THANKSGIVING WEEKEND FUR BABIES

Cuddly Chevron

Nana and Nero

Pawnee

At Pet AuPair Extrordinaire we care for  your pets in the comfort of home. Stress free care for your fur child and the knowledge your home is secure while you are away.  The PURRfect solutionn for all your travel plans.  No worries!

Spending the Thanksgiving weekend with three new fur babies.  Chevron is so cuddly, she'll come up and meow for cuddles.  Pawnee, he's totally a guy who could care less, unless it's for food.

Nero, he's all in for belly rubs - all the time.  Having a great time with them.  Cuddling in front of the TV with the cats, with Nero on the floor in front of me.

If you're planning to travel, call for a consultation.  We have two sitters still available for your December travel needs.  Let us be Your Pet Nana.

Welcome Kim Lindsey to Your Pet Nana Team

At Pet AuPair, we strive able to take care of your pet care needs  with one call.  All our sitters are covered under our bond and pet insurance umbrella and have passed a background check.  I am delighted to introduce our newest team member.  Here Kim tells you a little about herself.

     I moved to Madison Alabama with my Husband in 1984.  Raised two boys and now I’m in the next chapter of life – being a Grandma.  

     Besides my precious family, my passion is spoiling the animals.  I have had dogs all my life and I have been a pet parent for 34 years.During my childhood we always had a family pet that stayed indoors and protected us, so I wanted the same for my children.  My two sons (now grown) can remember having our Yellow Lab “Hercules” during their years growing up.  Hercules was named properly due to his huge paws for only being 6 weeks old.  We laugh when telling the story of Hercules running in the backyard with a tree branch in his mouth that was about twice his size.  Oh yes, he was not afraid of anything or anyone.  He was such a good family pet, and very protective with the children.  Hercules lived to see 16 years old, he passed about 5 years ago.  

     When my oldest son got married in 2011, he and his wife decided to have a rescue for their first family pet. They went to their local animal shelter and found their love – a Bagel, which is a combination of Basset Hound and Beagle.  They named him “Sherlock” and he was my first grand-dog.  Sherlock was 5 years old when he became part of our family. His hip was displaced due to being hit by a car in previous years. He also had an issue with reverse sneezing, so I would have to pay close attention to him when he stayed at grandma’s house.  I give my kids credit for taking on that extra responsibility of adopting an older dog with health issues.  We had many good memories with Sherlock.  He passed away last year when he lost his fight against cancer.  

   Over the years I have a dear friend that I pet sit for when they go out of town to ballgames, etc.  They have a pair of awesome bulldogs, but unfortunately they are both alpha dogs (one is his and one is hers) that were joined together by marriage.  They both have wonderful individual personalities but are very protective when in the same room together.  So, during the time I pet sit for them, we need to keep the two bulldogs separated.  On the hour, every hour, I switch them up – and each one gets to have play time with me.  Makes for a long night but they are such a joy, and so well behaved.  I give the pet parents a big “well done” on keeping them on a fantastic schedule.  It sure makes it easier for when I switch them up – they know exactly what to do when going into separate rooms.

     I currently have a Chocolate Lab “Hershey” who is 4 years old.  He is my rescue angel.  Not sure how anyone could beat and starve such a precious boy, but now he is King of my household.

     During the day I’m at Madison City Hall where I work as an Administrative Assistant for the past 24 years (stop by and say Hi), but during the evening and weekends I am available to help spoil your precious Kings and Queens.  Let me be Your Pet Nana!

Benefits of Using an In-Home (Live in) Pet Sitter

Using a professional pet sitter reaps benefits for both pet and pet parents. The PURR-fect choice for any pet that thrives best in the comfort of home, i.e. Greyhounds, rescue pets, older dogs and any pet who has issues being boarded.  Once you experience professional pet care in your home, you'll never worry about being away from your pet again.

For the Pets:

Benefits to your pets include:

• Staying at home in his/her safe, secure environment
• Being surrounded by familiar sights, smells and sounds
• Following his/her regular diet and exercise routine
• Lots of play time, hugs, kisses, snuggles
• Receiving love and personal attention
• Maintaining medical treatment, when required
• Having someone responsible in case of an emergency
• Eliminating the trauma of travel or an unfamiliar environment
• Providing comfort during thunderstorms
• Helping to ensure good health (no exposure to other animals' illness or parasites)

For the Pet Parent:

Benefits to you include:

• Knowing that your pet is in caring, loving hands
• Having the confidence that the pet sitter can deal with other issues - such as grooming, vet visits, home emergencies
• Eliminating the trauma of having to transport and leave your pet
• Not having to impose on family, friends or neighbors
• Feeling your home and your pet is more secure 

Not all pet sitters are created equal, nor are they all professional.  In hiring a pet sitter, it is important to make sure you have chosen the right person to care for your beloved animal.  Be sure anyone coming into your home is bonded and  has pet insurance.  When using a sitter service, have the sitters passed a background check (county, state and federal)? reprinted by permission NAPPS

Pet AuPair Sitter Introduction

It is my pleasure to introduce you to one the sitters who will be working with Your Pet Nana to provide quality pet care for our pet parent and their fur kids. 

 WELCOME KATELYN HILL

Katelyn Hill is a new sitter with Pet AuPair who  dedicates her time  working with animals..  We are delighted to have her as part of our team as she brings her experience with Greyhounds (for all my Grey lovers) and her experience working in both a veterinary clinic and professional boarding environment to Pet AuPair.  This is, an excellent addition to Your Pet Nana, and I am especially delighted to make her experience available for our older pets and pets with medical issues.  Along with this experience, Katelyn has a few other pet skills that might help make life with your pet easier.

 From show dogs to rescues

Katelyn grew up in an environment where  the dogs showed in everything from agility to conformation,  and is well versed  in the needs  of those who want their dogs to follow certain basic commands and routines in their day-to-day lives. She has also helped raise litters of puppies from birth to adulthood, so understands the needs of both the mothers and pups and that delicate stage of their lives. As an HOTC volunteer Katelyn has witnessed the experts work with rescued dog issues.   Rescues can be frightened of people, loud noises, cars; they come from frightening environments and the process of socialization requires much love and patience. Katelyn’s gentle, patient nature and experience working with rescues is perfect in helping these dogs integrate into their fur-ever home. Her work with her own rescue pup, Poppy, is a testament to her ability to help ease a dog’s fears and let them become a valued member of the family.  If you have a rescue who needs someone with a soft touch, Katelyn can help.  Contact Your Pet Nana and we can set up a consultation.

Basic  Skills

Katelyn has performed a wide variety of tasks over the years in different jobs all centered around taking care of animals. She is comfortable giving injections and pills, as well as working with animals who have broken legs, extreme dietary restrictions, or other special medical conditions. She is comfortable with all breeds of dog large or small, and even has experience with guinea pigs, gerbils, and rats so there's no need to worry about even your smallest friends.

Whether it's some puppy who is shy, rambunctious on the leash, or just hasn't quite got the grasp of manners , Katelyn’s experience allows her to be cool headed and calm in the face of behavioral issues, and places your pet's happiness and comfort above all.

Your Pet Nana is delight to have Katelyn on the Pet AuPair team.  

What Does That Poop Tell You?

 HAPPY MONDAY PET PARENTS

Wishing you an awesome week with your fur child.   The web provides much information to help us be better pet parents.  I found a great blog that has some useful information I'd like to share.

What Does That Poop Tell You?

There are so many awesome things about having a dog: the happy wags, the sweet snuggles, the exuberant greeting when we come home, the laughter and joy they bring to our lives. We love our fur kids so much that we even pick up their poop since that’s part of the deal.  So what does that poop tell you about your fur child’s health.

http://www.aaha.org/blog/petsmatter/post/2015/11/08/520003/What-is-your-dogs-poop-telling-you.aspx

                        Information provided through NAPPS www.napps.org and reprinted from Pets Matter

What's New At Pet AuPair?

I’m proud to announce that as our clientele has grown so has the need for more sitters. In the next few weeks I’ll be introducing the sitters that have chosen to work with Pet AuPair to all our pet parents. All sitters are covered by the Pet AuPair bond and pet insurance and have passed background checks.  Your Pet Nana strives to provide  a safe, secure and loving experience when we provide care for your fur child.

Make it an awesome week.

 Carol Ingram, Your Pet Nana

Winter Health Concern

THE CANINE FLU

Recently I took one of my fur puppy clients to the vet for a routine check up.  There was a sign out front about canine flu shots.  Canine flu shots are new to me, but it reminded me of a time when I was 12.  The Asian flu was pandemic that year and my mom didn’t get out of bed for about two weeks, she was so sick. That particular flu strain was particularly contagious and several of my mother’s friends died after exposure to the flu.

I  received a Siamese kitten for my birthday and Masie was only a kitten and full of mischief.  She got into my mom’s trash of used tissues whenever she could sneak into the bedroom.  Shortly thereafter Masie died of complications to a flu like respiratory condition.  I was doing some reading this morning and came across this article that I want to share.  Like humans, not all dogs need all vaccinations, that is up to the pet parent to decide, based on the dogs present state of health and lifestyle.  I’m only sharing information to raise awareness..

As a member of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS), I have a great source of information available to share with pet parent.  The article I read is about the dog flu, which is causing many concerned pet parents to leave their pets in the safety of their own homes. Dog flu, also known as canine influenza causes respiratory problems in canines.  It may take up to ten 10 days for a dog to show symptoms that may include coughing, sneezing, fever, nasal discharge, lethargy and loss of appetite. Severity increases with the development of pneumonia and may lead to death, though the percentage of dogs that die is very small.  The influenza virus is spread by droplets when the dog coughs or sneezes, and by contact with contaminated objects.  Humans can carry the influenza virus on their clothes for up to 48 hours. If you are exposed, change your clothes before coming in contact with another dog to prevent spreading the illness. Dog owners should wash their hands after contact with any dog. Exposure to infected dogs in shelters, kennels and daycare facilities spreads the infection.  So far, no human infections with canine influenza have ever been reported.

Canine influenza A H3N8 originated in horses, spread to dogs and between dogs, and is now considered dog-specific.  The H3N2 virus originated in birds in South Korea, China and Thailand, and may infect cats, but not humans.

Tests to confirm canine influenza are available.  There is an approved vaccine to protect dogs from influenza A H3N8, though it is not known whether it will protect against the H3N2 virus.  Pet parents must discuss these options with their veterinarian, depending on the age, health of your pet and his or her exposure to other dogs.  Treatment is supportive, with plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

Pet parents would do well to keep up to date on the latest news of the dog flu outbreak and to contact a veterinarian if they have questions or concerns. 

                                 Reprinted by permission NAPPS www.napps.org

A Little About Pet AuPair Extraordinaire, LLC

Your Pet Nana does business as Pet AuPair Extraordinaire, LLC and prefers to be thought of as Your Pet's Nana.  It's certainly easier to remember and spell than extraordinaire, but I do feel I give each pet I'm privileged to care for extraordianry love and snuggles; or conversely, perhaps those fur kids provide me with an extraordinary abundance of love and acceptance.

I recently joined the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, www.napps.com
As business is growing I find it an excellent source to help my business grow and to provide valuable information for all my pet parents.

With a growing clientele there were times I was unable to sit for regular clients yet found myself unable to refer them to anyone.  As I looked around for referrals I really could not find sitters that were bonded, much less with pet insurance, to refer clients to when I was busy.  To take care of that problem, I have found some very capable sitters to work under the Pet Au Pair bond and pet insurance umbrella,  All have passed county, state and federal background checks.  When I am unable to take care of your fur child, I feel confident that these sitters will care for your pups with the same love and attention that I do.

Make it an awesome day.  Hug a pet.

Carol, Your Pet Nana