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Big Max, 13 years young has his good days and not so good days. His aging dog care has us slowing down the activity but not stopping! We are aware his hearing isn't so good and his eye sight has become cloudy so we approach slowly, move slowly and stay in front of him so he doesn't get startled. His tail doesn't miss a beat but those joints and agility are a bit slow these day. Slower to get up, slower to lay down and not as quick to catch the ball in his mouth.
I'm going to share a few tips and dietary modifications for you to consider from my favorite Integrative Vet, Dr. Andrew Jones, to help you modify your aging Dog's lifestyle to enhance their mobility, agility, digestion and cognitive pliability .I've incorporated these tips and modifications for my own pups and my clients and have had wonderful outcomes that enhanced their joy with a high quality, species appropriate dietary changes, beneficial supplements, cold laser therapy andhomeopathic remedies and Flower Essence therapies. If you would like to chat about best practices for your aging, senior Dog feel free to txt me, or DM me on Instagram @pawtailspetcare #seniordogcare #seniordogs #holisticdogcare AVOID A TRIP TO THE VET - HUMAN FOODS THAT ARE HARMFUL FOR DOGS As the Labor Day Weekend approaches I thought it was the perfect time to share the most common Human Foods that are harmful, and some fatal if your Dog eats them. Keep this simple chart handy for both the poison control hotline and quick reference guide. 
The following list is a list of Plants, Human Foods and Objects that are highly toxic to your Pets
FOODS
Being nominated for Best Pet Sitting and Dog Walking is quite an honor for me. I didn't have this type of attention on my radar when I begin my Professional Pet Sitting. My desire to be with the Paws & Claws has always been apart of my life. As a very young girl, all through my life really, I've been Petcentric surrounded by 3 Dogs, 4 Cats, Parrots, Pigs, Horses. Their companionship has always been apart of my world. Something happens when your in the moment with the Paws & Claws...their unconditional love and quest for fun and play light me up. Teaching them the 'Cesar way' to be the best they can be, well socialized, and well loved is very fulfilling. Taking the time to calm a scared Dog or Cat matters to me. Bringing Peace Of Mind to their Humans with updates and photos, even videos makes each day special . Finding your purpose in life is a gift. Sharing that love with those that bring us joy is an honor. Being nominated for a 'best of' is new. Sharing the love of the Paws with a professional focus is what I do, the whole campaign thing is kinda strange and uncharted territory. Here I am, jumping into this arena as a pick up game after work...My focus will continue to be on the matters at hand, your Pets! This is a new thing and while I embrace it...I'm still mystified by it... If you'd like to see my services reach others and your friends, please tell them about the voting opportunity. It ends 8/17/14. You can vote here: http://sandiegoalist.cityvoter.com/pawtails-pet-sitting/biz/685278 Thank you for voting! And, as I head out for today's #DogWalking & #Cat Sitting Check Ins... That's where I'll be focusing, getting those Tails Up, Paws Forward... 
 In this day and age using the term Professional can get dismissed or set aside. That's is unfortunate when it comes to Contractors and Pet Sitters. Being Professional is a distinction well worth the honor and respect it is intended to elevate in consideration. Unlicensed usually means 'cheaper than' and a risky gamble. Slick packaging of services can entice even the most discerning clients. Professionals have ethics, accountability and responsibility for their work and pay taxes for the privilege to work for you. They operate by a different code of conduct. Sedition I say! I will not stand by without exposing the recklessness of those wanting and willing to take your money on the premise of helping you....Today there was an Ad for Dog Sitting on a local site. The emotional hook jumped off the page at me! 'I'm a stay at home Mom here to help out my neighbors who don't want to pay the kennel rates'.Hmmm, who is this and what's the business? So I contacted her to inquire about her services and standards, etc. (Its always nice to meet other Pros to network with). I had to ask her if she was bonded and insured to protect the Dog Boarders.... Her reply was No; her home owners insurance doesn't cover Dog Boarding.... Ahh, really? Now the bells and whistles are going off. So no insurance, no bonding, taking in other people's Family Pets and taking them off leash on hiking trails.... I could of had a choral bell brigade ringing in my gut by this time....red flags went off as not a 'Professional'...Beware.... What separates a Professional from a 'Stay at Home Mom' with a big heart? #1 No distractions of Laundry, Dr Appointments, Extra-Curricular Activities, Shopping, etc. A Professional has one focus, and that's to spend quality time with your Pet to the standard and routine they are accustom to. #2 Responsibility - We sign an agreement to the terms, task and timing on the scope of services. We don't toss your Dog into the mix, in a Kennel (or the family room) and say 'adjust big guy' . Where is my commitment to keep your Pet Safe? #3 Accountability! The world recognizes me as Reliable and Accountable through my Bonding and Liability Insurance, I've promised I will take great care of your Pet and I can back it up! If something happens with the 'Stay at home Mom' you are S-O-L not to mention broken hearted. Being response-able, by being trained in Pet CPR & 1st Aid with a dedication every day to put your Pet before any other consideration is what a Professional Pet Sitter does with a big heart, so full of love, and a very big concern for you and your Pet's comfort and joy. Great care and consideration is made to meet the consistent walk patterns, meal times, special needs (whatever medications are required and administered) as well as play for your Pet while your away! Knowing your Pet is safe and happy in its own home, in his familiar surroundings with familiar smells make a huge difference in their experience while you are apart. Creating Calm and Fun bring Peace of mind. That's priceless. There is no recourse for Recklessness in the case of a 'Stay at Home Mom' helping you save money! Taking a Dog on a Hiking trail loaded with ticks and rattle snakes is not my idea of good judgement while caring for someone's family Pet! Without clear and specific perimeters of service and scope....anything can and will occur. As a Professional Pet Sitter, I am trained to look out for the unseen surprises and be prepared to handle them. Meeting a pack of loose Dogs...what do you do? Snake bite, are you prepared to transport and communicate with the Vet immediately? Each and every situation outside (and inside) the home is that can go south are in my mind every minute...no exceptions. I'm not watching the Kids and chasing Dogs off Leash 'hoping' nothing will happen. Are you willing to risk the life of your beloved Family Pet with someone Casual and Busy with other things? Too busy to put their word on the line? Your Paws deserve the highest level of service in your absence. Professional Pet Sitters are licensed, bonded, insured and pay taxes as well as being committed to CEU's to bring you the Leash that Leads to your Peace Of Mind & Satisfaction... Tails Up, Paws Forward.....And we walk with confidence we can care for your loyal furry friend, in every situation that arises.   We all want to send a beautiful floral bouquet to Mom on Mother's Day. We do because nothing on the planet says 'I love you Mom' like a beautiful bouquet of fragrant flowers!
But when sending flowers to Pet Owners there are plants that are toxic to both cats and dogs. Tulips, Azalea, Bird of Paradise, Aloe, Begonias, Baby's Breath, and Amaryllis. Members of the Lilium genus, including Easter and stargazer Lilies, can cause serious kidney problems if ingested by cats and usually cause death. So, when sending a bouquet or plant as a gift to a pet owner, it is always best to seek out (or create) a "pet friendly" bouquet. Roses, African daisies, and orchids and plants such as bromeliads, African violets and Christmas cactus are non-toxic (although any ingested plant material might occasionally cause mild, self-limited vomiting) and would be suitable as to have in households with pets. The best choice for a non-toxic bouquet for Mother's Day is to contact your local CSA Farmer,yes, your local farmer. They use the 'buddy system' in planting and usually have a beautiful selection of Flowers that are Pesticide Free and full of fragrant scents that will send any Mom into a heady joy unlike the store bought flowers that are flown in from South America and while they may look pretty...they don't last and they don't smell enchanting...why bother...they show up as imposters... Locally, we use Seabreeze Organic Farm to pick a beautiful bouquet for Mom and delight her and keep the Paws safe...this is a Pet Friendly Farm for Organic Veges, Flowers and Eggs......they also ship anywhere in the us... Keep your Pets safe this year...review the list and don't assume all Flowers are a good mix with the Paws...let's be safe this Mother's Day .....share the love :)  We've all been there.....oh gawd, that's awful! Who tooted? Doggy Farts are the worst silent but deadly stench to wrestle your nose while winding down at the end of a busy day. Those SBD (silent but deadly) farts (you know those really stinky ones) are a wake up call for a dietary change for Tubbs!
I've scoured the internet seeking various (organic, healthy) solutions to the problem to recommend solid advice for my Paw Clients in a short and concise solution (always seek medical advise from a Vet if your Pet shows signs of illness) . Here are the top 3 recommendations I've found and used combination resolve the condition completely. Bad Gas, Flatulence, Farts Solutions that work: 1. Change the diet. Most Food based gas is from a poor quality diet. I know what your thinking...but the label says best, natural ingredients...here's what to avoid when reading the fine print on the Food Ingredient list: Corn and Soy, and Fillers. Junk in, Junk out as the saying goes. Feed your Dog the highest quality Dog Food you can afford. The less ingredients on the list the better. Organic, high quality food will reduce the amount of waste product, meaning less gas, and less smell too. The goal is a healthy digestive tract for Tubbs and less stink!! 2. Probiotics for Dogs. Probiotics for Dogs help to reduce the 'bad bacteria' in the gastrointestinal tract and restore the balance in microfloral. Probiotics are the good, friendly bacteria for Pets and People alike. The results will be a clean and more efficient digestive system. It's a good thing and you can get them in the refrigerator section of the store. Probiotics are live bacteria..... 3. Yogurt. Organic Yogurt has the good bacteria in it and has been very helpful reducing the excessive gas. Yes it's a milk product but it has been 'cultured' which creates the good bacteria making it digestible with different properties than Milk or Cheese per say. You won't get the good bacteria from Milk or Cheese and in fact many Dogs are lactose intolerant so make sure to stick to Organic Yogurt. I've read giving 3 tablespoons a day will do the trick. If the condition doesn't improve with these public recommendations I'd consult your Vet. We love our Dogs and want to hang out with them and snuggle...Stinky Butts and Farts are not warm and fuzzy and may be indicative to a bigger problem. Do your Dog a favor and make the changes for cleaner air between you. The goal is Happy Tails and Smells. Let me know how these work for you...Sharing is Caring. Leave a note, I'd love to hear your success stories.  Being approached by a Pack of Strays is not some thing anyone of us want to deal with, especially when walking your client's Dogs! There are over 500,000 lost or abandoned Dogs every month across the US. The ones that become Feral are considered 'Stray Dogs'. Just because you 'know' Dogs doesn't mean you are equipped to handle a pack of hungry or sick Dogs. Here are some tips and myths to use and avoid.
#1 - Do not approach the Dogs. They are usually hungry in survival mode, not your happy couch potato. Keep as much distance between you and the Strays as possible, never taking your eyes off the Dog(s) or turning your back on them. Seek the closest home or business for assistance. #2 - Toss Kibble. Always carry Kibble when walking your Dog! If you can not get help and the Dogs keep getting closer tossing Kibble is the best distraction and can buy you time to exit the situation. #3 - Don't Run. Should the Dogs be upon you stand your ground, do not run! Keeping your eyes down using your peripheral vision, watch the Dogs movements. Staring at the Dogs can be seen as a threat, don't do it. Stand your ground calmly and with firm conviction with your arms together in front of you. #4 - Don't Extend a hand. Extending a hand can be view as a threat, don't do it. #5 - No Pepper Spray. You'd think Pepper Spray would be good right? Wrong! It's never a good idea with a Dog! What usually ends up happening is spraying Pepper Spray actually exacerbates the situation angering the Dog(s). Keep calm and toss kibble! No fast gestures, but reach into you pocket and grab a handful and toss it away from you. Back away as quickly and calmly as possible, never turning your back on the Dogs. #6 - Play Ball. If you end up on the ground, curl into a ball covering your face with your hands and facing down. This is the best protection. #7 - Pay Attention. The best plan is to be ever aware of your surroundings. It doesn't have to take away from the joy of walking your Dog(s) but the more aware you are of your surroundings, the more time you have to react. Always scan the area for unusual movement, etc. Look ahead and all around so you can anticipate your action plan. #8 - Carry your Cell Phone. Having your cell phone fully charged and with you on your walk is wise. Don't leave home with out it. Just in case you need to call for help, you can. It may sound silly, but many of us enjoy that leash time away from technology, strolling along with Fido...you can turn the ringer down...just have it with you. With so many Dogs lost and abandoned every month, the chances of you running into Stray Dogs is very good. The numbers out there are staggering. The best offense is a good defense. Be prepared to meet unexpected Paws. It's not a matter of 'IF' it's really 'when'. We can help bring the numbers down by supporting low cost Spay and Neuter Clinics such SNAPS SAN DIEGO, http://www.snap-sandiego.org/ . My thinking here is fewer unwanted animals born, fewer roaming the streets... Even if you don't own a Pet your tax dollars go towards the shelters and euthanasia to control the population. I invite you to help stop the Feral Dogs one snip-snip at a time. Feral Dogs are everyone's business. If you would like to know more about safe dog walking tips or service you can reach me at 858-603-9925. Be safe out there and have fun, being prepared can be fun with the Paws! |
2021 TOP PET SITTER IN CALIFORNIA
happydoggo.com/services/california/dog-sitters-in-california/ Kate GlennThis blog is dedicated to my Paw Parents and their voiceless Fur Family members. On pulse on all things Holistic Wellness to help your furbabies thrive and give you peace of mind. Archives
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