Pet Tails

It is officially the beginning of Summer with the Memorial Holiday Weekend!  Where does the time go?

As we plan our summer vacations or holiday gatherings we often forget certain things with our pets.  So this is a just a little reminder of what we need to pay attention with summer holidays along with things to keep in mind with gatherings at your home, with family and friends.

If you are planning a holiday picnic or party, make sure you know where your pet is.  If you have an inside cat and you have guests going in and out of your house, it may be best to move your cat temporarily to a room where they will be comfortable and not be bothered by the intruders into their space. 

Make sure you provide them with water, food, toys and their litter box.  It is best to move them into a room with a window so they can take in the outdoors even though they may not be part of the festivities.

If it is your 4-legged family member, the dog, you need to keep an eye on; you may want to make sure they can’t “escape” from the house through an open gate, front door, or through the garage.  And always make sure your dog has their collar on with identification tags.  This is very important especially if your dog happens to get loose.

To ensure they don’t “disappear” and go on their own little excursion, you may want to put a note on the entrance doors or places people may be going in and out of saying “KEEP DOOR CLOSED” or “DON’T LET DOG OUT.”  Doing something that simple will make your holiday celebrations more enjoyable.  And no one wants to go looking for their dog during a party, or bail them out of “doggy jail” on a holiday weekend.  (The CCSPCA is closed on holidays too.)

If your dog’s fearful of fireworks, you want to make sure you have “doggy downers” on hand.  Some people get them from their vet, and you should administer them at least 30 to 60 minutes prior to fireworks being set off.  Or you can purchase natural products from a holistic store and these don’t have any side effects but you may need to give them more frequently.  This is what I use for my dog, and I have had good results from using them.

When having a picnic or party at your house, you never have to worry about the cat dragging off a hamburger or hot dog off the table or getting into the dessert or other goodies you may have out, but you do with your dog. 

Some foods can cause digestive issues with your dog, and guests may think nothing of giving your family pet a piece of human food, but if you dog already may have a sensitive system, you want to avoid this happening.  So putting a like placard on the table that may have all your picnic “goodies” displayed for us humans to eat that says “DON”T FEED THE DOG! THANK YOU”, may be all you have to do. Because who wants to get up in the middle of the night to a dog vomiting or worse step in something that may be soft and warm, but not pleasant?  Not I!

Certain foods can be poisonous to dogs or cause them harm, that we think nothing of and I have listed them below for you.

Onions

Chocolate

Grapes or raisins

Sugarless Gum

Nuts

Corn cobs

Than of course we have

Chicken Bones

Pork Chop Bones

Turkey

If you dog should digest any of the above, it doesn’t mean a run to the emergency veterinary clinic, but it may mean you have to induce vomiting or at least monitor them for the next day or so.

So keep an eye not only on your pet, but your guests too.  They need to behave also!

To You and Your Pet, Have a Happy and Safe Memorial Holiday Weekend!

If you have any suggestions or ideas for blogs, feel free to write me with your ideas.

This morning my phone rang at 6:30.  Whenever your phone rings that early in the morning it is never good news, and this time it was no different.

My good friend was calling to let me know her dog, Latte, had died during the night.  She was heartbroken and in shock, just as I was by the news.  So I jumped in my car and went to console my friend on her loss.

Latte wasn’t sick or ill.  She was still an active dog, but beginning to show her age.  Latte was an Italian Greyhound mix and had a sweet, affectionate personality about her.  She was 14.

The death of pet can come at anytime and from anywhere.  The unexpected deaths are just as devastating if not more as the ones that we “schedule” or have to make that decision to end our beloved pets suffering.  The decision no one wants to face or think about.

Death comes in all ways to our pets too. Through cancer, illnesses, car tragedies, or by age, death is a part of their life too.  It happens and we are never prepared for it or do we think about the fact our pets may leave us some day, unexpectedly.

So today’s posting is not a happy one, it is not the joy of pet ownership or filled with wise or thought provoking information, but it is filled with the fact that life is precious.  Not just ours, being human, but our pet’s life’s too.  So I am adding a note too this posting, and I think it explains a lot about those individuals that are pet/animal people.

Just a Dog

From time to time, people tell me, “lighten up, it’s just a dog,” or “that’s a lot of money for just a dog.”  They don’t understand.  Some of my proudest moments have come about with “just a dog.”

Many hours have passed and my only company was “just a dog,” but I did not once feel slighted.  Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by “just a dog,” and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of “just a dog” gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it’s “just a dog,” then you will probably understand phrases like “just a friend,” “just a sunrise,” or “just a promise.”

A dog brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.  A dog brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.  Because of “just a dog” I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.  So for me and folks like me, it’s not “just a dog” but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.  A dog brings out what’s good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it’s not “just a dog” but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being “just a man/woman.”  So the next time you hear the phrase “just a dog”, just smile, because they “just don’t understand.”

Author - Unknown

I know that some of you must have nicknames for your pets, I know I do, and I often use them in reference to my pets.  So I thought I would take the time and share the nicknames I have for my pets and ones I often use for my client’s pets.

Sherlock is often referred to as Boy, especially when we are at the dog park to get his attention.  I used to refer to him as Mr. Nose, because when he was a puppy, he was into everything.

Casey I refer to as Casey Girl, and she gets so excited when I call her this because I use a higher tone voice when I say it to her, and she jumps around and wags her tail.  Or Casey Girl Super Dog, because she is the only dog that can get a bag of potato chips off a table and not disturb anything on the table.

Virgil used to be called Nudge, because he would often nudge your hand to get petted; now I call him Mr. Grumpy.

Camaro is often called Peanut because she is so small and when she meows it sounds like a kitten or a squeak toy.

LBK, well his acronym stands for Little Black Kitty, but the Vet calls him, Little Ballistic Kitty. One time he had to have his neck shaved and there was an old surgical scar that was uncovered so until his hair grew back, he was Franken-Kitty.

Inky doesn’t have the nicest of nicknames.  I sometimes call him Stinky Inky.  I don’t think I need to say why.

Basil is called affectionately, Basil Butt.  It just sounds good.  (And his name is Basil as in Basil Rathbone.)

Hazel is just called Hazel.  Her name is really Hazelnut.  I named her after my favorite coffee.

I had a cat named Spunky that has passed, and her nickname is Puddinhead, from the Sylvester and Tweety cartoons.  Yes, she was a Tuxedo cat.

Now on to nicknames used for some of my clients.

Ginger, a border collie, I refer to as Ginger Snap, like the cookie.  She is a cute and sweet dog maybe that is why I call her that. 

Hunter, a beautiful Irish Setter, I call him Wiz Kid because he pees on everything when I walk him.  But I also call him Velcro, because he likes to lean against me likes he is stuck to my leg when we walk too.

Bailey, a Brittany Spaniel I call him Button Head.  Don’t know how I came up with that, but it fits him.  His owners nicknamed him Bug Bug, go figure.

Winston, my brother’s dog has a nickname that may be offensive to some, so I will use symbols for part of it.  He is called D**khead.  I think you can figure it out.  My brother gave him that I didn’t.

There is Charlie Girl; a black lab, which is named Charlie and is a Girl.

There is Stewie Monster, real name Stewie, a big goof of a Golden Retriever.

Sammy, a 25 pound Pug/Jack Russell mix, that I call Lard Ass.

There is Sammy, a Cocker Spaniel that I call Piss Ant, because it never fails, she always pees in my house at least once when she is here.

To top it off, I have a house of cats I care for, and they are referred to as the Royal Family; Charles, Andrew, Edward and Ann(ie).

Than I have clients that don’t need a nickname:

Sniggles, Myrtle, or Moo, Yoshi & Scooch, Satchel & Boudreau, or Rufus, Zowie & Dugan, Max & Mia, or Bernie & Baxter, (They are referred to B & B), or Promise and Welcome, Bo & Hank (2 Coonhounds) and the list goes on and on.

But if you have a nickname for your pet, or even a unique name for your pet, I would love to hear what fond name you gave them and how or why you picked that name.  So feel free to share them with me, I would enjoy reading your names and any comments you may have.

I did have pictures to go with this context, but I am limited to size, and had too many pictures to add.  Sorry.

When you wake up early in the morning and your two dogs are lying next to you all cuddly, with so much love in their eyes, and you ask them, “Who is going to get coffee ready for Mommy?”, and the response is a hearty tail wag from both of them, and they continue to look at you.  But when you ask, “Who wants breakfast?”, and they jump out of the bed and run to the kitchen.  Who has been properly trained?

This is the second part to the Healing Touch Therapy Posting.  I hope that you found the first one insightful and learned something new.

So do you see Healing Touch being used with more traditional types of medicine for both animals and humans?

HT and HTA should not be seen as a substitute for traditional care, but are intended to be complementary therapies to traditional medicine.  They are already used in hospitals, vet offices, integrative health centers and clinics.  Extensive research has been conducted and documented, and the discoveries continue.  Holistic medical care already understands that the body is far more than the sum of its parts.  I am far from alone in believing that it will one day be a moral dilemma not to offer everything we know is possible regarding healing to patients in traditional care settings.

Do you see the practice of Healing Touch being more accepted by modern individuals, or is there still a stigma with this practice?

It is a slow process, but one that is changing as people become more aware and are looking for more natural options and better control over their own care.  Healing Touch is already accepted and validated in many hospitals and hospices.  Research has been supported by the National Institute of Health, and we are backed by the American and Canadian Holistic Nurses Association.  In 2010, Healing Touch will be going for national accreditation, which will greatly increase the visibility and credibility of the program and its benefits.

If a person decides to use Healing Touch as part of treating their “whole” being, how often should someone see a practitioner?

Again, there is no pre-determined schedule as every person is different, as is every situation that brings them to my table.  Sometimes a person gains what they intended from just one session, someone else may come for treatment several times within one week.  Typically I see my clients once a week, but it varies.  The frequency will be suggested by a practitioner, based on what (s)he believes most beneficial at the time, but ultimately it’s an agreement entered into with a client.  And energy work and healing are a bit like peeling an onion – the layers revel themselves over time, and sometimes we find new direction.  But as healing takes place, frequency changes as well. My goal is not to have someone dependent on seeing me, but rather to assist them with their healing so they may move on.

Based upon the above question, if someone wants to seek out a practitioner for their pet: dog or cat, should they see someone regularly also, or is their treatment process completely different?

Seeking HT “because” your animal is being treated is certainly not necessary or the normal expectation.  As to the treatment process itself, yes, there are differences in many of the techniques, but not in the philosophy or intention.  As a side note, however, animals tend to mirror our own issues, so it can be helpful to stop and reflect on that if you have an ongoing or difficult problem with your pet.  It’s not uncommon in this field, or for anyone working with animals, to recognize that some of the things we’re called to treat in a pet have everything to do with the issues in their homes.  Because an animal’s energy field is so much larger than our own, it is helpful, in general, to understand that we are in their field and they can tend to take on our ‘stuff’.

Out of some of the clients or experiences you have had with using Healing Touch, what is your most memorable or unique experience?

My most memorable experience is actually different from my most unique, but it’s the one my heart always returns to.  It involves Cass an Arabian therapy horse I am fortunate to work with, and my true “teacher” on the path to becoming a healing practitioner for animals.  When I met Cass, he had been in his new barn and therapy experience for well over a year.  Despite being a good therapy horse, he was underweight,; full of nervous, restless energy, tearing up his stall at night; had chronic diarrhea; never met anyone’s gaze and described by staff as having “no one home in those eyes”.  My first meeting with Cass is memorable to me for two reasons:  I did not understand or recognize the incredibly confusing energy around him (professional thought), and I did not believe I would like him (personal thought).  I worked with Cass for several sessions, clearing his field and opening his energy system, and slowly he began to bloom.  One day, maybe 2 months later, I arrived to recognize a filled out, gentle horse who walked calmly (and on his own!) to his place for treatment.  The barn manager told me she could now look into his eyes and feel like she could see his soul.  It still brings tears to my eyes.  The restlessness was over, the diarrhea over.  Cass was fully in his own body and owning his life again.  He and I continue to work together, as therapy horses give a lot to their job, and ironically, he is my favorite ‘client’.  He is always the most excited when I arrive, then waits patiently for his ‘turn’, always walking himself to the spot where we work.  I hold deep respect for Cass and the work he did, and I fully credit him with making me a better practitioner on so many levels.

What are some of the personal experiences that humans have shared with you after they have visited your “table”?

Healing work is an extremely personal experience, and we never know where it will take someone or what the far-reaching effects will be.  My own healing journey (as a client) is a profound example of that.  As a practitioner, however, it’s important to say that the specifics of a client’s case ware held in confidence, so I’m limited in what I will share, not to mention this forum not being long enough to describe the many profound scenarios.  But, it’s not uncommon immediately after a session for people to comment that they have a great sense of relaxation or peace.  Some see colors or have visions, some may sleep or experience pain relief, and some are sensitive to the movement of energy in their body.  I’ve seen clients realize immediate resolution to an emotional or spiritual issue they were struggling with, or, because energy continues to integrate, worked with others who may not recognize the impact of the session for several days.  I am always in awe of how things unfold for someone.

When one decides to work with practitioner, how would they determine if they are reputable?

Hopefully soon, we will all be referred to energy work through our veterinarians and Drs. – though the list of those who already do continues to grow at this moment.  As with any professional in our lives, work of mouth remains a reliable and powerful form of advertising.  And, as with any other service you obtain, you should be at ease with the person providing it.  Not every practitioner will be right for every person, and there’s nothing wrong with that.  Healing work, in particular, needs to take place in an atmosphere of trust between all parties.  You should feel confident that your healer is able to see you in wholeness, regardless of the problems that brought you together, and will focus on what’s best for you so that appropriate outcome will be reached.  Spend time talking and asking questions.  The, trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to open to a potentially new experience or the amazing possibilities.

In Summary –

On a personal note, I have been going to Jane for about a year now for a number of different reasons; personal, physical problems, and for emotional support.  I have found that on all of the situations that I went to see her, I have felt and do continue to feel that using HT as “part” of treating my whole person, has made be better in all parts of my life.  I can admit when I went to see her only a day after passing a kidney stone this past winter, I immediately felt a draining of my kidneys and as if they were being opened and the discomfort I had been feeling disappeared within a day.

For the times she has remotely treated my pets, there were changes within a couple days.  Casey had the beginning of an abscess and I called her that afternoon, and she worked on her that night from her home, and within two days the lump on her muzzle had disappeared. LBK, my one cat, had the same symptom with the same results.  So yes, I would definitely suggest and recommend HT or HTA for those individuals that are seeking out alternative or additional assistance in their lives.

If you would like more information or would like to set up time with Jane, please feel free to contact me here, and I will be more than happy to provide you with her contact information. 

I have already recommended her to some of my clients, and they found the experience very helpful and rewarding, both for themselves and for their pets.

Yes, I will be posting the second of the series on Healing Touch Theapy for Animals and Humans.  But I wanted to just bring to my audience, that if you are on FaceBook. you can find a fan page that you can join that provides a lot of information in regards to Healing Touch for Animals and there is also a Healing Touch page for Humans.

You can also find me there if you are interested to read or see updates from my pet sitting business and the pet sitting industry.

These are cats that are named Tucker.

Some of you may not be aware of Healing Touch Therapy, so I will give you some background and information on what it is.

Below is the definition of what Healing Touch Therapy is.

“Healing Touch for Animals^® (HTA) is a holistic approach influencing the health and well-being of animals through energy medicine and intention. HTA Techniques restore harmony and balance to the animal’s energy system while providing physical, emotional, mental and instinctual stability. 

Stabilizing the energy system allows the natural succession of the body’s physiological response to support the immune system which encourages the healing process and promotes well-being.

HTA can be used on all species: small and large animals, birds, aquatics, exotics and humans. Anyone who has the desire to assist another animal or human can easily learn HTA.”

For Humans -

“Healing Touch is a relaxing, nurturing energy therapy.  Gentle touch assists in balancing your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.  Healing Touch works with your energy field to support your natural ability to heal.  It is safe for all ages and works in harmony with standard medical care.”

I have a client, Jane, that offers Healing Touch Therapy not only for humans but for animals also, and I took the time and asked her some questions that I believe will shed some light on this new approach for “healing” the whole pet, not just the physical well being of our beloved animals.

What is the difference between Healing Touch and Reiki?

HT and Reiki are both energy modalities intended to bring balance and harmony to one’s energy field.  Healing Touch is definitely the ‘new kid on the block’, but perhaps the simplest difference to note is the HT began and continues as to be a continuing education for nurses, providing over 700 pages of standardized curriculum.  We’re taught technique specific treatments along with their applications, receive a broad background in energy science and we work within a Scoop of Practice and the HT Code of Ethics.  We work for a minimum of one year in a Mentorship program after our Level 4.

Please explain in laymen terms what exactly is Healing Touch?

Healing Touch is a gentle energy therapy which uses light or near body touch to foster relaxation and balance the energy field.  The goal is to restore healthy energy flow and support the energy system, which allows an optimal environment for self-healing to occur.  It has been shown to work on all levels of healing:  physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.

How and when did you first hear of Healing Touch?

I first heard of Healing Touch a few years ago when a colleague who had completed the training, and I attended my first HTA (Healing Touch for Animals) in the fall of 2007 and was introduced to the Healing Touch Program as part of the HTA background.  A few months later, I found my own way as a client to the table of a HT practitioner.  That experience made it clear to me that I had found a home in this work.

What levels of Healing Touch are there?

A student may enter HT or HTA – or both, and need not do so at the same time, as I did.  There are 4 levels of HTA and 5 levels for HT for humans, each leading to separate and detailed national Certification processes.  There are also what are know as “Advanced Practice” classes, optional to HT students and practitioners who have completed Level 3 or higher, and typically offered in varying locations in the country.   I have taken a 4 day class for “anatomy/Physiology for Healers’’ and also an AP class on Trauma.  There is also an annual World Wide Conference that is full of enriching classes, speakers and experiences.

Shortly after Jane completed her Level I in HTA and HT classes, she began to use this new technique on both humans and animals.  She is also certified in Reiki, so she was already familiar with using energy work as HT is referred to above.

How long is a usual “session” with an animal or human?

There is no pre-determined length of time for an HT or HTA session; they can last anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour or more.  Every situation is different and determine by circumstance and need. Most often I book an hour, especially for people, but here is always a small portion of time needed for assessment and conversation related to treatment.  But there has been great feedback and success with HT in hospital settings where it is possible to find only ten minute windows to do healing work.  Intention is everything.

Is it easier to work on animals or humans?

It would seem easier, obviously, to enter partnership with a person because they can verbalize their needs or issues.  But we also possess an equal talent for denying or overlooking what those issues really are!  ON the flip side, people rarely come to us as ‘unmanageable’, requiring us to work with their behavior or ‘come in the back door’ energetically.  I have experienced both humans and animals who have presented a variety of challenges, but happily, far greater numbers who open up to the energy.  And yes, animals have great acceptance of energy work.  As an animal lover, I hold great respect for how animals enter into healing.  With all that said, I can not imagine having to choose one over the other.

Who would benefit most from Healing Touch?

Anyone and Everyone!  HT has been found to be supportive in a wide area of issues.  Some, but far from all are: Stress reduction/anxiety, pain management, depression, cancer care, surgical preparation and recovery, wound care, headaches, back problems, trauma, spiritual/personal growth, death and dying, overall well being.

What about animals?  How would HT benefit someone’s pet?

Many of the same issues arise in the lives of our pets as they do for us. HTA can be used in many of the same challenges listed above, as well as situations like competition, behavior modification, abandonment and bonding, and during euthanasia.  IT can make profound differences in our shelter animals, as well as those with whom we share our daily lives.  And don’t think of HTA only for dogs and cats.

Summary -

Because there is so much information about HT and HTA, I broke this up into a two-part posting.  I also will provide in the second part some personal experiences I have had with HT and HTA.

http://www.healingtouchinternational.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2&Itemid=31

http://www.healingtouchforanimals.com/faq/general/healing-touch-animals-hta/

For those of you that are clients/readers I hope you don’t take offense to this little posting, but want to bring awareness to those that aren’t clients and for them to understand the “glory” of being a pet sitter.  I hope that you do see the humor in this.

Typical day for me.

Alarm goes off at 5:15 – first thought; what day of the week is it and where do I have to be?  And how long do I have ‘til I have to be there?

Up before dawn, get my dogs out, start coffee, bring my dogs in, feed dogs, feed cats and than sit down and have my cup of coffee.  It is now about 6 AM.  If I am lucky I can stay home until about 9 AM before I have to hit the road for the day, but on this day, I have to be out of the house by 6:30.  What’s the weather going to be like?  Bring a change of clothes if needed.  Cool in the AM and 80 degrees by noon, better bring shorts.

At first house by 6:45, let dogs out, bring dogs in, feed dogs, let dogs out again, give dogs some TLC, write up report, off to the next house.

Which way am I going, and where do I have to be at next?  (Yes, I do keep a day planner, but I do memorize my schedule the night before.)

Arrive at 2^nd job for the day.  Let dogs out, bring dogs in, feed dogs, give them meds, let dogs out again, pick up poop, write report, bring dogs in for some one-on-one time, finish report, put dogs back in crates.  Off to next job.

Where to this time? Oh yeah, the huskies; six of them. Go from Coatesville to Marsh Creek.  Which route should I take?  It is now about 8:15 AM.

Arrive at the huskies, change clothes before going in to let the dogs out. Yes, I can’t wear shorts and a t-shirt for this job.  It is dark brown khakis and a long sleeve t-shirt.  I have to, or I would be covered with paw prints and sometimes mud or worse.

Oh yeah, Sienna is in heat.  I have to keep Snickers separate from her, so I have to segregate the dogs and give them each some time out in the “big yard” to play.  So let 5 out first, give Snickers the smaller yard, than switch them and put the two females in the smaller yard.  Check water buckets, clean kennels if needed.  Give time with all the dogs.  Lots of rubs, lots of kisses, and I am coated with lots of hair by the time I leave.  They are shedding their winter coats.

Kennel the dogs up, treats to everyone, lock all the kennels, and I am out the door.  It is now 9:15.

Next house; Loki and Liam.  Two cats, one is a diabetic.  I hope he eats his breakfast today.  Some down time for me. 

Make small talk with the cats and get lots of head butts from Loki who likes to sit on the table while I write up the report. Liam is eating, that is good.  Give him his shot, clean litter box, check water dispenser.  Check time.  Give the kitties lots of rubs.  Pick up food dishes, finish report and I am out the door.

Where am I going to next?  Oh Yeah, “safari house”.  No this client doesn’t live in the jungle.  They just have 3 cats and 3 birds I have to take care of.  They have taken their dog with them during this weekend away, or I would have had to be here at 6:15 this morning.

Get Welcome her “meatball”, yes she eats raw food and it has to be heated first.  Feed Rummy so he stops “squawking”.  Go feed Jake and Chelsea, and try to keep Welcome away from their bowls as I make them up in the kitchen and before I take them upstairs to the two cats that live in their own room.  Give them some TLC time.  Clean box, check water in their room, than back downstairs to feed the parakeets.

Welcome ate; good.  Check for “gak”, no gak that is good too.  Yes, Welcome gets tummy issues and will throw-up from time to time.  “Keets” are fed, and now I can sit with Welcome and give her some attention too.  A couple minutes of rest.

It is now about 10:30 in the morning.  I still haven’t had breakfast only coffee.  Back into the car to the next job.

Yes, it is the Sniggles house.  Sniggles makes me smile that cat.  With his tongue hanging out of his mouth because he is missing some of his lower teeth.  He is just such a character.

Arrive at 11:00.  Take care of the outside cats first.  Fresh water, dry food, wet food, and do a head count to make sure they are all there.

Take care of Sniggles, Moo, and Myrtle.  Wash bowls, fresh water and refill dry food dish.  Baby food for Sniggles and a regular wet food for Moo and Myrtle.  Clean boxes than sit with Sniggles for some R & R time.  (Yes, I do get to relax at some of my jobs, not all.) 

Check the time.  Well I guess I will go pick up Summer now.  It is approaching 11:45.  Drive up to the other side of Coatesville off of Rt. 340 and pick up Summer.  Yes, I am putting a German Shepherd in my convertible.  Don’t usually do this, but Summer has problems getting in and out of high cars so this just makes my life easier.

Go home.  I still haven’t eaten breakfast and now it is past lunch.

Bring Summer in and let all the dogs out.  Hey now I can take a shower!  Time check.  It is now after 1 in the afternoon.  I have about 2 hours.  I guess I will clean the house some, can’t really start anything.

Out the door at 3:00, get something to eat and drink, hop in the car and off to another job.

Instead of boring you with more of “where am I going” or “where do I have to get to”.  I will summarize it for you.

This was a busy day: 14 jobs that day.  I got home at 10:30 at night, went to bed and did it all again the next day.  I have had as many as 19 jobs in a day, that’s pushing it.   

So the next time you think that being a pet sitter has a lot of glory to it, take into consideration, we are on the go all day long and usually 7 days a week.  I am usually in my car more than I am home, and it is very rare I get to sit down and eat a meal, unless it is at a restaurant.  Oh, don’t get me wrong it is better than an office job any day, but I am out in all weather, everyday of the week. I wear out a pair of shoes in about 3 months in the summer with all the walking I do.  It has many pluses, but it also has a lot of minuses too.  If I didn’t love what I did, I wouldn’t do it.  I have met a lot of great people and a lot of great pets and have many humorous stories to tell and share.

All in a day!

I will be back on track with more information concerning Western & Eastern Veterinary Medicine by the end of week.