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.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Watering the dogs
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.
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.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Getting skunked!
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!!
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!!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Summer tips
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.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Pet travel redefined
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!
If you are sending your dog and need pickup service in LA, feel free to get in touch. You know Pooch Buddies will help!
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!
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