It’s been a while since my last post and I apologize to all my loyal readers. I blame my absence on several things but all worthy excuses.

-The Holiday season (it’s the busiest time of year for the pet sitting industry)

-Vacation (Jeff and I took a week and half off to recover from our busy holiday season)

-Foot surgery (Just happened on Tuesday- ouch!!)

But the last excuse for my blog-less-ness will actually free up my time in the near future to catch up on my blogging- this girl is stuck in bed for at-least 2 weeks and will be on recovering for at-least 6 weeks. (Bunion surgery has such a long recovery time, which I hate) I am freaking out about this mandatory bed rest because I’m not one to lay around. Don’t get me wrong I love my couch time and I love watching movies and snuggling with my kitties, but only on my terms and not when I am forced to do so. Luckily, right now my foot is screaming in pain and I am adequately hopped up on pain pills so laying in bed is all I really want to do anyway. But I know the second my foot starts to feel better I will want to jump off of this island of foot hell (that’s what I’m calling my bed right now) and get back to work playing with all my sweet puppy pals. (Isn’t it crazy that my job is to play with dogs and cats- I’m such a lucky gal) This is probably the part I will miss most about being mobile. I LOVE all of my clients and I’m going to miss them terribly- walking with them, running around chasing squirrels with them and having them bounce around me with joy when I walk in their front doors.

I’ll be back soon enough and better then ever to play and romp just in time for spring. Love you all!!

~Furrr

I love the holidays!! My dogs and cats love the holidays too, because there is so much going on around the house. The cats go crazy for all the wrapping paper and shiney things hanging around and the dogs go nuts for all the great smells coming out of the kitchen. But I’d like to share with my loyal readers a few things that will keep your furrry kids safe this holiday season.

Below is a list of Dos and Dont’s for you to follow to avoid those expensive trips to the emergency vet. Because going to the emergency vet is not fun for anyone!!

Don’t

-Feed table scraps (besides the upset stomach Fido will get from the richness of human food he can also be poisoned by all the garlic and onions in those taters!)

-Leave tinsel or ribbon laying around (kitties will eat this stuff and can get major intestinal blockages, ouch!)

-Over feed your pets (Just because we tend to stuff our faces during the holidays doesn’t mean it’s a good idea for Fido to.)

-Leave town without having a responsible person (i.e. Professional Pet Sitter) check on your pets.

-Leave your dogs or cats outside when it’s really cold (sure they wear fur coats, but if they don’t have access to proper shelter from wind and snow they can freeze and die!)

-Leave a metal water bowl outside (the water in a metal bowl can freeze and they will be left with ice cubes to drink, do you like crunching on ice when it’s cold outside?)

Do

-Tie up the cords from all of your interior holiday lights (this will avoid kitty strangulation.)

-Keep your pets from all chemical spills such as anti-freeze (don’t let them drink out of puddles on the street- you have no idea what’s in that puddle!)

-Give your cats and dogs pet friendly snacks (give Fido a special bone while you’re eating your holiday meal so he’ll still feel like part of the family.)

-Put all candy and chocolates out of Fido’s reach (chocolate is poison for dogs!)

-Hire a pet sitter if you are leaving town (no matter how independent your cat is she still needs fresh water daily and her safety to be checked.)

-Bundle up your temperature sensitive pets (if they are older or have little to no fur to protect their skin or if they walk on icy surfaces outside)

If you follow these simple things then you and your pets will have a safe holiday season!

~Furrr

The “Friends of Red Bud Isle” (a local group of park volunteers) has a monthly poop patrol gathering where they search the entire park and remove left over dog waste in the park area. During this month’s poop patrol the volunteers collected about 50lbs of poop. Good Job! There are a few good reasons why these volunteers and they efforts are so appreciated. Not only is it nice to have a poop-free park, but these efforts also contribute to the safety of the park’s water. The water that flows around Red Bud Isle is Lady Bird Lake. Recently another great Austin off leash dog park has been closed, well closed in the sense that dogs are no longer able to run off leash and swim in the creek that runs through it. Bull Creek is the park that I’m referring to. The reason why it’s been closed to off leash visitors is due to the high bacteria levels of the creek’s water. Basically the dog poop in the park  has seeped into the water system making it too contaminated for dogs or humans to swim in. Gross! Awful isn’t it? So, picking up your dog’s poop during a walk or at a park isn’t just for asthetics- it’s for the safety of our water systems.

To read more about how you can help save Red Bud click the link below

http://www.redbudisle.org/

~Furrr

Here are some of our favorite Dog Friendly places. For now we are sticking to bars that are south of Town Lake.  Please feel free to add yours in the comment section:

Check out our map, it is a great resource for all things Pets in South Austin

Freddies on 1st

Waitin on his Doggy Bowl

A great restaurant/bar with an awesome patio where you and your dog can relax and eat a hamburger together. Seriously, you can order your dog a “doggy bowl” which is cooked ground, so it doesn’t have pickles and onions I don’t think your dog will mind.
Freddies Website:
http://www.freddiesplaceaustin.com

Austin Java
A dog friendly local coffee shop with yummy food and tasty beverages.
Austin Java’s Website:
http://www.austinjava.com/

Opal Divines
Great big deck that is usually full of friendly dog on the weekend. The wait staff will even bring you a bowl with ice water for your Furrr-Buddy.
Opal Divines website:
http://www.opaldivines.com/pennfield/index.html

Green Mesquite Barbeque
Great ribs and brisket, the dogs are allowed in the back patio area of their restaurant. The staff might even surprise your pooch with a treat.
Green Mesquite Website:
http://www.greenmesquite.net/

More and more these days pets are traveling- almost as much as their busy parents do. I heard about this new airline that exclusively caters to traveling pets. The airline is called Pet Airways. Their slogan is: On Pet Airways, your pets aren’t packages, they’re “pawsengers.” And I agree with them! What makes this airline so special is not only that their passengers are pets but that the flying pets are kept in the cabin area of the plane and not in the cargo area like all other major commercial airlines. Very cool, if ya ask me! Flying in the cargo area means your pet is treated like a piece of luggage not like your precious little buddy.

Airfare for pet flights start at $149 one-way which seems to be on par with regular human flights, but the benefit of flying your cat or dog on Pet Airways is that they have a special flight attendant that checks on them every 15 minutes while in flight, they arrive and depart from a pet friendly lounge at the airport and they fly in a comfortable cabin. Right now their flight cities include New York, LA, Washington DC, Chicago and Denver. Flights begin this month and I’m sure more flight cities will be added to their route once word gets out about this great airline.

When I heard about Pet Airways and I read their “Our Story” section on their website I was so delighted. I’m so glad to hear about companies like this one offering great pet services that others have just over looked or thought weren’t important to the traveling public.

If you know of great pet services in your area please let me know.

~Furrr

You heard me! All clients of JenniFurrr’s Pet Services now receive 15% off all services at all Austin area Dirty Dog locations. All you have to do is mention that your a client of JenniFurrrs when you make your grooming appt or when you pay for your self-serve dog wash to receive your discount. Pretty cool, huh!

Also, remember if you can’t find the time to take your pup to his grooming appt. JenniFurrr’s Pet Services will be happy to give him a ride in our pet taxi. Just call to make the arrangements!

~Furr

Save a memory. Save a life.

In order to provide education, fostering, adoption and medical intervention, Austin Pets Alive! needs our help.

Book a “Dog-ography” session with Korey Howell and 100% of the sitting fee will go to benefit Austin Pets Alive!

Here’s how it all works:

• Schedule an appointment online using this link: http://my.timedriver.com/5N7XH.
• Come to the studio with your furry friend. Why the studio? Because it’s July and it’s hot and I don’t want all the photos to be with the dog’s tongue hanging out!
• While at the studio, she’ll have you log onto http://www.austinpetsalive.org and make a $150 donation for one dog, add $75 for a second.
• The donation will cover the sitting (laying, shaking, sniffing, tail-wagging, etc.) fee.
• She’ll offer the following items for sale:

Photo CD – $150

Take home a photo CD of all the images from the shoot with a copyright release giving you permission to make enlargements at your favorite lab or just print from your personal computer.

Framed Composite of 4 Images – $195

Choose your 4 favorite images and I’ll have them printed and framed and ready for wall hanging in 3 days.

Hardbound Coffee-Table Book – $195

We’ll use your favorite images from the session to create a professionally bound photo book.

Special Bonus:

Buy any two items above and Korey will create a video  for you as unique as your doggy! With the images from the session and compelling music, she’ll create something unforgettable!

For more details contact

Korey Howell Photography

512/331.7744

Hula and Pauli are their names and jumpin’ high is their game!

These 1 1/2 year old catahoula sisters are awesome dogs! I visit them a few times a week when their moms are working late. They love chasing their frisbees and love to show off their awesome hops even more. I have so much fun watching them I thought I would share a video of all the cool things they can do with you -- my dog loving friends. I hope you enjoy watching them as much as I do. Believe me when I say they are kickass girls and a blast to play with. I’m such a lucky gal to have clients like Hula and Pauli : )

Just see for your self how cool the girls are…

~Furrr

Dogs love to run! I can’t think of anything better than “running” right there beside them.

I’ve skated with many dogs over the years. My first skating buddy was a German Shepherd named Schubert (and he’s still one of my favorite Roller Dogs.) What made Schubert so special was that he loved to run full out for as long as possible. Up hill, down hill, He didn’t care he just loved to run. I did very little skating with him- mostly I just held on while he pulled me. Right now I skate with as many as 7 different dogs a week. The biggest benefit of skating with your dog is that they’ll tire out much quicker than with just a walk.

Warning

I DO NOT recommend trying this if you are uncomfortable with your skating skills!  Note: you should always wear proper padding to help cushion your fall. No matter how well you can skate you will fall. Trust me on this! Squirrels are the leading culpret for most of my stumbles, although a barking dog across the fence, cracks in the pavement and worn out wheels have all contributed to my road rashed knees.

What you need:

1. A willing energetic dog
This is your most impotant piece of equipment, most dogs will be a little nervous at first. I’ve skated with many dogs and about 1 in 10 will be a natural and take to skating right away.
2. Inline skates
I use hockey style blades (what can I say… I’m Canadian) those are the only blades I’ve ever owned. The most important part of the skate is the wheel. You need to make sure they are hard enough to take the wear and tear of outdoor pavement and blacktop.
3. A good fitting dog harness
The harness should be snug enough so it doesn’t twist around after your dog gets going but not so tight to inhibits your dog’s movement.
4. The leash
I highly recommend a bungie style leash, it will be less jarring on your dog when they stop abruptly (and you don’t.) Also, your leash should be at least 6ft long.
5. A good place to skate
Newer home developments always have smoother paved surfaces, so I recommend sticking to these communities. If the roads suck you can always skate on the sidewalk but be aware of uneven sections.
6. Pads
You should have atleast knee pads but I also consider wearing wrist guards and elbow pads. I have  ignored my own advice and have the scars to prove it.
7. Doggy Boots (optional equipment)
During the Summer months you’ll find that your dog can’t take the heat of the pavement on their paw pads so you might want to consider purchasing Dog Booties. It will make your outings last that much longer and your dog will be more comfortable.

Safety Tips

1. If you find your dog is a natural and has a powerful motor I recommend skating uphill for the first mile or until he’s winded.

2. Figure out the best way to stop.

• The Bailout- If you get going too fast or feel uncomfortable with your speed look for the nearest patch of grass (think of the runaway truck lanes you see on the highway for 18 wheelers) when you go from street to grass be ready- you’ll need to be balanced and leaning back a bit because your body will have the tendency to lurch forward but your skates will be going back.
• The Heel Brake- which comes on most recreation skates, word of warning, this will not stop you near as fast as the Bailout.  It is more of a slowdown method, but if you really grind your heel into it you will eventually come to a stop.
• The Falldown- which is exactly as it sounds. I do not recommend this without pads!!!

3. Plan your route. When I get a new Roller Dog client I take a quick drive around their neighborhood and check out the streets to see if the asphault is in good enough skating condition. If it isn’t you can always stick to the sidewalk- just keep your eye out for uneven cracks and also look for good areas to Bailout. This is very  important on downhill slopes where you will pick up speed.

Have fun, hold on tight and don’t be afraid to Bail!

Here’s a video I shot of my two favorite Roller Dog clients Seiko and Kodiak.

~Jeff

You’re probably wondering how one can have etiquette at a dirty dog park but just like all other public situations in life there are unspoken rules that need to be followed to ensure a good time can be had by all.

- Have control of your dog! Do not let your dog loose as soon as you park your car. This can be extremely dangerous. Keep him on leash until you have walked to the approved off leash area. I understand your dog is bursting with energy and can’t wait to go sniff butts but  if you let him loose in the parking lot your dog may be hit by a car! Duh!!

- Pick up your dog’s poop! Even if you don’t witness him pooping he probably did, so pick up at least one random pile of poop to help clean up the area. The biggest complaint I hear about my favorite dog park is the amount of dog poop lying around. Poop is poop- doesn’t matter if it came from your dog’s butt or not. (Puck averages 3 poops per visit)

- Don’t talk on your cell phone! Pay attention to your dog- this is his time and you should be present in the moment! In my experience the dog that is causing the most trouble is the one with an owner that is lazily walking behind him with a cell phone stuck to their ear oblivious to their dog’s bad behavior. You are responsible for your dog’s behavior and if they hurt another dog you are liable for all damages.

- Bring extra tennis balls! If you know your dog is a ball thief then you should bring a few extras to repay all the one’s he’s stolen. Puck loses several balls on his own, but he loses most of them to bully dogs that won’t give them back. You wouldn’t let your kid steal another kid’s toy from the playground, would you?

- Wear clothes that can get dirty. If you don’t like getting dirty or don’t like dirty-wet dogs coming up to sniff you then you should stay home! I love dogs- all dogs and when they come up to sniff me I say hi and let them do so (no matter how wet and dirty they are). This is what dog parks are all about- socializing! Besides the people that yap on their cell phones, the people that flinch when a dirty dog comes up to them are my least favorite  people at the dog park. : (

To some of you these tips may be obvious, but you’d be surprised by how many people have bad dog park etiquette. If you have any tips please share!

~Furrr