Hey blog friends! Wow, what a busy week weather-wise, and SO darn hot. Chase has been less active in this recent heat wave, and I don’t blame him. On our last couple of walks, we’ve made it about 20 minutes before finding a shade tree. It’s still too dangerous for pets and owners alike to be in this intense heat for too long. If they must be outside, PLEASE make sure your pets have fresh water and a shady retreat. Unless the garage is air-conditioned, it’s not a great place to leave an animal. Garages tend to hold that heat too.
Not sure if we’ve talked about in-home daycare yet, although I know we’ve discussed out-of- home daycare for your pets. I got a surprise last week when dropping Chase off at Greenbelt Kennels. Jean usually has cats staying with her, but I was welcomed by the sounds of a bird when walking in the door! Guess she’s had a bit of variety lately. I prefer Greenbelt when I’m in town, but if I have a business trip or something away from central Iowa, I’d rather have someone staying in my home with Chase. I’ve been lucky to have a great group of friends who offer to stay with him, which eases my mind, and is of some comfort to when he’s separated from me for an extended period.
Do you use in-home daycare for your pets, whether on a daily basis, or during trips away from home? If so, how do you go about screening someone you may not know before letting them stay in your house, with your pet(s)? My parents had a sitter stay with their dogs a couple years ago, someone they sort of knew at the time. Unfortunately, when they got home, some of their possessions were missing. They didn’t want to jump to conclusions or create a scene with this sitter, since only a few items were missing. Needless to say, they have not invited her back to the house, and they try and bribe my brother into staying with the pups if they need to be gone.
If you’re just joining in our discussion and didn’t participate in our daycare conversation awhile back, feel free to chime in about your experiences and how you went about choosing an out-of- home daycare as well! I heard about Greenbelt via word of mouth, and Chase has a great time when he’s playing with his daycare friends
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Until next week- Bryan & Chase ^..^
Good topic Bryan, and I’m hoping I can get some help from the other bloggers too.
I’ve been lucky mostly when having to leave my pups for a while, and having friends come in, let them out, feed and water them and stay and play for a while.
But friends are getting busier so last time I left them at Rovers Ranch, so not only did they have other dogs to talk with all day, they were let out into the ’small dog run’ for several hours to play. Darcy puts the ones that get along in the different areas of the park to play for a couple hours at a time. With this heat I’m sure the pool is the most popular place! My three get put in the same run together, so they don’t feel abandoned, for the night. Not the same as sleeping in the bed with mom and dad, but the blankets smell like home, mom and dad, the cats, and them, so they aren’t too traumatized. It was Okie’s first time away from home, but a good start for when we leave them there when we go to Dallas in the fall.
I’ve also kenneled at Kiya Kota in Indianola, where they had two adjoining kennels with a ‘pass through’ door, so the older one could get some ‘away’ time from the puppies. My vet recommended them so I knew they’d be alright.
At all places I brought my own food, their blankets, and when more than overnight, a few favorite toys.
Now for the help I am looking for. I want to start an ‘in home’ pet sitting business, and have no where to start.
Feathered and furred critters, but I’m not fond of snakes, spiders or lizards, can do, but not that fond of. My vet thinks I have a good idea, because I have plans to include Farm animals, since I have worked with horses, cows and hogs. Not much with sheep, but I can learn. So many farmers have to find someone to take care of their animals when they go to fairs, or family gatherings away from the farm. I got the idea from my niece who has to share the other gatherings with her husband, one staying home with animals and the other going with the kids to 4H fairs or other events. I’d welcome any ideas on how to get started.
Stay cool all, Okie is sleeping behind my chair,
Today is bring your dog to work day.
Keep your furred friends cool
Kim and clan
FYI all
From: The Humane Society of the United States
Dog Days of Summer
May 27, 2009
Warm weather is here, and that means you and your dog will likely be spending more time outside. We’ve compiled 10 ideas to help you and your pooch get in on some safe summer fun.
1. Splash around. Buy a plastic kiddie pool for your dog to cool off in, or let him practice his doggy paddle at a pool or the beach.
2. Beach blanket bingo. Hang out at a dog-friendly beach or bring your dog along for a waterside picnic.
3. Disc-o time. Test your dog’s skills at Frisbee.
4. Squeaky clean. Schedule a bath time play-date with your friends’ dogs and have an outdoor dog wash.
5. Take a hike. Bring your dog hiking on a nearby wooded trail. (Hint: here’s what to do if you run into skunks or ticks.)
6. Campy fun. Take your dog camping at pet-friendly campgrounds.
7. Park life. Visit your local dog park for some doggy socializing.
8. Walk it off. Take your dog for a walk in your neighborhood.
9. Summer school. Choose a dog trainer so your dog can brush up on his etiquette.
10. Go for a ride. Safely secure your dog in your car, and take him with you for a ride.
Remember to outfit your dog with a collar and ID tag that includes your name, address and telephone number. No matter how careful you are, there’s a chance your companion may become lost—an ID tag greatly increases the chance that your pet will be returned home safely. And even a dog with a valid license, rabies tag and ID tag should not be allowed to roam outside of your home or fenced yard. It’s best for you, your community and your dog to keep your pet under control at all times. Also be sure that your dog has access to clean, cold water at all times—dogs can overheat quickly!
Now get out there, and enjoy the season!
Kim and clan
In years past we have taken the dogs to the vet and had them kenneled while we were gone. I always felt guilty about leaving them there as they were scared. The vet was very good to them but it just wasn’t home for them. Recently when we have been gone we have had a neighbors grandson stay with the dogs at our house. This works out so much better as I trust the sitter and I know the dogs are more comfortable being at home. It also helps that the sitter spoils them more than we do. We are going to be looking for another dog sitter in the future as our current kid is leaving for college in the fall. I have seen a couple ads in the paper for dog sitters in the Carroll area so I will be checking into that. I plan on having the person I consider hiring over to meet the dogs and screen them like I would a sitter for my kids. My dogs are my kids they just happen to have four legs and fur.
I had to kennel Lucca once for a few days including over the weekend and I will never take him there again. When I got home I noticed his bed that I took was urine soaked and when I called to talk to the office manager, they told me they had problems with their weekend staff. Of course they didn’t tell me while picking him up, so that sealed my decision never to go back there.
So, since then if I have trips to take I have been blessed that my family and a couple of close friends will watch Lucca for me. He’s comfortable with them and I feel secure knowing he’s well taken care of. His favorite babysitter is my Dad. My Dad spoils Lucca more than I do.
I know there will come a time when my family and friends won’t be able to watch him…I’m hoping by then I will have good references to other options.
Have a good weekend everyone.
I take my two boys to Critter Camp near fort dodge. The oldest one had been going there for 5 years now, and gets all excited as we go up the long gravel drive. They have indoor/outdoor runs and all is air conditioned. There is opportunity for socializing, Im’ sure my dogs get lonely with out me at night, but they are together. If it’s only for a few days, what’s the saying…loneliness makes the heart grow fonder……when mom’s home all is right with the world, but we ALL deserve a break now and then!!
I struggle with this issue for my dog. It’s a bit easier with cats, but I just can’t leave him alone for a weekend; even over night!
If he needs a bit of playtime and I need a break I usually take him to PetSmart Dogcamp. I have never boarded him there, but the days are fun for him and he has friends there we also run into at the dog park!!
When I first moved into my house and was painting the downstairs, he was a younger dog and curious about everything (and has to be right beside mom.) He got into the paint so I grudgingly boarded him at our Vet. He had great care, I’m sure, but he came back hoarse from all the barking and just clung to me more!!
I usually have someone come in to stay with him if I’m going to be gone for any length of time. My daughter takes him to her apartment too and that helps. My son is still home for a couple more months and then he’s off to college. I suspect I’ll either be staying home a lot more or taking him along.
I would love to have my own pet sitting business, but the pay and benefits are nothing to bark at, so I just try to find other good spots. Perhaps we could set up a barter-care site to help out each other???? Just a thought.
Thanks for the cooler weather!!
We board our dogs at Mid-Iowa Kennels by Indianola. As a matter of fact, we just got back from vacation after boarding them there. They love it. She boards a lot of hunting dogs and cares for all of them as if they were her own. The dogs get excited as soon as we get anywhere near the property. They know they’ll be well cared for and trust her. We call it the “spa” as we usually get them groomed too. She has extremely reasonable rates.
When we went to AZ last year we had a sitter for the dogs come to the house. She was reliable, honest, and spoiled the dogs to death but it just didn’t feel right to have someone else in my home. Her rates were reasonable.
I guess between the two I’d choose the kennel we have over having a sitter in again. It’s just a personal preference.
We have been quite fortunate. Our neighbors have a Golden and the few times when we know that we were going to be gone for an overnight, they were able to look in on Sadie. Usually just a simple, “Suppertime when Willie gets supper and evening and morning potty just like Willie.” She can’t stay there since she and Willie have issues with territory of the street. But it is nice to have a fall back.
A friend of mine comes to check on the house and cats if we are gone for a couple days. She has watched Sadie a couple times, but perfers the strictly cat time.
Normally, if we can, Sadie goes with us. If we are gone more than a night or two, we love Mid-Iowa Kennels. Sadie does quite well there. And we just had Sadie stay over Father’s Day weekend with the new Dog Days and Cat Naps up in Johnston. She had a great time and it included some playing with the daycare dogs.
I often will watch my co-worker’s cat while she is out of town for more than an overnight. One of the pluses is that her cat likes me so that helps. (Yeah, I spoil her a bit.)
That is too bad when you can’t trust someone that is pet/house sitting to not mess with your stuff.
I don’t travel much but on those rare occasions that I have I’ve been very lucky to have the best neighbors on the planet who take care of mine if I’m away for even as long as a week. They get a little spoiled, extra treats, cause surely they miss their mom. I can’t help but leave a detailed list of exactly who eats what/where/when, instructions for cleaning and so forth. In fact I always keep a list taped to my cupboard in the outer-room where the kibble and cookies are. I always thought in case anything every happened to me someone should know how to take care of them in an emergency – where the food is, etc.
All the best!
N