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Introduction to my family

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Hi everyone!  I thought I would take this opportunity to introduce you to my current 4 legged family.   I want to say first that I have never sought out a pet.  I haven’t needed to.  Dogs and cats (so far no other species of animals) just sort of show up in my life in one way or another, as you will soon see.

First up, my cat Iddy.  He was about 8 weeks old when I got him and he will be 10 years old in March 2023. My friend showed up at my house with him one day and I instantly fell in love.  My friend wanted to name him Chris Jr. (Chris is the friend’s name who brought me the kitten), and instead of saying heck no, I just gave him a nickname, and because he was so small, I nicknamed him Iddy for iddy biddy (or itty bitty) and it just stuck.  He is a beautiful cat and I just adore him. He is loving and affectionate.

Second is my cat Oliver.  When Iddy was about 8 months old, I had a petsitting client who did not want their cat.  They had gotten the cat as a gift from a boyfriend and did not even like cats that much or was not even looking for a pet.  **Do not give a pet as a gift!  It rarely works out.**  I could tell that this client did not want the cat so I offered to take him.  I named him Oliver because she had named him Blue and I did not like that.  Oliver was 9 months old when he moved in with me so he will be 10 years old in February 2023.  He is loving and affectionate and loves to lay around and look out the window.  Oliver and Iddy are best friends and have spent a lifetime playing and loving on each other.

Hawkeye…as a petsitter, I was not going to adopt or take any dog in because I was not home enough to take on a dog.  I was perfectly content with my 2 cats and getting to hang out with all of my dog clients.  One day, back in 2019, I saw a post on Facebook that someone had found a loose dog.  She said that the dog looked in pretty bad shape and this person was hoping to find the owner.  On the FB post, the owner was found and it somehow was communicated that she was willing to give up the dog.  She didn’t even know the dog had gone missing.  Something compelled me to say that I would take the dog and so the owner and Hawkeye came to my house; not for a trial run, but for me to take him.  Hawkeye is his original name but who doesn’t love MASH so I didn’t change it.  But I cannot believe that I got him sight unseen!  What if he went aggressively after my cats?  He was 10 when I got him and that was 3 years ago (as of 2022).  According to his previous owner, he was a 100% outdoor dog.  He was highly medically neglected.  Half his body had no fur and his skin was infected.  It was determined after an immediate vet visit that it was from fleas.  His skin was oozing from infection.  I can’t even imagine.  He had 2 ear infections.  He had an abscessed tooth that was leaking out of a hole below his eye.  And he had some other minor problems but can’t remember them now.  Hawkeye and I have a special connection that is hard to explain.  He is spoiled rotten, is very demanding, and is very healthy.  He is 13 but he acts like he is 5.  He plays with my other dog (Molly) and he loves to go on off leash hikes and walks.

Molly…a friend (same friend that brought me Iddy) said that a friend of his picked up a dog that was walking down the side of a highway.  His friend had her for a few months but my friend was concerned that they were not taking care of her.  While they had good intentions by saving her from being hit by a car, they couldn’t afford anything for the dog.  No food or flea medicine.  They gave her scraps of people food and she was infested with fleas.  I said yes immediately to taking her.  Probably because she was/is a 15 lb. poodle.  She couldn’t be that much work right?  Before I picked her up we gave her a capstar and the fleas were flying off of her.  Poor girl.  The vet guessed her between 3 and 5 although she acts like she is a puppy.  Just full of energy!  She came into my life in September of 2020 and she is just an absolute joy!  Just a happy girl!  She hadn’t been spayed (I got her spayed) and so I always wonder what her life was like before she was found wandering down a highway.  Was she a puppy mill dog?  I think she was well cared for and I feel bad that someone was probably missing her.  Miss Molly is deaf but that doesn’t slow her down a bit!

And last…Beckham.  Beckham is my 7 year old 80 pound labradoodle that I adopted in October of 2021 when he was 6.  I had been taking care of Beckham as his dogwalker since he was 4 months old and so when his family didn’t want him anymore, it was a no brainer that I take him.  He is very high energy and very high maintenance.  I feel like I say his name or tell him to sit or tell him no or do all 3 like 100 times a day!!! But my life would not be complete without him in my life.  He is so sweet and loving.

So you got a pandemic puppy and now have to go back to work and the kids are back in school

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A lot of people got a puppy or a dog during 2020.  That was the one good thing that came out of the pandemic.  Some people got a pup because they had a lot of extra time on their hands and so therefore had time for a puppy.  Some people sought out a puppy because they were lonely in isolation and wanted a companion.  Others got a puppy as a way of coping during the pandemic.  Whatever the reason, good for you!  The shelters and the rescues are very grateful for this.

But now you are going back to work and the kids are back in school and you are worried about leaving your new companion at home for long hours when they were use to having you home all of the time.  Separation anxiety is real!  Both for the dog, but also for you as the owner.  Some of the behaviors that you might start to see as you stay gone longer are your pup may whine or howl.  They may start to pee or poop in the house.  They may tear up stuff such as papers or pillows or scratch obsessively at the door.  They may pace constantly or try to escape. They may drool or pant excessively.

So what can you do to help your pup with the transition of going back to work? There are several things that you can do.  A few weeks before you go back to work you can start to leave the house longer and longer.  So at first leave for a few minutes, then make it longer each time.  Give a puzzle or a long lasting treat to your dog to occupy him or her while you leave.  Don’t make a big deal out of leaving.  Don’t make it a production. Your pup may start to get nervous when they see signs you’re about to leave, like putting on your shoes or picking up your keys. So do those things, but then don’t leave. For example, put on your shoes but then sit down at the table, or pick up your keys and then go do something else like watch tv. Do this over and over many times before you head back to work.  Make sure that your pup gets plenty of exercise.  A tired pup will be a less anxious pup. Leave a piece of clothing around so that your pup can smell you while you are gone.  There are calming treats available that you can give your pup.  And along with all of the things above, the most important thing you can do is hire a professional dogwalker!!  When a dogwalker comes to your house in the middle of the work day, your dog will get socialization with other people and other dogs, they will get good exercise which will help them feel more relaxed, and they will get some good TLC to help them get through the day until you get home.  And finally, ask your vet for more suggestions that pertain specifically to your dog.

Some people will unfortunately rehome their dog once they go back to work.  They may find that they cannot have a dog and be at work and have the kids at school.  It has been reported that the shelters are once again filling up.  But most people are seeking out professional dogwalkers or even doggie day care.  I recommend having a professional dogwalker come to your house while you are at work.  It does not have to be every day.  It can be two or three times a week.  It is a nice break for your dog to get out of the house and get some exercise and some socialization, and it may keep you from having to rehome your beloved family member.

In summary, now that we are going back to work, what do we do with our beloved pet?  Especially if they are showing signs of separation anxiety.  Start early in getting your pup use to you leaving.  Get some toys or puzzles to keep your dog occupied while you are gone.  And finally HIRE A PROFESSIONAL DOGWALKER!!

 

Covid-19 and Your Pet

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Okay, so we have all heard about a few cases of pets having Covid-19.  Pets are not spreading the virus to other humans, however we still need to take the same precautions that we do with other humans with our pets.  Below are some of the things that we can do to keep us and out pets safe and healthy.

  • Limit your pet’s interactions with other people and large groups.
  • Keep your dog on a maximum 6 feet leash when walking them.
  • Keep cats indoors.
  • Do NOT put a mask on your pet, and do NOT put disinfectant or alcohol or hydrogen peroxide on your pets fur or skin.

If you (the human) are sick with Covid-19:

  • Restrict or avoid direct contact with your pet. This includes petting, licking, kissing and snuggling!
  • If possible, have another person take care of your pets while you are sick.
  • If you have to take care of your pet while you are sick, always wear a mask when dealing with your pet, and wash your hands before and after your interaction with your pet.

If you are sick and you suspect that your pet might be sick:

  • Avoid contact with other humans and other pets.
  • Call your vet. Do NOT go to your vet!  Most vets are not even letting people and their pets into the facility.  Most vets are coming out to your car to get the pet.  But if you are sick with Covid-19, the vet may be able to help you over the phone or with a telehealth “visit”.
  • If you must have direct contact with your pet, wash your hands after touching pets, their food, their waste, or other things your pet may be in contact with.
  • Definitely keep sick pets away from vulnerable people such as young children and people with weakened immune systems, and people 65 years of age and older.

The research so far shows that there is a small risk that humans can spread Covid-19 to animals, but a very low risk of pets passing Covid-19 to humans.  It is still important to practice all of the recommendations that we have for human to human interaction with our pets as well.

Comfy Critters will take all of the precautions that is suggested and/or required by the CDC and the Governor.  We will always wear a mask during a meet and greet.  We will always wear gloves and/or use baby wipes.  We will wipe down every place we touched in your home with Lysol or something similar to Lysol.  I myself took a Covid-19 Certification Course for Petsitters and Dogwalkers through Petsitters International (PSI) and me and my staff will be implementing safety protocols with new clients as well as current clients.

 

 

 

Comfy Critters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking