With the help of area pet stores and pet service businesses, Gotta Go Out, LLC, collected dog goods and funds in October and November to aid Madison Mutts, a local all breed dog rescue.
Between mid-October and November 27th, several Madison area merchants and businesses sponsored coin jars and/or collection bins for donations. Gotta Go Out, LLC would like to thank the sponsors as well as several clients who donated goods and cash. With their help, the drive collected over $1000.00 worth of dog goods including training treats, collars, and leashes, over 100 lbs of dog food, and over $170 in cash donations.
A big thank you to the donation bins and coin jar sponsors as well to the clients who donated checks! With their help, we allowed the dogs at Madison Mutts have a joyous holiday season.
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To celebrate my business’ first anniversary in October, I decided to join a national charitable program called Wishbones for Pets. The program is designed for pet sitters to collect and distribute pet goods and funds for local pet shelters and rescues in their own community. Pet sitters from around the United States and Canada are currently participating in this event.
I decided to host the Wishbones for Pets program on behalf of Madison Mutts, a local all breed dog rescue. The drive runs from October 19th through November 29th, 2009. Madison Mutts is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that is dedicated to rescuing, caring for and placing dogs that would, without their work, be euthanized. All donations go directly to the care of animals and all gifts are tax deductible. Several Madison area veterinarian offices, groomers, and pet stores are hosting Wishbone pet goods donation bins and/or coin jars.
I choose Madison Mutts after meeting Tony, a whippet mix that was being fostered by one of my clients. He had come from an overflowing shelter in Illinois. Tony was heartworm positive and had been attacked by dogs before making his way to Madison Mutts. They spent money and effort treating Tony’s heartworms, but it was well worth it for Tony. After some basic training, medical care, and a good foster home with my client, he turned out to be the perfect family dog. Tony was adopted by a wonderful mom and her two sons and they have reported that he has brought such joy to their lives.
Tough economic times have had an impact on pets, shelters and rescue organizations. Due to the overwhelming increase in the number of animals in need this year it is especially important for us to help. Thanksgiving is the holiday that encourages us to step back and give thanks for all the blessings we have. I would like to help make a positive difference by providing a prosperous holiday for the many dogs in need.
Tony
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Dominic my Angel's Wish Foster Cat
For the first time in over four years, I have a cat living with me. Meet Dominic, my Angel’s Wish foster cat. Dominic is a large boy, but only weighs in a little over 12 pounds. I don’t think there is a mean bone in his body. It took about a week for him to settle in here though. He wasn’t sure what to make of Shiva, the dog, at first. Shiva was very excited about having a cat in the house again though.
Dominic watches Frankie, the parrot, pretty closely. But so far, he has not attempted to get too close. Frankie is scared of no one and took to talking to Dominic right away. Dominic’s eyes bugged out when Frankie first talked to him. Poor cat, first homeless and now living with a too friendly dog and a crazy talking parrot.
If anyone knows someone looking for a nice lap cat, please contact Angel’s Wish. Until he finds his forever home, he’ll have a warm bed here.
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PetSmart Voluntarily Recalls Dentley’s Beef Hooves
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Phoenix, AZ, Nov 4, 2009 – PetSmart (NASDAQ: PETM) is voluntarily recalling two Dentley’s Beef Hoof products for potential salmonella contamination. The products were manufactured by Pet Carousel, Inc. in Sanger, Calif.
The recalled products include only the following types of Dentley’s Beef Hooves purchased between Oct. 2, 2009 and Nov. 3, 2009:
Dentley’s Bulk Cattle Hoof UPC# 73725703323
Dentley’s 10 Pack Beef Hooves UPC# 73725736055
Read more here: PetSmart recalls Dentley’s Beef Hooves due to salmonella
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JR as Dorthy
This year I participated in two events with two of my three pets. Junior, my horse, and I went for a trick or treat trail ride and costume party at Saddle Ridge Stables. We were both pretty tired after the trail ride. We aren’t too used to riding trails for over an hour. It was great fun though. Junior won fourth place in the costume contest! He was Dorothy and I was the scarecrow. Unfortunately his ruby slippers didn’t make it though the two hour ride. No, that’s not trail dust on my face!
Shiva, my dog, and I went to Odyssey Veterinary Care for their costume contest. Shiva had her photo taken too. Since her photo isn’t back yet, here’s a photo of her as the devil. She loved dressing up, except for horns. She was especially happy when she realized it meant getting cookies and lots of attention.
Shiva as the Devil
Even Frankie the conure had an outfit to wear when we gave out candy to trick or treaters. The kids were shocked to see a bird on my shoulder.
How about other pet parents? Do you dress your pets up for Halloween? I’d love to see photos or hear about pet costumes. I’m already collecting ideas for next year.
Frankie as Merlin
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At a local networking event last night I was asked if I would pet sit a chimp. The question was in reference to Travis the chimpanzee who attacked his owner’s friend earlier this week in Connecticut. I can honestly say that No, I would not pet sit a chimp and I do not think that it will be an issue for me as a pet sitter in Madison, WI. Don’t get me wrong, I am facinated by non-human primates. I would love to have the chance to visit a sanctuary or, better yet, to view a chimpanzee in the wild, but a chimp in a home?
I think most pet parents understand the bond we develop with our furry, scaled, and feathered friends…but where should we draw the line? What makes some otherwise wild animals, like parrots, pets? The story is indeed tragic for all involved. While the experts ponder the question of why it happened, my hope is that people see that chimps deserve to live in a chimp habitat as a chimpanzee, preferably in the wild, not as a pet.
I’m kicking off my new blog with a post of a personal nature. I have been asked several times about the origins of the name of my pet sitting business “Gotta Go Out”. Most think it is in reference to a dog needing to go out to do his or her business. Although, it obviously could apply to that, it actually references what I tell my dog Shiva each time I leave her alone at home. I have said it for at least 10 years now on almost a daily basis. I even say it to my parrot Frankie.
Years ago a dog trainer told me to always say goodbye to my dog as remind her that I will be returning. My usually refrain is “bye Shiva, I gotta go out, but I’ll be back soon.” Now Shiva has never had separation anxiety when left home alone for the day. She was kept by friends or at a doggie motel whenever I had to leave her overnight. For longer than normal work days I used a pet sitter for daily walks. But once I got into the habit of telling her I had to go out and would be back soon it stuck it my head to say it each and every time.
I recently read the book “Dogs that know when Their Owners are Coming Home” by Rupert Sheldrake. It was a fascinating look at the unspoken dialogue between pets and their humans. It also details many stories of pets behaving like my own when I appeared home at an unpredictable time. How did they know I’d be back this early, I’ve thought to myself. If our pets are indeed telepathic, then perhaps I don’t need to explain each time that I gotta go out and will be back soon.
I would love to hear the thoughts on these musings from other pet parents. Do you tell your pets that you are going out and if so, what words do you use? Do they seem to understand? Does your pet know when to expect you home, even when it is at an odd time? Post me a comment or shoot me an e-mail. Until next time, enjoy some quality time with your pets.
