The Leash and the Litter box

Pet First Aid: Snakebites & Your Pet

2011-06-05T06:31:00.000-07:00

Check out the above site.

Snakes and pets don't mix. The best way is to leave all snakes alone and keep your dog safe by staying away. Just in case, here are some tips for first aid. Then take your pet to the vet immediately; don't wait.

Balloo's BRAC Sunday's Standard, 2011

2011-05-31T07:25:00.000-07:00

Balloo's BRAC Saturday's Standard in May 2011

2011-05-31T07:04:00.000-07:00

BALLOO 2011 Fletcher Agility Trial in May

Out For A Walk?

2011-03-27T07:04:00.000-07:00

Teaching Fido Not to Pull on the Leash

There are many things that tempt your dog when you’re out for a walk, like new smells and other animals. Your dog will try to get where he wants to go, even if that means pulling you along with him! If he pulls on the leash and you allow him to, you’ve reinforced him for pulling, and your pup got what he wanted. Once you’ve allowed him to do this, he’ll do it again. American Kennel Club® Canine Good Citizen® Director and Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Mary Burch, Ph.D., offers the following two techniques to stop your dog from pulling on the leash.

Technique #1

• When Fido starts to pull on the leash, stop in your tracks. Stand still and don’t move forward with the dog.

• Wait right there where you are. Your pup will pull, but he’ll eventually stop.

• When he does stop pulling, praise him and move forward again.

• Anytime he starts to pull, repeat the procedure and stop where you are. It won’t take him too long to figure out that you’re not going anywhere as long as he pulls on the leash.

Technique #2

• When your pup begins to pull off in his own direction, briskly turn around and begin walking in the opposite direction. Fido will have to come along, and most likely he’ll hurry up to keep up with you.

• When Fido begins to follow in the direction you are walking, praise him. If you’re at the beginning stages of training your pup, give him a treat. This will train your dog to watch you when you’re out for a walk and not pull on the leash.

Additional tips on how to train your dog can be found in "Citizen Canine," the official new book of the AKC Canine Good Citizen® Program sponsored by The Hartford.

Grab Fido and Head to the Beach!

2011-02-04T17:33:00.000-08:00

Dogs love trips to the beach. It has it all -- wide open spaces for running and playing, water to

swim in, sticks to chew and fetch, and fascinating smells to discover. As a dog owner, the

beach comes with special challenges and rewards. You'll experience the great joy of walking on

the sand with your dog, watching your puppy get tuckered out by a day of playing and

swimming. But you'll also need to find a beach that's dog friendly and make sure that you and

your pup follow certain important rules of etiquette.

Dog Beaches

Not every beach allows dogs, especially near and in big cities. Some beaches allow dogs but

require that they be on a leash during their visit. While most beaches in the U.S. and Canada do

not allow dogs, there are hundreds of dog-friendly beaches on each coast. The key is to do your

research before you go and find a place where your furry friend will be welcomed.

On the West Coast, you'll find a number of dog-friendly beaches. In California, head to Kings

Beach in Lake Tahoe, Long Beach in the Long Beach area, Pacific Grove in Monterey, and

Laguna Beach or Corona Del Mar in Orange County. San Diego has four dog beaches

(Coronado, Imperial Beach, La Jolla, Ocean Beach), and the Bay Area has Half Moon Bay,

Pacifica beach, and Pescadero beach. Oregon has dog-friendly beaches in Cannon Beach, Coos

Bay, Depoe Bay, Newport, Rockaway Beach, Yachats, and many other seaside towns. In

Washington state, visit Bainbridge Island, Blaine, Everett, Federal Way, Ocean Shores, Edmonds,

Port Angeles, and the beaches of the San Juan Islands.

The East Coast offers dog beaches up and down the seaboard. In Florida, head to Amelia

Island's Fernandina Beach, Dog Island, Fort Myers, Key West, Pensacola, Miami, Naples, and the

three dog beaches of Tampa Bay (Dunedin, St. Petersburg, and Tampa). The Carolinas offer dog

beaches at Cape Fear, Cape Hatteras, Cape Lookout, Charleston (four beaches), Edisto Beach,

Myrtle Beach (Murrells Inlet), and on Hilton Head Island.

Further north, you can visit Brooklyn beach, Long Island's Montauk beach, Cape May Point,

Manasquan, and Newport. Southern Rhode Island has four dog beaches (Charlestown,

Narragansett, South Kingston, and Westerly), and Cape Cod offers eleven, including Barnstable,

Chatham, Sandwich, Truro, and Wellfleet. In the Boston area, check out Manchester beach.

There are also two dog beaches on Marthas Vineyard. Maine offers beaches at Bar Harbor,

Kennebunkport, and South Portland.

Etiquette at the Beach

If you're headed to a beach that allows leashed dogs, be sure to follow the rules. Keep your dog

on a leash at all times. When people disregard leash laws, local municipalities are more likely to

close the beach to dogs altogether, ruining the fun for everyone.

If your beach allows off-leash dogs, be sure your dog will respond to your verbal commands. In

other words, your pup must be able to come when you call it, even if it's engaged with another

dog or investigating a great-smelling bit of beach debris.

Bring poop bags with you and be vigilant about cleaning up after your dog. No one enjoys a

poopy beach! This is another reason why beaches are often closed to dogs. Do your part to

keep your beach dog-friendly by being a responsible dog owner. Many beaches impose fines on

people who don't clean up after their dogs.In general, keep your dog from being a pest. Don't let it

race up to small children who might be afraid. Don't let your dog shake itself dry next to

sunbathers and picnickers. Keep your dog from visiting other beach-goers, especially if they're

eating. And if you can, visit the beach with your dog in the early morning and evening, when the

beach is less crowded. By taking a few precautions and keeping courtesy in mind, you and your

dog can have a fabulous time at the beach and be welcomed by everyone. Once you find a

great dog beach, you'll want to do your best to keep in dog friendly, so you can your pup can

visit again and again

from:camping.com, articles and info, camping with pets - 1823

Poison to Your Pup - Human Food That's Bad for Dogs

2011-02-04T05:59:00.000-08:00

It's hard to resist a wagging tail and a pair of big, brown, begging eyes. And while certain human

foods are palatable for dogs, it's important to know which are not, because unfortunately, the

bad ones can severely harm and even kill your dog. The following list of bad foods and their

dangers may seem dire, but if you familiarize yourself with these harmful human foods, you'll be

better equipped to keep your dog healthy and happy.

Enemy #1: poultry bones. Bones and dogs go hand-in-hand, so it can be easy to forget that only

the bones from hoofed animals are right for dogs. Poultry bones - everything from chicken thighs

to turkey drumsticks - splinter and can puncture your dog's gastrointestinal tract. These bones

are dangerous to dogs of all sizes, and the decline and death that results can take several days.

Instead of giving your dog bones from the table, buy specially marked dog bones at the store.

Enemy #2: chocolate. The general rule of thumb with chocolate is that the darker it is, the more

dangerous it is. You also need to take into account the size of your dog and the amount of

chocolate eaten. A small dog who eats a bar of baking chocolate (very dark chocolate) may be

in serious trouble, call your veterinarian immediately in this case. On the other hand, if your 100-

pound dog eats one milk-chocolate candy, it will probably be fine.

Chocolate contains theobromine, a chemical that's toxic to dogs. Combined with chocolate's

caffeine, which speeds up the heart rate, this human delicacy can lead to vomiting, diarrhea,

hyperactivity, seizures, and coma. Also, because dogs process chocolate more slowly than

humans, your pup may seem fine after eating the bar, but could still become very ill over the

course of the next twenty-four hours. Cocoa powder is also very dangerous. Milk chocolate and

white chocolate, which contain less cacao, are less dangerous.

Enemy #3: onions. For you, onions are foods that spice up nearly any dish, but for your dog,

they're deadly. Onion poisoning develops symptoms slowly. It can be caused by one large dose

of onions or a small amount eaten steadily over the course of several days. All onions are

dangerous -- fresh onions, dried onions, cooked onions, and even onions on pizza.

Onions (and garlic, to a lesser extent) contain a toxin that causes haemolytic anaemia, in which

the dog's red blood cells burst while they're circulating through its body. Initial symptoms include

vomiting and diarrhea, followed by lethargy, dark urine, and trouble breathing. The full affect of

the poisoning won't be felt until a few days after the dog consumes the onions. Again, both the

size of the dog and the amount of onion eaten are important factors.

Enemy #4: fatty foods. A neighbor hosted a wedding at his home recently and was puzzled to

find that his dog was weak and restless afterward. The veterinarian diagnosed pancreatitis

caused by wedding guests giving the dog fatty treats. This dog had to spend a night in the animal

hospital, receiving fluids to help her inflamed pancreas. Pancreatitis ñ and its sister condition

gastroenteritis, or inflammation of the stomach, can be caused by fatty foods of all types,

whether they come from the table or from a garbage can. Both often require hospitalization.

Enemy #5: macadamia nuts. We think of them as tasty Hawaiian treats, but these nuts contain a

toxic substance that causes paralysis, tremors, swollen limbs, and horrible joint pain.

Other dangerous human foods:

Raisins and grapes - can cause severe diarrhea and acute kidney failure.

Bread Dough (with yeast) the yeast continues to "rise" or expand within the dog's belly. This can

be fatal in both dogs and cats.

Moldy Food - this can cause an array of nasty reactions including seizures, coma, and death.

Even in very small amounts, it easily causes diarrhea, which isn't pleasant for anyone.Looking

for more information and other great articles about camping with pets? Visit PetCamping.com

from: Camping.com, articules and info, camping with pets -1411

2011-01-05T05:22:00.000-08:00

"It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life gives me the gift of a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all parts of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are."

-Author Unknown

From the Sayings of Smudge, the Cat

2010-12-28T12:01:00.000-08:00

"It is better to wait until the gate opens then jumping over it. This way you know that you have been invited in."

From the Sayings of Smudge, the Cat

2010-12-28T11:51:00.000-08:00

"Don't lick out the can. You will get more food from the dish."

From the Sayings of Smudge, the Cat

2010-12-28T11:49:00.000-08:00

"Meow sparingly, so that your human will understand you better."

2010-12-28T11:46:00.000-08:00

"The Greatest pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him, and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too." - Samuel Butler

Before the Pine Tree Died

2010-08-10T10:23:00.000-07:00

By Sharon Graves

A mini-ecosystem was never discovered

Until Sharon bought the house and uncovered

A wondrous place only found

In the hills of Southern mountains.

Three pines there were standing tall

Not the prettiest ones of all

But underneath them cool and damp

Wildflowers grew, undisturbed plants.

What were they? No one cared

Until Sharon happened to spare

Leaves of green

That she assumed were weeds.

June came and surprise was on the way

When something pink began to display

On that weed of green leaves

that started to produce colorful sheathes.

The flower grew and revealed who it was-

A Pink Lady Slipper from the mountains above

My little house in the foothills below

What a blessing it bestowed.

I looked everyday, taking photos

Among the scrubby pines and weeds of my "Eco"

Two, three, maybe four seasons she displayed

Her pretty slippers in June days.

One pine tree died and then was cut

Now there's death, heat, and much dry mud

Will my pretty flower survive?

No more able to safely hide?

Today I see the leaves of green

That once I had assumed were those of weeds

June will be here again next year

Flowers will bloom somewhere near.

And maybe I will see a flower revealed

A pink lady slipper just for me.

Balloo's qualifying Open Standard Run

2010-06-01T13:55:00.000-07:00

Sharon and Casey's Standard qualifying run at Fletcher

2010-06-01T13:32:00.000-07:00

Sharon and Balloo my two year old at Fletcher, NC

2010-06-01T13:27:00.000-07:00

Balloo's dog agility beginnings

2010-05-22T11:25:00.000-07:00

This is Balloo after the weave poles running with me with my red shoes. Balloo always beat me running, so I have found short cuts to keep up with him. He is fast!

You all may have to lie down on your side to see this, but I decided to post it anyway so that you can see my two year old, Balloo running the poles. He loves them.

Casey Gets His First Double Q Toward His Master Champion

2009-11-05T06:08:00.000-08:00

Here is Casey with four paws off the Dog Walk in Columbia, SC fall of 2009
Casey through the tunnel toward the dog walk.
Casey over the hurtle heading toward the final jump. Yeah, Casey!

Canine Influenza or H3N8

2009-10-30T08:05:00.000-07:00

Canine Influenza is a highly contagious disease caused by a flu virus in dogs, which spreads by direct contact with infected dogs to other dogs and by coughing or sneezing. It has been reported here in the US since 2003 and is currently in 30 states including all the east coast states except Maine, Vermont and Rhode Island. Outbreaks have been reported in kennels, shelters, vet clinics and dog events. All dogs are susceptible to it and those that show no signs of the flu can easily be carriers.

Humans can also spread the disease to dogs by handling infected dogs, not only by their hands, but on their clothes. This is why all those who deal with dogs in any manner; groomers, vets, assistants, pet sitters, trainers, handlers, rescue groups, shelters, breeders, etc. should be aware of handling dogs and dogs with symptoms of the flu. Humans will not contract Canine Influenza.

There is a series of two vaccinations taken two to four weeks apart that will help in protecting your dog. Of course, there is nothing like keeping your dog healthy by providing good food, water, plenty of rest and exercise. A trip to your vet for more information is strongly suggested. If you must board your pet, make sure the facility is clean and well maintained. Also ask if they have an influenza outbreak management plan.

To learn even more: www.doginfluenza.com

www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-care-canine-flu-question-and-

answer.html

Pet Sitting Story continues

2009-10-19T07:53:00.001-07:00

Can we play some games on your computer? Danny and Eric almost asked at one time.

Put your clothes and things up in your room. I need to save and quit my finished

newsletter.

Rushing, noisy footsteps hit the wooden floors as the boys went upstairs to throw their

knapsacks on the beds to get to use the computer. Aunt Sharon got supper ready while

the boys played a war game. It took a bit of persuasion, but the boys finally got off the

computer to eat and then get ready for a day of pet sitting.

Tomorrow will be very busy, started Aunt Sharon. We not only have the pet sits to do,

but also these notices to hand out that I’ve written about Hurricane preparedness; what to

do and where to take your pets. I don’t want any pet to be left behind. So that you boys

can help me out, I have spoken with my clients for this weekend. Everyone has given me

permission for you to be on their property and care for their pets.

Aunt Sharon then laid out the schedule for the morning. General needs to be fed, watered

and exercised first.

A Chesapeake Bay Retriever mix, General didn’t really like the water, but he loved the

boys. A big brown dog , General would run around the house and whine when he couldn’t

go with Eric or Danny to play basketball or hang out with them and their friends.

Sometimes, when mom insisted that General be walked, the boys would put on their inline

skates and with General on a long leash, would allow him to run and pull them down the

street. Being a young retriever, General needed to do some “work” to keep him happy

and healthy. Also it tired him out.

Continuing, Aunt Sharon finished the list. Jake needs his walk and some treats.

Mountaineer and Geee need to be brushed, given a hay bail and a few Llama treats.

Phoenix needs her breakfast and litter pan cleaned, and Spencer also needs his breakfast

and stall cleaned. We need to give everyone water.

This all needs to be done again in the evening, except for Mountaineer and Geee, They

will be OK until tomorrow, as long as we make sure they have enough water.

After breakfast the next day, Aunt Sharon placed all the client folders for the day in her file

carrier and checked to make sure she had all the keys that were needed. She then placed a

pile of Hurricane Preparedness brochures with a rubber band around them on top of her file

carrier as a reminder to give them to clients stores and shops around the area.

Let’s go boys, Aunt Sharon called as she slowly came up the stairs from the den to the

hallway. General is waiting.

General was ready to go for his morning run when Eric and Danny got to their house. The

sky was clear and the day promised to be sunny. After the boys put on their inline skates,

General was fitted with a leather harness and a six foot long rope was attached to its ring on

the top.

I’ll go first, said Eric. Away went General and like a water skier, Eric held onto the end of the

rope. Speeding around the circle, Danny skated as fast as he could behind them. Then it

was Danny’s turn.

Usually about the second time around, it happened. From behind the house with a private

fence with a locked gate, came a flash of tan and a playful bark. It was Harley and his owner

was sure to follow............

A Pet Sitter's Story

2009-09-14T15:52:00.000-07:00

"Hurry up! I’m winning!" yelled Eric.

"Wait, I can’t get my arm through the strap," replied Danny.

"I’ll take tiny inch steps. You better catch up quick."

"You better take bigger steps than that or I’ll be waiting for you all night to get there."

Eric and Danny raced each other down the road to a house three blocks from their home. Both had their knapsacks full of clothes and things for the weekend. They were going to stay at Aunt Sharon’s and help her with the job they both loved.

It was cool and so they both wore jeans with T-shirts, light jackets and sneakers. They nearly looked like twins.

"Hello, anybody home," they called jumping on the porch of a neat pretty cape cod house. A closer looked revealed that these boys weren’t twins at all. Eric who was the oldest had red hair and freckles and Danny had light brown hair and looked more like his mother, but both were the same height and liked the same kind of clothes.

"I’m in the office, come on in."

Danny and Eric walked through the short hallway and down the stairs into the den that looked like a library with cozy chairs inviting them to sit down, put their stocking feet up and relax. Aunt Sharon was sitting on a big soft brown corduroy sofa near the fireplace with her lap top, She had her left foot in a blue wrapping bandage propped up on a green stool. Two days ago, she had twisted her ankle walking her Shetland Sheepdog, Cissy, and so the boys were there to help her.

How are you feeling today, Sharon. asked the boys. Aunt Sharon couldn’t get use to the boys calling her “aunt” and so she gave them permission to call her by her first name.

I’m much better, thank you. This sturdy wooden cane of your great grandfather’s helps me to get around the house. I’m catching up on my business work.

Both boys knew all about Aunt Sharon’s business. She was the pet sitter of their neighborhood and some of the surrounding areas in Newport News. Most families had at least one dog, cat, bird, fish, or even Iguanas or ferrets. Aunt Sharon did them all, including two Llamas that lived near by. Also, there was a pony named Spencer, not too far away that had his own small stable painted red with white trim and a split door so that the top could be open. It was built behind the owners garage.

Neighbors would call Aunt Sharon several days before they went away on vacations, holidays or business trips. If they were new, she had a “meet and greet” session with them to get important information about the pet along with emergency numbers and permission to be on their property. Aunt Sharon had all the information stored securely on a business pet sitter’s web site and she had limited hard copies in her office, which at this moment were in piles on the floor , on the sofa and on her desk. The most important thing of course, was to meet the pets...........

(This story will continue. Any helpful comments would be appreciated. Thank You.)

Pictures are coming

2009-06-06T12:20:00.000-07:00

Pictures will be available soon to view Casey in his sport, that is, dog agility. Casey is my Shetland Sheepdog who has been doing agility for about 4 years now. These are 2006 photos, but later ones will be posted as I get them.

The Pet Sitter's Musings - Who are you?

2009-05-22T06:38:00.000-07:00

You can learn a lot about people and their likes from just walking into their home.

In the past 15 years, I have had the privilege to go into homes of my clients and pet sit for them. As I have done this, I become more acquainted with each owner by just looking around the rooms the pets occupy.

For example, I was pet sitting for a few days for a client in Greenville. An erie feeling that someone was watching came over me. I felt it whenever I came in the front door and felt it in the sunroom. (I just thought it was the fish in the large tank looking at me wondering how I could breathe “out there”) But I also felt it in the living room, and the hallway,the bathroom and the kitchen. No one was there except the two Golden Retreivers and the cat. I brushed the feeling aside and continued to visit and care for the dogs and cat.

Then one day, I was sitting on the steps petting the Goldens and throwing a small ball down the hallway. Looking up, I suddenly saw the monkeys on the wall paper, the monkeys in the bathroom, the monkeys in the pictures, monkey lamps, a monkey holding up the coffee table and they were all looking at me! No matter where I turned and moved, all the monkey eyes followed me. Yikes! I believe this client liked monkeys. Shortly after that, I got use to it and so every time I’d come to visit, I’d say, “Hi everybody” and then do my pet sitting.

Another client’s home gave me a feeling of going to the shore and seeing light houses. What seemed like a hundred different light houses from different parts of the country, were placed in strategic locations on display for those who visited the home. The love of light houses and the joy of collecting them was very evident.

No pet sitter could be complete in this area of the country without a client who loves golf. It is so evident that one only needs a glance. Many of the homes are first located on or very near a golf course. Another obvious clue is when you first enter the home; bronzed golf clubs, golf caps, and pictures may be around. Then there are the several bags of golf clubs as in a family of golfers or maybe two or three golf bags that belong to one person. I have seen a garage that had almost as many golf clubs, golf shoes, bags, golf balls and caps, as tools for the home. (I was getting my canine friends their dinner at the time). I know a few people in my extended family who would love to play golf with these clients ;-)

Finally, I know you will never guess what I am really “into”. Dog pictures in the kitchen, in the living area, the bedroom and dog and cat pictures in the office. A sofa pillow shaped like a bone, dog dishes, dog toys all are scattered about in the living area. I mustn’t forget the dog and cat figurines and figures in my display cases and ceramic dog and cat canisters and mugs in the kitchen. Oh, and the matching handmade tied dog quilt and pillow, the throw blanket and…..

2009-05-22T05:11:00.000-07:00

Words of Wisdom
"Many people have sighed for the 'good old days' and regretted the 'passing of the horse,' but today, when only those who like horses own them, it is a far better time for horses."
- C.W. Anderson

Happy birthday Canines N' Cats Pet Sitting Service

2009-05-21T13:06:00.000-07:00

Hello - I've been pet sitting for 15 years. It's my "birthday" this year! A lot has happened over these 15 years. When I first got started as a Pet Sitter, there were maybe three pet sitters who advertised very little here in Greenville, SC. So little in fact that they weren't noticed. Not until I and another pet sitter started to advertise more did we get reactions from the general public. People laughed at us! Well now people believe that they have another choice with their pets. They don't laugh and some really love to see their pets on Saturday afternoon or Sunday when they come home from vacation.

Some pets may be old or too young or home-bodies or afraid of different places, who would be just as happy to stay home if their owners would let them. (Of course, nothing beats going on trips or rides with your people). The pet sitter is always good for a dog cookie, a scratch behind the ear or throwing a ball. That's what pet sitters are good for, as relayed to me in different ways from my doggie breath, fuzzy face clients. Woof.