Halloween Safety Tips and Costume Advice for Dogs and Cats in Virginia Beach and Norfolk

I recently asked my neighbors on NextDoor.com what they do to keep their pets safe on Halloween.

There were many great responses!  People realized the importance of keeping the candy out of reach and closing anxious dogs and cats in a bedroom, or crate, to prevent their possible escape.

Here are some helpful links on keeping your pet Safe on Halloween:

Victoria Stilwell has Ten Pet Safety Tips for Halloween

ASPCA's Pet Safety Tips for Halloween

Drs. Foster and Smith's Cat Safety Tips for Halloween

Dogs Naturally Magazine has 6 Natural Tips for Dogs Suffering Halloween Stress


Do you put a costume on your pet for Halloween?

Read Through a Dog's Ear, Lisa Spector's blog on whether or not we should put costumes on our pets CLICK HERE

Have a Safe and Fun Halloween Everyone!!

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 & Norfolk Emergency Preparedness For Pets & Printable Red Cross Safety Checklist For Your Pets In The Event Of A Disaster

The Best Way To Ensure The Safety of Your Pets In the Event Of A Disaster Is To Be Prepared!

The Red Cross has created a printable Checklist to ensure you know what to do Before, During and After a Disaster Occurs.
http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m3640126_PetSafety.pdf

The City Of Virginia Beach Offers the following Guidelines for your Pets and Livestock:
http://www.vbgov.com/residents/emergency-preparedness/Pages/emergency-planning.aspx#Pets-Livestock

The City of Norfolk offers the following in the event of an Emergency:  http://www.norfolk.gov/index.aspx?NID=670

The Virginia Beach SPCA has an Excellent Disaster Response Page:  http://vbspca.com/resources/disaster-response

Operation Drool Overload Coming To Virginia Beach and Norfolk!

The Lazy Dog Cookie Co. Inc has teamed up with Dogs On Deployment to bring you Operation Drool Overload!

By purchasing these yummy Peanut Butter and Molasses doggy treats you will help support Dogs On Deployment, a non-profit organization that provides the largest network of volunteer boarding homes to U.S. Military Members!

To find out more about DOD, or to become a local volunteer, please visit www.dogsondeployment.org.

Happy At Home Professional Pet Care Are True Industry Professionals!

Happy At Home Professional Pet Care is more than just Your Local Pet Care Company.  

Yes we offer Loving, Dependable and Trustworthy Pet Care Services, but what else do we do for You that makes Us True Professionals in the Industry and also Gives You Real Peace of Mind?

Here is just A Sample of ways we are True Professionals.

• We have a Legal Contract & Policies that are in place for our protection as well as yours.

• We have your Credit Card on file in a secure location.  You never have to worry about leaving a check, if you run out of pet food while you are away you do not have to worry about us tracking you down to get $$, you do not have to call or email your CC information each time your visits are up for renewal.  Your CC information is not accessible to staff.

• We keep all of Your & Your Pet's Information in a Cloud File.  This way any staff member can Quickly & Securely Access Your Information at anytime.

• We ask for your Emergency Contact and Veterinary Information.

• We have Experience and are Confident in how to handle a Home or Pet Emergency.

• We Network with other Local Professional Pet Care Companies.  We are Happy to Recommend Local Professionals to you if we do not offer the services or dates you need.

• We are a member of Pet Sitting International.  This membership allows us to Network World Wide with Industry Professionals, Attend Industry Conferences, Stay On Top Of Industry Trends and Education.

• We are very Flexible!  We Do NOT Charge for Same Day Cancellations or, Schedule Permitting, Same Day Add On Visits.  Our Team is in Place to Be Available for YOU.

• As a Professional Company we are able to Offer Packages and Discounts to fit any budget.

 

Red Cross Pet First Aid Mobile App

The Red Cross has a wonderful new mobile app!  The Pet First Aid App.

I hope to never have to use it, but just in case, I am Happy to have it on my phone in case of an emergency.

According to the Red Cross Website:  "Take care of your furry family member. The American Red Cross Pet First Aid app puts veterinary advice for everyday emergencies in the palm of your hand. Get the app and be prepared to act when called upon. With videos, interactive quizzes and simple step-by-step advice it’s never been easier to know Pet First Aid."

My Grandpup Chloe

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.

2 Fun Resources for Dog Treats!

Is your dog suffering from weight issues or poor dental hygiene?  The month of February is Dental Health month and February 23 is National Dog Biscuit Day!!  Homemade dog treats are a great way to incorporate special ingredients that can help to optimize your dog’s health.

I am not much of a baker and tend to buy, not bake, Lexus's treats.  Over the years I have tried some very simple no-bake treat recipes, such as freezing broth to make cool summer treats and mixing fresh meat into Lexus's kibble.

When I am in the mood to bake treats I head on over to blogger Aimee's site Irresistible Pets.  
According to Aimee:  "Irresistible Pets is a pet blog with DIY ideas, resources, and inspiration for pet parents to help you save money, so you can live an irresistible life!  What does “irresistible living” mean? It means finding the products you adore at a great price so that both you and your pet look and feel irresistible! It’s about getting products that are both prettyAND practical!" 

I enjoy browsing through the Chuy tested recipes and Lexus truly appreciates my baking efforts! 

Unfortunately Lexus can be a picky eater.  She likes to eat treats that smell like meat! She will turn her nose up at treats that smell like spices (cinnamon, pumpkin, ginger, etc..) or do not have much of a smell at all (Plain Milk Bones.) 

Lexus recently received some treat samples from One Dog Organic Bakery.  The owner, Veronica, was nice enough to send three different types of treats!  I was impressed by the care Veronica took in the packaging and the hand written note.  When Lexus saw me munching on a treat, hey they ARE Organic, she stuck her big nose in my face wanting some too.  She ate the first treat but turned away from eating any more.  The treats smelled great to me, they are made with Ginger Snaps and Chia, but for Miss Picky Butt Lexus there wasn't the meat smell she loves so much.

Instead of eating the rest of the treats myself, I gave them to my Grand-dogs.  Lily and Luke (Chiwennie and Chihuahua) LOVED the treats and were even nice enough to share a couple with their cousin Sadie (German Shepherd puppy.)  I think the Organic treats from One Dog Organic Bakery were a success and highly recommend checking out their website to find out more!

Whether you decide to bake your own dog treats or buy them, these two fun choices will help you to make a healthy decision, and your pup will love trying them out!

Lexus trying out a treat.

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."