Where has the time gone?????

Hello all my furr guardians out there! I must apologize for the HORRIBLE lapse in my blogging...I just don't know where the time goes sometimes! WHEW! Well I wanted to make sure to at least get out a Christmas blog if for nothing else to thank all of you for allowing us to care for your beloved furr kids for another wonderful year. I wanted to also send my deepest sympathies to you furr guardians who lost your friends during 2010...as most of you know I was among you in this and know how hard it is to lose such an important part of your life.

Well, it's nearly 2011 and so much has happened this year for your loyal pet sitters. I'm pleased to announce that in 2011 we will be doing one more expansion into the Los Gatos/Santa Cruz area. I have a crack team of pet sitters raring to go and we will be marketing to those areas in January.

THE BACON CHRONICLES

Bacon to say the least keeps me on my toes...that little boy is a riot! He has decided that my Christmas tree is his favorite jungle gym and has flattened the bottom of the tree. While I don't want to encourage this behavior I have to admit that it's difficult not to laugh. Here's a picture of him looking VERY guilty as he continues to trash my lovely Christmas tree. We discovered that if we throw his toy monkey it would get him out of the tree but then he decided that it would be MORE fun to attack the tree WITH his monkey in his mouth, so now we find his monkey hanging out in the tree. It was REALLY funny to watch the FIRST time! My poor battered tree, I thought I might be able to get one more year out of it, but Bacon had a different opinion.







He has also decided that when the bed is being made HAS GOT to be a game, and not I find it difficult...no, more like impossible to make the bed without having to make it with him in it. He is getting so big now...where did my little baby go and who is this big BEAST of a cat who replaced him. He's actually one of the coolest kitties I've ever encountered and keeps the laugh riot at an all time high around my apartment.

He also has his own Facebook page now and he would LOVE to be friends with all his SVPN furr guardians. You can find him under Bacon Henderson and he's sure you will enjoy his status updates and photos.

REMEMBER THE LESS FORTUNATE FURR KIDS

As always Silicon Valley Pet Nanny will be making a donation to 13th Street Cat Rescue at the end of this year, and it made me think about all the furr kids who don't have forever homes. I wanted to thank all of you who have made a conscience effort to adopt homeless furr kids and to truly thank all of the wonderful people who donate their time and efforts to help place these homeless furr kids and keep them warm and fed until they find their forever homes. I know the economy is hurting nearly everyone right now, and donating money is tough, but please remember that you can also donate towels, unused food, and of course your time to any of these wonderful non-profits.

http://www.13thstcats.org/
http://www.hssv.org/howtohelp.html

Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated by these and other non-profit agencies.

DOES YOUR KITTY HAVE A DRINKING PROBLEM?

Many of my clients have expressed worry regarding their kitties not drinking enough water. Domestic cats need two cups of water a day, on average to stay properly hydrated. The moisture in canned food provides some water, however cats who consume strictly kibble diets may not drink enough water and are at risk of developing lower urinary tract disease, including bladder stones or crystals. Room-temperature water lingering in bowls may be ignored by some indoor cats. In response, pet product companies have designed pet fountains and faucet-mounted units that deliver fresh, flowing water to encourage cats to drink. Bacon has a water fountain and is always drinking from it.

8 ways to encourage cats to drink water:

• Working with your veterinarian, consider switching to a canned food best suited for your cat's age, health and activity level.
• Provide at least two water bowls in different locations.
• Change the water in the bowls daily to keep it fresh.
• Fill the bowl with refrigerated water.
• Put an ice cube in the bowl.
• Put a few drops of tuna water, chicken broth or clam juice in one water bowl.
• Place a few drops of tuna, clam or salmon juice or chicken broth in water in ice cube trays and freeze. Put one of these ice cubes in your cat's water bowl.
• Position the water bowl away from the litter pan.

FUN HOLIDAY STUFF

Well, I know this is probably too late for most of you who are on the ball as far as sending out holiday cards, but I thought this was really cool and heck you can always save it for next year.

Crunchy cards - "developed by vets, devoured by pets" is the tagline for Crunch Cards, a newly patented line of edible greeting cards for dogs! YES EDIBLE! Each 4-3/8" x 6-3/8" "greeting card" is made from a flat rawhide panel imprinted with non-toxic, water based ink. And, they come with a brightly colored envelope so you can send a bit of holiday cheer to all of your favorite hounds. $4.95 each. http://www.crunchkins.com/

Crafting for Canines - Crafting has gone to the dogs. Bowwowmeow offers a cleaver line of dog and cat themed crafts such as scrapbooking, met ornaments and kits to design your own collar, leash or bowl. The kits are fun and easy to use with kids or any dog/cat lover who wants to express their love through a home made gift. Prices start at $14.99. http://www.bowwowmeowstuff.com/

Lazybonezz - An innovative bunk-bed for multiple pets. Great for the city life, but also very functional and fun for any home. A set of three stairs with a textured surface on each makes this a source of entertainment as well as one of the most unique and beautiful products on the pet market. $499.00 at www.lazybonezz.com

WANNA GO GREEN?

I stumbled upon a website that I thought was pretty darn cool and with so many people trying to go green I thought it was interesting that there isn't much in the way of making our furr kids green too. This is what they write: "Hip Green Pet" is the first of its kind business, ALL (and only) USA made GREEN Pet Products. Every purchase supports animal and earth causes! In business not just because but for a cause, (many of them actually). Trying to do something better exclusively for Pets, people, the planet and peace. You can feel great about shopping at Hip Green Pet because not only are you reducing your pet's carbon pawprint but all products are non-toxic and completely safe for your pet, you and the earth. Each purchase gives back to great causes and supports other USA small businesses and families." I took a few minutes to look through their products and they have some COOL stuff! If you want to make sure even your furr kid is green check out this site, you'll be happy you did.

http://www.hipgreenpet.com/hgp/

IS YOUR POOCH BORED?

I thought this was really interesting...there is a product called "the DogBrick" which encourages your pooch, (or kitty) to strengthen their minds by "solving" complex puzzles. Basically it's a plastic board with sliding discs and by placing treats in the depressions under the discs your pup or kitty will look for the goodies by trying to pull the discs to the side with its nose or paw. Maybe I should get Bacon one of those because I'm convinced he's bored!

http://www.nina-ottosson.com/.

Well, I guess I will wrap this blog up and get ready for my day of visiting all my furr kids. Thank you again for being a part of the Silicon Valley Pet Nanny family and allowing us the special opportunity to care for your beloved furr kids. We wish you and your family a very happy holiday season and can't wait for 2011!!!

Make sure to give your furr kids a hug and a kiss from their loyal pet sitters!

It's been a WHILE!

Hello all my furr guardians...BOY-OH-BOY your loyal pet sitter must apologize for the awful absence of my blogs! There is a lot going on in my world including a NEW MASCOT! Yep, I decided to bring on a new SVPN mascot and his name is Bacon. Bacon you ask? Well, here is the story on my new best friend. He was found at 2 weeks old in a box abandoned on the street. He was COVERED in fleas, his poor little paws were burned, (from the heat in the box) and all he had in the box with him was crumbled up bacon...hence the name. His rescuer didn't have much faith that he would make it, but he's a strong feisty boy and he pulled through just fine! He is an absolute LOVE BUG...well and of course a monster because he's a kitten. He has bunny like fur, seriously it's the most incredibly soft fur I've ever felt and I'm convinced he is part Maine Coon. He also FETCHES! Yep...I've never had a cat that played fetch, but Bacon does! I got to bring him home on my Birthday in June and he is now enjoying his life with me.




BISCUITS IN JAPANTOWN!

There is a new pet boutique in Japantown called "Biscuits". I popped in there this morning and not only is the store ADORABLE, but they are the ONLY place in San Jose who sells the "orijen" line of dog food (http://www.orijen.ca/orijen/about/) which they write "6 star organic dog food that probably trumps the fillet mignon you had last night" so it MUST be good stuff. They have an assortment of dog and cat toys and OF COURSE a line of Sharks gear for your favorite hockey loving furr kid! They have specialty pastries and always has a box of treats on their counter just waiting to be scarfed up by your furr kid. This is an AWESOME addition to the Japantown community and of course they will have a stack of our cards and brochures waiting for all their visiting furr guardians.

http://shopbiscuits.com/index.php
223 Jackson Street
San Jose, CA 95112
Tuesday - Friday 11am to 7pm
Saturday - Sunday 10am to 6pm

HOMELESS DOGS SAVE THE DAY!

Just another reason why animals are so special and even though they may be homeless they never let that dampen their love for people.

"When Georgia National Guardsman Chris Duke was serving in Afghanistan, he made friends with the locals - stray dogs Sasha, Target and Rufus. "A lot of us used the three of them as an escape when you're homesick," Duke said. But, as CBS News national correspondent Jeff Glor reports, the dogs did much more than keep him company. "I firmly believe I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for him," Duke said.

On a February night, a suicide bomber tried to get into Duke's barracks, but the dogs began barking and biting the intruder. The attacker blew himself up before he could kill 50 soldiers inside. Sasha was severely injured and had to be put down, but Rufus and Target were both nursed back to health. Duke returned home a month later - the dogs had to stay behind.

As another soldier kept an eye on the dogs, Duke wrote a letter to a veterans assistance group called "Hope for the Warriors." In the letter, Duke requested bringing the dogs home to him. "This was going to mean a lot to him," said Robin Kelleher, President of Hope for the Warriors. "So whatever we needed to do to get this wish done we were going to do that." Other organizations heard about this story, too. A Facebook page went up, and raised $21,000 in less than 3 months - enough for the dogs to leave Afghanistan.

This week, Rufus and Target finally arrived in the U.S. Today, in Atlanta they were reunited for the first time with Duke and his wife. Target will live in Arizona with another soldier, while Rufus will stay with the Dukes. "To think that I'm going to have him for the rest of my life - it's exciting," Duke said. Exciting because he knows he wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the dogs. Now they wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Duke."

What an absolutely LOVELY story...good going Rufus, Target and Sasha...you're true hero's!

YOUR PUP WANTS TO BE A GANGSTER!

There is this company that I stumbled upon that offers custom collars and harnesses for your pup. The company is called "Gangs Of New Yorkie" and they will create a leather collar or harness with your pups name on it, you can even pick from four different types of fonts titled "Notorious, Shine, Ice and Pound" and 19 different leather colors. If nothing else you should take a minute to read their story...it cracked me up.

http://www.gangsofnewyorkie.com/shop/

SEND A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT TO HELP HOMELESS ANIMALS.

Freekibble and Tails Media Group are partnering up to ask their fans to log on and send out a pre-written letter addressed to President Obama. This is what the letter says, and I'm encouraging all of you to take a second and be apart of this letter writing campaign.

"Dear President Obama,

Too many homeless animals in the U.S. live out most of their lives in shelters without even knowing the love of a family of their own. According to national studies, 6 to 8 million cats and dogs make their way into shelters each year, and 3 to 4 million of these innocent creatures are euthanized annually, losing their chance for human affection forever.

These four-legged citizens cannot ask for your protection, so I am asking for them. Please declare April 30th, National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day as a way of giving homeless animals the national recognition and caring homes they deserve.

Thank you for all that you do for this nation's animals.

Best regards,

Betsy Saul"

Freekibble also received a donation from Halo, Purely for Pets, where they will donate a nutritious meal to shelter dogs and cats for each email - up to 50,000 meals!

Thank you Freekibble, Tails Media Group, Halo and Betsy Saul for caring so deeply for our four legged furr friends and for all of you that take a minute to be a part of this campaign.

http://www.freekibble.com/lettersforpets/

THE TOP 25 PET RELATED WEBSITES!

I don't know how I stumbled upon this, but I thought it was pretty cool. This is a collection of the top 25 pet related websites that are floating around out there in cyberspace.

Photo Sites

BirdCinema.com - A site for bird enthusiasts to upload and share videos.
CuteOverload.com - As the name implies, nothing but cuteness resides here.
FunEPets.com - Share photos and videos of your pets for others to enjoy
Icanhascheezburger.com - One of the most popular blogs on the web right now.

Social Sites

Aquariphiles.com - An online meeting place for owners of all types of fish
Catster.com - Post pictures and facts of your favorite cats, find adoption agencies and more.
DoggySnaps.com - Upload, share, and comment on photos of dogs
Dogster.com - A dog blog, pet of the week up for adoption, send messages and more.
Fuzzster.com - The place for people to create profiles for their pets and for the owners to meet.
MyCatSpace.com - A social site for cats of all shapes, sizes and breeds.
MyDogSpace.com - Upload pictures of your dogs, meet other dog pals, start a doggy blog.
PetOwnr.com - Post pictures of your pets, share information, browse others.
Vivapets.com - Create pages for your pets of all kinds dogs, cats, birds, more.
Zooclub.de - Create a website for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, fish, horses and more.

Voting Sites

Pikapet.com - Vote for cutest pet pictures and videos.
Puppywar.com - Vote on which picture is the cuter dog and disgrace the loser.
Unitedcats.com - Upload photos of your cat, make a page for them, let people "pat them."
Uniteddogs.com - Make web pages for your dog, upload up to 50 pictures, let people vote on them.
Worldwidefido.com - Upload photos and videos of your dogs for people the world over to vote on the cutest and funniest.

Miscellaneous sites

DateMyPet.com - Online dating site for people who want to be upfront about "date me, date my pet."
MatchMyPet.com - A site for matching pet breeders, finding pet communities, pet listings and more.
Equilink.com - Search engine for all kinds of equine information.
MedHelp.org - A place to ask questions and get medical advice on your pet.
PawSpot.com - Exchange pet sitting services with other users.
PugSpot.com - A site specific to all things related to the Pug breed.
Sittercity.com - Site for helping you locate pet sitters for when you're away.

I had fun checking these sites out, (well, I haven't gotten to all of them yet) and thought my furr guardians would too.

BECOME OUR FACEBOOK FRIEND

Well, okay, it's not much of a page YET...but hey, I'm working on it. Well, I take that back...my "Manny" Ryland will be working on it, and I'm sure he will do a bang up job!

Just do a search for Silicon Valley Pet Nanny and BAM...you're not only one of our beloved furr guardians, but also our Facebook friend! You're welcome to post photos of your furr kids, non-furr kids, leave messages...really anything you would like us to know.

Well, I guess that's all for now...I have to go exhaust some of Bacon's energy so I can actually SLEEP tonight. :o)

I apologize to you all yet again for the time lapse in my blogging...it won't happen again! Thank you for being part of our extended furr family, give your furr kids a kiss from us, and I hope you and your family are enjoying the Summer.

Goodbye my friend

Hello all my furr guardians, my apologies for the skipped month in my blog entries. May has been a very sad month for your loyal pet sitter. My beloved friend and SVPN mascot Blackjack had to be put to sleep on May 15th. It was a complete shock, as so many animals do he didn't exhibit any signs of illness until it was too late. He had severe kidney failure and unfortunately it was past the point of any kind of treatment. I was able to say goodbye to him and thank him for being such a good friend and loyal companion for the past 13 years. I know all of you will miss his sweet face on the holiday cards I send out, and I want to thank him again for putting up with that over the years. I know it brought a lot of joy to many of you. So, remember to hug your furr kids daily and give them extra treats and love because you never know when it will be your last day with them. I have been asked by many of you if there is an organization that you can donate to in memory of Blackjack, and although this is not necessary if you choose to honor him with a donation I would love for it to go to either 13th Street Cat Rescue or the Humane Society of Silicon Valley. Thank you for all your support, and although he's gone he will always be my mascot. Goodbye Blackjack, I will miss you always!

Did we have a February?????

Hello all my furr guardians, how is your March treating you so far? Are you just as confused by this wacky weather as your loyal pet sitters are???? I don't know what happened to February! I had this entire Valentines Day blog planned with recipes and fun gifts for your beloved furr kid(s), but I guess I blinked and the month disappeared! Sorry about the missing month...darn those 28 day months anyway!

PENNY "HAPPINESS" THE PUPPY

So, I guess I will start this blog off by sharing some totally adorable Penny the puppy stories...although she's not such a puppy anymore! Penny's number one nickname from me, (she has many) is happiness because she literally is one of the happiest dogs I have ever been around. I asked her guardians if it would be okay for me to take Penny for a ride in my car on nice days, and they said "sure, she would love that". So, Penny and I took a ride around downtown last month, and she just sat in her seat "smiling" at every passing car or pedestrian. She made SO many people smile, and I told her "Penny, if only we could bottle your joy the world would be a better place".

She adores everyone and pretty much everything! She seems to melt the hearts of big burly construction workers and even makes little kids stop crying when they have fallen.

I took this video of how absolutely sweet and happy this girl is, and although I was talking to her while filming, this is pretty much how she is on a daily basis. Yeah...I HATE my job! :o)



FOR THE FASHIONISTA IN US ALL

It never ceases to amaze me when it comes to all the new pet products that come out, and of course I feel it's my duty to share them with all my SVPN furr guardians! So, check out these products for the "fashionista" in us all.

Yes, you can have hands-free fashion while you and your pup strut around in this:

http://www.theshabbydog.com/catalog/category/collarsLeads

Feeling a bit "goth", or want your furr kid(s) to be the hipster that they always wanted to be, well then check these tags out:

http://www.theshabbydog.com/catalog/category/collarsLeads

Although I'm not a huge fan of dressing our beloved pups up, I did think this was kind of cute, especially for going out on the town for Sushi!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41419050

Would you like your pet to sport a Benz? Well check out the plush "Furcedes" dog bed. Your furr kid(s) should always ride in style:

http://www.trixieandpeanut.com/product-45805-Fab-Furcedes-Pet-Bed

And of course, no self respecting furr kid would be caught dead without their pearls!

http://www.trixieandpeanut.com/product-67039-Big-Bling-Bone-Necklace

PET AMBER ALERTS

You never think in a million years that one day your beloved furr kid(s) may go missing, but if there is one thing I have learned after my 5 years being in business is that cats and dogs can be VERY crafty when it comes to taking a stroll on their own. Dogs can jump over or dig under fences, cats can squeeze out of TINY openings in windows or claw through screens and before you know it their gone. Most animals are terrified when they do get out and will normally stay close to home, but sometimes they are adventurers or are picked up by good Samaritans and returned home. But, what do you do if your beloved furr kid(s) go missing???? Well, did you know there is actually an "Amber alert" for pets???? I thought this was a really cool thing, and wanted to make sure to mention it.

http://www.amberalertforpets.com/

And if you're looking for something that is a bit more "high tech" I thought this was really cool.

http://www.blanketid.com/

This came up due to the heartbreaking signs that are covering the downtown/Japan Town area from a family looking for their kitty "Baby" who pushed out their screen and has been missing since February 6th. Please keep your eyes open when in the downtown area for "Baby"...her guardians are so sad and desperately want her back.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/laf/1635057602.html

13TH STREET CAT RESCUES ANNUAL TEA

My friends at 13th Street cat rescue are hosting their annual "Tea" on May 1st and 2nd. It is a really fun event which includes a full afternoon tea at a historic private residence & San Jose landmark. The tickets are $25.00 each, and go FAST! Myself and nanny Katy will be there, as well as a auction including items donated by the friends of 13th Street Cat Rescue. It would be great to see some of you there!

http://www.13thstcats.org/info/display?PageID=8434

THE FUR BALL IS COMING!

Each year the wonderful Humane Society of Silicon Valley puts on the Fur Ball, a black tie event which goes to help the HSSV. It is a really great event, and you can even bring your pup!!!! The theme this year is "Top Hat and Tails" and will be held on April 17th. You can get more information by contacting Robert at (408) 262-2133 3xt 131, or rarmbrust@hssv.org. What an awesome opportunity to put on your best Hollywood style while supporting one of the best organizations around!

OSCAR THE BOXER

Some of you may have seen my past video posts of my favorite YouTube Boxer dogs; "Oscar" and I have been very sad that there has been a absence of new videos on his channel. Well, it seems that Oscar has a new baby Brother...of the human kind, and they finally posted a new video which I thought I would share with all of you.



SIMON'S CAT

And I leave you with the newest and always hilarious "Simon's cat" cartoon.



I guess that's it for now, and I will try very hard not to miss another month! Until next time, please give a kiss and hug to your furr kid(s) from myself, nanny Katy, nanny Chandel, nanny Jennifer, nanny Stacy, "manny" Ryland, nanny Laurel, and nanny Samantha.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Hello all my furr guardians, and happy new year to you all! WOW, can you believe it's 2010!!! I'm really looking forward to this next decade, and excited about all the possibilities it brings with it.

I wanted to make sure I send out my deepest sorrow for any of you with family or friends in Haiti, and to let you know that Silicon Valley Pet Nanny has made a contribution to the Red Cross to help it's efforts in helping the Haitian people recover from this devastating event.

RICOCHET TOUCHES MANY HEARTS

This is a truly amazing story, and reminds me that we should always try to find the positive in things that we wished would have went another way.



WE LOVE BOB BARKER!

Just another reason to adore the fabulous animal lover Bob Barker. Bob Barker recently donated 5 million dollars to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, which named its new 1,200 ton anti-whaling ship The Bob Barker. Barker, a longtime animal activist, stepped up his efforts even more after retiring from his 35-year gig hosting "The Price Is Right". He met Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson through a fellow animal activist and was instantly impressed. "He said he thought he could put the Japanese whaling fleet out of business if he had $5 million," Barker recalled. "I said, I think you do have the skills to do that, and I have $5 million, so let's get it on,' so that's what we did." Barker, 86, said he was "genuinely proud" to be associated with Sea Shepherd. And while the TV Studio where "The Price Is Right" is filmed is officially called the Bob Barker Studio, the veteran broadcaster said he's never had a ship named after him. So, in honor of the wonderful Bob Barker "please remember to spay and neuter your pets".

YEAH SETH!!!!!!

I am SO proud to say that our good friend Seth Casteel of Little Friends Pet Photography is making quite the splash in the Hollywood circuit! Not only has he had a couple of segments on the TV show Extra, but also finished a photo shoot of Perez Hilton's pup Teddy, (not to mention a hand full of other Hollywood stars).

I am talking with Seth about potentially making another visit to San Jose to take Blackjack's professional photos, (good luck Seth) and he may be open to taking on other photo sessions for some of my furr guardians...I will keep you up to date on this.

Seth is one of the most awesome people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, and I can't think of anyone more deserving than he to make such an impact.

In case some of you haven't seen his heart touching volunteer work with Los Angeles animal shelters here is the video.



www.littlefriendsphoto.com
www.perezhilton.com

COOL RIDE!

I know a lot of you furr guardians like to travel with your furr kids, and many times it's via the air. Although we would love for you to leave your furr kids at home where their nanny's can visit them I thought this new product was pretty cool if you need to fly with your furr kid.

"Worrying about buying a carrier that will not fit under a plane seat is a thing of the past. Our patent pending folding system allows pets to travel in the largest space possible while the airplane is in the air, yet still allows for stowage under an airline seat turning takeoff and landing. When the captain says you can recline your seat, rotate the Sleepypod Air so it is between your feet and expand the ends so both you and your little friend can stretch out comfortably for the duration of the flight."

Pretty cool stuff if you ask me, and it's got all sorts of cool features like a car seat belt system that can work with lap and shoulder belts, a "trolley" pocket to secure onto other luggage, and large side pockets for travel documents. It also comes in some pretty swanky colors, so you can match your furr kids flight "hotel" with your own luggage.

Personally Blackjack would rather stroll into a room full of dogs than to fly, but they also have a line of other cool stuff that even He might be interested in, (I'm not holding my breath).

www.sleepypod.com

GIVING FEELS GOOD, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S $1 MILLION DOLLARS!

I constantly hear and read stories about animal loving people who do extraordinary things...some of them are hard to believe, but this is one of them that really took me by surprise.
A Denver-area dermatologist Leslie Capin set out to win the "all American Pet Brands' Cutest Dog Competition by entering her Chihuahua "Dr. Papidies". Her intentions was to win the $1 million dollar grand prize...no, not for herself, but with the intent of donating the prize to charity. She campaigned to patients, lobbied through Facebook and Twitter, and even faced allegations that she was lying about her charitable goal. "A lot of people got online and said, 'It's not true, she's going to buy a Mercedes'," she says. "But I answered them all and insisted it was true."

Well she went up against 60,000 other entries, and WON! After toasting the win with family and friends, Capin took the steps to set up a charitable trust to protect the funds. "There's an addendum that basically says should something happen to me, the trust will continue to give $33,000.00 a year for the next 29 years to the shelters I've chosen to help," she says. "Even if I change my mind in 10 years, I can't get that money!"

I must wonder how many people would do something like this, and just how absolutely wonderful Dr. Papidies and his furr guardian Dr. Leslie Capin is! You make this world a better place Dr. Capin!

I KNOW THE HOLIDAYS ARE OVER, BUT....



COOL POOP PICK-UP!

So, after nearly 5 years I think I have seen every gimmick, product, trend, etc and I rarely buy into them, but when I came across this product at PetSmart I took notice. I actually ended up buying two of these for for holiday gifts for my two weekly dog walking clients, and realized that I really liked the idea! Not only are they cool looking, but you can hook them onto your leash or belt loop, (like I do). The bags are also super great, probably the best I've ever used...and believe me I have used A LOT of poopy bags over the years. I personally have the Skull and Crossbones and the Pink Diamond bags, but there are so many fun and funky options...who knows I may have one for every day of the week! Check them out....

www.dogbag.com

Well, I guess that's it for now. I hope you all have a wonderful January, and try to stay DRY! To all my "new to California" furr guardians, I hope you enjoyed your first California earthquake!

Please give all your furr kids a big kiss from their nannies, and we look forward to seeing them soon!

Merry, Merry Holidays!

Hello all my furr guardians, can you believe that Christmas is NEXT WEEK! I hope you have all finished your holiday shopping, and bought a special something for your furr kid(s). Blackjack has his stocking hanging up, and I have been getting a lot of funny comments about his 2009 holiday card photo. Believe me, it wasn't an easy task getting a good shot of him, but I think the final product represents just how mad he was during the shoot.

For all of you new furr parents who have recently joined our extended family of furr kids, here is his picture.













HOLIDAY HELP

Needless to say, we have had an avalanche of last minute holiday bookings, and I was lucky enough to bring on Nanny Samantha's Mom for some holiday help! What better person to be a SVPN Nanny than the Mom of one of our best! Her name is Kayne, (pronounced Cane) and her and Samantha will be acting as a duo this holiday season. She is a life long animal lover, and throughout the years have owned all sorts of furr kids and currently has a horse! She's awesome, and will do a fabulous job with your furr kids.

CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK

I hope that some of you were able to get out to take a look at our tree at Christmas in the Park this year. We had a great time decorating it, and I think it looks awesome! If you weren't able to get a photo over to me this year, please make sure to email one to me so your furr kid can be a part of our tree next year.













TOP 10 TIPS TO KEEP PETS SAFE

Yep, it's my annual tips to keep your furr kids safe and healthy this holiday season. Make sure to make a note of these very simple tips to ensure your furr kid enjoys the holiday with you.

1. Ribbon and wrapping supplies: to cats and dogs, that snowflake ribbon you were planning on using for a gift just looks like a toy. Make sure that you designate a special closet or sealed container to place wrapping supplies. Ingested ribbon can cause intestinal obstruction or bunching of the intestine, conditions that could be fatal. If you place gifts under the tree make sure that they are ribbon-free or wait until Christmas morning to put them out. Avoid tying ribbon around your pets neck for the same reason.
2. Chocolate, coffee, tea, grapes/raisins, xylitol: Chocolate, coffee, and tea contain theobromine, an ingredient that's extremely toxic to pets. Be especially careful of dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate, which contain the highest doses of theobromine. Grapes are a common item on holiday cheese platters, while raisins often find their way into cookies and breads. Beware: both are toxic to dogs and can cause acute renal failure. Xylitol, a sugar substitute often found in chewing gum, and candies, is also toxic to dogs. As it gains popularity among the health-conscious public, it is also found in more homemade baked goods. It can cause vomiting, internal hemorrhaging, and liver failure. Be sure to place foods on tables and counters that are too high for animals to access. Likewise, don't place boxes of wrapped chocolate or food of any kind under the Christmas tree.
3. Raw dough/unbaked bread: Raw dough that contains yeast can "rise" once a pet ingests it, causing gas to build up in its digestive tract. Not only is this highly uncomfortable, but it can also cause the stomach and intestines to rupture from the pressure.
4. Antifreeze: During the cold months, antifreeze is often found dripping onto a garage floor or driveway. Just a lick or two could result in death for your pet. Although animals do find it tasty, even pets that don't "get into things" can walk through it and accidentally lick their paws. Antifreeze causes kidney failure and it only takes 1 to 2 teaspoons to kill a cat or a small dog.
5. Holly Berries and Mistletoe: All parts of the mistletoe are toxic, although the berries are especially bad for pets. Be careful that if you hang mistletoe from the ceiling that the berries do not drop on the floor. Signs that a pet may be suffering from mistletoe poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, urinating more than usual, and a fast heart/respiratory rate. The same holds true for holly berries.
6. Christmas Trees (Cedar): Pets who eat the bark may come down with a stomachache, while the sap can cause an itchy skin rash. Tinsel is a bad idea, since much like ribbon, it can become stuck in a pet's intestines.
7. Poinsettias: They're festive, but the sap can cause blistering in a pet's mouth as well as stomach irritation.
8. Turkey/Ham/Fish bones: Never share these with your pets--they can splinter and cause intestinal tearing or become stuck in the pet's throat, resulting in choking. Choose a better alternative like a piece of rawhide or chew toy that is sold especially for pet consumption.
9. The garbage can: Items like raw meat, juice-soaked string used to tie up roasts, and plastic/foil wrap can have fatal consequences for pets if ingested. Raw meat may be infected with bacteria or parasites like T. gondii, E. Coli or salmonella, while string and plastic/foil wrap can cause intestinal obstruction or choking. Make sure your trash can has a tight-fitting, secure lid and is stored in a location that cannot be accessed by pets. Furthermore, keep a close eye on pets when cleaning up after a holiday soiree. Turning your back on Fluffy, even for a second, could spell disaster if she snatches those salmon bones and runs under the bed with them.
10. Tobacco products: You may not smoke, but what about your friends and family? If ingested, tobacco products can cause pets to seize, or collapse and die from cardiac arrest. Keep all tobacco products, (including patches, nicotine gum, etc) out of their reach and empty your ashtrays often since cigarette butts contain 1/4 the amount of nicotine present in an entire cigarette.

What do you do if you pet ingests something you suspect is toxic? You will want to call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Established in 1978, the APCC is the only 24-hour, 365 day facility of its kind staffed by 30 veterinarians, 12 of who are board-certified toxicologists/veterinary toxicologists. For more information on potentially dangerous substances in the home or to reach the APCC, please call (888) 426-4435

SO HEARTWARMING

This just goes to prove that there are still some wonderful people out there in the world. We could all take something from this story.

"When family and friends announced they were hosting a bridal shower for Brynne Johnstone, 25, and fiance Andrew Salmon, 26, last month, guests asked where the couple had registered near their New Hampshire home. Their answer: Nowhere. Instead of mixing bowls and bread makers, this couple just wanted kibble...and a few more bits for needy pets.

"Between the state of the economy and our love for animals, we asked guests to bring gifts we could donate to the New Hampshire Humane Society in Laconia," Johnstone, who has volunteered there and also adopted three cats from the shelter, tells PEOPLEPets.com. "Andrew and I just built our dream house, and we have everything we could ever need. The Humane Society needs us, and it is the charity of our choice."

Johnstone and Salmon, employed by the Tilton, N.H., police department, were in awe at the response of their 55 friends during the four-hour, Nov. 28 shower. They received dog and cat beds and crates, food, toys and donations, ample supplies to help animals in need at this non-euthanizing shelter, one of the oldest facilities in the state.

"We were very excited and our friends thought the whole thing was so awesome they plan to do the same thing when they have birthdays, weddings and other occasions," says Johnstone, who shares four cats and a German Shepherd puppy with her fiance.

The positive reaction encouraged the unselfish couple to continue giving to the Humane Society. For their upcoming April 17 nuptials, Johnstone and Salmon will continue their creative pet philanthropy. Instead of spending from $300 to $500 for wedding favors, the couple will donate that money in the names of their attendants.

"There are so many better uses for money today than to buy things for people who don't need them," Johnston concludes. "I am glad others think the same way. I hope we have started a trend that will benefit animals. Helping them have a better life makes me so happy!"

WOW, I just thought that was the coolest article! I know full well how the economy has impacted most people, and we can't all contribute like the above couple, however if you have a dollar or two and would like to donate to some great animal causes I encourage you to check out these charities who are near and dear to my heart.

13th Street Cat Rescue - www.13thstcats.org

Humane Society Silicon Valley - www.hssv.org

The Cat House on the Kings - www.cathouseonthekings.com

Any donations are more than appreciated, and not just money, you can donated towels, sheets, and cat or dog food too! Just as last year, we will be donating $1.00 from every visit we do to the 13th Street Cat Rescue, and hope you may help as well.

NEW YEAR CHANGES

The new year will bring some new changes for your beloved SVPN! I have finally found an AWESOME gal to service Campbell/Los Gatos, and she will even go into the Santa Cruz mountain area. Her name is Carolyn, (yep, that's right) Beck and she has done a fabulous job with her first round of furr kids...I'm SO happy to have her on board!

We are also going to be bringing on a Nanny to service the Morgan Hill/Gilroy area, which will be really great!

With the sad state of the economy I have decided to not impose a rate change for this coming year, although my rates have not changed in about 3 years. I will however be changing our overnight price from $65.00 to $70.00 which will put us in line with many of the other pet sitting agencies out there.

HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS

The office will be closed on 12/24, 25th and 26th as well as the 31st and 1/1. Don't worry...we will be busy, busy, busy visiting your furr kids, but the office work will have to wait.

Well, I guess that's it for now. I hope you and your family, (furr and human) have a wonderful holiday, and a safe and happy New Year. Give your furr kids a kiss from their nannies, and we look forward to another fun filled year with them.

HERE'S TO 2010!!!!!!!

Happy November!

Hello all my furr guardians! Can you believe it's already NOVEMBER, and nearly 2010!!!! The holidays are right around the corner, so a friendly reminder to get those holiday pet sitting bookings in SOOOOOOON.

Since Thanksgiving is in a couple of weeks, I thought I would post some pet safety tips to keep your furr kids happy and healthy throughout the holiday season.

It is SO tempting to give your furr kids scraps from your holiday feast, (I'm as guilty as anyone) but I came across the following information and wanted to share it with you.

• Rich, fatty foods such as turkey skins and gravy can contribute to pancreatitis. This inflammation of the digestive gland is painful and can be serious, resulting in emergency veterinary assistance.
• Cooked bones can splinter and cause tears or obstruction in a pet's digestive tract.
• Baking strings can cause BIG trouble if ingested by your furr kid.
• Onions in holiday stuffing can lead to canine anemia.
• Grapes and raisin toxins can cause kidney failure in pets.
• Ingesting chocolate can kill your pet.
• Caffeine and alcohol are also toxic for pets.
• Make sure to keep leftover food out of reach and in tightly closed containers.
• Make sure that garbage cans are secure so our outdoor furr critters are safe from e-coli and unable to chew on leftover tinfoil.

The article suggests that pet owners should plan on providing appropriate chew toys or food occupation devices for pets during holiday activities and always keep an emergency vet clinic or hospital number handy, (just in case).

If you would like to surprise your furr kid with their own version of a Thanksgiving day feast I found the following recipes that you may want to try out.

Pumpkin Barley with Turkey

• 1 quart chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup long-grain rice
• 3/4 cup pearl barley
• Pinch of freshly grated or ground nutmeg
• 1/3 pound ground turkey or ground turkey breast
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• Salt

In a small pot, warm the chicken broth over low heat.

In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat, then add the rice and barley and toast for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season the grains with the nutmeg and stir in half of the warm broth. Cook until the broth bubbles, about 5 minutes, then add the turkey, crumbling it as you drop it into the skillet and cook, (about 5 minutes) until the liquid is absorbed by the grains. Stir in the remaining broth, 1/2 cup at a time, allowing the broth to be fully absorbed before adding more. Cook until the barley is tender, about 18 minutes.

Stir in the pumpkin puree. Cook over medium heat until just heated, about 1 minute. Season to "taste" with salt.

I couldn't really find an appropriate kitty turkey day dish, but this one "sounds" pretty good.

Tuna Kitty Treats,

• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup nonfat powdered milk
• 1/2 can tuna in oil, or 1/2 cup cooked chicken chopped up into small pieces.
• 1 tablespoon vegetable or cod liver oil
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/4 cup water

In a large bowl mash the tuna, (or chicken). Add the flour and powdered milk, mixing well. Stir in the water, oil and egg, mixing well, (mixture will be sticky).

Shape mixture into 1/2-inch balls. Place on greased baking sheets. Press balls to flatten.
Bake at 350*F, (175*C) for 10 minutes. Remove treats from oven; let sit for 5 minutes and then turn treats over and bake another 10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely on wire rack, and store in an air tight container in refrigerator.

SWINE FLU, (H1N1) HITS OUR PETS!!!!!

In Iowa, a 13 year old cat developed lethargy, decreased appetite and trouble breathing after several human members of its family became ill with H1N1 flu! It was confirmed as the first case of H1N1 flu in a cat and the cat is recovering. To date, there is no indication that this cat passed the virus to any people.

In addition to people, at this point in the United States, 2009 H1N1 has been documented in pigs, two ferrets, and now one cat. Based on evidence available at this time, all infections were spread from people to these animals. It is unknown if pets can spread the infection to people.

Other influenza viruses have been known to cross species and all pet owners should take the same hygiene precautions against spreading H1N1 flu to pets as they would with humans. In addition, pets should be monitored for any signs of illness and a veterinarian should be contacted immediately if you have concerns. There is no H1N1 flu vaccine available for pets at this time.

So, keep those hands washed furr guardians, and make sure to wipe off your pets paws after a walk in a neighborhood park.

PAUL MITCHELL FOR PETS!!!!,

I was hanging out at my new hair stylist's salon, (http://www.orangecrushstudios.com/) and as usual we began talking about pet related topics. Lonnie, (the owner) was telling me about an upcoming "dog wash" fundraiser that he's planning on hosting next year which all proceeds benefiting the Silicon Valley Humane Society. He told me that the folks at Paul Mitchell host one every year in Los Angeles which raises thousands of dollars for local pet related charities. I asked him why Paul Mitchell would do something like that, and he explained that they are HUGE animal lovers, and actually have their own line of pet grooming products!!!!! Who knew right? I sure didn't. So, I checked out their site, and WOW, what great products!!!!

All of the products are matched with the PH of dogs and cats, which will not dry their skin out like human shampoos. They are also made with natural botanical blends which compliment pet fur. And lastly they are ready to use, you don't need to water them down at all!

They offer Oatmeal, tearless kitten and puppy, Tea Tree, Calming moisturizing, Super Bright, and Waterless foam shampoos and conditioners, (as well as an instant detangling spray). They also have a line of Pet wipes, which include Body and Paw, Tooth and Gum and Ear and Eye.

I know a lot of my furr guardians use baby wipes and human shampoos, but this seems like a much better alternative for your beloved furr kids. http://www.johnpaulpet.com/

PUTTING A SMILE ON YOUR FACE!

I don't know how many of you are huge YouTube fans...but I wanted to post some videos that totally crack me up!!!! I hope these will put a smile on your face!







CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK TREE!

Another friendly reminder that if you would like to see your furr kid on our 2009 Christmas in the Park tree to please email me a photo. Here is a shot of our tree from last year so you can see what it's all about.


Well, I guess that's it for now. I hope you all have a wonderful turkey day, and remember to keep your furr kids safe and sound. Please give them a big kiss from Nanny Katy, Nanny Chandel, Nanny Laurel, Nanny Stacy, Nanny Jennifer, "Manny" Ryland, Nanny Samantha and Me, (Nanny Carolyn).