Good Bye Sampson

The hardest thing about being a pet sitter is saying good bye to my pet friends. I had to do that this weekend. I had Sampson, the big 11 year old pain in the butt Golden Retriever that I've been caring for for the past few years. Sampson weighs 110#. He is an old guy that thinks he is still a puppy. His owner, Randy, inherited him when a relative died. He was actually second in line. The first relative had him for a short time before realizing how big, in both personality and size, Sampson really is!

Sammy kind of reminds me of the golden lab in the movie, Marly. He is kind of naughty. He loves to bark, and every chance he got, he would go run to the fence and bark at the dogs on the other side. He had to get his barking in! But, as he got older, the barking became less, and his long days of sleeping on my cool tile bathroom floor, with a fan blowing on him, increased.

Last weekend, Randy brought him over for the weekend. Sammy's left eye socket was drooping...a condition that is common in old goldens. He looked a bit sad, but, thankfully, the condition is not painful. I did notice that Sammy slept almost all weekend though....maybe to help heal the eye, or maybe just being an old guy.

I knew Randy would be moving to Seattle soon, but I didn't realize how soon. When he picked Sammy up, he mentioned having to get a crate big enought for Sammy's plane ride to Seattle for the move. I asked Randy, "Is this the last time I will see Sammy?" He said it was. Neither one of us realized this until that minute. It made me sad because I knew it was true.

So, good bye my friend....have a good life and don't stop barking. Love ya bunches.

Last Weekend

Last night I finally finished everything I needed to do at 11:40 pm. I dropped into bed and immediately fell into a beautiful deep sleep...the kind you get when you are totally and completely spent and exhausted! It's a good feeling in a way, and finally laying down and closing your eyes feels like a luxury...and it is!

As I've mentioned in earlier blog posts, summer pet sitting is very busy and this weekend was no exception. Along with the pre-scheduled pet sitting appointments I had 3 new client consultations and rented the Rug Doctor.

As crazy and exhausting as this sounds, I had a smile on my face all weekend. I love pet sitting.

My Great Pet Sitters

This blog is all about my adventures in pet sitting. I've talked about myself and the pets I care for. I need to mention my pet sitters. They are awesome. I'm really lucky to have a team of experienced, dedicated, honest pet sitters. They have great attitudes and always put the pet's needs first.

So, I just want to say thanks to Torrie, Cathy, Jeff, Fay, Suzanne, Pam, June, and Dru for the great work you do! My business could not grow without you!

My Sister's New Dog

If you follow my blog, you read about my sister's missing dog. Bonnie ran away on May 18, and despite tons of effort put in to find her, they came up empty handed.

A week ago I sent my sister a found dog listing from a shelter in Dallas, near where they live. The dog was very shaggy, but my sister thought it might be Bonnie. She jumped in the car and went down to the shelter to see. She was heart broken when she got there and it was not Bonnie. But, through a series of jumping through hoops, she was able to adopt the dog, now named Zoe Chloe.

I am happy to report that Zoe is adapting to the busy household. They figure she was owned by a senior person in a quiet home, because she is still quite nervous when things get active. But, she is doing well overall.

Zoe Chloe loves chasing water from the hose. Hopefully, some day she will learn to play with toys and fetch balls too!

Welcome home Zoe Chloe!

The first picture is of ZC riding home from the shelter. The other one is ZC meeting her brother, Fritz for the first time.

Here Comes the Weekend!

I guess I'm an odd person. I love a busy pet sitting weekend, like the one coming up. My day will start at 5:30 because I have three sets of dogs that need to get out first thing in the morning. First, I will go see my buddy, Fred. Fred is a 12 year old Pointer that acts like a puppy. Fred loves his tennis ball. When he's not chasing it, he keeps it on top of his dry food in his dish. Fred and I will go down to the common area with the tennis ball and Chuck-It. As much as Fred loves the whole fetching thing, he's only good for about 2 throws these days. After he fetches it for the second time, he runs home. He's so funny. He is definitely a dog that loves routine.

Next on my agenda are four dogs in Kuna...all beautiful, sweet boxers. Ike, Max, Lulu, and Sadie. They are crated in the garage at night, so I like to get there as late as possible at night and as early as possible in the morning so they don't have to hold it. (-; They have a huge, 1 acre shaded back yard that they get to romp around in all day long. Ike is so sweet. He likes to follow me around. I also walk the dogs. After my Kuna stop, it's off to Chinden and Eagle to let Pistol and Simba out of their crates. One of my other sitters crates them up at 10 pm, so they are crated the minimal amount of time as well. Pistol and Simba are Brittany Spaniels. They are very well trained, but Pistol is high strung. I usually let Simba have time in the back yard while I take Pistol for a walk. I really enjoy walking Pistol.

That is just the start of my pet sitting day tomorrow. After the dogs, I continue on my route to care for cats and I also have two new client consultations, one for chickens! Yeah! My first job as a chicken sitter! I get to collect eggs and everything! Stay tuned!.

I'm Looking For a Puppy Sitter

That's what the person that called me said. "Are you a puppy sitter?" she asked. I said, "Yes I am!" I think it's interesting the names people give me. I am a puppy sitter, a kitty sitter, a doggie baby sitter, and the list goes on! I am just curious as to what you call your pet sitter? How about a pet care provider, Aunty Julie, etc. I'd love to hear your comments!

Thanks!

4th of July Pet Sitting

Summer is in full swing and my clients are going on vacation in full force! This past weekend was super busy! Here is my schedule for one day....

Pet sitting is something I've always done...I remember posting flyers seeking employment as a dog walker as early as age 10. Since I can remember I've always been tasked with taking care of others pets. I didn't always get paid, but that was OK. I loved animals and I wanted to care for them. I started an official pet sitting business in 2003, after being laid off from my 'real' job. I've learned a lot about pet sitting over the past seven years and I love being a pet sitter. So, enough of that...you want to know what I do! What is a typical day in the life of a pet sitter? Here we go...July 3, 2010.

5:30 am: Alarm clock rings....ahhh...is it already morning? Yes it is. I'm actually happy to get up and going. I have a big day today because of the 4th of July holiday. My dogs stretch and get me up...breakfast time you know! I feed the dogs and jump in the shower.

6:15 am: A quick check of my email to see if any of my clients need anything. And to also confirm my schedule for the day.

6:30 am: Diet Coke and toast in hand, hair still wet, and dressed in capri pants, a tee shirt, and sandals, I say good bye to my pack and off I go.

7:00 am: My first stop is to see Bibi, Peasy, Minou, and Tawny...4 cats. Bibi is insulin-dependant, needing insulin at 7am and 7pm. Peasy is a cute tuxedo kitty. He and I have a lot of fun playing. After the shot, play-time, cleaning litter boxes, and feeding the kitties, I was on my way again.

7:45 am: Next stop on my pet sitting morning rounds is to see Rusty, an 18 year old senior kitty. Rusty sleeps a lot, but enjoys his routine of going outside and smelling all the flowers and then drinking from the fountain. He loves to be combed and purrs very loudly when I comb him. I adore him and dread the thought that he is not long for this world. After giving Rusty three medications that he always fights, cleaning the litter box, and replensihing his food and water, I am on my way again.

8:30: A quick stop to feed one of my sitter's cats, Cassandra and Boo. My sitter is doing an overnight job on the other part of town, so I offered to feed them so she wouldn't have to make a special trip home today. Back in my car and on my way again....

8:45: Time to see Katie kitty...a very social little cat that is full of personality. I picked her up and she started purring loudly. I always look forward to kitty sitting for my friend, Katie. My client's left me a note and asked me to water some outside plants and help myself to as much lettuce from the garden as I desired. Yay! I love the perks of pet sitting....what a nice treat. I was going to stop at Fred Meyer next to get some lettuce for Lil' Miss Funny Face, the turtle, but now I don't have to. After giving Katie lots of TLC, cleaning her box, feeding her and taking care of the plants, I'm on the road again.

9:30: a quick stop at the ATM to deposit last weeks' checks. It's hard to find the time to do these things.

9:45 am: Fish, geckos and Lil' Miss the turtle are next on my agenda. I prepare a bath for Lil' Miss so she can get hydrated. While she is swimming, I care for the geckos, fish, and plants. Then I clean Lil' Miss's cage and rip some of the fresh lettuce for her. I let her walk about the apartment...she loves to stretch her legs. Then I put her back into her aquarium...she dives into the pile of fresh lettuce...yummm. Back to my car and on my way.

10:30 am: Time to see Rusty and Sammy, two cutie tabby cats. Same routine as above. Sweet, social cats. Fun to see.

11:15 am: I swing down to the North end to see Iggy and Hobo....two sweet kitties. We spend all of our time on the deck, enjoying the beautiful day. After caring for them, I also water plants and turn the drip line on and off.

12 noon: Off to SW Boise to care for 3 corgis and a puppy. So cute! I take lots of photos.

1:00 pm. Back to the first kitties...Bibi needs a blood test mid-way between her shots.

2:00 pm. Home for a break! Then I jump on the computer to send updates up to my clients.

5:00 pm: Back to the corgis for dinner time, play and outside time.

5:40 pm: I head over to Mitchell and McMillan to see Max and Abby...two labs. After dinner, we enjoy a nice walk. Treat time when we get back.

7:00 pm: Round three with the first set of kitties...time for insulin.

8:00 pm. Time to visit Rusty for his second visit today. Not so many meds in the evening. He was a good boy for me.

9:00 pm. Home to take care of my pups, email clients, throw a load of wash in.

11:15 pm. Finally, I drop into bed so I can do it all again tomorrow!

Crazy schedule? Yes, but I still love pet sitting!

There you have it! What do you think now?!

My name is Julie Fredrick. I am a professional pet sitter and owner of The Pet Sitter, LLC of Boise, ID. I've been in the pet sitting business since 2003. My services include pet sitting, house sitting, dog walking, and pet taxi services. http://www.thepetsitterboise.com

The Pet Sitter of Boise - Wire fox terrier puppy playing tug o war

The Cutest Puppy in the World!

I recently had the honor and priviledge to foster the cutest puppy in the world...Rosie Posie! She is an 8 month old wire fox terrier female puppy who was relinquished because her 73 year old owner did not see any humor in Rosie's terrier antics! It does take a warped person to appreciate a wire fox terrier puppy...I am one of those people. Rosie got a wonderful home with a couple in Seattle...where she continues to challenge her new owners....good thing she is so dang cute! Yay Rosie!

Lost Dog...We're Bummed....

My sister's dog ran away from their home in Prosper, TX on May 18. She normally stays very close, so everyone is stunned by her disappearance. My sister posted flyers everywhere, but there has been only one sighting. If anyone has any advice, please respond to this post. Thanks.

Holiday Pet Sitting

I just finished a busy weekend of pet sitting. It was Memorial Day weekend. It was exhausting, but really fun as I had some dogs to walk and that always gets me out and about, which is a good thing. I wonder if other pet sitters enjoy the cat or the dog clients better. I can say that I have my favorites, both cats and dogs, but I do like the added bonus that I get from the dog jobs. I get paid to get some exercise. How cool is that? Dog walking is always enjoyable, except if it is too cold or rainy. I am fortunate that all of my dog walking clients live in nice walking areas, such as Park Center, Boise's North End, or just nice subdivisions with good walking paths.

I had another unexpected adventure this weekend. I walked into one home and into a flood! The line going to the toilet in the master bathroom had burst and the bedroom carpet was saturated. What a mess. I called the owner and he got a professional service out to handle the damage, which was pretty extensive to the bathroom, bedroom, and walk in closet. Good thing he had a pet sitter coming in...this happened on Sunday and he wasn't getting in until Wednesday!

Other than that, the weekend went pretty smoothly. Now comes summer...I'm already pretty booked up for the summer and I think it's going to be a busy one!

Bobbie's New Friend

Bobbie made a new friend, Patrick. He came over and walked her and played with her as part of his community service project. It was very cute. She really seemed to like Patrick...a kid...something she doesn't see around my house very often.

We went to the park near my house and Bobbie got to run around and have a great time. There were other dogs there and she played with them a little, but mostly just enjoyed running around with Nikki.

Thanks for your help Patrick!

Ranger's Happy Home

Ranger was adopted to a wonderful active retired couple in Portland. Ranger now lives on a floating house and his owner is an avid kayaker. Ranger is shown here in his kayaking gear. I am thrilled for Ranger. He is a good boy!

Summer Pet Sitting

Summer Pet Sitting

It seems as though I did not have a slow period in pet sitting in Boise this past year. So, I am gearing up for a busy pet sitting summer season here in Boise as families plan vacations and other things that will take them out of town.

For those planning to use a pet sitter this summer, I have the following tips:
-Plan early! Get your pet sitter lined up now! I have bookings as far out as the end of July and early August. Those clients are smart as they have already taken the prime time spots. If you do not already have a pet sitter, make sure you hire a reputable one. Here are some things to ask:
- Does the pet sitter have insurance?
- How long has the pet sitter been in business?
- Does the pet sitter have a back-up plan or other sitters who have access to all client info and schedules should an unforseen emergency come up.
- Will the pet sitter be bringing children along on pet sitting assignments? Many pet sitters with children find they have no other choice but to bring young children along with them on pet sitting assignments as children are home for the summer. Note that although many pet sitters do have insurance against damage to your home or pet caused by their children, they do not have insurance against injury to their child. It is possible that if a child is bit or injured (by pet or in your home), you are liable and your home owner's policy would be covering this. Are you willing to take on that risk? If so, I recommend purchasing an additional umbrella policy for your home. Another thing to consider is that the focus will always be on the children first and then your pets. Therefore, I highly recommend hiring a pet sitter that does not bring children or any other person along with them on the pet sitting visit.
- Does your pet sitter have black-out dates? Find a sitter that has coverage 24x7x365. You do not want to plan a trip and then get bumped due to an emergency or change in summer vacation plans of the sitter.
- Adjust pet's routine to consider hot weather, long time without a person there, etc. ie. keep air conditioning on, no long periods outside, plenty of shade and water for outdoor pets.
- Check references.
- ask for proof of a criminal background check. Many ex-felons go into business for themselves because they cannot find work with traditional employers.
- Ask for the FICO score of your sitter. Money management can be an indication of level of maturity and responsibility.

These are the main things that pertain to summer pet sitting.

Have a great summer!

Ranger the Smooth Fox Terrier

Pet sitting is not just about the pet care business. It is about community involvement and a true love of pets. I believe that's what sets some pet sitters apart from others. Not that someone in it just for the business can't do a good job, but those of us with our hearts and lives invested in animal welfare provide the true essence of what a pet sitter is, in my humble opinion.

I recently took on my new foster dog, Ranger. Ranger is a smooth fox terrier that was getting in fights with his littermate brother, Lucky. Both dogs were 3 years old before the fights started. This, unfortunately, is not all that uncommon with this breed. Ranger is such a sweet, submissive boy that it's hard to imagine that he has ever picked a fight with another dog. He was so sad the first day at my house, but now he has adapted and is growing happier day by day. If you are interested in adopting this sweetheart, please contact me!

Survived Spring Break

Well, looks like I survived spring break pet sitting for the most part! I am still pretty exhuasted for sure. I do have a busy weekend coming up and then, after that, my calendar is pretty sparse. But, as most pet sitters know, that can change pretty quickly. As the weather gets nicer, clients start waking up and spontaneously start planning little get away vacations. And they should! Seems like McCall and Sun Valley are popular right now as folks are getting in some last minute spring skiing and Mother Nature just dumped some great powder on them! So, my pet sitting adventures continue, as always!

Spring Break

Spring break is one of the busiest weeks of the year for most pet sitters. It kind of hits me from left field. There is an errie quiet before the storm right before it. Then, it just sort of hits from out of nowhere. Some of my clients plan ahead, but others call at the last minute and my schedule fills up in an instant.

The funny thing is that I love spring break. It's like reuniting with old friends. My pet friends...Boots M and Boots P, Doug, Hilda, Candy, Anna, Zoe, Sampson...the list goes on. It is also a great time for me to remember how lucky I am to be paid for dog walking in beautiful neighborhoods with great dogs. It is a very exhausting time, but fun too.

Koko the Burmese Kitty

I just finished a pet sitting job caring for Koko, a 16 year old Burmese cat. I adored her not because she was sweet and affectionate, but because she was old and wise. The first day she talked at me and told me she was not happy about me being there...filling in for her people. It was obvious that she was not happy. As the days passed, I usually arrived to a hiding Koko, or a kitty that really didn't want to be bothered by me...she would hiss at me. But, after about the 4th visit, a break-though. Koko was hiding on me and I could not find her. Suddenly, as I searched the master bedroom closet, she gave me a very faint "meow". I don't think I would have found her had she not given me that sweet clue. From there on out, she accepted me. I had to put her ever so gently and stroke her chin just right. She purred very faintly and her tail swished. She stayed on my lap and when it was time to go and I put her on the carpet, she stretched out. These baby steps meant so much to me! I adore Koko.

Skippy the English Setter

Just when I said I was taking a break from fostering, along came Skippy. Skippy is an orange belton English Setter. He was basically being 'warehoused' in a no-kill shelter in Nevada for the past 7 months. Yes, I said SEVEN months. This is my beef against no-kill shelters. They just keep dogs forever sometimes. I don't believe in this kind of life for any pet. To top things off, poor Skippy fell through the cracks and was never advertised on petfinder.com Unbelievable.

Kelley Moore rescued him and brought him to me for fostering. He is a bright, happy boy who is happy to be stretching his legs again and chasing birds in the backyard. He is being shown to a prospective adopter today, so keep your fingers crossed. He is 2 years old and it's time for him to enter the next, happier chapter of his life.

Joey's New Home

Well, after a rough start to life, Joey finally has a place to call home. His new family picked him up on Saturday and are thrilled with him. They are getting a great dog. I thouroughly enjoyed fostering Joey and Frankie for the week they were at my house. They had tremendously wonderful temperaments for 7 month old Vizsla's that had never been named or had a collar on their necks...blank slates. They were well behaved and totally non-agressive. What joyful canines! Frankie is up in Montana being fostered and all reports are good there....just need to find a forever home for him too.

The Boise Boyz Are Getting Neutered Today - SNIP SNIP!

Meet Joe and Frank - The Hardy Boys! These rescues came to me because they've never been crated and I have a chain link kennel in my garage. They are really cute and silly. They are 7 months old and are leaving tomorrow...Joe to Sandpoint and Frank to another foster home in Montana. I'm a little sad that they are being separated as they've been together their whole lives. But, onward and upward into new homes and new lives, right? So, today they are getting neutered at All Valley Animal Hospital in Meridian, ID through the most wonderful SNIP program. I'm pretty sure this was their first trip to the vet...poor boys...it will be a most memorable trip for them! By the way, these guys were given to the rescue by a backyard breeder who couldn't sell them. They started out being $950. After 7 months....well, let this be a lesson to anyone thinking the puppy business is a profitable thing!

Pilots n Paws to the Rescue Again

As seen in my previous post regarding Alex, the wire fox terrier whose owner died...Alex spent only one week at my house before being adopted in Tacoma, WA. Poor Alex...this is what the past couple weeks of Alex's life looked like...Thursday - Flew from Phoenix to Reno and was boarded for 2 days. Saturday - Drove from Reno to my house in Boise. Tuesday - Got neutered. Saturday - Got a bath and flew to Tacoma to his new home. Monday - Haircut. Poor Alex!! Well, now that this little guy has gone through everything possible, mayb now he can relax! Thank you Reyna and Eric....my heros of the week....for flying Alex from Boise to his foster home in Tacoma, WA. You rock!

Good-Bye Mr. Yang

Yang was the beloved kitty of one of our new clients. Yang ended up in the ER the second day we visited him. He was diabetic and things were not going well. After five days on fluids, Yang came home. He improved steadily for the next two weeks, and then started going down hill again. His owner tried everything and then got the diagnoses that Yang had terminal cancer. The tough decision was made to let Yang go. As a pet sitter, death of a pet is always hard on me and elicits tears every time. I knew Yang for a short time, but his royal nature grabbed at my heart strings. I will miss him. Thanks to All Valley Animal Hospital for their compassion and care for Mr. Yang.

Happy Endings

This is Mack, the 5 year old wire fox terrier, getting his new family. The guy holding Mack (white dog) had to give him up. The other family was so delighted to get him. He is doing great and fitting right in. These moments are bittersweet, but overall, Mack got a happy forever home where he will be loved and cherished. Yeah Mack!

Poor Alex

My little foster dog, Alex, has had his world turned upside down lately. Last week he flew from Phoenix to Reno, was boarded at a kennel for two days, and then hitched a ride from Reno to Boise on Saturday. He was just starting to relax in his new foster home, when, last night he got a bath. And then this morning, he didn't get breakfast. If that weren't bad enough, Alex then got dropped off at All Valley Animal Hospital in Meridian, ID to be neutered through the wonderful SNIP program. What is going on? This little guy must be beside himself...if only his owner hadn't died and sent him on this 'adventure'. Well, Alex will come home tonight missing his two precious jewels. Bad week! The good news is that a home visit has been completed and it looks like Alex will head out to Seattle next week...where he can relax, finally, with his forever home. I hope they have a nice Costco bed waiting for him!

Pilots n Paws Rocks!

Problem: A wonderful 6 year old wire fox terrier needs a new home. His name is Alex and he is in Phoenix. Alex has been tossed around since his owner diet. A foster home is available in Boise. How do we get Alex from Phoenix to Boise? Hmmm, we've got a problem!
Solution: Pilots n Paws to the rescue!

I posted a request to the pilots who volunteer through www.pilotsnpaws.org and within a day I had several offers to get Alex flown to me! Jack Wood, a wonderful volunteer pilot, flew Mr. Alex from Phoenix to Reno. Alex is being boarded there until Kelley Moore picks him up on Saturday and drives him back to Boise.

I would like to thank not only Jack Wood, but my wonderful rescue folk volunteers on the Phoenix and Reno end of this transport. Follow my blog for updates on Alex. He gets neutered on Tuesday (ouch!) and then will be available for adoption. Cool!!

-Julie

Burmese Mountain Dog Weekend

When it rains it pours! Between my sitters and me (The Pet Sitter, LLC), we are caring for 4 Burmese Mountain dogs between two families. They are really wonderful dogs! Big teddy bears! When we are out walking them, people come up to see them. They are like people magnets because they are so incredibly cute! They just make me so happy....they are big, lovable creatures. If you haven't seen one, look them up...they are cool dogs!



Read more about Bernese Mountain Dog information at www.greatdogsite.com

New Web Post

check it out.

This is Bella, my latest foster dog. She is a 1 year old border collie mix. She is all border collie in personality....curious, playful, and smart. She is smart enough to ignore any command I give her. She is truly a blank slate. My friend, Joan Smith, president of IDAWG, says Bella is her kind of dog. Joan thinks she has all the cool border collie traits and has potential in agility and herding and all that border collie stuff. It will be fun watching her blossom.

The Happy Cat

I thought you might want to see what a happy cat looks like! See YouTube video..
http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Le6FbntPWYM

Boots Again

Boots is one of my favorite cats. I think it is because he is a snuggler. He'll put his head on my chest and just purr. I adore him. He also has quite the personality. He loves his treats and also his bath water...yep...he demands that I put just a little fresh water in the bath tub each time I visit. This is where he drinks his water.

I also think Boots is gorgeous. He is a tuxedo kitty...my favorite. Kitties like Boots make my day and always bring a smile to my face.

Welcome to 2010!

Wow, 2009 just flew by! I am excited to be starting off the new year with new goals for my business. Watch for big changes.

I am very excited to have some new sitters on board...Dru Jackson, Torrie Lacy, Suzanne Padilla, and Stacy Doran. I am truly blessed with with a great crew.

Follow my blog in 2010 for more stories and fun!