The Pet Nanny's Blog

2009-11-28T16:51:00.000-08:00

I had a new client consultation last week to pet sit for a Golden named Jack. I tend to fall in love with all my four legged clients but this guy absolutely STOLE my heart! Not only was he an incredibly handsome Golden Retriever but he had an abusive past. He lived in a frat house for the first two years of his life and was horribly abused, BREAKS my heart! Thankfully this guy was turned into a rescue by the frat house and was adopted by a wonderful family, but his past still haunts him. Jack is terrified of men...wonder why? Jack always has to carry something around in his mouth, it's his security blanket. Anything from work gloves to towels or his favorite, a deflated volleyball. In the picture above he has two work gloves in his moth with his deflated volleyball between his paws. Jack does have a best friend named Koda that lives a few houses down and they run around the lake together and share toys. It's quite cute. Koda even goes to Jack's house in the morning and paws at the front door so that Jack will come out to play. Too cute!

Dante

2009-10-24T08:41:00.000-07:00

Dante is a fun dog! I always look forward to Tuesday's and Thursday's because I get to go walk Dante. He is full of energy all the time, if only I had Dante's energy! Dante is a cocker spaniel and has had an interesting life so far. He was born in Mexico City in 1999, moved to Nashville, TN in 2000 and moved to Columbus, IN in 2007. Dante loves everyone, he's very social and loves meeting new people and dogs too! The best thing about Dante is that he's always excited to see me, he always makes my day!

Fieffel

2009-10-19T15:16:00.000-07:00

Yes, this is a ferret and a cute one at that! Fieffel was the first ferret I have ever cared for. He was incredibly cute, inquisitive and loving! I have a funny story about Fieffel, his owners told me that I could let him out of his cage when I was there. They told me just to call for Fieffel when I was done cleaning his cage and he would run right back in. Well...Fieffel decided that he would hide instead, funny thing is, he would always leave his tail sticking out from under the couch or dresser in which he would hide under so I could always find him! Fieffel also likes to give kisses but I didn't know this, I thought he was trying to bite my face. He's a funny little critter!

Bailey

2009-10-19T13:44:00.000-07:00

I am going to start featuring some of our furry and not so furry four-legged clients on our blog! First up is Bailey, this little guy is super cute with a personality to match! He's a poodle mix, full of love and energy. I always enjoy pet sitting for Bailey and his sister Ellie who will also soon be featured! Bailey is a lover, he always has lots of kisses to share and is always content sitting or laying in my lap. Bailey also likes to take part in our doga (doggie yoga) classes. He is a doga star!!! Bailey sometimes likes to bark a lot at other dogs, kids and bikes but he's all bark and no bite. I don't play favorites but I absolutely adore this little guy!

Five Simple Ways to Keep Your Pet's Safe Over Halloween!

2009-10-19T13:39:00.000-07:00

Halloween is right around the corner! Ghosts, monsters, goblins and masked monsters will soon be at your door step hunting for all the Halloween sweets they can find. While Halloween is a fun holiday for you and your family, your furry or feathered pet may not feel the same way! Follow these five simple pet safety tips to make sure that your pet stays safe over Halloween.

1. Remember that Halloween mischief and vandalism often occur a few days before and after October 31st. Try not to leave your pet's outside unattended for long periods of time during this time frame to prevent any injury that some people like to inflict upon animals during this time of year. Black cats are especially susceptible to torture and abuse!

2. Keep pets contained in a crate or specific room of the house if you plan on welcoming trick-or-treaters on Halloween. The constant ringing of the doorbell or knocking at the door can sometimes be stressful to a pet as well as the constant foot traffic of strangers to and from the house. If the front door is constantly being opened it can also allow a dog, cat or other pets to run out the door!

3. Don’t allow dogs to be exposed to costumed and masked children or adults. This can be very frightening to a dog. Dogs don’t perceive things the same way humans do so while we may think a masked goblin is funny, a dog most likely does not. Even the most easy going carefree dog can become frightened by a masked monster or goblin, and when dogs become frightened they have more of a tendency to react by biting a child or adult in order to protect themselves and their owners.

4. Halloween candy and candy wrappers can be very dangerous to pets! Chocolate is toxic to dogs. Baker’s chocolate is extremely toxic to dogs. While it generally takes a large amount of chocolate to make a dog sick, eating one or two pieces of chocolate candy still isn’t good for them.
Other types of candy can be harmful to dogs as well, making it hard for them to digest. Candy wrappers can also be dangerous if a dog or other family pet were to ingest them. Candy wrappers can become lodged or stuck in their digestive tract which can be very dangerous.

5. It is important to talk to children about the dangers of feeding chocolate and other candies to dogs or other family pets. Also, remind them not to leave their Halloween candy laying around the house where a pet could get into it!

Halloween should always be enjoyable and fun for the entire family! By following these five simple safety tips your family and your pet's will be guaranteed to have a safe and fun Howllllllllllloween!

Woof and Meow September Food Drive

2009-09-20T13:27:00.001-07:00

Help a pooch out or…a furry feline too!

There are lots of needy dogs and cats in our community! Help a pooch out or a furry feline too and donate a bag of dog or cat food or canned soft food to an animal in need! Puppy and kitten food is also needed. Dog and cat food will be distributed to CARE (Community Animal Rescue Effort) and the Love Chapel. You have the entire month of September to donate a bag of food and help a dog or cat in our community because animals are hungry too!!!

Please donate one of these suggested brands of dry dog/puppy or cat/kitten food…
Iams puppy or kitten food, Nutro, Natural Balance Pro Plan or wellness.
If you would like to donate canned food Welness soft food for senior pets is always needed.

Drop off your bag of dog/puppy or cat/kitten food at one of these five locations…

Affordable Furniture (Saturday Hours)
1710 17th Street
Located across from Taste Restaurant
Open Mon-Fri 10:00am-5:00pm
Sat. 10:00am-2:00pm

Pharmacy Care Solutions
2323 North Marr Road
Located next to Tapatio’s Restaurant
Open Mon, Tues, Th and Fri 9:30am-5pm
Wed. 9:00am-1:00pm

Pierre’s Pet Salon
3538 West Two Mile House Road
Located just off of 46 West next to Casa Del Sol Restaurant
Open Mon-Fri 9:00am-3:00pm

Tre Bicchieri (Saturday Hours)
425 Washington Street
Located downtown across from First Financial
Open Mon-Fri 11:00am-2:00pm/5:00pm-9:00pm
Sat. 11:00am-10:00pm

Viewpoint Books (Saturday Hours)
548 Washington Street
Located downtown on the corner of Sixth and Washington
Open Mon-Th 10:00am-6:00pm; Fri 10:00am-7:00pm
Sat. 8:30am-6:00pm

Bad Hair Day!

2009-09-04T08:48:00.000-07:00

The Bad Hair Day festivities sponsored by the Columbus Area Arts Council is always fun but this year was even more fun! It was the second year for the bad hair day contest with many of the entries being, you know it...dogs! Pink poodles, blue poodles and dogs with red faux hawks all paraded down Washington Street in downtown Columbus to show off their fabulous hairstyles! Anna Bell the pink poodle was named the four footed bad hair day champion of 2009! Wonder what kind of crazy hairstyles 2010 will bring???

Doga is back!!!

2009-09-04T08:39:00.000-07:00

Doga...back by popular demand! As a part of downtown strolling night that was held on Friday August 21st, One Body One Soul and The Pet Nanny decided to host a doga demo so that people strolling through downtown could see with their own two eyes what doga was all about! We had four pet owners and their favorite pooch participate in the demo which was instructed by a certified yoga instructor who also teaches doga in Indianapolis. Bailey, Cinna, Hayley and Cooper were all doga stars and great sports. Once again by the end off the class, all four dogs were laying on the grass next to their owners relaxed and calm! It was quite a sight to see!

2009 Best Dog Walking Business!!!

2009-09-01T12:13:00.001-07:00

The Pet Nanny LLC was named the best dog walking business in the Indianapolis area by WRTV6 and the A-List. I was happy to be nominated and obviously wanted to win but didn't want to get my hopes up. With over 80 votes we took the title and I was of course very excited! We were competing against eight other dog walking businesses who were all located in the Indianapolis area. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO VOTED!!! Check out the link provided below to view our A-List business listing!
http://wrtv.cityvoter.com/winners/best-of-theindychannel-com-a-list/4737/pets/dog-walker

Summer in Review!

2009-08-17T16:50:00.000-07:00

This summer has been a busy one that consisted of lots and lots of pet sitting, dog walking and dog friendly events! I worked 90 days in a row without a day off but it was all worth it! We gained lots and lots of new clients this summer...word is spreading about our professional in-home pet sitting and dog walking services. Word of mouth is by far the best form of advertisement and despite the economy business is booming!

We were also nominated by WRTV 6 to compete for the best dog walking business in Indiana. Voting ended August 14th and the final results will be announced on Tuesday August 25th. We competed with 10 other dog walking businesses and the competition was extremely close. I know we will place in first or second...hopefully first but we will have to wait for the results. Thanks to everyone who took the time to vote, I truely appreciate it!

We also brought doga (doggie yoga) to the Columbus area! I'm never scared to try new things! I had a few negative comments about doga as to be expected. It's a relatively new activity but the true "pet lovers" were absolutely 100% supportive of being able to participate in such a fun, enjoyable and relaxing activity with their favorite four legged pooch! By the end of doga class all the dogs were laid out on their doga mats completely relaxed and calm. It's hard to believe unless you see it for yourself but doga truly does have the same effects on dogs as it does on humans.

For our dogs Cash and LuLu, summer consisted of lots of swimming...LuLu just watched Cash swim for the most part. They also spent lots of time at Parkside running around the soccer fields getting lots and lots of exercise!

Doggie Swim!

2009-08-17T16:29:00.000-07:00

Saturday August 14th was CARE's annual doggie swim at Donner pool in Columbus and what a great way to end the summer! We had a blast and so did our dog Cash. We didn't take our other dog LuLu, she isn't a big swimmer but Cash is. He got a lot of attention for wearing his life jacket. A lot of people question why a Lab (water breed) needs to wear a life jacket. It's not that he needs to wear a life jacket but he learned to swim with a life jacket and now he won't swim without it. If it makes him feel more secure with it on than so be it. He also swims in the lake when we are kayaking and sometime gets under the kayak so having his life jacket on keeps him safe. Anyway, Cash has become quite the water dog this summer and swam and jumped off the side of the pool into the water to fetch his tennis ball for an hour and a half. He attempted to jump off the diving board but he wasn't quite ready for that this year...maybe next? I have included a link to youtube of Cash jumping into the pool after his ball. He could do that for hours upon hours! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec4gDeLVo1c

Make Sure to Hire a Professional Pet Sitting Business

2009-08-17T15:55:00.000-07:00

Why Pet Owners Hire Professional Pet Sitters...
1. Pets are happier and experience less stress at home.
2. Diet and exercise routines are uninterrupted.
3. Travel trauma for both owner and pet is eliminated.
4. Pet's exposure to illness is minimized.
5. Untrained or unwilling friends/family/neighbors need not be called.
6. In-home professional pet care provides added peace of mind.

A professional pet sitting business should also be insured and bonded providing your home and your pets with added protection. A professional pet sitter should also be a member of a professional pet sitting organization such as Pet Sitters International (PSI) A professional pet sitter should also be providing a detailed care card and daily notes about each visit with your pets. In addition to written updates, text message updates, phone updates, email updates and video updates can also be provided. The pet sitter/business should schedule an initial consultation for all new clients so that they can meet you and your pets as well as become familiar with your home and security procedures. During the consultation a legal service agreement should be completed and an intake form should be completely filled out for each pet in the home including vet info and an emergency contacts in case of an emergency. Your pet sitter should be providing you with references if requested as well as background checks on all employees.

Professional in-home pet sitting is more costly that kenneling as it should be! Your pets are receiving personalised one on one care and you have the convenience of leaving them at home where they are safe and most comfortable. Professional pet sitting is a growing industry and it is important to hire a "TRUE" professional pet sitting business giving you and your pets the added protection and peace of mind that you deserve.

Jet

2009-07-13T11:04:00.000-07:00

Jet is a very special four legged client of mine who is training to be a leader dog for the blind. This little guy...well not so little anymore, has a very bright future ahead of him! I first met Jet at the age of 8 weeks. I was amazed to find how well trained he already was at such a young age. Jet is a male black lab and a very handsome pup! I have had a lot of fun watching this little guy grow like a weed and helping him to discover all the sights and sounds the world has to offer. I have no doubt in my mind that this special pup will make someones life a lot brighter one day!

The Pet Nanny competes for Best dog walking business in Indiana!

2009-07-02T10:30:00.001-07:00

The Pet Nanny LLC has been nominated by WRTV6 out of Indianapolis as one of Indiana's best businesses! We are competing for best dog walking business and are currently in first place!!! We are competing with five other businesses for this coveted title! To cast your vote visit http://www.wrtv.cityvoter.com/the-pet-nanny-llc/biz/149521 Voting ends August 14th so make sure to cast your vote now for The Pet Nanny LLC!

Stacy Able Photography

2009-07-02T10:03:00.000-07:00

My friend Stacy Able of Stacy Able Photography located in Columbus, Indiana http://www.stacyable.com/ is first off, an amazing photographer but also has a brilliant eye for pet photography. Stacy is able to really capture the personality of the pets she is photographing. Her pet portraits touch the soul in many ways with her simplistic and elegant style! Antique chairs, colorful beaded jewelry and peacock feathers are some of the fun props Stacy uses during her photo sessions! Stacy also has a photo blog http://www.stacyable.com/blog that features some of her four legged clients and their photo sessions. Amelia or Lia for short is the stylish pooch featured in this photo. Lia is a Barbet also known as a french water dog. Stacy is a Barbet breed expert. http://www.americanbarbet.com/

What to Know When Traveling With Your Pet

2009-06-23T08:53:00.000-07:00

The pet industry is booming and with more and more pet friendly hotels, bars, restaurants, coffee houses, resorts, cabins, beaches and campgrounds popping up across the United States, more and more people are traveling with their pets.

Traveling with pets can be a wonderful bonding experience but before you decide to travel with your pets, it’s important to plan ahead and prepare. First you need to decide if your pet would benefit from traveling with you. If you have a pet that becomes stressed by travel and doesn’t like change in routine, then it would probably be best to leave your pet at home. If you have a pet that likes to travel and adjusts well to new situations and change in routine, then including your pet in your trip may be a good option.

When you are looking for vacation spots make sure that your resort, hotel, cabin or camp ground is pet friendly and be sure to find out what their rules and regulations are. Are there extra fees or deposits required for pets? Do you have to have proof that your pets are up to date on their vaccinations? What are the leash laws or rules?

Once you have decided to take your pet along, first consider his or her safety and start with the basics. Before making the trip you will want to take your pet to the vet to make sure he or she is healthy and up to date on all vaccinations. Be sure to tell your vet where you are going and how you intend to transport your pet. They may have some suggestions for making your pet’s trip more comfortable. Make sure you have extra food and water, treats, medication, favorite toys, and a leash and make sure that your dog and or cat is wearing a collar with proper identification at all times. Attaching your pet’s rabies tag to the collar is also helpful, because rabies vaccinations are legally required for all pets no matter where you travel. If there is ever any question you will have proof right on your pet’s collar. If your pets aren’t already microchiped doing so is a really good idea especially if you’re traveling to a foreign country. If your pet becomes separated from you, your chances of locating it are much greater. Making sure your dog is well trained and socialized is also a good idea when introducing him or her to new places. Enrolling your dog in a training class prior to your trip might be a good idea, especially if basic commands and social skills aren’t quite up to par.

If you and your pet will be traveling by car you want to make sure that he or she will be as comfortable as possible. Prior to the trip introduce your pet to the crate, carrying bag, car seat, or doggie seat-belt so he or she can become familiar with the situation. If you and your pet will be flying, be sure to contact the airline to find out the requirements and size specifications of the kennel or carrying bag. If you feel that your pet needs more individual attention while flying, Pet Airways caters specifically to pets and has replaced airplane seats with kennels, in order to provide a more comfortable flying experience for pets, complete with flight attendants!

Traveling with your pet should be a fun and fulfilling experience. Spending time with your pet will only help you to build a stronger and trusting relationship and allow your pet to spend some quality time with you, experiencing all that the world has to offer! Whether it’s a trip to the Grand Canyon, backpacking through the mountains or vacationing on the beach, having your favorite four legged companion by your side will provide you and your pet with great memories!

Mind, Body and Puppy

2009-06-23T08:36:00.000-07:00

Mind, Body and Puppy was a successful event! One Body One Soul and The Pet Nanny hosted an evening full of doga, K-9 massage and pet bonding tips! I think everyone was surprised to find that the dogs were extremely clam and relaxed throughout the entire evening. It was so fun to watch the dogs and their owners interact with each other especially during doga or doggie yoga! Doga really does have the same effects on dogs and it does on humans, inducing a calm and relaxing state of mind! Candy McKing was our trainer for the evening representing Sit Can Happen. Candy is extremely knowledgeable and offered up some really great training and bonding tips for our guests and their four-legged friends! What a great evening and a fun event that we hope to be hosting again soon! Each four legged guest went home with gourmet dog treats from Gone to the Dogs Bakery and a fleece tug toy. All proceeds from the event went to C.A.R.E to help them with the cost of rescuing dogs and cats within the community!

Radio Interview

2009-06-18T08:09:00.000-07:00

I was interviewed on WCSI 1010 and had a fun time talking about my business, events that I am hosting this summer and some of the dog park events that are coming up! Everyone at WCSI was amazing and so supportive of my business venture.

Cash Goes to the Lake!

2009-06-01T12:27:00.000-07:00

My husband and I took Cash to the lake yesterday and to our amazement he jumped right into the water and started swimming. We have had Cash for three years and he has never shown any interest in the water. He would just sit on shore and watch us swim or kayak. It was so exciting and fun to watch him swim...I don't think he has ever had so much fun. Four hours of non-stop swimming and chasing us around in the kayak. He was absolutely exhausted by the end of the day!

Dog Facts 101

2009-05-05T06:51:00.000-07:00

25 fun facts about dogs I bet you didn’t know…

1. It is a myth that dogs are color blind. They can actually see in color, just not as vividly as humans. It is akin to our vision at dusk

2. Dogs DO have better low-light vision than humans because of a special light-reflecting layer behind their retinas

3. A German shepherd guide dog led her blind companion the entire 2100 mile Appalachian Trail

4. If never spayed or neutered, a female dog, her mate, and their puppies could product over 66,000 dogs in 6 years

5. Dogs' only sweat glands are between their paw pads

6. Like human babies, Chihuahuas are born with a soft spot in their skull which closes with age

7. A one year old dog is as mature, physically, as a 15 year old human

8. The U.S. has the highest dog population in the world

9. The average city dog lives 3 years longer than a country dog

10. Gidget is the name of the Taco Bell dog

11. Basset Hounds cannot swim

12. Greyhounds are the fastest dogs on earth, with speeds of up to 45 miles per hour

13. The bible mentions dogs 14 times

14. Three dogs survived the sinking of the Titanic - a Newfoundland, a Pomeranian, and a Pekingese

15. Obesity is the #1 health problem among dogs

16. An estimated 1,000,000 dogs in the U.S. have been named as the primary beneficiaries in their owner's will

17. Dog's nose prints are as unique as a humans finger prints and can be used to accurately identify them

18. 70% of people sign their pet's name on greeting and holiday cards

19. The phrase "raining cats and dogs" originated in 17th century England when it is believed that many cats and dogs drowned during heavy periods of rain

20. Dogs have no sense of "time"

21. There are 703 breeds of purebred dogs

22. Dogs are all direct descendants of wolves

23. Dogs were first domesticated by cavemen

24. Dogs live 15 years on average

25. The Chihuahua was named after the state in Mexico where they were discovered

The Pet Nanny is now on Twitter!

2009-04-27T15:09:00.001-07:00

You can now follow The Pet Nanny on Twitter! http://twitter.com/ThePetNannyLLC

Dog Park for a Day is Back!!!

2009-04-18T07:12:00.000-07:00

Help support the Columbus Indiana Dog Park Association!!!

The next "Dog Park for a Day" event will be held on May 2nd from 1 - 4pm, at Willow Crossing Health and Rehabilitation Center on the North West corner of Rocky Ford and Central Avenue. (Willow Crossing 3550 Central Ave.)

Cost is $5.00 per dog, all proceeds will go to the CIDPA to help fund the future dog park!

Fear of Dogs

2009-04-14T14:40:00.000-07:00

So...yes, it is true that I was at one time in my life terrified of dogs! I was attacked as a baby by my parents dog, a cocker spaniel named Sooner. I had to have 18 stitches on my cheek and still have the scar to prove it. I was very young and obviously don't remember the incident or Sooner. The only memory I have is from looking at pictures. My fear didn't derive from the incident itself since I have no memory of it. I think my fear of dogs just came from hearing the story and associating all dogs as being mean. I was absolutely terrified of dogs! It wasn't until the age of 14 or 15 when my parents adopted Smoky a lab mix, that I overcame my fear. That is also the time when my love and passion for animals...dogs especially, grew! I fell in love with the innocent and fun loving personalities that dogs seem to possess.

"Buy a Dog a Bowl"

2009-04-08T12:26:00.000-07:00

The Columbus Indiana Dog Park Association (CIDPA) is partnering with the Columbus Area Arts Council to present a silent auction of hand made dog bowls crafted and painted by local artists.

The dog bowls will go on display on Friday May 29th at Hotel Indigo. The bowls will remain viewable to the public through the week. On Friday June 5th Hotel Indigo will hold a reception beginning at 5:30, and the winning bids will be announced at 6:30!

Please join us for this fabulous event and make sure to put in your winning bid!

All dog bowls are food safe!

The Pet Nanny Website...New Updates!

2009-04-08T08:23:00.001-07:00

Please visit our website http://www.thepetnannyforyou.com/ for more information about our professional in-home pet-sitting and dog walking business. We have recently updated it with new information!

Tree Cozy Win for the Dog Park!!!

2009-04-08T06:54:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Amy Kilby, for winning $1000.00 for the Columbus Indiana Dog Park Association! It was a well deserved win...her tree cozy was simply amazing, covered in puppy faces and puppy paws! Great job Amy...well deserved and much appreciated!

Please visit http://www.columbuslovesdogs.com/ for more information on the Columbus Indiana Dog Park Association!

Mind, Body and Puppy...A Bonding Workshop for You and Your Four-Legged Pup!

2009-04-08T06:05:00.000-07:00

I am hosting a summer event along with my good friend Tamera at One Body One Soul. This event is pet-friendly so bring along your favorite four-legged pooch for a fabulous fun-filled evening event! Mind, Body and Puppy will begin at 7pm and last until 9pm. I will be introducing DOGA, better known as doggie yoga, in hopes of launching regularly scheduled DOGA classes within the community. DOGA is an activity that involves both the dog owner and their dog, and is a fun yet relaxing way for one to bond with their dog. DOGA has the same relaxing effects on dogs as it does on humans and is meant to be a light hearted and fun experience! The cost is $25.00 per person with proceeds benefiting C.A.R.E. There are limited spots available for this event so if you are interested in attending please contact me for more information! Hope to see you and your four-legged pooch at this fun filled event!

Sinatra

2009-04-08T05:49:00.000-07:00

Sinatra, named after Frank Sinatra is 5 years old and the coolest cat I have ever come across! My husband found Sinatra at his family's salon as a kitten and brought him home. It's hard to resist this guy...those eye's are amazing! A year ago Sinatra was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis and will be on medication for the rest of his life. With the help of medication, his bronchial attacks have subsided. Sinatra is pretty big for a cat at 15 pounds...he's big boned! Sinatra and the dog's get along really well! Sinatra can hold his own and pretty much rules the roost...as far as the dog's go.

LuLu

2009-04-08T05:48:00.000-07:00

LuLu is the newest addition to our family. We adopted her from C.A.R.E http://www.carerescuegroups.org/ which is a local rescue group based in Columbus. LuLu's is a terrier chiuaua mix and is estimated to be about 11 months old. She was rescued by C.A.R.E from her previous owner because they could no longer care for her. She was very skinny when C.A.R.E rescued her. She was also very scared and timid but has come a long way. Who knows what her previous life consisted of...I try not to think about it. She is incredibly sweet and has tons of energy...she's always on the move. LuLu is a small dog but she doesn't know it. She can hold her own and prefers playing with the big dogs at the dog park! She could be a circus dog...she loves to show off all her tricks. Dance is her favorite...she stands up on her back legs and turns in circles. Too cute!

Cash

2009-04-08T05:46:00.001-07:00

Cash, named after Johnny Cash, is a lab collie mix that we also adopted from C.A.R.E. http://www.carerescuegroups.org/ We adopted him as a puppy. He 's 3 years old and is an amazing dog. He is too smart for his own good! Cash loves to hang out in the woods, play fetch and run through the sprinklers on the soccer fields at Parkside...or any sprinkler for that matter! He is very sweet and requires a lot of attention and affection. He will definitely let us know if he isn't getting enough attention. He loves other dogs and loves going to dog park events! He hates the 4th of July and any other time during the year when people set off fireworks. He wasn't real happy about us adopting another dog but he has adjusted well to LuLu's arrival. As long as he gets him weekly trips to the park he's a happy dog!

Living "Green" With Your Pets

2009-04-08T05:34:00.000-07:00

Living green is becoming more and more popular around the world and for good reason. As our earth faces many serious issues, such as global warming, it is vital that we all do our part in saving the planet. You can make some simple changes in your lifestyle and the lifestyle of your favorite four-legged companions by going green.

"If 10,000 dog owners switch to biodegradable waste bags, we'll avoid the use of 18 million plastic bags every year." ~Ideal Bite, statistics for living green

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that, "Dog owners collect 4 million tons of dog waste annually." That is a lot of plastic bags sitting in our landfills. Using biodegradable waste bags to pick up after your pets, for example, is a simple yet effective way towards going green and living a cleaner lifestyle with your pets. Many pet owners use plastic bags from the grocery store but in retrospect these plastic bags still end up in our landfills, where they sit for thousands and thousands of years. Plastics are the forth highest generated waste in the United States. Plastic is not renewable and is not biodegradable. Once plastic finally breaks down it still doesn't completely degrade. In most cases plastic just breaks apart into smaller pieces. California, for instance, has banned dog owners from using plastic bags to pick up after their dogs; owners must use biodegradable waste bags or face a stiff fine.

Biodegradable waste bags are made from a combination of corn and renewable materials. There are no chemical preservatives to enhance decomposition and bags will degrade in about 60 days after use. The bags are used to decompose naturally when exposed to the earth's natural elements, such as micro-organisms in the earths soil. Biodegradable waste bags are also designed to breathe allowing heat or moisture to escape or evaporate, reducing bacterial build-up and odor. Biodegradable waste bags do meet the ASTM's (ASTM International) D6400 specification for biodegradability. This means that the product has been tested to degrade at a similar rate as an apple, and that no plastic fragments will remain.

Remember, you don't have to go green all at once. Take small steps and ease into it. Living green should be a fun and educational experience, so try and involve the entire family including your favorite four-legged companions. If you are interested in purchasing biodegradable waste bags there are several places you can look. Locally you can find this product at Petco. Natural Choices also carries eco-friendly and natural pet care products including food, treats and kitty litter. If you like to shop on-line there are a multitude of on-line stores where you can purchase biodegradable waste bags and waste bag holders often with free shipping.

Here are some other tips on how you can live green with your pets:

~Recycle your pets food cans and food bags.

~Use all natural pet foods and treats made without gluten, wheat and added preservatives.

~Use all natural pet shampoos and conditioners.

~Use an all natural stain and odor remover.

~Use all natural colors and leashes made form hemp or bamboo.

~Buy all natural dog toys made from recycled products and natural rubber.

~Use an all natural kitty litter that is dust free.

~Grow your own catnip.

~Make your own dog and cat treats using organic ingredients.

"Green" and Eco-Friendly

2009-04-08T05:32:00.000-07:00

The Pet Nanny is a "green" and eco-friendly pet care business. We understand the importance of protecting our environment and have implemented these practices into our business. Please visit our website www.thepetnannyforyou.com for more information!

Puppy Mills in Indiana

2009-04-08T05:30:00.000-07:00

Indiana is known for it's puppy mills! This industry is absolutely deplorable. The conditions that these irresponsiable breeders force upon the dogs that they use to make millions of dollars per year can not be tolerated! This article published by the Indianapolis Star gives a very real depiction of what actually goes on inside a puppy mill and it's heartbreaking! READ AT YOUR OWN RISK! Tightening The Leash On Puppy Mills

Welcome to The Pet Nanny's Blog!

2009-04-08T05:26:00.000-07:00

Welcome to The Pet Nanny's blog! For more information about our business please visit our website www.thepetnannyforyou.com We are proud to be the first and only full service professional in-home pet-sitting and dog walking business in Columbus, Indiana! We are leading the way in the industry of professional pet-sitting and dog walking by setting higher standards, not only in our business practices but in our level of care! We announced our grand opening on April 10th of 2008; and offer a full line of in-home pet care services ranging from pet -sitting to a pet taxi, used to transport dogs to and from the groomer or kennel. Our services are gaining popularity! We have been featured in The Republic, She Magazine, Discovering Columbus on the QMIX morning show and in The Liberty Monthly! In June we will be on talk radio LIVE! We have lots of exciting news and events that we will be announcing throughout the spring and summer so...STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS!!!