A Pet Sitters Blog

quick test

quick test

An update and our new website

We have been extremely busy of late, hence the inactivity on our blog.

This morning saw the launch of our new website , which has already proved a huge success with both our existing clients and new visitors. 

On our home page, you are able to follow us on twitter and join the discussions on our new facebook site. 

We have been interviewing throughout the Spring and have welcomed another 10 people onto our team.  Noticeably in Norfolk, where already business has been brisk.

We are still recruiting live in pet sitters from the Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire area, so if you want the pleasure of a pet without the responsibility, enjoy visiting new areas of the country and have experience of domestic pets, please do get in touch.

Your local pet business needs your support!

Please do not turn your back on local trade!

In this tough economical climate Midhurst Pets, along with all other stores, desperately require support from their local community. If you haven’t been to them yet and you live within their area why not pop round and give them a try.

Midhurst  Pets have two deliveries a week and can order almost anything that your pet requires.  If you have a food brand that is difficult to order, why not give them a try.  They will also discuss the frequency of your pet requirements and place an automatic order, sparing you a weekly collection visit.  If you live locally they can deliver it to your door FREE OF CHARGE.

You can even do your pet supplies shopping on line.

Petshop2u, is Midhurst Pets internet shopping site, which you can browse at leisure in the comfort of your home. If you would like to place an order, call Adrian or Melissa and they will offer you a discount code so any delivery charges are omitted. Your goods will be ready and waiting, at the shop for your  collection within days!

So…if you are currently traveling out of town for your pet supplies, give them a try. You wont be disappointed!

Luika is famous!

Firstly I would like to wish all visitors to this blog, a very Happy New Year.

We have just experienced our busiest Christmas to date and I had almost forgotten to mention an article which appeared in ‘Our Dog’ website regarding Luika’s hydrotherapy.  The link is as follows http://www.yourdog.co.uk/

Luika at last has an appointment with a Specialist on Monday19 January and I will of course, let you know how we got on.

Twittering!

I am now finding twitter a really useful tool for updates and keeping an eye on the outside world.

Pet sitting can be a lonely job, spending the majority of your day behind a desk, taking calls and liaising with your pet sitters.  No matter how many hours in the day, there is always a job that remains half done, or one that is first on the list tomorrow!

As a keen Liverpool Supporter, I have been following Steven Gerrard and LFC on twitter, along with Dogs Trust and various other people.  Why not take a look www.twitter.com/Petnanny1

Goodness, I have just remembered that it is Luika’s birthday on Sunday.  I cannot believe that he is nearly a year old.  Doesn’t time fly!  Actually, he is due for a bath, but I would hardly call that a birthday treat!  Perhaps a walk along the canal at Tring reservoir may be in order, and for afters, a nice big doggie treat.  What do you think?  All suggestions gratefully received.

Did I Say Harry!

The office has been extremely busy since our little kitten arrived, so I have had little time to further add to my blog.  However, we have had some interesting developments!

Harry had been playing with his new toys, when he appeared to have a problem with his back left leg.  As a precaution we took him along to our vets for a quick check up.  It was then that we discovered that he was in fact, a she, so Harry is now Harriet!

She is a little darling and already we cannot imagine life without her.  On first introduction, Luika was terrified and fell over himself trying to make a quick getaway. He could not understand why this little ball of fluff was making such a fuss!  After all, he was only trying to be friendly!  Ed, our other cat, was a little alarmed at our new addition and seemed more than a little annoyed when she discovered that Harri was still there the next day!

All in all, things have settled nicely.  Harriet is now very accepting of Luika and Ed is tolerating her presence.  We certainly have come a long way in two weeks and tomorrow she has her bloods checked and is being microchiped.

Introducing Harry

Losing our beloved Melody had a drastic impact on our lives and has been as painful as losing a human family member. Melody was unique. She was stubborn and naughty, with selective hearing, and just a tiny bit dim! Well, at least that was what she wanted us to believe! When we adopted her, along with her sister Edna (Ed for short), we had no idea of the impact she would have on our lives.

Within days of her arrival, she had fallen into our kitchen bin three times, within weeks made a hole in our brand new bed but within minutes she had quite literally stolen our hearts. So the shock of losing her to kidney failure was immeasurable. She died in Doug’s arms and in buried in our garden, where we have placed a Dahlia in her name.

Harry our new kitten

Both Ed and Luika our German Shepherd Dog, with whom she tormented mercilessly, missed her terribly and despite taking comfort from each other, Luika is still a little boisterous to share the games Ed and melody enjoyed and a few weeks ago, we began our search for another cat.

Melody will always be irreplaceable, but Doug in particular was desperate for another little long haired female, but having Luika and Melody we felt that a kitten would fit into our family just right and so our search began.

We visited numerous rescue shelters, yet the kittens we saw were either the wrong sex, reserved, or short haired. Just when we thought to give up, I took a call from a local veterinary surgery to say that a gentleman had just left the details of a litter of kittens, one of whom was long haired, black and white, male who looked adorable. Of course I made contact straight away and a visit was arranged for that very evening.

It was love at first sight. As you can see he is absolutely adorable, but at six weeks, is too young to leave his mother and siblings. Since the mother cat was adopted from the Cat’s Protection, we have to undergo a home check which is taking place next Monday. It is all a little daunting when undergoing a suitability test, but we passed our RSPCA check with flying colours, so are hoping to do the same with the Cat’s Protection.

I’m happy to say that despite Luika being very noisy at the arrival of Healther, from the Cat’s Protection, we did indeed pass our home check and are collecting little Harry on Friday morning.  Pictures and updates to follow.

Puppy Talk

How time flies! We are experiencing our busiest year yet, the office is buzzing, and our recruitment drive is in full swing. So much so, that I am hoping to announce the newest members of our team in the forth coming weeks.

There is also much excitement as Saturday approaches, since it is the day we collect our new puppy. We have yet to make our choice, but from the beautiful photograph the breeder sent me, you can see how difficult that will be!

It has been thirteen years since we welcomed a puppy into our home, and although memory’s of Zak are still fresh in our mind, we are hoping that he would have approved. There is a crate to order, new toys to be brought and new bedding for his puppy bed.

Melody and Edna (our two cats), are totally oblivious of our impending new family member, but we are hoping that eventually, with a gentle introduction, all will become firm friends.

After much deliberation, we have decided on the name. I had hoped for him to be called Luika, but Doug (my husband), was not keen, so we have settled on the name Lutha. It is a name of peace to which I hope he will aspire and updates will follow throughout the coming weeks.

Dogged determination helps MS sufferer

When my husband was diagnosed with MS some 13 years ago, it was a shock, from which in some ways, we are still to recover.  The problems that sprang immediately to mind were how his mobility would be affected, could we cope financially and would it affect our animals.

Having owned German Shepherd Dogs for the majority of our married life, we were used to the strenuous exercise and mental stimulation that this particular breed required.  Zak (our GSD at that time), was a mere youngster and was already enjoying the prolonged walks and regular training that Doug provided. We were sailing into the unknown and as anyone who suffers from MS will testify, it is a relapsing remitting condition. This makes the symptoms variable and unpredictable, and you are forced to face the uncertainty of when new relapses will occur.

In the years that followed I noticed a big difference in my husband.  In some respects his life with Zak became almost regimented.  A strong bond between dog and owner had already been forged, but Doug had become to rely on the regularity of their walks and even lengthened their duration!  Zak’s devotion was uncompromising and it was almost as though Zak’s presence increased Doug’s determination to remain well and throughout their years together our dog remained a real focus for him to retain his mobility.  Despite setbacks, Zak’s walks took priority and remained so until we eventually lost him some 15 months ago to cancer.

Our grieving for Zak had pushed us both to our emotional edge, but I will always be mindful of the wonderful gift that our dog had given Doug and the determination to continue as normal a life as MS would allow.

We now have our fourth German Shepherd whom we have named Luika.  Ironically he also has health problems, being diagnosed with cow hocks at an early age.  This condition actually limits the amount of exercise that he can enjoy, which in some sense is a little comfort.  I have now taken over the training, but Doug continues his walking duties, with all the enthusiasm and gusto he shared with Zak.  Luika is but a year old, yet already I am beginning to see those early signs of blind devotion.

Northern Rose Boxer Rescue

At Nina’s Nannies for Pets, we are always keen to highlight animal welfare issues and raise awareness of the wonderful pet rescue centres around the country.

Today I was contacted by Louise Hughes, from the Northern Rose Boxer Rescue www.britishboxerdogs.com , asking if we could donate an unwanted item to sell on their on line auction.

This year alone the centre have taken in over 40 Boxers and Boxer crosses who were coming to the end of

Samson in the pound last year

their 7 day stay in local pounds and due to be euthanised.  Samson (see before picture), was one of these dogs.  Left to die since the cost of nursing him back to health was deemed too expensive!

It cost Northern Rose Boxer Rescue over £1500 to treat Samson and nurse him back to health (see after picture) and all vet fee’s were raised by generous donations and fund raising events from dog lovers nationwide.

All donations will be posted on the forum www.britishboxerdogs.com and the highest bidder will win the  item.  100% of all funds raised by this event will go directly back into the rescue and care of these dogs.

Samson as he is today in his forever home

If you have any unwanted Christmas presents or items that you think may be suitable for auction, PLEASE contact Louise Hughes email louise.nrboxerrescue@yahoo.co.uk THANK YOU.