Have you ever had the feeling that services nickel and dime you? In earlier years, it was common for me to receive a trim for my bangs for free at my regular hairdresser. Nowadays, I am charged for that small service. When we drove up to the gas station years ago, a friendly employee came out and cleaned the windows while we were waiting for him to fill our car with gas. Nowadays, we might not even see an employee. I am sure you can think of many more examples of excellent customer service and small courtesies that make the difference. In the pet sitting industry, you find the same thing. Have you ever looked at service offerings where you can add on services? Suddenly you find yourself looking trough the pricelist as if you were reviewing a laundry list at the cleaners. Do you have to pay for small services like giving a pill to your pet or sprinkling food in your fish tank?
You can be sure, when you hire The Purrfect Nanny for your pet sitting services that those little acts of kindness are included in your basic fee. Yes, we will give your pet a pill for free. Yes, we will sprinkle food into your fish tank for free. Yes, we don’t mind feeding your bird while we take care of your other pets for free. At The Purrfect Nanny, we understand the importance of excellent customer service and small courtesies that make the difference.
Check out our next BLOG about “what makes us stand out from the competiton”
Your Child’s next Birthday Party could bring fun and awareness to your child and friends and help homeless animals. Have you next birthday party at Marietta based, Our Pal’s Place. Our Pal’s Place is an animal advocate organization with a pet adoption facility and education center. Their mission is to provide solutions that improve the future for animals.
When your guests arrive, they give a tour of their main facility where homeless pets who are awaiting their “forever home” are housed. Pictures are taken of your guests and their favorite dog for a take home remembrance of your party. From here, your gathering can include games, food/drink, spending time with the dogs, dog walking…
You can even request that your guests bring gifts for the doggies.
To find out more about Our Pals Place and their parties visit their website:
www.ourpalsplace.org
Operation Second Chance- what a beautiful concept, dogs that were scheduled to be euthanized at Atlanta area Gwinnett County Animal Control have some strange new digs and a new opportunity at life, in jail.
For a touching view of the story check out the CBS Atlanta Story
Watch the news story here.
Read more at the Gwinnett Daily Post.
Today in honor of The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Atlanta area radio station Dave FM’s radio free lunch was dedicated to things dogs do.
What a cute idea, I had a lot of fun listening.
Check out the ideas that came through: Radio Free Lunch
We recently found out about Diningwithfido.com an awesome website based in Atlanta. Suddenly there is even more reason to be dreamy of warm sunny Atlanta weather. Dining With Fido lists Atlanta Restaurants by neighborhood that have Doggie Friendly Patios.
Check out Dining With Fido’s tips for Patio Ettiquette:
1.Always call ahead to make sure tables are available.
2.Nobody knows your dog better than you. To minimize frustration and embarrassment, be sure of your dog’s public manners and ability to be calm around food and strangers.
3.Exercise prior to a meal outing can be very helpful to keep your dog relaxed and well behaved.
4.Let your dog go potty before getting seated.
5.Sometimes it is a good idea to bring your own water bowl on hot days.
6.Bring a leash that allows your dog to be tied to a post, your chair, or under the table. Leashes too long can be dangerous for the servers.
Boy, I can’t wait for Spring!
It is so sad that Atlanta’s Mei Lan was called back to China, but what an interesting read her adjustment to her new life makes. It seems Chinese Zoo Keepers are looking for a tutor to teach Mei Lan Chinese?!
And while she will have some of her American Biscuits now, she will be transitioned over to Chinese ‘wotou’ (steamed bread made of corn and sorghum) and fresh bamboo. Read more in the AP Wire Story.
And check out China’s Panda Kindergarten!
I thought those were stuffed animals when I first saw them!
The Atlanta Humane Society has stepped in to help transport over 100 animals from the City of Clarksdale Animal Shelter. The ASPCA helped organize the rescue of over 400 animals from the shelter. For more information on the ASPCA’s role check out ASPCA.org.
The Atlanta Humane Society has taken in over 6 dozens of the rescued animals and reports that many will need costly medical care before they can be adopted. To find out more about the state of the rescued animals or to make donations to help care for them click here.
A rare disease normally found in horses has hit local Paulding County Animal Shelter. The shelter is currently under quarantine. The Georgia Department of Agriculture closed the doors of the shelter on January 19th after the sudden mysterious death of several dogs. A necropsy, by the University of Georgia, revealed that one of the dogs had succumb to Streptoccocus equi subsp. zooepidemicus. This disease is treatable in early stages by antibiotics and all exposed shelter animals are receiving antibiotics at this time. Once the shelter has gone seven days with out any additional illness it will be allowed to reopen.
For more information on Streptoccocus equi subsp. zooepidemicus check out this helpful data sheet link.
For more information on this story check out the AJC article Shelter closed after 12 dogs die from illness.
To find out more about Paulding Animal Shelter visit the Paulding Humane Society site at PauldingHumane.org.
From Stanley Coren’s book the Intelligence of Dogs come this list ranking the top 12 intelligent dogs.
Goldendoodle, Barley is a mix of two of the top 4, this can be a good thing or a bad thing. On one hand he volunteers to show foster dogs what to do when we say ‘Crate’, on the other we recently found him devouring a jar of peanut butter on the library floor, having somehow figured out how to remove the lid. Do you have a Smart dog at home? In what was is it good or bad?
Rank Breed
1. Border Collies
2. Poodle
3. German Shepherd
4. Golden Retriever
5. Doberman Pincher
6. Shetland Sheepdog
7. Labrador Retriever
8. Papillon
9. Rottwieler
10. Australian Cattle Dog
11. Pembrook Welsh Corgi
12. Miniature Schnauzer
Guilty Goldendoodle
Atlanta based Mother Nature Network, is looking for the most eco-friendly dog in the country.
Could it be yours?
Find out by submitting a photo at http://www.mnn.com/green-dog-of-the-year-contest, no later than February 12.
While you are there check out the cute photos already submitted of four legged environmentalists across the country.
The winner will be named Green Dog of the Year, be featured on the home page of MNN.com, and win a year’s supply of Eukanuba’s Naturally Wild Formula dog food.
“Pet lovers are always taking photos of their furry friends,” said Emily Murphy, Managing Editor at MNN, who finds creative ways to reduce her own pup’s impact on the Earth. “Green dogs enjoy the outdoors, use natural toys and pet-care products, and, if they are so inclined, sport organic clothing. Some of the greenest dogs are adopted from animal rescue groups and shelters.”
*Atlanta-based Mother Nature Network, launched in 2009 by celebrated environmentalist and dog-lover Chuck Leavell, longtime keyboardist for the legendary Rolling Stones, offers the latest in environmental news and encourages ecologically responsible behavior. MNN is intended to help the average person - whether you’re going green or have been there for years - figure out which choices to make, a one-stop guide to greening your daily routine as big or as small as you want.*
