#ThursdayThoughts: This dog just had a major epiphany

When you realize you were the good dog all along…

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The Best of The Blog Q1 Roundup: Patrick Stewart Fosters Ginger the Rescue, A Sitter’s Tale & more

Where has the time gone? It feels like just yesterday we were playing fetch with snowballs and getting creative by coming up with fun ways to keep your pets healthy and fit on chillier days. Now that Spring has sprung, we’re having a blast exercising Fido and Figaro be it a sun-drenched hike or a relaxing game of chase-the-feather beneath the warmth of a sunny window. During this transition, we’ve been keeping our blog updated with fresh content weekly. In some posts you’ll find helpful advice from the pro’s here at Fetch! Pet Care, and some content you’ll find fun or inspirational. Make sure to bookmark this post so you can catch up with us later if you don’t have the time now.

Before we delve into the top four blog posts this quarter, you may have noticed that we’ve been designing personality quizzes which are hosted on the blog and on our Corporate Social Media Channels: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. If you haven’t had a chance to take one of these awesome personality-based quizzes, you’ll definitely want to as they’re a great way to strengthen your bond with your pet while also being just downright fun to do. Try What Do The Cosmos Say About Your And Your Pet? (Taken over 900 times), or, Which Mythical Dog Is Your Dog? (Taken nearly 1,000 times)! Love your results? Share them with your community on social media so you can see how your results compare to those of your friends.

And now onto what you’ve been waiting for — the blogs! Without further adieu we present to you our most-read blogs this quarter starting with an endearing read about Patrick Stewart who recently decided he wanted to foster a PitBull named Ginger…

Photo Credit: @SirPatStew

Patrick Stewart and his new best friend Ginger, the Rescued PitBull

You may want to take out the tissues or hug your pet while reading this one because it’s really such an inspirational story and possibly one of the cutest foster stories we’ve seen in the media in a while. The cute-factor resides not in the simple fact that Stewart and his wife chose to become foster parents, but more within the documentation of Stewart and his sincere love for Ginger though the use of Twitter Video. With his wife as the camera gal, Stewart documents tidbits from his adventures with Ginger: from the “going for a walk” video to the “Stewart giving Ginger a goodnight kiss video”, this is a true love story between man and dog – one that will leave you inspired to love Stewart even more, and perhaps even discover a newfound appreciation for PitBull rescue and adoption. Click here to read it!

Get in shape! Five reasons why you should exercise with your dog

Need a reason to get off the couch and get in shape with Fido? This list is a must-read even for the most active of families. We know that daily exercise is good for us and also for our pets, but we may sometimes forget why it’s important to exercise with our pets. Exercising with your dog requires is a completely different mind frame than simply “getting a workout in”, per se. This is about bonding with your dog, reminding your dog that he/she is part of the family, and yes, keeping you both feeling your best — together. Give this read a run (no pun intended) and let us know your favorite way to get fit with your dog by tweeting us @FetchPetCare.

A Sitter’s Tale: Why working for Fetch! Pet Care is the best job I’ve ever had.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to have what fellow pet lovers consider one of the best jobs ever? One of very own sitters shared with readers her story on how she left the Corporate world to become a Fetch! Pet Care dog walker and pet sitter. In her post she writes: “I’m the happiest I’ve even been. I’m smiling all day long. I feel great because I get a lot of fresh air and exercise, and there’s nothing like seeing happy pets enjoying life…it’s contagious! I actually look forward to going to my first job of the day.” If you’re on-the-fence and want to hear what it’s like working for Fetch! Pet Care, then this read is for you. As a pet owner this is also worth your time as it will give you a sense of how happy our staff is and how much they truly enjoy caring for your pets.

Tips for Keeping Pets Safe at Home

If you’ve recently brought a new pet home or are planning to, have your bases covered by making sure that your home is pet-safe. This is also worth reviewing if you’re a seasoned pet owner. With warmer weather comes adoption season, so this timely piece may be something you want to pass along to a friend, even, who may be adding a new member to the family. Topics covered range from microchipping, to lid-safety (one we often forget about), to common choking hazards. Get the full scoop here on the Blog at Fetch! Pet Care.

Have a suggestion for a blog topic? We’d love to hear from you. Write us at social@fetchpetcare.com or by leave a comment below. We look forward to hearing from you.

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Patrick Stewart and his new best friend Ginger, the rescued PitBull

“Oh there she is!” he gently exclaims as he sees her coming up the driveway to his house. Stewart opens the door and sits on in on the floor of his doorway gently petting a wiggly and affectionate Ginger who is adorning him with kisses: “That’s a very nice greeting!” He remarks with a big smile on his face.

Stewart and his wife, Sunny Ozell, teamed up with The American Society for The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) along with Wags and Walks to foster Ginger (aka #GingerGurl). Ginger was rescued by Wags and Walks from a PitBull breeding ring in Los Angeles.

The two have now become the best of friends — a bond that is being documented on his Twitter Page (@SirPatStew) with near daily updates. It really just does not get any cuter than these two…

Here they are going for a walk together…

Evening walkies with #GingerGurl @ASPCA @WagsandWalks #AdoptDontShop #fosteringsaveslives #pibbles pic.twitter.com/x3UwEKkTah

— Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew) March 16, 2017

In an attempt to teach Ginger to swim, Stewart discovered that Ginger would much rather kiss his bald head.

The swimming lesson that wasn’t. Our foster pibble Ginger is perfect afternoon company. @ASPCA @WagsandWalks #AdoptDontShop pic.twitter.com/yDWiXbCSXS

— Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew) March 9, 2017

 

And then of course there’s this. Stewart lovingly pets Ginger to sleep before giving her a goodnight kiss on the forehead. In his tweet he writes: “From what I understand rules and consistency are everything as a foster dog parent.”

From what I understand rules and consistency are everything as a foster dog parent. #GingerGurl @ASPCA @WagsandWalks #AdoptDontShop #pitbull pic.twitter.com/aCvKtwlxSA — Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew) March 10, 2017

 

“So what we have here is a 60 lb. lap dog,” said Stewart’s wife, Sunny Ozell, who shared a video of Ginger cuddled up in her husband’s lap. Stewart and Ozell fell in love with PitBulls after meeting their neighbor’s dog Sadie. “Thank you @ASPCA and @WagsAndWalks for connecting us with this gorgeous being. We’re already in love.” Ozell writes on Instagram.

Want to know more about Ginger and how to adopt her? Visit her page on the Wags and Walks website here.

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{Quiz} Which Spring flower is your pet?

Take this simple five-question quiz to find out!

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5 Stories That Prove Why Dogs Are Man’s Best Friend

“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don’t know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring—it was peace.” —Milan Kundera

Why do we consider dog man’s best friend? Try answering this question yourself and you’ll find the reasons are innumerable: perhaps it’s the way your dog tilt’s his head when he’s listening to you talk, or, how she greets you at the door with limitless, exuberant love. We experience joy in our dog’s inherent joie de vivre and capricious demeanor. From cuddles to kisses, brisk walks to breathtaking excursions — our dogs are our loyal companions through thick and through thin. The silver lining in being fortunate enough to care for a dog who will undoubtedly love us unconditionally is this: dogs teach us to recognize how good things are; they remind us to be ourselves; to play; and to laugh. Dogs have been considered a treasured part of the human family since before the written word. In fact, dogs have been man’s best friend for over 15,000 years!

If you’re reading this now you probably have that warm fuzzy feeling that makes you want to smother your dog with an almost embarrassing amount of adoration and affection. The kind where you tell your dog how beautiful he is with a silly, love-y dove-y voice and maybe even his pet name: “Sir Dolce The Divine, your awe jusht the hanshomest wittle guy, aren’t you? Aren’t youuuuuz!?” (Insert quasi-awkward face to fur nuzzling action). Well, the best has yet to come, so, snuggle up with your furry pal and prepare to have your heart warmed by these five amazing stories that prove that dog is indeed man’s best friend.

Foster child Buddy and his BFF Reagan the Labradoodle 

This inseparable duo has taken Instagram by storm with their extraordinary adorableness. Sandi Swiridoff, Buddy’s adopted grandmother says she just couldn’t keep their story to herself so she began documenting their bond through photography and social media. Reagan was adopted at 8 weeks of age to help Swiridoff’s daughter cope with the pain of losing two of her foster children. Buddy was adopted by the family at 11 months of age, and Buddy has been surrounded by Reagan’s love ever since.

Photo Credit: Sandi Swiridoff

Photo Credit: Sandi Swiridoff

Photo Credit: Sandi Swiridoff

Belle the Beagle saves owner Kevin Wheeler from a Diabetic seizure

Kevin Wheeler suffers from Diabetes so he trained his Beagle, Belle, to sense when his blood sugar levels are plummeting. Should Wheeler be experiencing low blood sugar, Belle is to paw at him to signal that he should take a reading. One day, however, Wheeler experienced a diabetic seizure, at which point Belle bit down on the number 9 on his cell phone as she was trained to do. The number was programmed to dial 911, and within minutes, paramedics were on the scene. Belle was later awarded the VITA Wireless Samaritan Award — an award given to those who use cell phones to save lives. Belle is the first K9 recipient of this award, and owner Kevin Wheeler, has been well and safe ever since — thanks to his best friend, Belle.

Photo Credit: Kevin Wheeler 

Cheeto the Yorkie Therapy Dog at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Weighing in at only 8 lbs, this tiny bundle of joy is spreading love and smiles across the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. Cheeto’s tiny stature allows her to sit on patients’ beds so that they can easily pet her, cuddle her, and sometimes even get a chance to see Cheeto dance! Cheeto and her owner spend about two hours a day, two days a week at the hospital while not only easing the stress of the patients, but that of the hospital staff, too. “Pet therapy is a powerful way to help get kids through tough things,” says Volunteer Services Supervisor Megan Hughes. “When a dog visits, the mood changes. Kids start to relax. You can see the anxiety drop away.” Cheeto is a wonderful example of man’s best friend be it a child in need or a physician who could use a little love on the job, too.

Photo Credit: Diane Weber

Nala the Toy Poodle goes to bingo night

At the Lyngblomsten senior housing community in St. Paul, Minnesota, Toy Poodle Nala joins her owner and nursing assistant, Doug Dawson, to work every day. Nala’s one and only job? To make the community’s residents happy. Once Doug arrives to work, he places Nala on the ground and she scurries off to do her own thing. Staff will find Nala at group therapy, bingo night, or simply hanging out in the lap of a hospice patient. As man’s best friend, Nala is intuitive: “If you’re depressed, she’ll make you laugh. If you’re stick, she’ll lay with you. If you’re dying, she can tell,” Doug says.

Photo Credit: Lygblomsten

 Ultra-marathon runner, Dion Leonard, accompanied by stray dog during footrace through China’s Gobi desert

In March of 2016, ultra-marathon runner, Dion Leonard, set foot on a six-day 250km race through China’s Gobi desert. The stray pup appeared while racers were ascending over the Tian Shan Mountains, happily trotting alongside the pack. Soon thereafter, the stray later named Gobi, latched onto Dion and wouldn’t leave his side. When it came time to cross rivers, Dion would carry Gobi in his arms. Dion made sure that Gobi was fed and hydrated during their adventure. They even napped together at basecamp. Dion ended up placing second in the race with Gobi by his side for an impressive 4 out of the 7 stages of the race including the final 10km stage to the finish line.

Photo Credit: 4Deserts.com / Onni Cai

Photo Credit: 4Deserts.com / Onni Cai

 

Do you have a heartwarming story about man’s best friend? We’d love to hear from you. Drop us a line at social@fetchpetcare.com or Tweet us @FetchPetCare.

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Tips for Keeping Pets Safe at Home

Photo credit Unsplash via Pixabay

Welcoming a new pet into your home comes with a lot of responsibilities. One of the biggest responsibilities is keeping your new family member safe. Here are some tips to keep your furry friend safe at home:

ID Tags and Microchips

One of the biggest risks for a cat or dog is getting lost if they should accidentally get outside of their home. With new pets, this is even a bigger risk so make sure your new friend has a collar with a tag that shows your contact information. Having them microchipped boosts their security since the chip is active even if the collar gets lost.

Elevate Wires and Cords

Electrical cords look like a fun chew toy for young puppies. This can cause a shock if they chew through a cord. Lights like those on Christmas trees can be just as inviting for a new kitten and just as much as a shock hazard. Keep all dangling cords out of reach of curious pets.

Pet-Proof All Lids

Be careful to close the lid to all the toilets in the home, as a curious kitten can drown if they happen to fall into an open lid. Garbage cans lids should also close securely to avoid pets getting into the trash. Not only can pets make a huge mess in the garbage, but there can also be harmful items to animals in the trash.

Choking Hazards

Dogs love to chew and rip things apart. Shoes and purses made of leather look like oversized chew toys when left out.  Keep anything you do not want them to tear into out of their reach, including toys that might have small parts they can choke on.

Cold Weather Can Mean Cold Pets

Many people believe that dogs are fine in the cold weather because they come with their own fur coats. Imagine if you were only wearing a fur coat you surely would not be warm enough. Taking special care to make sure your new furry friend has a warm dog bed to get them off the cold floor and being careful about keeping them warm when outside can help to keep them safe and cozy.

Be Aware Of Common Poison Dangers

Useful chemicals in your home can be deadly for pets. Things like anti-freeze smell sweet but are a poison risk. Other common household items that are a poisonous risk for pets include medications meant for humans, certain plants, fertilizer, treated wood chips, pool chemicals,  de-icing salts, and chocolate.

Heater Safety

A cold dog or cat may seek out heat, even if the source could possibly hurt them. Things like space heaters and fireplaces need to be pet-proofed so your furry friends cannot burn themselves. Install screens or use a space heater without an exposed heating element so pets cannot get close enough to the heat source for a burn hazard.

Having a furry family member can be a fun adventure, but it can also open up a whole new world of puppy or kitty antics. You will find a new pet can find all sorts of ways to get into trouble, so take these steps to remove as many of the dangers in your home before they become an issue.

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What do the cosmos say about you & your pet?

Pets have horoscopes too. A horoscope shows how the stars influence your pet’s unique personality, moods, and behavior. Ever wonder what your pet was thinking? If only they could talk and express how they feel. Now there is a way for you to learn more about what is going on inside that furry little head. Gain insights into your pet’s motives and more with this simple two-question quiz.

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