Power Pet Sitter: New Scheduling Software

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Power Pet Sitter logoThanks to you, our wonderful and loyal clients, Gwinnett Pet Watchers continues to grow as a company in a time when many others are not so fortunate. Due to the increase in business and the addition of many new clients, we have undergone some recent changes that we would like to share with you.

In order to keep our services up to your standards we have invested in new virtual scheduling software, Power Pet Sitter. We now ask that all clients utilize this software to schedule new appointments and make changes to existing ones. In the past we were able to accept appointment requests and schedule changes by emails, texts, and phone calls. However, the increase in business has brought an overwhelming amount of texts and calls daily, so it is no longer practical to attempt to accommodate all of these changes through so many means of communication. Please be assured that this does not mean we do not want to talk to you; we just want to ensure that no mistakes are made when it comes to your pets. The Power Pet Sitter service helps Gwinnett Pet Watchers to eliminate any scheduling conflicts or miscommunications that may be due to human or technological error.

If you have not already signed up for the Power Pet Sitter service, please do so by clicking here. You can also access this service by visiting the home page of the Gwinnett Pet Watchers’ website and clicking on the ‘New Clients Register’ button. Once you create your account, you will be able to:

  • Schedule or make changes to appointments 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
  • Update your pet’s profile at your leisure, even if you forget to do so before you head out of town – this means no more worrying, “Did I remember to tell Robin that Fido takes a new medicine with his evening meal?”
  • Instantly find out what each service costs before being receiving a bill

One thing that makes Gwinnett Pet Watchers stand apart from other pet sitting companies is our flexible schedule and ability to accommodate last minute changes. We want to keep that flexibility, but do so while knowing that the new scheduling software provides us with a safety net to make sure that no pet falls between the cracks. We understand that from time to time everyone has last minute emergencies and schedule changes, and we will make sure you are taken care of when these instances occur. This means that last minute emergency schedule changes will continue to be accommodated via phone call and/or text message. If direct calls and texts are used only for emergency situations, it will be more workable for us. If you must make a change by text or phone call we ask that you please follow up with an email restating the change as soon as you are able. Please note that we will still be sending daily text message updates to those clients who like receiving them.

Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. Thank you for understanding!

Best,
Robin TaylorCat on Computer

Plants Poisonous to Dogs

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With spring here many of us are spending more time outside, and our dogs are outside with us.  If you have just gotten a protect you dog from poisonous plantsnew dog or puppy, or maybe  moved into a new home, take a look around for thing that  could be dangerous.

Some things you might want to look at are the plant life in your yard, especially if you have a puppy or young dog that loves to bite and chew.

Below is an article written by Jenna Stegowski, RVT

Many types of plants and flowers can be poisonous to your dog. Effects range from mild to severe depending on the type of plant and the quantity consumed. Some plants will only cause slight stomach upset, while others can cause seizures, coma or even death. Learn about the plants in your yard and neighborhood that are dangerous and be sure your dog does not have access to them. Ideally, toxic plants on your own property should be removed. Houseplants are a bit easier to control – simply do not keep toxic plants inside your home and you have removed the risk. If you are planning to get new plants or flowers, research them ahead of time to learn whether or not they are toxic.

Find out what plants and flowers may be poisonous to dogs with the following list of common toxic plants and flowers. Please note that this is not a complete list. If you have a particular plant in mind for your home or yard, you should thoroughly research it first. If you suspect your pet has come into contact with a potential toxin, please contact your vet or animal poison control immediately.

Plants Poisonous to Dogs

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME SYMPTOMS WHEN INGESTED
Aloe Aloe vera vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, depression, tremors, change in urine color
Amaryllis Amaryllis sp. vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, depression, abdominal pain, excessive salivation, tremors
Apple and Crabapple Malus sylvestrus seeds, stems and leaves can result in red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting and shock
Autumn Crocus/Meadow Saffron Colchicum autumnale oral irritation, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, shock, organ damage, bone marrow suppression
Azalea/Rhododendron Rhododendron spp. vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation, weakness, coma, death
Calla Lily/Trumpet Lily/Arum Lily Zantedeschia aethiopica oral irritation and pain, excessive salivation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Castor Bean/Castor Oil Plant Ricinus communis oral irritation and burning, increased thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, kidney failure, convulsions; Note: beans are highly toxic
Chrysanthemum/Mum/Daisy Chrysanthemum spp. vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation, loss of coordination, dermatitis
Cyclamen Cyclamen spp. excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, heart arrhythmias, seizures, death
Daffodil/Narcissus Narcissus spp. vomiting, salvation, diarrhea, convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors, heart arrhythmias
Dumbcane Dieffenbachia oral irritation and burning, excessive salivation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Elephant Ears Caladium hortulanum and Colocasia esculenta oral irritation and burning, excessive salivation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
English Ivy Hedera helix vomiting, abdominal pain, excessive salivation, diarrhea
Foxglove Digitalis purpurea heart arrhythmias, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, death
Hosta Hosta plataginea vomiting, diarrhea, depression
Hyacinth Hyacinthus orientalis vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors
Hydrangea Hydrangea arborescens vomiting, diarrhea, depression
Iris Iris species excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy
Lily of the Valley Convallaria majalis vomiting, irregular heart beat, low blood pressure, disorientation, coma, seizures
Marijuana/Hashish Cannabis sativa depression, vomiting, loss of coordination, excessive salivation, dilated pupils, low blood pressure, low body temperature, seizure, coma
Mistletoe/American Mistletoe Phoradendron flavescens gastrointestinal complications, cardiovascular collapse, difficulty breathing, slow heart rate, behavior changes, vomiting, diarrhea
Oleander Nerium oleander vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, shallow/difficult breathing, muscle tremors, collapse, cardiac failure
Peace Lily Spathiphyllum oral irritation and burning, excessive salivation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Philodendron Philodendron spp oral irritation and burning, excessive salivation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Pothos/Devil’s Ivy Epipremnum aureum oral irritation and burning, excessive salivation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Sago Palm Cycas revoluta, zamia species vomiting, black (tarry) stools, jaundice, increased thirst, bruising, blood clotting problems, liver damage, death
Schefflera Schefflera oral irritation and burning, excessive salivation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Tobacco Nicotiana glauca hyperexcitability then depression, vomiting, loss of coordination, paralysis
Tulip Tulipa species vomiting, depression, diarrhea, excessive salivation
Yew/Japanese Yew Taxus sp. sudden death from acute cardiac failure (early signs include muscular tremors, difficulty breathing, seizures

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION

In case of toxin exposure, keep a list of important phone numbers in a visible, easily accessible location. Be sure pet sitters and other people who might be in your home are aware of the location of the list. The following phone numbers should be included:

  1. Your primary veterinarian
  2. One or more nearby 24-hour veterinary emergency clinics
  3. ASPCA Poison Control: (888) 426-4435 ($50 fee)
  4. Animal Poison Hotline: 888-232-8870 ($35 fee)
  5. Pet Poison Hotline: 800-213-6680 ($35 fee)
  6. An emergency contact number for you and your dog’s co-owner (if applicable).

Domino’s DNA Testing

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Back then the DNA Kits were a little bit expensive back around $90.00.  But if you watch you can catch them on sale for under $60.00.

The hardest part about getting the sample was isolating the dog.  In my house we have dogs, a cat, and even a bunny rabbit. So we had to put Domino in a room by himself, no toys (not that he would care) that another animal may have had in their mouth, clean water bowl … After two hours we went in and got our swap, put it in the envelop that came with the kit, and put it in the mail box. Then waited for the answer, Border Collie or imposter!

It did not take long  to get a package in the mail from BioPet.  With anticipation we all made our last bets then opened it … Imposter!  I knew it!  It turns out that Domino is German Shepherd Dog, Chow Chow and Labrador Retriever …. Not a drop of Border collie not even a little bit!

Most of you would think the fun would end their but no now instead of saying, “He doesn’t act anything like a Border Collie,” we say, “That’s the chow in him!” Even his groomer says, “See, that’s the German Shepherd in him.”  Goodness we love our Domino no matter what his ancestry is.

On that same Christmas I gave a DNA kit to my kids for their new pup Bella… great minds think a like! But as they say, that is another story for another day.

Be safe and have fun.

DNA Testing

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There are those of us who never get to go out and pick a new pet — rather, they seem to pick us. You open your door one Animal loverday and there they are. Or you’re driving to work and you see the sad eyes of an abandoned cat or dog. Or the universe says it’s time for the Taylor household to have a new pet! For those like me, we can end up with a strange assortment of pets. Most of time we don’t know a lot about their background and never got a chance to meet mom and dad. We just open our hearts and love them and they love us back. Not a bad deal for either party.

As our new friend grows we notice certain traits and sometimes I find myself saying “He must have Lab in him,” or “That’s the Border Collie in her.” We sit around with our friend and look at the shape of their heads and the length of the tail and come up with what breed we think they are and argue our points. When we are at the vets we ask the vet to get their opinion, and when they have a different idea of our dog’s ancestry we will argue our point. We find ourselves telling the vet how he does this like a Beagle or she looks just like another German Shepherd-Collie mix you had as a child.

Well now all the guesswork can be put to the real test with DNA testing for dogs! That’s right, we can now test our dogs for their heritage. I know some of you may be thinking that it would take the fun out of guessing what Fido is mixed with, but it doesn’t, it just adds another level. And yes, you can still argue with the test results.

Let me tell you about my family’s fun with DNA testing.

Eight years ago I was looking for a playmate to keep my female Border Collie Australian Shepherd mix Suzie (Psycho Suzie). Suzie was nonstop full of energy and smart, smart, smart –  but also crazy. We never even saw her lay down until she was four years old. Needless to say I wanted a calmer dog. Still needed one with lots of energy to keep up with Suzie but with a calmness we hoped would rub off (Suzie was badly abused before she adopted us, but that is another story). So in comes Domino. I adopted Domino from the Border Collie rescue group out of South Carolina and what a beautiful boy he is; he is the poster child for a Border Collie. With his beautiful long black coat with majestic white mane encircling his neck, he could be on a Border Collie calendar.

As he settled in, the family noticed that he looked like a Border Collie on the outside but he did not have a single Border Collie trait. Hell, he won’t even fetch! Believe me some of the missing Border Collie traits were a blessing (anyone who knows how has Border Collies are, no matter how much we love them … can we say intense!?). But not Domino. When he is in the house he lays down and sleeps. No squeak toys for him, no bringing a ball over and dropping it at your feet, no following you everywhere you go in the house, in other words, no Border Collie traits! Not one! In this case even the vet and his groomer thought he was a Border Collie. Once when I explained to my vet that I thought Domino might be an impostor, he chuckled and told me to be thankful. After all, he knew Psycho Suzie!

Well, for the Christmas of 2009, I got a wonderful Christmas present from my son and his fiancée: a DNA kit from BioPet. I looked around at all of my dogs but my son made it clear that it was to be used on Domino to see once and for all if he was a Border Collie or an impostor…

Rescue or Buying

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It seems very popular to say, “I have ‘rescued’ this animal.” In the past many people went to the “pound” to get a pet, but Rescue a Puppynow it is all about rescue. Gee whiz I thought I was rescuing when I went to the pound and got a dog. I think there is a big difference between rescue and pound animals. The animals that are lucky enough to be grabbed up by a rescue group normally go into a foster home. So when you adopt from them they can tell you a lot about the dog, like if is she good with other dogs, cats, or had a problem with strangers, and so on. When you go directly to the shelter you do not get much information. If you are a newbie to pet ownership you should think about going through a rescue group or buying from a reputable breeder

On the other hand I also hear people condemn people who buy a dog from a good breeder. Why? They say there are too many dogs that don’t have homes, too many dogs in our shelters. I agree with both of those statements but do not agree with the view that buying a dog from a reputable breeder is wrong. We seem to have gotten confused with where the problem began — with backyard breeders, those people who refuse to have their dogs neutered or spayed, and puppy mills. I would stand by stricter laws to govern the backyard breeders, the puppy mills and people who do not alter their pet, but in my mind there is nothing wrong with purchasing a puppy from a good breeder. A good breeder takes the time to make sure her puppies are socialized, usually housebreaks them, and they are very choosy about who gets one of their puppies. A reputable breeder keeps records of any kind of illnesses or diseases and is always willing to take a dog back if something happens that causes the family to be unable to keep the dog.

Sometimes trying to get a dog from a rescue group can be quite frustrating. They have many rules and regulations and in many ways these are good. The problem comes when there is no common sense used in the application of the rules. One of the rescue groups I know of has a rule that if you do not have a fenced in yard, you can not adopt one of their dogs. I know many people who have owned dogs all their lives and have never had a fenced in yard. The dogs had wonderful lives, they were walked, taken for runs in parks and taken camping, and yet the answer is still no.

I have known people who have tried to work with rescue groups that were turned down because they had a child under 10 in their household. I certainly realize that young children are not always ready to handle a dog but that’s not always true. There are many children who have been raised with dogs and are perfectly fine with them, but again the answer is just no.

I hear rescue groups send out messages, “Urgent, need help, foster homes, need adoptive parents,” and yet when people want to adopt they hit this brick wall. I realize a lot of this is a way of protecting dogs from bad situations, but I just don’t see any common sense being used. I don’t see people looking at a situation and evaluating that situation before making a decision.

All these brick walls end up sending people who would like to rescue a dog trying to find a reputable breeder instead. Unfortunately not all of these people know how to tell who is reputable and who is not and they end up purchasing a puppy from a backyard breeder or a puppy mill. There has to be a better way for everyone to work together, to make sure that people who want a dog and who are responsible enough to have a dog get one without supporting bad breeders.

What are your thoughts? What are your experiences? Are you as frustrated as I am?

Are You Ready for a Rescue Dog?

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Lucy, Jake, George and I were at the park going for a walk today when we came upon a woman who had two small dogs. One of the dogs was barking and just uncontrollable, not behaving very well. We stopped to talk to the woman about it and her instant explanation was that he was a rescue. What a cliche that has become. It seems everywhere I go when a dog is misbehaving the owner says “She is a rescue,” and that is somehow supposed to excuse this bad behavior. Now we all understand that when we do take on a rescue dog sometimes there are some behavioral problems, but it’s not an excuse for a lifetime of this behavior. When we take on a new dog we take on the responsibility of training and spending time doing what you need to do to make that dog both a good companion and a good community dog.

I know this stance will not make me very popular, but if you’re not willing to take the time, or invest the money in training, then maybe a rescue is really not the type of dog you need. You might be better off going to a good breeder who has started the training for you; someone who has already done the beginning of socialization and has raised the puppy in a loving family environment that will fit in with your lifestyle. You will still need to invest time and money in training but you know you are not dealing with a dog that has been abused or mistreated.

A great article to read before going forward with pet adoption is this one from the Humane Society: Are You Ready To Adopt A Pet? Ten Questions

That said, there is no better feeling than taking a rescue dog and working with that animal to help it overcome its past — to watch an animal that has been abused learn how to be a dog, learn how to be a pet and learn how to be well behaved part of your family. What a wonderful feeling when you see this animal blossom; but don’t think that comes without a lot of work and money. Sometimes you will have to hire a private trainer or someone who specializes in animals with behavior problems. But being a rescue is not an excuse for animal to continue to misbehave.

Before you adopt a dog that has been abused or traumatized you need to take a good look at yourself and your family situation. You need to be honest. How much time are you willing to dedicate to this dog? How much money do you have to put into rehabilitation? How much experience do you have? One question that I think is overlooked most of the time is whether the whole family has agreed to be part of the rehabilitation of this animal. These are questions that should be answered before anyone takes on an animal that has behavioral problems.

If you don’t have the experience, the patience, or the money, then you need to give a second thought to rescuing a dog that has emotional problems. It does not make you a bad person or any less of a dog lover, it’s just a reality. The last thing we want is to add to the problems this animal already has. Try and make sure that the dog that you adopt does not have problems that you are not ready to handle. After all, it’s a lifetime commitment.

Here is a great website for training rescue dogs and a great place to start out: Rescue Doggie

Be safe and have fun!

Peanut Butter Apple Dog Biscuits

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Peanut Butter and Apple Dog Biscuits

 

1 1/2 cup whole wheat flower

Dogs love this recipe!1 1/2 Cup White unbleached flourPeanut Butter and Apple dog treats

1 cup rolled oats

1 1/2 cup water

1/2 cup peanut oil

1/2 cup smooth peanut butter

1/4 cup diced dried apples

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 large eggs

 

Preheat oven to 350 digress; Blend together the apple, water, vanilla, eggs and peanut oil. Stir in the flower, oats, to form soft dough. Roll the dough into balls, put on a baking sheet, flatten (I rolled out and used cookie cutter) Bake for 25 minutes or until hard and crisp

 

Carrot and Oatmeal Dog Treats

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This is an easy to make wholesome treat for your dog.  It is an easy way to increase the intake of vegetables in your dog’s diet.

2 cups whole wheat flour

Dog treats made with carrots and oatmeal2 cups cooked and pureed carrotsCarrot and oatmeal puppy treats

2 large eggs

1 cup oatmeal

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon canola oil

¼ cup wheat germ

 

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine and mix the carrots, eggs and oil.  In a separate bowl combine the remaining dry ingredients.  Mix both bowls together and knead until becomes a soft dough. Roll out on a floured surface and cut into desired shapes.  Bake 35-40 minutes. Turn off the oven and remove cookies. Allow to cool for 15 minutes and then return to the warm oven to dry for about an hour

 

Molasses Peanut Rewards

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Molasses Peanut Rewards

Molasses is a sweetener that is actually good for your dog, providing manganese and other trace minerals.

Use natural peanut butter in dog treats 4tbsp blackstrap molassesMolasses Peanut Butter Dog Rewards

1/2 cup of peanut butter

1 cup water

6 tbsp vegetable oil

11/2 cups rolled oats

2 cups wheat flour

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk the molasses, peanut butter, water and vegetable oil. Combine the oats and flour.  Slowly add to the wet ingredients. Mix and drop tablespoon (large) teaspoons (mid) onto baking sheet and press down. Bake for 25-30 or till firm. Calories 84g, Protein 2.2g, carbohydrates 9.3g, Dietary Fiber 1.6g, Fat 4.5g

 

Baggage

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When I rescued Domino he was 4 years old. He started his life by being abandoned on a beach in South Carolina. He was a lucky boy and was taken to a no-kill shelter Paws Place Inc. where he was adopted out several times and then returned for one reason or another. The last time a man with two sons adopted Domino but the man brought him back because “his kids did not feed him on time.” After that Domino was depressed and he started to lose weight because he would not eat, so the shelter Domino the dogplaced him in a foster home. That is where I first met him. When Domino came home with me he was very reserved. He did not play with humans. He would just sit and watch my family, not sure he wanted to join in. You could see that he was guarding his heart. He was not going to fall in love with another family just to be discarded. It took Domino 4 months to decide to be part of my family and it was nothing that I did. My niece Rachel was coming down for her summer visit. Rachel’s dad had passed away a couple of years earlier and since then she always spent a week or two with Aunt Robin in the summer. This special day we planned a day at the lake. We rented a pontoon boat and some jet skis – of course the dogs came along. It was having all the kids around for the week that brought Domino out of his shell. I am telling you the truth when I say I could see the look on his face when he decided it was safe and he wanted to be part of my family. Domino is now 14 years old loves to go for walks or play at the dog park. He still does not play with humans, but he will let you pet him and once in a while he will bestow upon you one of his rare kisses. Rachel is now 22 years old and will be down for her visit this week. I am so lucky that my life has been full of people like Rachel and dogs like Domino. Following is a poem that was given to me the day I adopted Domino. I may not know a lot of things; but I do know I never want to add Baggage!

Happy domino

Baggage

By Evelyn Colbath, (c)1995, All rights reserved

Now that I’m home, bathed, settled and fed,

All nicely tucked in my warm new bed.

I’d like to open my baggage

lest I forget

There is so much to carry –

So much to regret.

 

Hmm . . . Yes there it is, right on the top.

Let’s unpack Loneliness, Heartache and Loss;

And there by my leash hides Fear and Shame.

As I look on these things I tried so hard to leave –

I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain.

I loved them, the others, the ones who left me,

But I wasn’t good enough – for they didn’t want me.

Will you add to my baggage? Will you help me unpack?

Or will you just look at my things –

And take me right back? Do you have the time to help me unpack?

To put away my baggage, to never repack?

I pray that you do –

I’m so tired you see, But I do come with baggage –

Will YOU still want ME?