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Lots of Experience = Lessons Learned

8/3/2018

In the age of apps like Rover, Wag, PetFetch, Care.com, and others, it is easier than ever to find someone to care for your furry friends. These sites are chock full of eager helpers looking to care for Fido and Whiskers and make some cash. Unlike other pet sitting companies who scoff at these apps and sites, I fully support these avenues of finding care. I have used Rover in the past (as a pet sitter and as a dog owner) and it was a positive experience.

That said, it is important to be diligent about meeting and interviewing candidates to care for your furries no matter what app or site you found them on, even if they are a referral. A background check does not ensure that your sitter has adequate common sense. It also doesn’t ensure that your sitter is experienced with your particular breed or specific care needs. Don’t fall into the trap of false confidence – nothing beats meeting a sitter in person to allow your personal intuition or “gut” instincts to help you out in the decision process.

Do your homework on your sitter – check and call all of their references yourself don't rely on online reviews. Ask pointed questions. Make sure you have enough time to make an informed decision about who you will choose (and that you aren’t rushing the process two weeks before you go out of town!). Bad sitter decisions are those that are rushed.

The process of finding a good pet sitter should take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Yes, seriously. After all, your home and/or your pets are precious assets that deserve due diligence in this process.

One of the most important things to look for in a sitter is how many years of experience they have not only with pets, but with actual pet sitting.

So why am I harping on all of this?

As you know by now, I have several years of experience under my belt and I truly believe that is what sets my care apart from other sitters (well maybe other personality traits like empathy, too). I published a nonfiction book last year about all of my crazy experiences while pet sitting. This month I decided I’d dive back into those anxiety-inducing chapters of my memoir and explain what each chapter taught me (and thus made me a better pet sitter).

15+ years of experience, and trials and tribulations, can be extremely beneficial as a pet sitter. I can say that now, but I never want to ever re-live these chapters:

CHAPTERS:

Blood, Saliva, Tears, and Terror (Fourth of July)

Fireworks suck for animals.
Just say no to long dates on the 4th of July.
French kissing my ear is a dealbreaker.

The Horrible Helper and the Lost Cat

Men can be oblivious.
No one will care as much about your clients or your business than you.

Lost and Found, and Kept

Guns are a bad sign.
People are insane and they’re all around us.
Anxiety can be a great weight-loss tool.
Have a contract identifying client’s pets, addresses and signatures.
Require payment upfront.

A Killer Next Door

Always trust your instincts.
Always trust your instincts.
Always trust your instincts.
Clients who travel overseas aren’t always ideal for pet sitters.
Neighbors can be bad.
Neighbors can be awesome.

Pet Sitting for a Local Celebrity

Objects on TV are shorter in person.
Celebrities, they’re just like us!
Don’t keep keys.

The Toilet Water Flood

Never, never, never leave a running toilet.
Anxiety can be a great weight-loss tool.
Where there is a will, there is a way.

They’ll Never Know

Don’t have people over.
Ebay is awesome.
USPS sucks.
I’m glad dogs can’t talk.

Illegals Living in the Backyard

People aren’t always what they seem.
Neighbors can be strange.

Celebrity Guest

Expect the unexpected.
Great stories start with vodka.
Fun friends are a must in life.
Celebrities, they’re just like us!

Hide Your Valuables – I Mean, Hide Your Food

Sugar is bad.
Don’t eat people’s food.
Never assume anything.

I’m a House Sitter, Not a Homewrecker!

Expect the unexpected.
People aren’t always what they seem.
People are up to no good all around us.

The First Bite is the Deepest

Animals are unpredictable at times.
Animals get cranky, scared and excited just like we do.

Where’s the Fire?

Always ask new clients: Are there any house quirks that I should be aware of?

That is a lot of lessons! What is that old saying? ...Anyone can navigate a boat on calm seas…but the best captains have been through some storms. I’ve learned a ton in my years as a pet sitter. Indeed some were hard lessons but I had to learn them to get where I am today.

PS: Check out the FAQs regarding my book one-year post publish date!

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All of Your Burning Questions About My Book Get Answered

6/30/2018

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It has been a year since my first published novel hit bookstores online and in the local BookPeople bookstore here in Austin (the largest bookstore in all of Texas I might add). The book has generated a lot of questions and interest, to my surprise. I wrote the book because people would always be curious what it is like to pet sit so much and I wanted to reveal the truth. I never expected the positive feedback I’ve received. There are still moments when I’ve second-guessed being so honest with my writing. Read on for the answers to the most asked questions in the year since publishing my nonfiction memoir about pet sitting.

Was everything in the book real, seriously did all of that really happen?
Every single story was true. That said, as with any good work of nonfiction, there are embellishments made to make some sections flow better or be well rounded. To protect privacy and identities some details were changed. I can honestly say that the very worst/craziest stories had little to no embellishments at all. One story I even had to leave out major details because it was already too crazy. It is true what they say: Truth is Stranger than Fiction.

Chapter 4 was crazy! Why didn’t you get the police involved?
I get this question a lot and I will try to answer without spoilers. I used to watch a lot of COPS on TV years ago. I picked up on the fact that if you have no evidence than it is just your word against theirs. The police would have no reason to believe me. I had no contract and the clients were MIA, so I was at a brick wall. I knew that she worked at the legal bar association, so I figured they’d certainly believe her over some kid like me. I am also an optimistic person and I felt the situation would work out if I just held on and tried not to lose my mind. That whole situation was truly traumatizing.

What was your favorite chapter? Least?
I loved writing chapter 9 (Illegals in the Backyard), it reminds me of all of the interesting neighbors of clients I have encountered while pet sitting throughout the years.

The worst chapter is a tie between chapters 3, 4, 5 and 7. I had a difficult time writing those chapters and feeling the negative feelings and anxiety all over again.

Did any of your clients discover that they were in your book?
Yes, I told a few of them and they were good sports. Some of the worst stories though, those clients will probably never know because I’ve lost contact with them (and for good reason).

Why is there no audiobook?
I thought about doing an audiobook a lot. I wasn’t sure I wanted to read it so I even went as far as having folks audition on ACX. After feeling creepy about hearing my words read back to me I decided that I’d have to be the one doing the reading since they are my personal stories. I did some research and renting or setting up a studio was not cheap! Then there is the added headache of strict audio submissions guidelines – I didn’t want to complete the whole thing only to have the audio publishers reject it due to technicalities. It seemed very pricey and risky. I’d still love to record an audiobook of it though. A $700 donation would make it happen, just sayin’.

“You should turn the book into a movie!”
Yes, a screenplay is definitely on my radar. I can see the movie being a hit comedy in my head. I can visualize all the scenes. There’d have to be some added element to the story, like a love interest or some sort of major conflict that works out in the end. These ideas are in my head. One day…

What is selling better – eBook or paperback?
Paperback actually sold better last year, this year the eBook is selling better. Paperback is $10.99 in all stores online and land; the eBook I reduced to $5.99 from the initial $7.99.

So are you a millionaire now that you published a book?
Haha! It is amazing how many people think that publishing a book, whether traditionally published or self-published, creates sudden riches. Far from it. I profit less than $5 per book. That is on par with what most authors make except for famous authors like JK Rowling or Stephen King who make a lot more.

How many books have you sold?
I haven’t sold enough to break even on the costs of self-publishing, I’ll just say that! I could make more if I marketed the book more, but I decided not to put a ton of money into the marketing. I’ve sold books each month since my book was published a year ago so that is exciting!

How much did it cost you to self-publish?
After hiring editors, beta readers, designers, fees, etc. my costs were about $1700 which is significantly less than many self-published authors with a paperback and eBook published.

How long did the book take you to write?
It took a couple months to write and a couple months to get fully edited and beta read. Then the formatting and design took a few weeks. All in, it took almost 6 months from start to publish date.

Will you publish a volume #2?
No, there probably won’t be a volume two because mistakes and unfortunate events I have at this stage of my pet sitting career are few and far between, and thank gosh! I think I paid my dues!

That said, I had a new client last Fall where I definitely thought “this situation could have ended up in my book”. The client was extremely mistrusting and I was pretty sure I was on secret surveillance the entire time because they’d call or text each time I was away from the house for longer than two hours, no joke. They took advantage of my kindness (extra feeding tasks they imposed were not in the contract). They offended me with their prejudiced and judgmental words and were ungrateful, persnickety assholes. Yeah, I said it. I typically attract like-minded people, those with the same chill vibe as myself, but those clients were a direct referral from a friend of mine who obviously didn’t know them well. Ugh.

Have you lost any clients since the book went public? Has there been any backlash?
To be honest, I have not heard from a few clients since publishing my book. That could be due to the book or other reasons, who knows? I don’t assume the book turned anyone off that much, but if it did then that is a risk I was willing to take to get my true stories out there.

Ironically, the only negativity I’ve encountered surrounding the book was from fellow pet sitters from a national pet sitters group I am involved in online. A few of them posted hateful reviews on my book before even purchasing or reading it! One even went so far as to post a negative review on my FB business page. I was astonished. Apparently, they were upset that I am contributing to the “bad rap that pet sitters already get.” Really? Do we? People think highly of pet sitters in my circles.

Pet sitting is just like car mechanics – there are some good and some bad, but at the end of the day people need both and will continue to use various providers until they find the right fit. I’d have never have published the book if I thought it would hurt pet sitters. That is nonsense. I knew it might hurt my business personally, and only. That was a risk I was willing to take. Not everyone is brave enough to be truthful and people love to shame others for those truths. It is very unfortunate.

Do you know who purchases your books?
I wish I did, but no, I receive absolutely no information from BookPeople, Amazon or any of the other big box online book retailers in regards to who purchased or what location they are in. The only way I can ever get a hint of who may have purchased is if they review my book online and their username happens to be their real name. Otherwise I have no clue!

You can check out my book here on Amazon.

Any more questions for me? Feel free to contact me here.

Buy it like Beckham

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Questions You Should Ask Your Pet Sitter

5/28/2018

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I thought I'd share with you questions a potential client asked me recently. I didn't end up pet sitting for them because I was already booked, but I thought they asked some good interview questions. As a long-time pet sitter I think these questions will definitely help you learn about any potential sitter and discover how much experience they have and what they would do in tough situations.

My answers are below:

1. What is your past experience with dogs?
I have been caring for dogs and cats for over 15 years.
2. Do you have any allergies?
I have no allergies.
3. Have you owned dogs in the past?
Yes, I had a Miniature Pinscher named Jiminey Cricket for nearly 10 years. He passed away in 2013. He was the love of my life. Shortly before that my cat Joyce passed away – she lived to be 21 years old!
4. Did you grow up with dogs?
Yes, we had two Norwegian Elkhounds when I was growing up.
5. Have you dog sat before?
I have pet sat for decades.
6. How much time have you spent around dogs in general?
I spent ten years around my dog, every day. Now it is less often, but typically I spend at least 50% of the year around animals/dogs (pet sitting overnight).
7. Do you know dog CPR?
I took a class many years ago however, in 15+ years of dog care I have never had to use it.
8. Do you know when a dog needs to go to the vet?
Yes, if the dogs is acting strangely or seems to be extremely uncomfortable or in pain.
9. What if you can’t reach me and my dog is very sick, what would you do?
Since I have each client fill out forms initially, I would refer to your form and contact the emergency contact you indicated. I would take your dog to the vet you indicated on your form or I’d take to an emergency vet if it was after hours.
10. Do you know the symptoms of an ear infection?
Yes, the dog shakes its head and scratches at its ear a lot. Also, the ear may produce more wax and have a strong odor.
11. What would you do if my dog pukes on the floor?
I would clean it up and monitor the dog closely to be sure there isn’t some major sickness going on.
12. What would you do if my dog is limping?
I would monitor the dog. I’d also check paws for cuts or stickers. I would also massage the legs/hips because sometimes older dogs are just stiff and need some time to loosen up.
13. What would you do if my dog starts scratching and creates a hot spot?
I would clean the area on the dog. Sometimes allergy pills help, so if you have allergy pills for your dog, I would administer that. I would monitor the dog or try to distract with petting or affection.
14. Do you work? If so, do you work from home? Do you go into an office? What is your work week like?
Yes, I work from home everyday. I occasionally work from the library or coffee shops. For this purpose, it is essential that you have wifi.
15. Do you go out a lot or are you a homebody?
I am a homebody. Some months or weeks I have spells where I go out a lot, but in general I stay home most of the time. I am also an introvert, so I don’t often desire being around people a lot. I prefer pets!
16. Do you have any obligations at your own home (kids, other pets, etc) that you would need to tend to while I’m out of town?
No I don’t have daily obligations to tend to except for work. I will sometimes have other pet sitting visits to do. I also do some volunteer work a few times per month.
17. What do you need to be able to do your work from my home? (Internet? TV? Fax?)
Reliable wifi is a must. I don’t need TV or any other electronics.
18. Are you okay with picking up and dealing with dog poop?
Yes, I have picked up poop for years and I am used to it.
19. What would you do if my dog got out or away from you and got lost?
I would make rounds in the neighborhood and call for the dog on foot and in the car. If your dog got lost I’d post flyers in the neighborhood. I’d post in Nextdoor, Craigslist,etc. I’d call animal control and local vets in the area.
20. Can you say “no” to a dog?
Yes I can. It is for their benefit.
21. Do you travel over the holidays? If so how long are you gone?
No I don’t travel over the holidays. I prefer traveling when there are less crowds!
22. Do you pay attention to the animals around you? Would you notice if someone was limping or didn’t feel well?
Yes I am very aware of animal wellness. Animals are my first priority when I am working with them.
23. Can you break up a squabble between dog siblings? Can you see the squabble coming and nip it in the bud?
Yes, I can tell when animals are getting testy or aggravated. I will usually separate animals, especially during feeding times when animals are most prone to arguments.
24. Do you know how to give a dog a treat so they don’t nip your fingers?
Yes, I will usually put the treat in the palm of my hand and open my hand flat.
25. Would you ever walk a dog without a leash?
I would never walk a dog without a leash unless it was on private property. Dogs not on leash present so much liability for everyone including other people and pets. Not using a leash is a very unpredictable and potentially catastrophic situation. The dog can get lost or injured or encounter other wildlife or aggressive dogs.
26. Do you like to have friends over?
Believe it or not, no I don’t. I rarely have ever had friends over at home. Yes, it is true.
27. Do you like to give lots of treats?
No, I don’t like to give dogs a lot of treats – can be bad for their health/diet.
28. Would you ever leave a dog in a car for a few minutes while you run into a store?
Yes I would if it was in the winter months. Never in the warmer months or midday.
29. Do you know how to give a dog medication?
Yes I do. Some dogs are easy, some require more creativity (cheese, hotdog, pill pocket, sauce, etc)!
30. How much do you charge?
My nightly rate is $60 for overnights for up to two pets. You can check out my rates page.

Photo credit: Seye Kuyinu Unsplash

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The Facebook Equivalent for Dogs?

4/30/2018

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Is your dog just an asshole or is there something else going on? Tearing apart furniture, excessively barking or humping objects, people or other pets? Or maybe your dog is acting aggressively for no clear reason?

Dogs Get Bored
The most common signs of boredom is a listless dog that sleeps a lot, or a dog who is exhibiting destructive behavior. Chewing and destructive habits can be a sign of a bored dog and even outside dogs can be prone to boredom, even if they have a big yard. While a yard provides much needed mental stimulation (a variety of sights, smells and sounds); even dogs in large yards can become bored if not engaged with. It is important to redirect negative behaviors rather than punishing dogs.

Go for a Walk
One of the best ways to engage a bored dog involves their favorite four letter word, W-A-L-K. Dogs, like all of us, need exercise to stimulate their minds and get the blood flowing. A good walk also offers a change of pace, new sights and new encounters.

Some dogs aren’t good on leash, or if a walk isn’t possible, then a quick game of backyard fetch can be just as stimulating.

Social Time
No matter if a puppy or a senior pup, a trip to the dog park or doggy day care at least a few days per week are great solutions for boredom. Dogs get their much-needed social time which makes them less likely to act out or be destructive when at home. These environments can improve their social skills and adaptability as well.

Positive Training
Positive reinforcement training is a great way to physically and mentally stimulate a dog. Some basic training each day for about 10 minutes can help to stimulate dogs and curb bad habits, like children, dogs need regular guidance. Every interaction is an opportunity to train your dog. Some helpful and easy commands to consider are name recognition, sit, drop, come, shake and leave it.

Food Games
Enrichment toys and activities involve a dog having to manipulate or move an object free from the assistance of a person. Since many dogs are food-motivated, Kongs and other such toys are enjoyed by dogs both large and small and provide a challenge and good chewing experience. Swapping out toys on a regular basis is good to keep dogs interested.

Dogs are natural scavengers so rather than serving food in a bowl keep a dog entertained with a foraging activity that will teach them to work for their food.

Whether food is hidden in toys, frozen in an ice block or hidden around the yard/house this will stimulate your dog to search for their food and give them a tasty snack or a meal. There are toys that will release food or treats on a timer or make your own toys with plastic bottles or boxes. Take some old rags or towels, tie together into large knots and place dry treats inside the knots. Food is an easy way to entertain dogs without having to be actively engaged with them.

Photo Credit: Isabela Kronember Unsplash

A little attention and activity goes a long way when it comes to dogs. We have Facebook to scroll around on when we’re bored, but dogs don’t have the same “luxury”. Get creative with your pup’s activities! A happy dog is a tired dog – both mentally challenged and physically exerted!

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Save Your Dog: Use a Harness

3/31/2018

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I was running the Town Lake Trail in downtown Austin earlier today. I enjoy seeing all the dog owners with happy dogs on leash out enjoying nature and the great Austin weather. I saw a few people struggling to control their dogs who were lunging at one another – not sure whether a meeting would have resulted in curious sniffing or a brutal dog fight. Yikes.

As they struggled with their dogs, neither of which had a harness on, it got me thinking about my own dog, Jiminey, who I had to put to sleep in 2015 after it was discovered he had severe pain due to a pinched nerve/disc in his spine. The veterinarian said it could have been due to repetitive jumping down (compounding the spine) or possible neck/back stress due to using a collar and not a harness. I believe it was a combination of both but I’ll never know for sure.

The next time I become a dog mom I will err on the side of caution and use a harness from day one. I used a harness probably 40 percent of Jiminey’s life, but perhaps the damage had already begun. By damage I mean, when your dog pulls you as you cling to the leash – it is not good for his neck and spine. Imagine having a collar on with a leash and trying to forge forward pulling someone that is at least 120 lbs heavier than you. I feel my neck hurting just imagining the scenario! And doing that every day for years? Surely some damage is bound to occur.

The solution is a harness. In last month’s blog post I discussed the dangers of dog walks, and one way to control dogs better on leash is to use a harness. A harness provides more comfort for the dog and more control to the handler. Neck and spine stress seem to be reduced with the use of a harness.

A quick Google search of the term “dog harness” returns nearly 32 million results. Wow. That means if you don’t have knowledge or experience with harnesses, then it is time to do your research! There are hundreds of different styles and brands of harnesses, and like any retail product, some are better than others. Puppia seems to be a brand widely used by dog owners in my circle. I like the Puppia brand for smaller dogs. In addition, I have had experience with a variety of “no pull” harnesses which I find to be rather effective for large or unruly dogs. There are basic harness designs and those with more material – it just depends on your preference and if it fits your pooch correctly.

Puppia is a great harness for small dogs in Austin

Puppia harness is mesh and comfortable for all day use!

My advice to you is to invest in a harness early so your dog gets accustomed to wearing it. This way you won’t have to write a post like this one day. Maybe if I used a harness from the start, I’d still have my Jiminey Cricket with me today. I am not sharing this to be preachy, but to be helpful! There are so many options out there it is hard to decide what is best. A good quality harness is definitely a better option!

Yvonne

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Dog Walks: More Dangerous Than You Think

2/20/2018

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Could a simple dog walk turn into a $25,000 accident?

I received another one of those scary emails from my business insurance company (I mention this in my book if you’ll remember). I know these (pet sitter) insurance emails are meant to be informative but to be completely honest, they scare the hell out of me. The long list of things gone wrong with the numerous insurance claim payout amounts is enough to give me nightmares. Even though I have never been on that list, it always feels too close for comfort:

A dog chews up a fancy digital electronics remote

A dog cuts it paw on sharp ice outside in its backyard

A dog chews up and swallows a small squeaker ball from inside its toy

Alone for a few minutes, a puppy climbs over its playpen causing injury to itself after a fall

(And those were the “mild” items on the list)

What do these things tell you? If you’re a fan of cats, you’d most certainly say that these are clear signs to get a cat instead of a dog! Ha. Many people have both, and still bad things can happen no matter what type of pet you own. These are accidents that can happen at home with or without the owner present. Things happen so fast.

In the 30 minutes it took me to cook a meal recently, the huge bored dog capitalized on my inattention and managed to chew through stucco on a column inside the house. I was mortified when I discovered the damage. I was glad that the nibbles of stucco didn’t seem to affect him at all, but still! What if it turned into a medical emergency? Sometimes dogs will act out when their owner is gone.

Dog Walks Can Be Dangerous
It is no surprise to me that several awful items on that list of pet sitter insurance claims happened during dog walks or outings. Here’s one of many similar claims on that insurance list:

Dog broke free from leash and attacked a third party and third party dog

The insurance payout required over $25,000 to cover a hospital visit and vet visit for injuries resulting from the dog breaking free from its leash and attacking them both.

Let’s face it, when they use the term “broke free from leash” nothing breaks, it is usually the handler that fails to keep ahold of the dog’s collar or leash and the dog darts loose. Or it could be a failure to keep a safe enough distance from passersby.

One reason I charge more for dog walks, and why I generally dislike doing them with large, untrained or aggressive dogs is due to the huge liability. So much can go wrong on dog walks: human bites, dog bites, dog overpowers handler and runs loose into traffic getting injured or worse, dog drags or hurts handler in the process of pursuing another animal or person, the list goes on.

I see so many people walking their dog(s) with their head buried in their phone. This is so dangerous. Even if you don’t have a powerful or aggressive dog, that doesn’t mean that someone else doesn’t or that you won’t encounter a stray or an escaped dog. You never know. One sitter and the dog she was walking both were hit and killed while on a dog walk. It is important to be aware of your surroundings when your dog(s) is on leash. Thirty minutes without a phone won’t kill you, I’ve done it and I’m typing this right now so…

My Personal Experience
A couple of years ago, I was on a dog walk with a very strong Pitbull. The owners had two dogs, but suggested I walk them separately because it’d be easier on me. They used a prong collar on this dog because even though he was well trained, he would get excited (aggressive) and “talkative” around other dogs (even if they were hidden behind a fence along a sidewalk). That, and he’d sometimes dart ahead without warning.

I am a strong person, but a determined Pitbull filled with muscle was a struggle to control at times.

Then one day it happened.

I was on a walk with Mr. Pitbull and it was getting dark and we were almost back to the house when he saw something in the bushes and sprinted toward it and he pulled so hard on the leash that he yanked my entire body forward. My hand was wrapped up in his leash so he couldn’t get free, but my hand was squeezed so hard by the leash I was lucky it didn’t tear skin or break bones! My entire shoulder down through my lower back suffered a severe jerk (a sharp yank).

I could barely move my upper body the next few days and it took me months to recover from that after having several visits with a chiropractor before finally feeling relief. I never told the client because I didn’t want them to feel bad. There is already a huge stigma that Pitbull owners have to deal with. They disclosed prior that he was a handful on leash so I was fully aware.

Even though my back and shoulder suffered for months and it cost me a few hundred dollars in medical bills, I am thankful that I didn’t lose my grip on the leash because what would have happened then? Would he have attacked something? Run into the street? I shudder to think if I would have lost my grip on that leash, it could have cost him his life, someone else’s life like another dog or cat, and the aftermath might even have negatively impacted my business (bad reviews, litigation, who knows?).

Taking dogs out of their home territory – whether on a leash or at a dog park – presents many potential dangerous situations. As a pet owners, it is important to be aware of this and also to fully disclose to your pet sitter or dog walker. No one wants to admit their dog is potentially aggressive or has a rough history, but that dog becomes even MORE dangerous when caretakers are unaware of potential triggers or past issues.

You can read why I am not a fan of retractable leashes here.

Clients Rosie and Maya on a dog walk in south Austin, Texas.

Stay safe and aware out there on those walks!

Until next time,

Yvonne

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Laughing All the Way into 2018

1/19/2018

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We've had a little time off and three weeks into 2018 this pretty much sums up the way we are feeling.

How about you?

Cheers to you (and to your babies and dogs) for a wonderful 2018!

This video is contagious! We hope it brightens your day, your month, your year!

Thanks for a great 2017 everyone!

We’ll see ya in the coming months doing what we do best!

Yvonne

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Crystal Litter, Storm-Hysteria, Security Cameras and Pet Loss, to Name a Few

12/31/2017

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The last day of 2017 is upon us. As I look back on a good year for Custom Critter Sitters and a great year in my personal life, I know it was a tumultuous year for others. Natural disasters galore, political chaos, and mass shootings are a few of the things that have troubled my mind in 2017.

But while looking forward to a better year next year, I always try to reflect about the current year; What was good? What was bad? What needs reshaping? How do I feel? What do I need? I’ll spare you the lengthy answers to those questions! Ha.

Instead I will reflect on the past three years of blog posts here on the Custom Critter Sitters blog. Shortly after founding this company, I began this blog back in 2015. I want to revisit a few of the posts that I feel were the most helpful or those that received the most attention:

1) Have you ever had your leg “burned” by a skinny leash? It is no fun.

2)  Pet loss can be utterly devastating for some people. Don’t judge. Seek to understand. Losing anything that you have a close bond with is difficult. It is natural to morn pets like we morn people.

3) Don’t let your dog be a rowdy terror! Help your dog have a better life by instilling some manners & grace. Everyone, including other dogs, will thank you, trust me.

4) So you failed to train your cat to go on the toilet? At least there are better cat litter options out there.

5) This is the yard gadget to keep you sane and to keep your pets (and other pets) safe.

6) If your dog could talk, he’d probably complain about his boring diet.

7) I love animals soooooooo much that I don’t eat them anymore. Compassion is real.

8)  Security cameras? Yes. Candid cameras? No.

9)  Some people seem to like me and tell me so. I am always humbled by praise.

10)  I wrote a tell-all book and business is booming. Custom Critter Sitters is too full to accept new clients. Whoot!

11) Did you scramble to find a pet sitter this holiday season? Keep this list so you won’t have to scramble next time!

12) Storm-hysteria is real. There are many solutions out there. Try them.

13) A new client kept changing their business trips on me. They even cancelled at the last minute as I was driving to their home to begin my stay. Another time I was about to get in the shower, expecting them home hours later, and they sent a text they’d be home in 10 minutes. What? I eventually had enough of this very unpredictable client and had to fire them. Don’t do this to your pet sitter.

There you have it, a recap of some of my favorite posts from the last three years. Who knows what the next three years will bring? Bigger and better things, hopefully. Stay tuned and cheers to a fabulous 2018!

Yvonne

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Scrambling To Find A Good Pet Sitter?

11/30/2017

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If you are like most pet owners you’ve probably been using a friend, neighbor or family member for your pet’s care while you’re away. Of course this is the go-to option, the easy quick fix and low cost solution. It has probably been working for you for years. If you are lucky this could work for you for many more years too, but there will come a day that your go-to might move out of state. They might suddenly get pets of their own. Perhaps they’ll have a baby or be away traveling the same time as you. My point is, sometime in the future you’ll be forced to explore other options.

By other options, I mean you need a plan A, B, and C when it comes to pet care. Having back-up options is a great way to ensure you’ll never be scrambling for a pet sitter at the last minute which can be one of the most stressful things pet owners have to deal with. Travel planning is intensive enough without having to scramble to find a competent, trustworthy and reliable pet sitter in the weeks, or heaven forbid, mere days leading up to your vacation.

Like choosing a babysitter for your toddlers, the task of finding good pet sitters is also important. There is nothing worse than being thousands of miles from home trying to enjoy your vacation all while fretting about the “responsible” neighborhood kid caring for Fido and Whiskers. Choose your pet’s caregiver carefully!

In this list you’ll discover eight ways to find great pet care for your pet while you are away. Many of these options I have personally used myself or know about from other sitters or clients.

I’m always amazed by how many people wait until the last week or two to book a pet sitter. Last December alone I had to turn down over 15 requests from potential clients because I was already booked up, and had been for weeks. A good rule of thumb is to book a sitter for your pets at least 6-12 weeks out. When you purchase your plane tickets, immediately book your pet sitter. Sometimes last minute requests can work out but most likely they don’t, especially during major holidays.

Also, always trust your gut instincts. It doesn’t matter if a sitter is bonded or insured, all the money in the world will not un-burn your house from the ground or bring your pets back to life if something awful happens while you are away. Anyone can look good on paper, have references and tons of insurance but if you meet them and something feels off, it probably is. Always do a casual meet and greet with a sitter first, ask questions, and observe how your pets interact with them. You may even use the new sitter for a weekend stay prior to a longer trip. That way you both can get an idea of how things will go before you are away on that longer trip later on.

If you take a couple of hours to explore the options in this list, I have no doubt you’ll eventually find that perfect solution for you and your pets.

Now go and enjoy your travels worry-free, while your pets also enjoy your time away! You both deserve it!

Yvonne

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Weight Loss Secret: Pets!

10/31/2017

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With the holidays looming and the temperatures dipping, it can be easy to settle into a lazy routine that lasts until spring. It feels good to get into hibernation mode as I like to call it – you indulge over the holidays and hunker down like a bear until the weather warms up again next year. I don’t know about you, but last I checked, I’m not a bear. My clients aren’t bears either - they are dogs and cats.

As much as I’d like to stay inside, warm and lazy, and pack on the holiday pounds this upcoming season, that is just not realistic when I have a dog or two to care for. Most dogs, even in their senior years, prefer a little daily exercise. Prefer isn’t the right word, more like, live for. Most dogs live for walks - all those fun smells in the neighborhood, the change of scenery, the cars, the squirrels, the passersby!

Dare we deprive our furry housemates of this need to get outdoors and exercise. Especially with statistics like this from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) – over half of all cats and dogs are overweight or obese in the United States. What? Yes, it is true according to a clinical survey the APOP conducted in 2016. Combined, that number equals over 92 million cats and dogs in the United States.

That is a lot of unhealthy pets.

According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in 2014, 70.2 percent of adult Americans were considered to be overweight or obese in the US.

That is a lot of unhealthy adults.

The good news is pets can help us to stay healthy, and vice versa.

Here are 3 easy ways to keep yourself and your pets healthy this season:

Eat Healthier
Lean meats, fish and vegetables are a welcome treat for your animals. Get rid of fattening, low-quality cat or dog treats. The next time you prepare a healthy meal for yourself, reserve some veggies like carrots or green beans for your pet to snack on or some bites of chicken or fish (check with a licensed veterinarian of course beforehand). Experiment with raw veggies or cooked – your animal might prefer one to the other.

Portion Control
Whether a human or a pet, portion control matters. Are you feeding your animal too much kibble? As your animals age, you might want to switch to a new kibble, choose a senior formula, or supplement with fresh food and kibble - experiment to see what balance works. If your animal is less active, then adjust the diet accordingly, thus less food. There are some fantastic books on Amazon regarding pet food and pet diets.

Exercise
Doing any sort of movement, even if just a walk around your block, taking the stairs instead of the elevator or a half-mile stroll to the dog park instead of driving can have a positive impact on you and your pet’s health. It is daunting to think about being out in the cold, but just commit to small outings and before you know it you’ll be in a regular routine.

These are relatively easy ways to start to have an impact on your health and your pet’s health. Having a health-buddy whether a human, or a furry friend can help you stay committed. Eating less of the wrong things, more of the right things and getting a little more active can create a healthy routine that can make an impact on you and your pet.

Lifestyle changes can be hard but having a furry friend or two to endure them with you can make all the difference for them, and for you!

Yvonne