As my late dog Nikki started to age, it really made me appreciate the time I had with her and just how much I loved her.  There’s something about a senior dog that just makes my heart grow 3 sizes larger just like the Grinch.  They seem to occupy a special place in my heart like no other.

After his heart grew

From the arthritic limp to the sad eyes that are turning white due to cataracts, they bring out the best in me.  Though they may be slower and can’t hear very well, my memories float back to just how feisty she was, or the times I came through the door and she jumped up and down like I was the most awesome person in the world.

Or  the time we took her to the snow and the ice was sticking to her legs, but she just kept running and having a great time.  And all those times when she looked at me with so much love and devotion that I swear I could see into her soul.

It’s these kinds of memories that make me want to give back as much as she gave me.  If I wasn’t boarding dogs, I’d love to foster senior dogs and care for them until they go over the Rainbow Bridge (Get your tissues handy.) It would take a lot of strength to see them pass, and I applaud those wonderful people that care for senior dogs every day.  They are the best of us.

Next time you find yourself wanting to add a new dog to your family, please consider a senior dog.  Click on Senior Dog Rescues to find information and a rescue group near you.

Since they tend to have more medical problems, you can avoid unnecessary Veterinarian bills by feeding them holistic pet food as nutrition is the key to keeping them healthy and happy for years to come.  

My dog Nikki in her last years

Of course you have to be prepared for what medically comes with an older dog such as:

Arthritis

Cataracts or losing their site

Loss of hearing

Graying and coat may become dull

Muscle mass loss

Slowing down,

and other medical conditions.

However, the good far outweigh the bad.  You just needs a little more patience and a whole lot of love.

Please view this video from the Petfinder Foundation to see all the wonderful qualities senior dogs have and they are just waiting for you to take them into your heart!

Summer is a very busy time for pet sitters and this Summer is no exception so far.  We have many dogs boarding at our home and a lot of  visits to clients homes to take care of their pets.

Yesterday when I was taking care of Dakota a sweet Golden Retriever, it dawned on me just how therapeutic visits are – actually they’re Zen like.  It forces me to focus on the here and now and just enjoy being in the presence of this beautiful creature.  The business side of pet sitting can make you forget the reason you started sitting in the first place. 

I decided to make my first video for my blog with me in it.  I had to get over seeing myself on camera with my scrunched face and the sun in my eyes.  I looked like Popeye!  As Social Media Maven Ann Evanston says – you have to get over what you look like and just do it!  Ann’s this one’s for you.

I hope you enjoy this fun video and see how great my job is.

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School’s almost out and everyone’s gearing up for their Summer vacation!  For me, I’ll be here watching your dogs while your on the beach having a great time.  Don’t worry, we still get our vacation too. Besides I love what I do and I love that I can help my clients have a stress free vacation.

My family on vacation in Montana a couple of years ago

What about those pets that can’t board and need  a pet sitter to visit them at their house? Having a plan will save the pet sitter a lot time which gives them more time to have fun with your pets.

Here’s  a few suggestions that can help you prepare your pets and your home.  Most of these topics should be covered in the pet sitting forms you filled out

Planning for your pooch and other creatures

Call your vet ahead of time and leave a credit card number with them just in case of an emergency.  Most reputable pet sitters will have a Vet Release form for you to sign.  The pet sitter will bring this form to the Vet if something should happen to one of your pets.  The Release informs the vet that the sitter has authorization to care for your pets.

Let your pet sitter know where all the shut off valves are for gas, water etc.  If you have a water pipe burst, at least they can shut it off and reduce the damage.

Give the sitter a list of important phone numbers. For instances, a neighbor  – leaving a key with the neighbor is also a good idea, Vet ( this should be with the paperwork), maybe a name of a handyman or electrician, locksmith, and the name of your “emergency contact” should the sitter not be able to get a hold of you.  This too, should be in the paperwork.

Have their favorite toys handy

Provide towels or rags to wipe dirty paws

If your pets are crated, have extra bedding or blankets in case they have an accident.

Put lights on a timer and please leave the front light on. Reptile lights should be on a timer.  The most important light for your sitter is the front porch light.  This is a must for a few reasons:  1) Safety of the sitter.  It makes it harder for “would be” criminals to hide, 2) so the sitter can see the keyhole and not have to fumble with the keys, and 3) it’s really scary to go up to a dark house!  I’ve been freaked out a couple of times.

Leave supplies in one general area. Your kitchen counter is a good place to leave your supplies. This can include a leash, medications (unless they have to be refrigerated), any additional notes, mailbox key, can opener, food and treats, etc.

Have extra supplies on hand.  Sometimes flights are delayed or canceled.  There’s a million reasons why you  may not be able to return when expected.  Always have enough food for the entire service and then a little more.  Same goes for treats and medications.

Make sure the extra key works. Usually when a pet sitter comes to your home, you need to give them a  key to get in.  You don’t want the sitter going to your home and finding out that they can’t get in and the dogs can’t get out!    That’s why you leave a number of a good locksmith – preferably one that works 24/7.

Have caged pet supplies nearby.  If you have a hamster, guinea pig, mouse, bird or any other pet that needs to have their cages cleaned, please have all the bedding, scoops and waste bags near their cage.

Leave cleaning supplies in plain sight.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve searched high and low for either a vacuum cleaner, broom or dust pan.  Please put them where your sitter can easily find them.  If you’re hiring a professional pet sitter all this should be covered in the paperwork.

Notify your alarm company and tell them your pet sitter’s name and the duration they’ll be coming to your home.  Also let your sitter know the password in case the alarm goes off.  The alarm company will call your home to ask for a password to reset the system.  I know this because it’s happened to me.

Make sure your outside sprinklers are properly adjusted and on a timer. If you want your sitter to water potted plants, put them in one area so that the sitter doesn’t have to go around the yard watering.  Remember, this is all time taken away from your pets.

Make sure your pets are wearing all their identification. If you’re using a Citronella bark collar or an electronic collar, make sure they have fresh batteries.

Secure all outside gates and fences. If your pets have access to the backyard, they might get itchy to escape.  Check your fences for holes and make sure the gates are closed and secured properly.

Other little extra tips for your home

Adjust your thermostat to a comfortable temperature for your pets.

Empty all your indoor trash and put in the outside bins.  Your pet sitter should put out the bins on the appropriate trash pickup days.

Put your toilet lids down.  Just saying.

Close all the doors to rooms that are off limits.  It’s also a good idea to close cabinet doors.

Empty out your refrigerator of food that will spoil

If you’re going away for a long period of time, have the Post Office hold the mail for you.  However your pet sitter can get the mail if you chose not to put it on hold.

Have checks ready for your sitter, housekeeper and/or gardener if appropriate.

Close and lock doors and windows

Clean your house and mow the lawn.  I love coming home to a clean home.  A good pet sitter will clean up after herself and pick up your “doggies presents” before she leaves.

I’m sure there are a thousand other things that could be done, but I think this is a good start.  Now that you have a plan, you can have a stress and worry free vacation!

We need your help!

You know that saying by St. Francis of Assisi, “For it is in the giving that we receive”.  Of course I know what that means on the surface, but I never really felt it in my heart until I saw an episode of “Undercover Boss”.  The premise of the show is the CEO of a big corporation goes undercover and takes a job with the everyday people working in the trenches.  While doing this, he gets to know them and what their dreams are and their ideas to make the company and their jobs better.

In the end, he reveals himself to the employees.  There was one man that had always wanted to go to a certain school (I can’t exactly remember the school), but was too financially strapped to ever imagine this could come true.  The CEO surprised him with a leave of absence and a full ride to that school.  Not only that, his job would be waiting for him when he returned.  The look of pure gratitude, happiness and relief brought me to tears in a wonderful, happy way.  It was as if he was drowning and was thrown a lifesaver.

In that moment, I really grasped what St. Francis was saying to us.  That awesome feeling of bringing so much joy to another human being felt so good that it’s almost like a selfish act.

Why am I telling you this story?  Because I want to encourage you to pay it forward to our animals in need.  Helping those that have no voice,  the beaten, the battered and the neglected.

My own dream for the future is to create a foundation to raise funds for animal shelters and rescues.  Right now a portion of the proceeds from Waggy’s online store will go to this effort.

If you feel deeply about animals, here’s how you can help:

Volunteer your time to an animal organization that you feel strongly about.  Get involved and help with fundraising efforts, walk dogs, clean out kennels – anything that helps out their cause.

Connect on Facebook and other social media outlets.  There are thousands of people working night and day to help out rescue animals.  Google for media sites that are specifically geared toward animals.

Get involved in animal advocacy or legislation. Get people to sign petitions offline and online, campaign for causes, make phone calls.  If you pick a cause that you really feel strong about, it will be easy to explain your side to people and get them to join your cause.

Start your own non-profit.  2 Hands 4 Paws (her website was hacked, so this URL is from Volunteer Match) was started by Maureen Gendron in Rhode Island to give temporary housing to pets that have been affected by the housing crisis.  She is looking for families to house these pets while their owners get back on their feet and find a permanent home.  In my pet sitting business, I get many calls asking for this very thing, but we’re not set up to do that and it would cost the owner too much.  However, I’d love to start something like 2 Hands 4 Paws.

Donate your money.  If times doesn’t allow you to volunteer for the organization of your choice or cause, I’m sure they will gladly accept your money.

Become a pet sitter.  Of course this isn’t like volunteering for a shelter, but you are helping pets feel safe, secure and loved while their owners are away.  You can’t imagine how much unconditional love you get sitting dogs and cats.  Basically, that’s my selfish pleasure.

If you’re looking for something more globally, check out Charity Navigator to find just the right cause that’s dear to your heart.

You’ll never get more as when you give of your heart.

Chris L Wagner

From One Pet Lover to Another

The airline flight is booked, the hotel is waiting for your arrival and you’re all pack to go on your wonderful vacation!  In all your reveling, you look down to see your precious pup looking up at you and you suddenly realize that you forgot to get a pet sitter to watch over your pet!

At this point you have 3 options to ponder over:

Get a neighbor to come over a few times a day or have them keep them at their house.  If you don’t know that many people or don’t want to impose on your friends, this may be an undesirable option.

Put them in a kennel at the dog hotel or veterinarian’s office.  However, thinking about your pet in a cage or kennel while you’re whiling away the hours on a beach may cause stress and ruin your vacation due to excessive worrying about their well being.

Find a professional pet sitter to come watch them at your house or board them at the sitter’s home.  Personally, this is the best option for your pet.  Not only are they looked after by a professional that knows how to care for pets, but you can relax and have a great time!

However, not all pet sitters are equal.  So, how do you evaluate and choose a pet sitter?

I’m assuming that you want to hire a professional pet sitter and not a neighbors child or teenager.  This can spell disaster and not worth your peace of mind.

Start by going to the Pet Sitter’s International (PSI) or NAPPS websites and find a pet sitter in your area in their directory.  PSI and NAPPS are probably the best known pet sitter associations and offer education about pets, marketing and business practices.  They are dedicated to providing the best the industry has to offer.  I’m a member of PSI and we have to abide by a Code of Conduct for Pet Sitters.  Most pet sitters that belong to these kinds of organizations, are professional and conduct themselves as such, but there are always a few bad apples.

Make sure they are licensed, insured and bonded. In my city, there really isn’t a “pet sitting license”, but I do have a business license to run my pet sitting business.  Insurance is a must.  If anything happens to your pets or home while you’re away and it’s the sitters fault, they can file a claim with their insurance company and reimburse you.  Bonding is really more for peace of mind to the client.  The bonding protects the pet sitter and you from loss as a result of theft committed by the sitter, it’s employees or independent contractors.

Do they have a website that you can look at to read testimonials, check out their services and prices and generally get a feel for what they’re like.

Once you’ve chosen a sitter, give them a call.  If you have to leave a message, how long did it take to call you back? They should return your call within 24 hours or less.  If they don’t, move on.  This could be a red flag for disorganization and things can fall through the cracks.

Are they upbeat and positive when you connect on the phone?  Don’t use them if you even sense that they are, what I call, “drama people”.  They should be willing and happy to help you with your pet’s care. 

Do they have established service fees and length of time for the pet care?

If the sitter is a sole proprietor, what is their back up plan if they get sick or can’t get to your home?

How much experience does the sitters have with your type of pet?  I was talking to a potential client about watching her horses.  I’m sure I could have done the job, but I referred her to another sitter that I know does farm animals.  The reason I turned it down was in case the horse had a medical problem that I wasn’t able to detect because I’m not familiar with equine medical issues.

Do they have proper contracts and forms to get all the information they need to care for your pets properly?  They should have forms for Client Information, Pet Information, Vet Release Forms (discuss what happens if your pet has a medical emergency), Contracts spelling out what is and is not expected, and Emergency Contact Information in case the sitter cannot get a hold of you for guidance in making medical or emergency decisions.  They should also leave a report card to let you know how things went.

Most sitters insist on a consultation before the service to meet you and your pets.  To me this is crucial.  This is the point when you can evaluate how the potential sitter interacts with your pets.  If they come in and barely acknowledge your pets, don’t use them.  Sitters are true animal lovers and they should be paying a lot of attention to them.  This also establishes a rapport with your pets so that they feel comfortable with the sitter as well.

They should be willing to give you references. Check them!  Don’t just assume because they give you a few names that they are legit.

Just remember that until you actually hire the sitter, you are under no obligation to use them.  If after meeting them you feel even the least bit unsure, don’t hire them.  This is where you really need to use your gut.  It’s usually right and your pets are relying on you to find a caring sitter to take care of them.

Chris L Wagner

From One Pet Lover to Another

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