Hire a Pet Sitter BEFORE you need one

While looking at Pet Sitting job sites I was surprised by how many people were just posting "today" for a Pet Sitter to start "tomorrow".

Establish a relationship with a local pet sitter BEFORE you have an emergency. If you are suddenly called out of town, get injured, or if a family member gets sick and you have to go with them to the hospital, that is no time to try to find a pet sitter. 

Find a local sitter while all is well and you have time to check them out.

The pet sitter also needs to meet your pets to make sure the situation is amenable to both pets and sitter. Most sitters will come to your house and meet your pets for free. It would even be a good idea to pay your chosen pet sitter to come by once a month to play with your pets, feed them, and/or take them for a walk.

If an emergency arises, your pets will already be comfortable with the sitter, your sitter will already have your key and know your pets' schedules (exercise, feeding, medications), and your sitter will trust that he/she will get paid if you don't have time to leave a check at that moment. (I ask for money up front but if someone is a regular in good standing, I make exceptions.)

Your poor little furry babies will be stressed enough by your stress without having to deal with a stranger. Find a pet sitter and build a trusting relationship while life is going well.

Robyn's Pet TLC FB Page


Robyn's Pet TLC Website

My Dog Walk Gear

Dog Walking is fun, healthy and rewarding. I love my job. I've also learned that to keep it uncomplicated and safe for me and your dog, I must keep some essentials close to me.

POCKETS - in my shirt, in my pants, in my jackets. Hands are for leashes.

GLOVES - yes, even in summer I wear lightweight bamboo garden gloves. The photo shows the damage cause by a bolting dog dragging a leash across bare skin.  Hard to hold a leash when you're in pain. (Relax, this is not my finger.)
LONG PANTS - of substantial material - leashes can do this same damage to legs and ankles.

STURDY SHOES - clogs and flip flops are useless in brush and mud puddles. 

PHONE - I give dogs in my care all my attention but have my phone in one of those many pockets for emergencies. I have client numbers and vet names. I occasionally take a pet photo to delight a loving pet owner.

HIGH PITCHED WHISTLE - that and keeping my head up to watch for other dogs is the best and most humane defense. Keep it accessible. 

PET EMERGENCY KIT - The Red Cross site gives a list of supplies to carry, a few things in one of my many pockets, more in my car. I took a Pet First Aid and CPR course at Virginia Beach SPCA. http://www.vbspca.com

SPARE LEASH & TREATS - in case a leash breaks. Inspect dog's collars and leashes, every time. Some dogs chew on their leashes and sometimes an owner will loosen a collar for comfort at home and not retighten it before my walk. A spare fits in a pocket.

LARGE PLASTIC CRATE  - in my car, filled with: Poop Bags, biodegradable. Paper Construction Booties -  No mud or poop in your house or in my car. LED Collar Cover - fits over existing collar with velcro tabs. They have a steady light and a flashing mode.  Old Towels - for drying dogs or keeping them warm etc.

Water, Credit Card, ID, Business Cards,  ‘Weather Essentials’ such as hat, warm gloves, scarves, rain gear, mud shoes, sun screen, sun glasses, hand warmers.

TOYS - for playing with dogs in their yards, I bring the nearly indestructible but soft-to-the-mouth dog balls and frisbees so the dog can’t chew off and swallow loose bits or hurt their mouths on hard toys. Never give a dog a toy small enough to swallow. 

MUSIC - makes it relaxing and fun. On my phone I have several calming backgrounds for a play session or an after walk massage. Pet themed songs by Norah Jones, George Clinton, Hank WIlliams, John Hiatt, Jimmy Scott, Lightnin’ Hopkins are great for sing-alongs. Dogs show their appreciation for every sour note by rubbing up against me, sometimes even howling along.

As long as I am well-supplied and prepared if an emergency does arise, I can relax and enjoy the outdoors and the exercise with your fur-babies, my new-found work-out mates. 

Robyn's Pet TLC Website
Robyn's Pet TLC FB Page