Spiritual Petsitting

This week we are visiting two darling dogs, Elvis and Sophie. This is new client, referred by one of our long time clients, and we thank her again for the trust!

As I sat in the cool morning with Sophie the itty bitty poodle on my lap and Elvis the schnauzer guarding the property from evil squirrels, I thought about why I love our petsitting business so much.

Sons and I have been doing this for over 6 years. They grew up with it, first accompanying me on sits, now they do the bulk of the sits on their own. Lots of great memories together and car time to talk.

But, I love it because I feel like I am a caretaker. Caring for these pets who are special in the clients' lives. Allowing them to travel (for vacations, family events, some happy some sad) and knowing their beloved animals are in good hands. Also their house is safe and looks lived in.

But as I sit in a home, am there multiple times a day, I feel I get to know the people. No, I don't snoop, but I see. See photos on the fridge, the coats on the rack, the running shoes by the back door, the dad's shirts pressed in the laundry room ready for work the next Monday, the dishes in the sink or cheerios on the floor.

I spend my lap time with the dogs (or cats) doing my spiritual reading or meditations. It allows me to pray for them as well. There is something intimate about being in someone's home when they are not there. I am so thankful for the trust.

Today as I sat with Sophie in the pool lounge, and Elvis was doing Squirrel Sentry Duty, I felt so thankful and also in awe at the responsibility I had. I also read today's liturgy scripture about the greatest commandment- to love God with all our heart, mind and strength and one another as our self.

I feel I fail so often. What should I be doing? Big things, little things? Well, this is a little thing I can do. Love their pets. Love them.

Question: DogSitting adding free training?

Happier at Home! Pet Sitting

Question for anyone who ever thought about using a dog sitter:
We have a small family petsitting business where we focus on a small amount of clients but stellar, personalized service. We try to be the kind of pet-sitter we would want!

We go into clients' homes 2-3 times a day for between 10-30 minutes (depending on the level of need/service paid for) and walk, play, feed, whatever the pet needs.

What if we offered a short training session while visiting? The thought is it would give the dog something stimulating and fun to do (dogs LOVE training) and they would not only get their physical (potty) needs met when we were there, but also their mental needs.

We would not charge more, but add more value.
We would do 'clicker' training and give our clients a sheet of instructions and free clickers if they want to continue on their own.

Thoughts?

Buddy

We have dog-sat Buddy since his puppyhood. When his family needed to find him a new place to live, we stepped right up.

He goes back to his 'first family' when we travel. One dog- two loving homes. Lucky dog!

His favorite hang out is in our 'window room'. At the front of our 70's two story house we have this odd little room that is actually a hallway between two bedrooms, but has floor to ceiling windows.

There Buddy does sentry duty. He watches the front yard and neighborhood most day and night. We feel safe.

He is a great dog, very sweet. Only dog I ever had who asks permission before coming in a room, jumping on a bed or taking a treat out of my hand. Love you, Buddy!

The Dachshunds of Lent

Thank you Sabine and Jan for alerting me to This Article.

Humm.. Lent, Journeys, Dachshunds, dog-sitting business... how in the world could you have related that to me?!

I enjoyed This Article immensely as the dog-walking, philosophizing author considers how walking his charges with various temperaments, reminds him of the struggle we all have with our virtues, vices, personalities and desires as we live in a world with excesses the ready and are constantly urged to do 'what feels good.'

I love reading about the personalities of the two dachshunds he walks along the streets of Manhattan. I can't profess to be as deep or quite the writer he is, but I could relate and resonate very much to his words.

I love our petsitting business. I must admit I generally enjoy the dogs more than the cats, (because most cats won't play), but they are convenient for my schedule with their litter box system in place.

What do I love about it?


- Sharing it with my sons

-I love dogs. As a little girl I would cut picture of dogs out of magazines and had an ever-growing gallery scotch-taped to my bedroom wall. oOe of my goals in life is to get to know one of every breed. (better get busy)

-Love the families we serve.

-Feel like we truly help them. I am the petsitter I have always wished I had. (really)

-My sons enjoy the extra money and it is teaching them about business, professionalism and customer service. When a visit was missed, (first time that happened) the responsible son had to fess up to the owner in person and offer retribution.

-Spiritual growth. Yes, I never dreamed! One thing we tell our clients (or their owners) is we fit the sit for them. What does THIS dog need to keep him/her de-stressed. Could be: walks, throwing a ball, sit and scratch ears, or just showing up.

-It is humbling to serve the needs of a dog. (Think poop. Or getting up early on a day you otherwise would not have to.)

-These visits cause me to slow down. Sometimes when I visit a dog and we sit in the empty house, he just wanting some lap-time or ear-scratches, I will bring my reading and have quiet time to think and pray. Unlike home, there are no dirty dishes, laundry or computer calling me. We sit, talk, and just be. Sometimes I sing to them.

- The walks are wonderful. We are out, and I am always conscience of their safety and they are just having a blast. Sniff-fests, meet and greets, devouring the neighborhood. Like the author, I see a lot of life and personalities. I have to adjust the walk for the dog, help him keep safe within his temperament, but have as much fun as he can without 'sinning', as St. John Bosco would advise.

Best of all, when we show up to a house, with the owners far away, across the state, country or world, or maybe just off to work all day, our clients are always happy to see us.

Can't beat that!

Joy on a bottle of BBQ Sauce?

I guess we are officially fostering the two homeless dogs.  The neighborhood is helping but we don't have a home yet and I today I call shelters in earnest.

The girls have calmed down a bit (they were very jumpy and the rain this weekend turned into a mudfest) but they have calmed. I think they are grateful for shelter, a routine, some love and scheduled meals.  I think everyone appreciates that.

It is still a challenge as our resident indoor dog, Ralphie has lost access completely to the backyard as we have not have them checked for worms or whatever else a stray dog might have.  And getting to our garage is always an adventure, which we do often since we have a fridge out there.

Last night at dinner I proclaimed we need to name these dogs.
"I am tired of calling them Mama Dog and Little Pup." I stated with passion.

So we went around for 15 minutes coming up with names and everyone vetoed everyone else. Dh kept naming them after relatives: first after the grandmothers, then after the sisters in law.


Oldest son was coming up with medievel names or those after characters he has created.

I was going after movie stars.


Finally youngest son looked at the table and said:
"How about Spite for the puppy."  we liked it.
"And Joy for the mom."  we agreed.


Then we laughed- the names came off his soft drink can and the back of the BBQ sauce bottle.  They talk about joy on the BBQ, well that is ok.
So, now to find Joy and Sprite a home.  Dh just told me she is digging out of the yard.  Need to accelerate the search!

Doggy Weekend

Well, the story of the lost dogs continues.  They showed up in our driveway and are sweet as can be.  Mother dog is friendly and intelligent.  Pup is cute as a button. They are so sweet together, play and mother keeps daughter out of trouble.

We asked around the neighborhood and it seems they are neglected. What happened to the other pups?  No telling.  We have heard stories of the mother resucing the pup from behind a car that was backing out (picking Pup up by the scruff of the neck and carrying her to safety!) and other stories.  When we heard it all my son commented it sounded like a Disney movie.. 

It just drives me crazy how people are so careless.  Listen up! Spay and neuter your pets! And if you take on an animal, care for it!  ARGH!

We may have a foster home for them, but if that does not work out, we will have to find a shelter soon.  It is not too great as they have taken over the backyard and do not mix well with our resident dog who is now relegated to the indoors.  Also every time we head through the breezeway to the garage refridgerator for something we are bombarded with muddy paws!  Yikes..


Good news is I think they are very adoptable. Used to volunteer in a shelter and pups go fast.  Mom is adoptable, too. Just wish they could stay togehter... don't know if dogs really care, but they seem to be so close.

Please say a little prayer they find just the right home.