Housesitting

You know that sad look your pup gets when you pull out the suitcase? How about that excited dance they do when we pull up to take them to the park, but to their surprise, end up moving in for a few days.... Travel doesn't have to be bad news for your pup - Chris and I are both available for housesitting! Here are a few reasons why you want ballwalkpark to move in next time you head out of town:

We have a good time! 

Good for your pup:

• Dogs are creatures of habit, they love routine. Staying in their home, with familiar sights, sounds and smells. Everyone likes the comfort of their own home, right?
• Daily routine is uninterrupted - your pup will be going to the park, with the same pups and same people that he/she is used to. We do our best to keep the routine at home as similar to yours as possible with feeding and walk times.  
• Exposure to disease and stressful situations are minimized. Going somewhere with a number of new dogs is fun at first, but it can become very stressful, especially for longer stays.  
• Your pup will be smothered with love and attention and will have our full attention. We have so much fun with the pups at the park, but getting to know them in their home environment and being able to cuddle with them on the couch is really a treat for us!  
• Extra:  I have found that over the years, the dogs that I housesit for behave entirely different around me afterwards. Spending time one on one, outside of the park environment, allows for a completely different kind of bond that makes training and working with your pup on a daily basis much more effective, which benefits everyone!  

Vacation should be relaxing for everyone!  

Good for you: 

• You don't have to worry about letting us know about your dogs little quirks and things that may come up during your trip - we already know your pup!  
• Your home will be lived in and will deter any crime while you are gone. We bring in the mail, alternate lights, water plants, etc.  
• Piece of mind knowing that your pup is in the hands of someone who loves them, knows them, and is going to provide plenty of pics while you're gone. (Confession: Michael and I have been known to request FaceTime sessions with our pups while we're gone....) 
• You don't have to ask friends or family who may or may be unwilling or unprepared to properly care for your pup. Plus, you know that feeling when you ask someone for a favor then don't feel like you can really ask for what you want (i.e. FaceTime....)? This is our job, we love it and we are more than happy to do it! 
• You can count on us. We are experienced professionals, certified in First Aid and CPR, and throughout our term of service, you have come to rely on and trust us with your pup already. 
• Extra: I am a clean freak and genuinely enjoy spending the last day of my visit cleaning your house.... and I actually get excited about your cleaning products... Wouldn't expect that from a dog walker, huh?  

Details: 

• Housesitting is available for current ballwalkpark clients only 
• At this time, boarding is not available (but let me know of any Queen Anne rentals - we are in the market again!) 
• Rate is $75/night (24 hour period)  - additional pets and/or medications may be extra
• Non-refundable deposit of 25% is due at time of booking 
• We do not job share (i.e. we do a couple days and your friend does the other) - our insurance company won't allow it due to liability.  
• Holiday rates apply at an additional 100% for New Years Eve, New Years Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, an additional 50% for Memorial Day weekend (Fri-Mon), 4th of July, Labor Day Weekend (Fri-Mon), Thanksgiving (Th, F) 

We have dates on the books as far out as March right now, so if you have a trip coming up, let us know so we can get it on the books and one less thing for you to worry about as your trip approaches!   

Giardia: The Who, What, When, Why and How

As the weather changes and rain is in the forecast, puddles will be forming and that means an increased risk of Giardia. I've provided some info to give you a quick summary, but please always refer to your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns.

Ballwalkpark Clients: To help keep your pup and minimize the risk of spreading the disease, please err on the side of caution and keep your pup home from the dog park if you see any signs of diarrhea or vomiting, and take a stool sample into your vet. If your pup tests positive for giardia, we ask that you keep him/her home for the duration of treatment and get a follow up stool sample with clean results. Healthy pups are happy pups!

What: Giardia is a common intestinal parasite.

• Symptoms include diarrhea, gas, abdominal discomfort, nausea, and vomiting
• It is possible to be infected and not show symptoms, but be shedding Giardia into the environment.

Who: Humans, dogs and cats.

• Risk of contracting Giardia from your dog is very small, humans are usually infected with a different type of Giardia.

When: Dogs of any age can contract Giardia

• Puppies are more susceptible until they build up their immunity
• Since Giardia passed through feces and puddles that have been contaminated with Giardia infected feces, Fall is a common time for Giardia since puddles are forming for the first time in months.

Where: Since Seattle has such a high population of dogs, especially on Queen Anne, my vet, Dr. Spencer at Queen Anne Animal Clinic, says that dogs can get Giardia anywhere from the sidewalk in front of their house to the dog park.

• Being in contact with infected feces (poop) from another dog or cat
• Rolling and playing in contaminated soil
• Licking its body after contact with a contaminated surface (for example, a dirty litter box or dog cage or crate)
• Drinking water from a contaminated creek, pond, or other body of water

How: Giardia is detected by submitting a stool sample to your vet. They can usually diagnose the same day.

• Your pup will most likely be prescribed a medication by your vet - there are no over the counter remedies.
• You must keep your pup away from other dogs until the medication is complete
• A follow up stool sample is required to return to the dog park

Why: I'm not sure why your pup got Giardia, but here's what you can do to prevent:

• Get a fecal float test done every 6 months (even if symptoms are not present)
• Clean up after your pup right away, or at least daily if you have a yard
• Wash water bowls with soap and water regularly
• Wipe paws after walks so they can't lick them after
• If your pup has any signs of diarrhea, PLEASE KEEP THEM HOME for at least 24 hours to prevent spreading infection to other dogs and the park.

For more detailed info, see here.

In my experience, puppies dogs that are new to the area will often times come down with Giardia at least once, whether they visit dog parks or not. Once they are exposed to Seattle's soggy environment for a winter, they seem to build immunity and rarely become infected again. Every dog is different, of course. Some older dogs come down with it every year while some puppies grow up without every having it.

Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention 

Pumpkin Carving Stencils for Dogs

This is a popular seasonal repost of our Lab-o-Lantern and French-o-Lantern, plus stencils for you to do your own!  

I am still impressed at my hidden artistic ability, despite the fact this was 2 years ago now! The stencil is the trick - just stick the the stencil and you will have your own pumpkin masterpiece of your pup.  

Bailey-Boo and Bam-O-Lantern 

The girls were kind enough to model with their pumpkin look-a-likes

The highly googled French Bulldog Pumpkin stencil you are after (courtesy of the French Bulldog Rescue Network):

And links for a 20+ favorite breeds pumpkin stencils, thanks to Better Homes and Gardens. 

Have fun and Happy Halloween!!!  

Sage's right of passage

It's no secret that I love puppies, and one of my favorite parts about puppies is watching them grow and develop over the years. Being a part of a pack fulfills a much needed social aspect of our pups lives.

Just like high school kids, there are "cliques" within the pack. There is a general divide between the puppies and the older dogs that are too cool to put up with puppy play. One of the many milestones of a growing puppy is when an older dogs decides they are worthy of playing with. Welcome to the big kid clique, Sage.

When an older dog decides to play with a puppy, it is a reward for good behavior on the puppies part. It means that puppy has learned how to play properly, read body language and know how to play by the rules.

Gus, although still pretty much a puppy himself, wanted nothing to do with Sage when she first joined the pack. When she came charging past at turbo speed, he would tell her to slow down or get out of the way, but other than that, she was invisible to him. Yesterday, Gus engaged Sage for an awesome session of doodle dancing. I was so proud of little muppet (Sage) growing up so fast, and proud of Gus for being a patient and gentle teacher. I love nothing more than to see these relationships develop. GOOD PUPS!!!