"Sophie the Bully"

This is Sophie, an English Bulldog Pup. She is my weekly dog walking client. Sophie lives with a wonderful family that have 4 children that love to play with her and keep her active. She is full of personality and has the classic bulldog look. She is in the puppy destruction phase and loves to torment her human mom.She loves to chew and will steal your shoes right off your feet if you are not careful. She has the stubborn streak that most bullies are known for and will let me know when she has walked far enough and ready to go inside.

 She loves her belly rubs and you can rub her till she falls right to sleep, snoring in your lap. She has also started to want to cuddle a little more than when she was younger. Sophie really loves to play and chase and climb all over you if you will lay down with her in the floor.

I have been caring and walking Sophie since she was just a few weeks old. I miss her when I do not get to go see her. She makes you happy just to see her. I can go in and say "where is my Sophie" and she gets so excited. Then I hug and pet and scratch her ears before we go for our walk. She always goes to "her" spot and responds to commands very well. Her parents have been training her and working with her so well. She loves to travel with her family, and is well behaved on road trips.

I hope you enjoy this View of a Dog Walker


Susan
KCPS

The Ross Clan

I would like to introduce you to Itsy, she is part of the Ross clan, a wonderful family that I get to work for, and care for all their critters. Itsy is a smart, energetic little dog who knows how to dance. I love spending time with her. She will dance and do tricks for her treats, getting pictures of her though is a task for she never sits still for very long.

She shares her home with 6 kitty siblings, who have a wonderful environment in an upstairs cat utopia. Lots of climbing, hiding, and playing go on with all these kitties. I try to lay eyes on each kitty, but sometimes they just do not want to come out. I know they are there watching me though. Snarfy the himalayan will peer out at me from his hiding spot and watch every step I take.

Then there is Willow the bird, who speaks many words, barks like a dog, and meows like a cat. I love, love this bird. I may sound crazy, but I go around talking to Willow while caring for the others.

Outside the home we have the goats, all friendly and loves to be petted. The each have their own personality and will show you while you are spending time there feeding them and petting them.

I love to care for all these critters and spending time at the Ross home with them all.

I hope you have enjoyed this View of a Dog Walker.

Susan
KCPS

Meal Time Tips

As a professional dog person, I have people ask me all the time, how much should I feed my pet? When should I feed my pet? Well that is a different answer for each person. I often tell people that the best person to answer this is your vet or a breeder of the animal you have. Also you can get the information on the food that you purchase. But here is my two cents worth.



For small/toy breeds you should feed no more than a cup a day. Best to feed them twice a day for they usually have more energy and use more of the intake.

Normal to medium breeds you should feed 2 to 3 cups a day. And again twice a day for the same reason as small breeds.

Large breeds you should feed 2 to 4 cups a day and you can feed them once or twice a day. Some heavier breeds may require 6 cups a day.

Giant breeds you should feed between 8-10 cups a day and feed them once or twice a day, some heavier breeds may require 2 more cups.

I do not recommend grazing feedings, but I practice it. If you can get your pets to eat a specific times such as mornings and early evenings, it gives a better routine. The only reason we do it is because that is what they have been used to for so long, luckily they rarely eat our of the others bowls so we feed them in the am and they usually eat by evening.

If you feed soft/can food you will have to adjust your amounts and feedings. I do not recommend soft food, because it can cause tarter and plaque buildup on teeth, and hard food helps keep teeth strong and healthy. I also have a dog that refuses to eat soft food.

I know it is horrible to see undernourished animals, but I also hate to see overweight animals. obesity in pets can lead to many health problems, including, but not limited to, diabetes, joint pains, and heart problems. Please be aware of your pets weight, your vet or breeder can recommend the ideal weight for your breed.

I know that treats are a normal part of our lives with pets. But keep in mind that treats will add extra, not thought about weight to your pet. I once had a vet tell me that 1 milk bone is the equivalent of 1 snickers to humans. So remember that when feeding your pets treats several times a day.
I also do not recommend table food for pets, when I say table food I mean food prepared for humans. Foods, such as, rice, veggies, chicken and tuna are all good foods for pets when not salted and spiced,. I have clients that feed a mixture of rice and veggies to there pets and all of them are healthy and happy.

Another good tip, use stainless steel, ceramic, or pet bowls made with antibacterial materials, this helps cut down on germs, organisms, and bacteria that can grow on pets bowls. I would also wash pet bowls at least once a week. This also helps with bad breath and mouth health.

Now these are just my opinions, and things I have learned over the years working with pets. Use your own judgement as to your pets needs, and if you have any questions please consult your veterinarian.

I hope you enjoy these tips and this View of a Dog Walker

Susan
KCPS

Tucker the Golden

This week I am caring for Tucker, a sweet, female Golden Retriever. She is the embodiment of goldens. She is smart, sweet, caring, personable, everything you expect from the breed. She also has a sense of humor, and smiles the biggest smile I have seen. She loves her peoples and her home. She also loves her stuffies and has them all over. She is very careful with them, unlike most dogs, she does not rip them open to get to the stuffing. She understands so many words you can nearly have a conversation with her. She loves to please and get her belly rubs. She, like many dogs, misses her family and she will let you know that she misses them. That sweet little whine and look of I am glad your here but I will be happier when my peoples return. She is so funny too. You can tell her to eat and she will take two bites and look at you like is that enough, will you pet me now? She knows though, she gets no treats until she finishes her din din. She wags her tail the entire time she eats, it is so cute. I love to just sit with her and rub her ears and talk to her. She has a wonderful, caring family that loves her dearly, and I lover her too.

Golden Retrievers are notable the most intelligent of all the dog breeds, used for all sorts of purposes, including service dogs to the disabled. I fell in love with Goldens when I started reading books by the author Dean Koontz. He has featured the breed in many of his books, as well as his beloved dog Trixie had a few books of her own. He and his wife even set up a foundation for the breed in the memory of Trixie who passed away.

They are a great family dog, gentle with children and protector of the home. They are suitable for all types of living, from apartments and city life, to country homes and hunting. They are energized and love to take walks, and play fetch, eager to please at every turn. If you are considering adding a dog to your family, you can not go wrong with this breed.

I hope you enjoy this View of a Dog Walker, and this little insight to a wonderful dog.

Susan
KCPS

Sun, Snow, Fog, Oh My!

I was leaving from Titans morning play time on Monday when I seen the most amazing thing, it was flurrying snow, with the sun shining and in the next minute the fog rolled in and moved across the fields. It was beautiful and eerie all at the same time. I stopped and took a photo and a video and was in awe of the beauty of it all. I see lots of beauty with my job and many different views, but this was so rare and breathtaking. It is hard to describe, and the pictures and video does not do it justice. I had noticed while outside playing tag with Titan the mountains was fogging and that is was rolling across the peaks, but was not prepared to be enveloped in the fog when leaving. It was like something out of a movie. I am blessed to be able to share my experiences with you and I hope that you enjoy.

Views from a Dog Walker. 

Susan
KCPS

Time...

As today is my birthday, the big dreaded four o, I reflect on the past 5 years that I have been caring for pets. I think how blessed I am to be able to do something I love and to give something back to the people I work for. I like to think that I give them peace of mind while they are away from their loved pets. That they know that their animals are receiving the best care and love possible.

I truly cherish each pet I care for and love them all. I have grieved at the loss of pets, right along with their owners. I am welcomed with snuggles and wet kisses at each of my stops, I get hugs and love during my visit, how could I not have the best job ever!   

The last 5 years have been exciting and at sometimes even non- stop, but I have enjoyed it so much. I look forward to many, many, more years of working with animals.

I have dreams and goals to grow my business, to be able to provide the best service to all my clients. I hope that all of you come along with me.  Thank you for giving me the chance to be able to care for your pets. 

Until next time. Enjoy this View of a Dog Walker.

Susan
KCPS