Your Pets Holidays Archives

Why Do Pet Sitters Sit?

Monday, January 30th, 2012 at 2:28 am  
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Black and white kitten

This Kitten Plays With His Pet Sitter

Has your pet parent ever hired a pet sitter? Was the pet sitter a family member or a professional pet sitter? If they were a family member, then they either love you to pieces or your pet parent exchanges pet sitting duties when your “family” pet sitter needs some time spent with their pets. Sometimes these arrangements work, sometimes they don’t…depends on how even the requests are for time with you or the pets in your family circle.

So Why do Professional Pet Sitters Sit?

Many pet sitters get the bug for sitting by taking care of family and neighborhood pets. They find that they can work their visits with the pets around their current job. My pet parent started as a teenager taking care of the neighborhood cats. This was long before pet sitting became a recognized pet business by Pet Sitters International and the National Association of Pet Sitters back in the 1990′s.

Today, you will find many college students pet sitting to help with expenses. Professionals such as groomers and veterinary technicians add pet sitting services to supplement their income. Pet sitting is one of only a few businesses that allows a person to work on a flexible schedule.

If a pet sitter sticks to their own neighborhood and friends, the cost of doing business can be quite low and they can keep their fees low. They can walk to your assignment and work from home scheduling appointments. Once their territory expands though and they become a professional, the expenses add up and so do their fees to your pet parent. Professional pet sitters have to add in the car expenses, insurance, bonding, supplies, marketing materials, pet sitting association memberships and more.

Pet sitters get paid to exercise! This does not necessarily mean that every pet sitter is lean. Busy pet sitters tend to grab fast food throughout the day to keep them going, especially during the holidays. Dog walkers have a better chance of keeping the pounds off and the muscles strong than the cat sitters do…at least that’s my observation.

Hobby pet sitters earn just enough to support their hobbies…which usually revolve around pets, of course. Pet sitters who are insured and well trained can earn a very lucrative income, mainly in large metropolitan areas. The recent downturn in the economy has slowed down the pet sitting industry in areas where big businesses are tightening their belts and as people travel less due to gas price increases.

The most compelling reason pet sitters sit is simply because they love animals. These people would pet sit for free if they could. Their reward is the unconditional love that they receive from the pets. We pets rarely complain unless we have to take medicine in a form we don’t like or we are expected to pee when it’s pouring down rain outside.

American Eskimo Taking a Nap

Schatzi Enjoys Taking a Nap

I have always loved my pet sitters. I have had fun playing ball and taking long walks while my pet parents have been out of town. I enjoy staying in my own home where I can nap when I want without having to listen to a dog in the next kennel carry on at a boarding facility because he misses his pet parents.

I am glad that pet sitters sit for the love of us pets!  Does your pet parent hire a pet sitter, call on family or take you to a kennel? Have your pet parent leave a comment…

Living in the moment,

Schatzi

Pet Companion to animal lover Amelia

 

 

Be Grateful for the Best of Pets

Monday, December 5th, 2011 at 6:45 pm  
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Our pet parents are grateful when they see the best in us. We wag our tails as we listen to them tell the other pet parents on our walks just how smart, cute, agile and comforting we are.  Sometimes though, they laugh when they talk about the worst of our behavior rather than the best that they see in us pets.

With both parents in a household working, it is difficult to add a pet to the family.  Other pets may be easier to maintain than we dogs are because they don’t require the outside exercise. Children who love pets are discouraged from having a dog of their own for these reasons so I adopt children without pets. I want them to learn about the best side of pet companionship.

My Adopted Boy

I first locate grandparents in my neighborhood that have visiting grandkids.  Then I make myself look like a big stuffed animal and wear my brightest smile. This little boy has no fear of me so I cuddle up to him. He met me when he was just a baby. By then, his big sister had gotten over most of her fear of me. In fact, she introduced him to me.

His sister decided that she wanted to be in the picture with both of us. However, you can see that she is still a little bit reserved around me.  As she leans to the right, I stay near my adopted boy. I also lay my ears close to my head around her so I look more like a friendly puppy. These children keep me socialized and I keep them well-adjusted so that they learn how to behave around dogs.

My Adopted Children

My Adopted Children

Wise parents who are not able to welcome pets into their homes take their children to places where friendly dogs hang out…like dog shows and dog parks…or just around the neighborhood. The many “no dogs allowed” signs at public parks and playgrounds keep us off limits to the children playing there…something about doggie poo.

I was a Thanksgiving Day gift (you can read my story in The Gratitude Book Project:Best of Pets). Some shelters around the nation are promoting a program whereby families can take a pet home over the holidays and then return the pet to the shelter after the holidays.  This allows the pets to be in a family atmosphere and gives the shelter workers and volunteers a break.  It also allows families to see how well a pet will fit (or not) into their family. Although the pets may like the break, I doubt that they will appreciate being returned to the shelter atmosphere.

Responsible dog breeders do not advertise “Christmas puppies” for sale. They want their puppies to go to a forever home rather than be an impulse gift to please the momentary whims of children during the holidays. This can be a stressful time for everyone rather than the ideal time to bring a peeing, pooping, whining puppy into the house.  Of course, puppies only behave this way because their needs are not being met…too many other toys on hand to play with during the holidays. Households are unlikely to see the Best of Pets unless they have been brought up responsibly.

So my words of wisdom to parents of children that would like to be grateful for the best of pets this holiday season, are to buy a stuffed animal for your children with a gift card attached containing a promise for the future. For a present of the best of pets now, buy The Gratitude Book Project:Best of Pets for children of all ages. I highly recommend it. The profits from the book will benefit the ASPCA.

Living in the moment,

Schatzi

Pet Companion to animal lover Amelia Johnson

Pets Take Action After More Dog Treat Warnings

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011 at 5:17 pm  
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Does your pet parent react with fear when they hear about more dog treat warnings? A recent warning involves chicken jerky treats from China. These may also be sold as chicken tenders, chicken strips or chicken treats. FDA officials said that the number of illnesses reported has gone up from the 54 reports filed in 2010 to 70 so far this year.

Only 70 reports of illness, you say? What if you are one of the 70? Have you lost your appetite? Has your energy level decreased to the level of only rolling over? Are you recycling your food or gushing with urgency? Are you thirstier and watering the grass more often? Have you been diagnosed with diabetes when, in fact, you may have Fanconi syndrome? If you have been fed those questionable treats, stop and consider a trip to the vet if you don’t start feeling better within 24 hours.

My pet parent took action years ago, even before dog treat and dog food warnings were in the news. I am benefiting by eating food and treats that are carefully made with a purpose in mind…and it’s not all about the money!

I can recommend a healthy alternative to you with our Holiday Gift Basket for dogs.

Holiday Gift Basket

It comes complete with an assortment of our most popular treats. When I’m looking a bit fluffier than usual, I eat wholesome hearts. When my teeth need a light cleaning, I eat the gourmet dental treats and chew on the porkhide bones. The antioxidant health bars chase those pesky free radicals away. When I am really super good at performing, I earn some Tasty Rewards.

 

Holiday Gift Basket for Cats

If you have a cat or cats in the house, have your pet parents order the Cat gift basket. They might stop ambushing your tail while you are dreaming if they learned that your pet parents heeded the warnings because of your health concerns.

 

 

 

If your pet parent would like to report a potential pet-treat-related illness from tainted treats, have them take action by filing a complaint at the FDA website.

Ask your pet parent to change the kind of treats that they give to you or your family feline so that your family can enjoy a happy holiday season. Give us your feedback.

Living in the moment,

Schatzi

Pet Companion to animal lover Amelia

Pet Holiday Greeting Cards add a Personal Touch

Monday, November 21st, 2011 at 2:52 pm  
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40 Ways to Grow Your Business

Greeting cards that feature pets definitely add a personal touch to the the holidays. These cards are also a great way to grow any kind of business. With postal rates going up and service delivery going down, the number of holiday cards seem to be dwindling as pet parents are pushed for time and money. Inboxes are full so not even E-cards provide the perfect solution to showing people how much you appreciate their friendship throughout the year.

My pet parent found a great way to send postcards and greeting cards to our clients…not only can my picture be on the front of the card, but their pet’s picture can be inside the card…or the other way around…I tend to think life is all about me, so forgive the slip of the words there.

It's ALL about Me!

Instead of sending “cookie-cutter cards,” we can send out our personalized cards at a very reasonable price…which is amazing since this system that we use also comes complete with a Contact Manager. This enables us to have our client’s information on file so that we can send them a greeting card quickly at any time of the year while we are sitting at the computer. We can even send the same card to a number of clients or members of the dog kennel club at the same time. This permits my pet parent to have more time to play with me since this company prints the cards and mail them for us…all for about $1.00 per card.

We would be happy to show you how you can use our web site to send your customized greeting cards from the comfort of your home. If your pet parent is not at all creative or just lacks time to be, they can chose from thousands of cards already in the card library.

I must tell you though, that if you tell your pet parents about this and they chose to use this system to save themselves time and money, I will earn some money to buy more treats for my friends at the Frostburg Dog Park. I am a dog with a job that has fringe benefits. Your pet parents can earn commissions by sending greeting cards too…imagine that! Dream big…perhaps a huge bone or new bed or your own hydrotherapy pool!

Oh, and I almost forgot to tell you the other nifty thing about this holiday greeting card system that we use. We can send gifts to our friends and clients too! We send gifts to the veterinarians and groomers that refer business to us. Sometimes we send candy and sometimes we send pet treats.

Happy Thanksgiving

This picture is on the front of my Thanksgiving card. Isn’t it cute?

Pet greeting cards can be created in advance for every reason and every season. Some pet parents really get carried away with their pet pictures and create lots of cards. When it comes to letting people know that you care, there is nothing better than a greeting card or a gift that they can actually hold in their hands. Just think of all the fun you can have too by opening the gifts for them! If you have a reputation for being naughty by shredding paper, your pet parent can take a picture of you shredding the card and making you a poster pet on a greeting card!

If your pet parent is thinking about the chore of sending greeting cards this holiday season, have them check us out at PersonalTouchContacts.com for a quick and easy way to take action, to keep old friends and to make new friends.

Come back here and tell us about your photo session for your greeting cards…remember you get lots of treats for smiling!

Living in the moment,
Schatzi
Pet Companion to animal lover Amelia Johnson

Howl-O-Ween is Great Training Opportunity

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010 at 5:06 pm  
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As I rebuild my site, you will see some posts like this one about Howl-O-Ween out of chronological order…but you know we as pets just live in the moment so don’t let your pet parents get goofy on you.


You have seen the neighborhood flyers telling our pet parents to hide us in the basement on Halloween night so that we are not scared by the Trick or Treaters or , heaven forbid, we scare the little rascals with our barking and lounging.


However, I find the night a delightful time to show off my socialization skills and experience new sights and sounds.  I think all pets of sound temperament should drag their pet parents out of the house and take us for a walk on that “frightful” night.


Watch this pet video that I created for you:


 Comment on your Howl-O-Ween nights.

Living in the moment,
Schatzi
Pet Companion to animal lover Amelia
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