that could effectively barrier off part of my home for my boarding dogs. This is perfect. I had a very small doorway (28") and this did the trick. Easy to assemble and install. Solid and a good value for the price.

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Springtime in Los Angeles

2009-05-20T17:36:00.000-07:00

I enjoy spring time walking dogs. My team and I are fortunate to work in the San Fernando Valley, where, when spring explodes, it really explodes! Pet owners lament the fact that while they are at work, their pets are enjoying the great outdoors with a walker. And, me? Well, I love walking, love dogs and love watching the flowers develop their bloom every day.

I wanted to share the beauty of the area, so a few weeks ago, I took some pics of the flowers starting to really bloom.

To the top left is a row of rose bushes that will be just gorgeous in full bloom. To the right is a California garden -- a mix of daisies, rocks and other flowering plants that do well in our arid climate. Below, again, are my favorites -- roses. Here in partial bloom. The difference between my experiences as a business executive and as a small business owner, spending a great deal of time in the outdoors, is that I've reconnected with nature in a way I hadn't anticipated. I was never much of a crunchy granola, but I've become extremely green-aware and I'm focused on conservation and being an active partner with nature, rather than a passive observer.

If you haven't taken the time lately to take off your shoes and curl up your toes in the grass, or sink your feet into the sand while absorbing the ocean breeze, then I highly recommend it. And the next time you take your dog for a walk, forget about the next bush. Look up at the trees, the sky and around at the flowers and birds and bees and remember your natural self.

A greener way to poop and scoop

2009-04-22T21:32:00.000-07:00

If you deal with lots of dog poop (I do!) then you have to deal with what to do with the poop, too. For a long time I was a believer in the biodegradable bag -- a great option if your garbage goes to a landfill where the bag will come into contact with oxygen. But in many locales, the bags never get to air and therefore will not degrade.

At your home, you can put the pickin's in the green bins where they will compost. You can also look into a pet waste composter -- ridiculously easy to build and your garden will thank you (do NOT use near your vegetable garden and you cannot mix in your veggie scraps -- it has to be dedicated to pet waste).

But lately, I've gone even more green than green should be. Living in LA, there is lots of ivy. And due to the sunny climate, some of the ivy leaves grow into gigantic salad plate size affairs. Coincidentally the exact right size to use as a poop grabber. I just take a few leaves with me on my walks and, after picking up the poop, deposit it into someone's green bin.

No fuss, no mess, and no footprint.

A different kind of dog wheelchair

2009-01-19T08:12:00.001-08:00

You love your pet, but he/she has lost mobility or use of their hind legs. Some folks will put their dogs down, others will care for them as they would a child. It can be heartbreaking to watch a dog try to readjust to loss of mobility. Dog wheelchairs can tend to be cumbersome. Here is one company that has designed a fairly versatile dog wheelchair. http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/handicapped-dog-chairs I haven't seen it in action, but it is appears to be highly portable and not too clumsy.

Your Dog's Activity Level

2008-11-08T12:08:00.000-08:00

Some dog owners find themselves getting frustrated by the level of activity their new dog is exhibiting, especially when it is paired with destructive behavior (like chewing). If you are a parent, then you'll remember when (or be experiencing now!) the activity bursts that a toddler gets as soon as they figure out how to walk, and then, run. All that energy is part of their learning process. Large and small motor skill development. Balance. Muscle building. Teething.

Same holds true for your dog. They need to run, jump, crawl, climb, dig, search, hide and chew. The mistake some owners make is that they try to control this energy rather than help the dog expend the energy. A puppy will do well with two or three 30 minutes walks a day to burn off their excess energy, a mature dog with about two 30 minute walks a day, and an older dog with either two 15 minute walks, or one easy 30 minute walk, depending upon their hip and joint lubrication.

Once that energy is burned off, you'll find your dog will listen better, come back to the house pooped and rest for a few hours, become a better listener on the walks because, as creatures of habit, they recognize it as part of their daily activity. Even if you are time-strapped, as most of us are, find the time to take your dog out and you'll reap the rewards of a well-behaved pet. If you don't have the time, invest in the services of a dog walker, even if only a few times a week and you'll have a much happier home environment, with a dog who is HAPPY to see you come home, rather than ANXIOUS, waiting for your return.

Fashion Week...for the Dogs!

2008-09-07T09:05:00.000-07:00

We've all heard of Fashion Week, but did you know that human fashion is crossing the line to doggie fashion? About 4 years ago, Alexa Cach helped co-found Pet Fashion Week, and the response has been astounding. Wall Street Journal's Alexandra Marshall takes an inside look at what Pet Fashion is all about! Worth the read!

Back to School

2008-09-03T09:58:00.000-07:00

For many of us, this week has been back-to-school for our kids. If you don't have kids, then you'll still have been affected by the surge in traffic as everyone hits the roads to make the 8 am bells on time.This morning, as my daughter was getting ready, she was very nervous for her first day back at school. Her head was all over the place, and she couldn't eat her breakfast. But a few things were confidence inspiring for her.

The alarm had been set the night before, with plenty of leeway time for bathroom, nerves, and any other disasters!
She had picked out her outfit last week, and it was washed and ready -- laid out on her bed for the morning.
Her backpack was packed and ready.

Nerves aside, she wanted to please me by following the routine to the best of her ability. And she did great. Once she was back in the familiar territory of the school playground and met up with some of her friends, she looked back at me with a smile and a wave and off she went. To start Grade 3.

Why tell this story? Because our dogs are so very similar in their desire to please us. Dogs do not go out of their way to cause problems, be mischevious or not listen. In fact, the opposite is true. Dogs want to please their owners. When they become destructive, it is because they don't understand the ground rules, are bored, unhappy, or need more exciting exercise.

Just like our kids, they need a routine. The need to be fed every day at the same time or they become anxious about their food. They need to go on a good walk at least once a day -- for exercise, to smell their territory and make sure their neighborhood is safe (patrolling their boundaries), they need love, they need praise for a job well done, and they need consistent correction on those things they do not do well.

Because, in addition to providing walking/sitting services for dogs and cats, I also bring dogs into my home for a premium boarding experience, I see so many different behaviors and themes.
The first thing is that your dog (like your child) is a reflection of your care. If you love your dog, that is evident in the way your dog interacts in my home. If you allow them liberties, they'll try to take those same liberties in my home. However, I have house rules. (Doesn't mean they are followed, but dog boarders learn what the rules are.)

Here they are:

No eating off a counter or table.
No sitting or jumping on my living room sofa or chairs.
The den sofa is allowed if the dog is allowed on furniture in your home.
No fighting. If you can't agree over a toy it gets taken away.
If you feel very energetic and want to run around like a nut, do so outside in the garden, not in the living room.
Keep the squirrels away from my fruit trees.
Behave well on your walks.

All the dogs who board with me get to understand the rules within a couple of days and the results are remarkable. My dog, Daisy, knows how to train the dogs to use the doggie door, which they all do within a couple of hours. Once they know that, the rest of the rules are easy. Do they follow all the rules? No...not always. But they KNOW what the rules are and they get lots of praise when they control their urge to go against the rules and gentle correction when they break the rules. They also know, solely because of the way I act toward them (like a loving, guiding, strong parent), that I'm the boss of the house and they are very eager to get my praise, love and attention (which I'm also very eager to give!)

When I pick up my daughter from school today, at the end of her first day, she also has a few rules for me:

Be cool. Don't say anything like: "Sweet!" "Word." or "Peace Out."
Don't hug or kiss her too much until we get to the car.
Don't embarrass her in front of her friends (that means basically anything I do will embarrass her -- a losing proposition!)
As soon as we get to the car, kiss her, hug her, ask her a million questions about her day and make sure she knows she's still my baby.

Just moving to Los Angeles with your Dog?

2008-07-09T17:00:00.000-07:00

Blue skies, sun, warm weather, beaches...and apartments that may or may not allow your dog! Whether you have just moved to Los Angeles and have installed yourself in a high end corporate complex (like the Oakwood) or have found yourself in a hotel or on a distant relative's sofa, chances are that you may experience some stress about how you will care for your pet when you vacation, travel, or, as is often the case in LA, work and drive long hours each day.

That's where Pooch Buddies can really help out. If you can imagine the type of care you want to provide for your dog or cat, we can usually support it. I've got some wonderful, caring, and very responsible staff who absolutely LOVE animals and may border on "dog-crazy"! What that means is that we will, literally, go the extra mile for your pooches and kitties.

If you work long hours, we can help out with an early morning, mid-day, afternoon, or evening visit/walk/playtime. If you travel we can provide overnight care in your home or multiple visits during the day and evening. Alternatively, we board a very limited number of dogs in Encino in a cage-free, home environment. Those spaces fill up quickly, and even with overflow boarding, the earlier you book in your vacation plans, the better. Need to leave your dogs with us and have cats at home? Not a problem, either. We'll arrange for home visits for your cats, bring in the mail, water your plants, change your lights and take out the trash!

Our goal is to take away your stress, and ensure your pets are well-cared for!

Dangers of Summer Heat - Watch your Pets

2008-06-24T22:05:00.000-07:00

We experienced an unusually hot week in Los Angeles last week. A couple of afternoons, the temperature hit 118 degrees and then some. Walking dogs was quite a challenge and it was very important to watch for overheating while at the same time giving the animals a break from their day inside their homes.

As a pet owner, you need to treat your animal as you would your small child. That means no leaving them in a car in hot weather -- even with windows open, the temperatures rise quickly. On a usual "hot" day temperatures can get into triple digits...imagine what an oven your car can become on a day in the 90's or low 100's. Dogs can only cool themselves through panting and the pads of their feet. They can easily overheat in the car and in just a few short minutes -- even if you are parked in the shade and even if you have windows cracked open.

If you leave your dogs outside, make sure they can find plenty of cool shade and have access to cool water to drink. Try freezing small buckets of ice and then letting them melt in a water bowl over several hours.

Looking to add to our team of Dog Walkers/Pet Sitters!

2008-05-24T19:50:00.000-07:00

If you are a reader who lives in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles and are interested in working for Pooch Buddies, please send me an email along with your resume to info@genplususa.com. We're rapidly expanding and if you love animals, love walking, and like the idea of getting paid while exercising, then Pooch Buddies is for you!

Overweight Dogs...Who is to Blame for That?

2008-05-12T20:23:00.000-07:00

That cute little face peeks at you just under the edge of the dining room table, or cuddled up at your feet while you are watching TV...and you think to yourself...how bad could it be to give her a little, teeny bit of my biscotti?

Before you know it, all that TV watching, biscotti eating has resulted in your dog being 10-15% overweight. And that is bad. The more your dog is overweight, the more he/she is at risk for the same diseases we humans suffer from...diabetes, heart problems...and for dogs, there is an additional great risk of osteo-arthritis. In the case of my baby, she has double hip dysplasia, which means moderate, controlled exercise and a highly controlled diet to keep as much weight off her hips as possible.

How many times a day are you taking your dog for a good walk? Your dog needs about 30 - 60 minutes of good walking/running a day to stay in good shape. Just like we do. Dog walking services (like Pooch Buddies) are becoming an increasingly bigger business as our dog's waistlines rise, and our busy lives stop us from exercising our pets on a regular basis. There are dog trainers, dog walkers, pet sitters, dog runners, park hoppers...you name it. And all with one goal in mind. To keep your dogs happy and healthy.

If you can't afford the services of a good dog walker, then just make sure you turn off the TV a little more often, put the biscotti aside (and not in Fido's mouth), and get out for a good, brisk, healthy, weight controlling walk.

Hip Dysplasia

2008-04-29T12:51:00.000-07:00

One of the chances that you take when you adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue is that it will develop diseases along the way -- some of them that don't show up until a dog reaches adulthood. My dog, Daisy, was a rescue from the Bill Foundation in Los Angeles. They were thorough in their evaluation of my home as a place for my dog to live, but as my dog was only a year or so old when I got her, her bones and joints would not have been fully formed.

Daisy and I love going to the dog park. She's a runner/chaser and loves to retrieve tennis balls. A short while ago, I started taking her to a different dog park, for a change of pace. This one had hills and inclines, vs. our regular, flat park. I noticed that she was developing a limp and as it worsened, took her to the vet. $500 later, I was poorer, but much better informed. And quite sad. My little Daisy has quite severe hip dysplasia in both hips and a joint problem in her left back knee. For those of you who don't know about hip dysplasia, here's a quick overview. The ball of the hip fits into the socket. The ball is called a ball, because it is supposed to be round. In hip dysplasia, the connective tissue between the ball and the socket grows incorrectly forcing the ball away from the socket. The result can be joint degeneration (such as the ball has straight edges, which causes the hip joint to hit and scrape against the socket as the leg moves) and osteoarthritis.

Eventually, the dog is incapacitated, cannot walk and will suffer pain in the joints. The doctor has started Daisy on Glucosamine/Chontroidtin tablets that will hopefully give her some additional lubrication and encourage new cartilage growth and we are on a doggie diet -- if Daisy can lose 17 pounds (she's solid and a little bit overweight, but not too much) then it will lessen the strain on her much smaller vertebrae over her hips and lower the weight on the joints.

For more info, here is a comprehensive article from Pet Education: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1569&articleid=444

Earth Day -- and poop scoopin'

2008-04-22T18:33:00.001-07:00

Like many dog owners, I feel a sense of responsibility to the environment. Being in the business of dog care, it is then doubly important, to me, to leave as little of my carbon footprint as I commune with dogs and nature.

The first challenge is the poop and scooping. How to take care of the poop without the always present plastic bag? I use biodegradable bags! No more guilt about filling the landfills with plastic bags that would survive 50 years or more. And now, when a dog does his/her business, she is helping the environment rather than contributing to more non-decomposable waste.

Second challenge: car emissions. I have to have a van for transportation, but I plan my routes to minimize travel and if possible, I'll take my bicycle. More exercise for me, less carbon emissions.

Third challenge: dog friendly treats. Solution...I bake 'em. Yummy, delicious, delectable dog biscuits that each dog gets at the end of a visit. No chemicals, no preservatives and made with love!

Fourth challenge: paper waste. Most of my marketing is via the web. I do have to use some paper, but whenever possible, I'll use the power of the internet. I'm using electricity, but not wasting forest resources.

What are you doing to help offset your carbon footprint? Happy Earth Day.

Dog walking in the San Fernando Valley

2008-04-21T15:42:00.000-07:00

I was a corporate executive for over 15 years. Dealt with multi-million dollar budgets, managed dozens of people and multiple locations, retail outlets...basically worked very hard, drove very far, for a very long time.

Now, I've decided to follow my bliss. I have multiple bliss! Some of you may know my site (Gen Plus and the Gen Plus blog) dedicated to Boomers and 50 plussers looking to reinvent themselves. I love social media and Web 2.0. I love helping Boomers and 50 plussers find new jobs, new directions and new job/career solutions. As a consultant, I take my years of corporate experience to help others redefine their image, their branding, their customer relationships.

And as fulfillment of my heart, I walk dogs. I recently started a dog walking service focusing on the San Fernando Valley, Bel Air, Beverly Hills and will be expanding to the West side of LA and beyond. If you need help with your pet care, please get in touch and I'll do my best to help you out. At the same time, I have the opportunity to be an employer. So stay posted for all the bits and bites that I share as the business evolves (including any great pet products I come across).

If you need dog walking, visit my site at http://www.poochbuddies.com/.

If you are looking for a job, head over to my job site http://www.genplususa.com/ or my 50 plus blog at http://genplus.blogspot.com/.

And if you want me to consider you for a dog walker position, email me your resume and your reasons at info@poochbuddies.com