Scared Dog On The 4th Of July - 4 Calming Resources-Virginia Beach & Norfolk

Every year my poor Lexus has to deal with my neighbors setting off fireworks before, during and after the 4th of July.  

In fact my neighbors will set off fireworks throughout the year for just about any reason.  

Lexus exhibits the classic behaviors associated with Anxiety and Fear.  Heavy panting, squeezing into small spaces, pacing, whimpering and shaking.  

She also acts this way during a thunderstorm.  I am lucky she isn't a runner!

I have read a lot about the many different ways to help Lexus stay calm during fireworks and thunderstorms.  Sometimes cuddling works, other times she just wants to hide along. 

I'd like to point out that it is OK to cuddle with your dog when she is scared!!  It is a myth that you will reinforce their fear.

Here are 4 of my favorite blogs/websites:  

Victoria Stillwell talks about noise desensitization in her Positively newsletter.

Lisa Spector provides 7 tips For Calming Your Dog.  Lisa has a great website devoted to using music and sound therapy for easing anxiety in both dogs and cats.

Eileen Anderson has some great tips in her blog 6 Ways To Prepare Your Dog For Fireworks
Check out her website eileenanddogs

Dr. Karen Becker wrote an excellent article titled Top 10 July 4th Dos and Don'ts for Pet Owners

Planning on going out to celebrate for the 4th?  Why not hire us to stay with your fearful pup?
Happy At Home Professional Pet Care     www.happydogvb.com

Virginia Beach Parks & Rec Honors Nantional Military Apprieciation Month In May

​Did you know that May is National Military Appreciation Month?  

We all wish that Every Month could be Military Appreciation Month and there are many, many businesses throughout Hampton Roads that offer daily discounts for our Military Heroes, including Happy At Home Professional Pet Care!

We are Happy to see that the Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation will be "celebrating and honoring all those who have served and are currently serving."  

Check out the info graphic below or click HERE to find out more! 

A Day In The Life Of A Not So Happy At Home Dog in Hampton Roads

Have you ever wondered what your lonely dog does all day while you are at work?

6:30am         Mom and dad leaves…back to sleep for me!

8:00am      I’m up! Saw some dogs being walked by my house, I howled hello, but they didn’t stop. Grrrrrrr.

9:00am        Gotta pee!  Hey they left the bedroom door open!  Ohhhh Yummy slippers here for me!

9:30am        What is going on outside?  I see Squirrels!!  Must. Get. To. SQUIRRELS!!

10:00am      Still Gotta Pee!  I hope mom and dad don’t mind the blinds are bent and torn but the squirrels are gone!  YAAACK!  The slippers don't taste so good coming back up.

11:00am       Gotta Pee! Gotta Pee!  I am going to try to nap on mom and dad’s comfy bed.

1:00pm      How do mom and dad sleep with the pillow and comforter like that?  I like the way I fixed them so much better!  I thought they would taste good but they didn't.

4:00pm       Awake! What is that sound?  How many times do I have to howl to make it stop?

5:30pm       I am hungry, out of water and STILL GOTTA PEE!  Wait, they left that big white bowl of water for me.  I can’t wait any longer, I HAVE to PEE…..Ahhhhh I feel so much better…OOOpsies.

6:00pm       Yiippee! They are finally home!  Oh no!  Why are they mad at me?

Imagine if you had Happy At Home Professional Pet Care’s Fun Loving Staff Come and Break Up Their Day?  

Walks. Fresh water. House check. Feeding. Loving attention.  Playtime and more!  

Happy At Home Professional Pet Care offers a FREE consultation.

Let us make friends with your little one(s) so you can stop Feeling Guilty for not being home during the day! www.HappyDogVB.com

I Wrote A Guest Blog: Top 5 Things To Look For When Choosing A Pet Sitter/Dog Walker

I am thrilled to have Aimee from Hampton Roads Dog Blog ask me to write a guest blog!

I wrote a blog on the 5 Most Important Things To Look For When Choosing A Pet Sitter/Dog Walker.

Click HERE to read the blog!

Three Local Animal Shelters come together to promote Humane Pet Training

Have you heard what the Virginia Beach SPCA, Norfolk SPCA and Chesapeake Humane Society have joined together to bring to Hampton Roads?

Happy Paws!!  A Humane Pet Training Center!  

According to the VBSPCA's Newsletter:

"Happy Paws uses a state-of-the-art, scientific approach that is rooted in building a positive, trusting, and respectful relationship with your four-legged family member." 

"Manager Tim Molina comes to Happy Paws with 10 years of training experience. Tim holds professional memberships with the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and is the only member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants in Hampton Roads." 

"We use a positive reinforcement method, and all classes are taught with the welfare of your companion in mind."

 I can't wait to check them out!  Join us at their GRAND OPENING on May 27 2015 at 11AM!  Address:  5660 Indian River Road Ste 118 VB

Fun April Pet and Family Events in Tidewater!

Spring has arrived!!  We are very Blessed to have a very active community here in Tidewater.  

There are many fundraisers, military and family events that are Pet Friendly!  

Simply click on the links to find out more information.   

April 4 - Portsmouth Farmer's Market Opening Day - Pets are Welcome!  

April 7 - My Birthday!!  LOL  Dogs On Deployment is having a Fundraiser at Lucky Oyster in Virginia Beach!  4-9pm  Pets are welcome on the patio.  

April 17 --- ODU BASEBALL -- Bark in the Park  6PM at Bud Metheny Baseball Complex on ODU.    6PM  Tickets range from $5 for adults; $4 for youth and military; and $3 if you bring a donation of supplies for the Norfolk SPCA

April 17 - Norfolk SPCA & Todd Jurich's Bistro Present: An Animal-Friendly Gastronomic Delight

April 18 - Wounded Wheels Car Show in Norfolk - 9-1pm

April 24 - 26 -  Dock Dogs Pet Lovers Extravaganza! - Virginia Beach - Pets are Welcome!

April 25 - Norfolk NATO 62nd Parade of Nations and Festival - 4-9pm - Pets are Welcome!

April 25 - Phoebus Spring Fling - 10-5pm - Pets are Welcome!

April 26 - Norfolk Tides Bark In The Park -  1pm - Pets are Welcome!

World Spay Week!

                      My Grand-pup Lilly was recently spayed at the Chesapeake Humane Society



Local Shelters are celebrating World Spay Week by holding spay/neuter clinics throughout Hampton Roads.

Click on the links below to find out where the clinics are the costs, plus where the VBSPCA Neuter Scooter will be!

Virginia Beach SPCA

Chesapeake Humane Society Care Clinic

Norfolk SPCA Spay/Neuter Services

                               My Grand-pups Luka and Chloe were also neutered and spayed.

World of Pets Expo Returns!

Have you attended the World of Pets Expo?

According to the website:  "On February 14 & 15, 2015, the 3rd Annual World of Pets Expo will be held at the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton. The Expo features something for everyone from the serious pet enthusiast to the casual pet admirer."

The World of Pets Expo has had great success here in Hampton Roads.  

Shopping, Entertainment, Educational Seminars 

"Exhibitors will fill the spacious HRCC with thousands of products and services for pets. Some of the country’s foremost authorities in the pet industry will present seminars and demonstrations covering practically every aspect of pet care and training. Pets covered in these seminars include dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, ferrets and other animals. In addition to the shopping extravaganza and the seminar series, there will be continuous entertainment and demonstrations by nationally known pet entertainers, trainers, also interactive and educational presentations."

Virginia Beach Nightlife Mobile App

I am thrilled to be a part of the NEW VB Nightlife/Daylife mobile app!

If you haven't heard about VB Nightlife, please visit the website and download the FREE mobile app.

When you want to "Know Where To Go" this app will show you the best places to find Happy Hour, local bands, restaurants, fundraising events, family friendly events, and more!

You can even find coupons, Hot Deals and Military Discounts!

Happy At Home Professional Pet Care is proud to to be listed as a local business that offers a Military Discount.

September & October 2014 Dog and Family Friendly Events

Fall is one of my favorite seasons, not only for the cool weather and beautiful colors, but because there are SO MANY pet friendly events happening here in Hampton Roads!  Follow the links below to find out more and to see what else they have coming up!

Do you know of a event that is not listed?  Please let me know, I am Happy to include it on the list.

September 20th --- VA PetExpo at the VA Beach Convention Center

10AM to 6PM

September 21st --- Paws for a Cause -- NN SPCA Dog Walk -- Mariners Museum in Newport News

10AM to 4PM

September 21st -- Passion for Paws Picnic  Suffolk Humane Society

River Stone Chophouse  8032 Harbour View Blvd, Suffolk  Picnic and Wine Tasting

Noon to 4PM

September 26 ---  13^th Annual Puttin’ for Paws Charity Golf Tournament – VBSPCA 

September 27 ----Taylor Farms "HOWL-O-WEEN FAMILY FUN DAY" benefiting K9 Justice League. 2599 Dam Neck Road, VB from 10-5pm. 

This is our BIGGEST Fundraiser of the year. Just $5.00 per person and you will have the best day ever. Admission includes: hayride, pumpkin, face and pumpkin painting, animal park, bounce houses, games, DJ and much more! There will also be pony rides, bake sale and snack bar for an additional fee. Let's make this the BEST year ever so we can save even more dogs. 

If you can volunteer, 18 years or older, please contact Cindy at:K9jlevents@cox.net

September 28 ---- Whole Foods Virginia Beach  Barktoberfest!  11am – 2pm  

Bring your furry friend or come find a new one from participating dog rescue groups. We'll be set up in our side parkign lot with live music, children's activities, food and drink specials and more. Enter the "Cutest Canine" photo contest for a $10 donation. Everyone who enters will be eligible for raffle prizes and a $100 gift card, and all funds raised will be split between participating rescue groups.

Organizations confirmed to date include: Chesapeake Humane Society, Virginia Beach SPCA, Norfolk SPCA No-Kill Adoption Center & Veterinary Clinics, Beagles to the Rescue, Great Dane Rescue of the Commonwealth (VA), Giant Hearts Giant Dog Rescue, Inc., Bully Advocate & Rescue Collective, K-9 New Life, and Dogs on Deployment. Give.Treat.Love will also be here with items for sale.

All dogs must be leashed and accompanied by a well-behaved human. Dogs, except service dogs, are not allowed inside the store.

October 4^th ----  2^nd Annual aMAZEing Corn Dog Adoption and Fundraising Event.  10am – 2pm
Presented by Bergey’s Corn Maze and GiveTreatLove.

October 4^th ---- 7th Annual Bring on the Bulls – VBSPCA 12- 4pm  Join us for our annual bull breed awareness and adoption event! This event is free to the public and includes obstacle courses, play pits, doggie pools, crafts, educational activities, music, peanut butter licking station for the doggies, and much more. Come celebrate all bully breeds and even bring yours on down!  Please contact Kathy Shambo for more information or to become a sponsor at educationdirector@vbspca.com

October 11th ---Barktoberfest – Norfolk SPCA --2pm-6pm
Bay Front Club in East Beach  4550 East Beach Drive

October 19^th ---Grab Your Leash and Hit the Beach!  Come out and join the VBSPCA for our largest fundraiser of the year.  Bring your friends, family and pets to enjoy a day at the Oceanfront featuring a 5K Run (Dogs Welcomed!) contests, activities, demonstrations, vendors, and of course, the one-mile pledge walk down the Boardwalk.

October 24th ---Fitness with Fido - Norfolk SPCA --- 10am-4pm 
Norfolk Botanical Garden 6700 Azalea Garden Rd.

October 26th ---Bow-wow-ween ---Norfolk SPCA --- 1pm-4pm
Ghent  Hosted by: Ghent Bar Tours