Wednesday, October 19, 2011

FINALLY a new post!!!!!

Hello all my furr gaurdians, I hope all of you are very well and your "kids" are happy and healthy. It's been such a long time since I've sent out a blog I don't think an apology is sufficient. It's just been really busy and I guess my blogging mind decided to take a LONG vacation. But I'm back and hopefully my blogging brain is back in sync.



BIG CHANGE FOR SVPN!

First lets start with a BIG change in the way SVPN does business. We have decided to streamline our request process by only having requests from new or existing clients come in via e-mail or through my secure form on my website. With the number of sales calls we get each day it was a daily battle to make sure my landlines voicemail was cleaned out so clients could leave messages. The last time I checked my land line voicemail there were 24 calls, only 2 from clients and the box was full...that was only after a day and a half!!!! So, we have disconnected the land line in hopes that this will allow us to get your requests and reply to them in a much more timely manor. This is no way means you can't request a phone call! In the secure request form located on my website there is a section that asks how you would like to be contacted, if you choose by phone myself of Nanny Chandel will respond to you. This will also make sure that we have documentation of your request which will help us out tremendously. If you have any questions regarding this new change please feel free to email me and I will get back to you ASAP.

BACON UPDATES


It's been quite a while since I gave everyone an update on Bacon. He has turned into a BIG kitty and he has to be one of the craziest kitties I have ever been around. I'm convinced that he has his own vocabulary and will answer me when I ask him questions. Not just like a normal "meow" it's like he's saying yes or no...it's really funny!!! No matter how much I spend on him as far as kitty toys goes he still only enjoys the rings from the water bottles and random pieces of plastic from packages that he manages to find. I hung a hummingbird feeder outside my living room window and he just doesn't know what to make of the little birds that come to feed. I think he can't figure out if they are bugs or birds, but he jumps on his perch and watches them intensely with an occasional chatter. He still enjoys his cat tree that his Grandma and Grandpa bought him, but he has also decided that every laundry basket in the house belongs to him as well as my bed. Here are a couple of pictures of him in his favorite spots. Also, remember Bacon has his own Facebook page...just search under Bacon Henderson and send him a friend request, even friend requests from your furr kids!!!




HALLOWEEN PET PHOTO CONTEST


If you're anything like me you love to torture your kids once a year by dressing them up for Halloween. Well, "People Pets" is hosting a photo contest where you can submit your pets in their costumes. Not sure if there are any prizes BUT your pet will be featured on the "People Pets" website which I think is pretty cool and your pet will think it's cool too! Come on...all of our furr kids are stars in their own way and this way they can be a star world wide!!!!

http://www.peoplepets.com/people/pets/upload/0,,20532107,00.html

BLACK CAT PARENTS BEWARE!


Halloween is a fun time of the year where witches and goblins come out and roam the streets looking for treats, but it's can also be a scary time for you beloved black kitties. The SPCA puts out yearly warnings for all guardians of black cats and even dogs to keep them inside during the week of Halloween. These animals are more at risk of being taken and tortured than any other color of animal. Your kitty might put up a fuss if he/she is used to being outdoors, but it's better that they are safe than at risk.

MMMMM, HALLOWEENIE STOUP



I always try to throw in a holiday recipe that you may try for your pooch or kitty, and who better to get the recipe from than Rachel Ray! She posted this recipe that I'm sure your pups will love during the cold, (well, maybe cold) days closer to Halloween.

Ingredients

1 TBSP extra virgin olive oil
1/4 head green cabbage, shredded
1 - 2 carrots, grated
1/3 cup green beans, (a generous handful) coarsely chopped
1 pinch ground turmeric
1 beef frank, sliced
2 cups chicken stock or water
1 cup cooked rice

Preparation


In a medium, deep skillet, heat the olive oil, one turn of the pan, over medium-high heat. Add the cabbage, carrots and green beans and cook until slightly softened, 4-6 minutes. Add the turmeric and cook for another minute. Add the frank and cook until heated through; add 1 cup chicken stock and cook for 3-4 minutes. Stir in the cooked rice and the remaining 1 cup chicken stock.

Voila your pup has a lovely Halloween feast that...well...we would probably eat!!!

FIDEAUX PET BOUTIQUE


Time for a shameless but earned plug! My Cousin and his wife own two pet boutiques and have recently created an online store!!! I couldn't be more happy for them, and wanted to pass along their information to all my furr guardians. They have a great selection of dog and cat toys along with unusual gifts that you might not have ever seen! If you're looking for a gift for your "kid(s)" this Christmas season please take a moment and look at their site. http://fideaux.myshopify.com/collections/dog-toys


OOGY "THE DOG ONLY A FAMILY COULD LOVE"



I stumbled upon this wonderful and inspirational book by accident. Just the cover caught my attention and I immediately picked it up and read the inside cover. It's a story about an Argentine Dogo who was used as a bait dog in a dog fighting ring. He was discovered and left at a local animal shelter where he was taken in and cared for. The dogs had ripped his face apart and left him without a left ear and half of his left jaw. A family happened to walk into the shelter and fell in love with Oogy and adopted him. It was the best thing they have ever did in their lives. Here is a clip from the owner and I hope you're able to purchase or download this book because it is truly heartwarming.

http://www.amazon.com/Oogy-Only-Family-Could-Love/dp/0446546305/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319151365&sr=1-1






There is also a YouTube video on Oogy:


http://youtu.be/Yfvxk_n6lgA


GOODBYE MY FRIENDS


We have lost a lot of good friends over the past couple of months and I wanted to send a heartfelt goodbye to two of them. Cisco and Gershwin were two wonderful pups who had been a part of the SVPN family for many years. Gershwin was blind from a very young age, but that never stopped him. He could get around just like he had 20/20 vision and loved his spider stuffed animal. Cisco was cared for by Nanny Chandel and she said he was such a sweet old guy and she misses him very much. Unfortunately this is the part of being in the pet care business that is the hardest...losing a friend, but we are also happy that we had the opportunity to know these wonderful kids and to care for them when their parents were at work or out of town. If your furr kid has taken the trip over the rainbow bridge and you would like me to mention them in upcoming blogs please send me an email and I will make sure to mention them. I unfortunately do not have a picture of Cisco, but here is a picture of the lovely Gershwin sporting his smile.





HOLIDAY BOOKINGS

The time is upon us my furr guardians where the holiday booking requests are starting to flood in. If you need visits over Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Years please make sure to book as soon as possible. We hate having to turn our family members away, and unfortunately we cannot clone ourselves, so if you have plans...even if they are tentative please call and reserve your spot.


Well, I guess that's all for now...I think I need to get my blogging chops back up!!! I wanted to thank you all for being apart of the SVPN family and allowing us to care for your wonderful kids. Until next time give your kids a hug from all of us, and we hope you have a happy and SAFE Halloween!