Trust Me.

Every few months I get a call to come take care of "Magnus" for the weekend. Magnus is a very large, young, male, dark, Cane Corso or sometimes called an Italian Mastiff. I really enjoy taking care of Magnus,...after that first visit of the weekend. I am never sure how that visit will go. Magnus has always been good with me, but he has also been very protective when his owners are home. Magnus is owned by the nicest couple, and best customers a pet sitter could hope to know. Most of all Magnus spends his time waiting for his people to come home.

I turn the key in the door with my heart bouncing around behind my ribs. As I enter I talk to Magnus as if he were a poodle and he eyes me warily. He makes more eye contact with me than I am comfortable with, and he freezes. These are the cues I have come to know can mean curtains for the pet sitter. I break eye contact and keep talking as I head to the kitchen chair and sit. Magnus follows me; walking like he's wearing a suit of wood. The visit goes fine from there. I walk him where I think we can be alone as I am sure he could pull me off my feet to get to another dog. Each visit after the first goes better and better. One visit I invite him to play by jumping and squatting, and Magnus almost agrees. He quickly twists a little and looks at me as if to say, "Thanks, but I don't really get you Ms. Pet Sitter. "

I enjoy Magnus as he reminds me of all the Rottweilers I loved long ago. Rotties can be so stiff at first, but once you're in you're in for life. I have to stop myself from kissing Magnus on the cheek by reminding myself that this isn't one of those Rotties. Magnus is so absolutely devoted to his owners and it warms my heart to see such love between man and beast.

Fair Trade?

Here we go into these cold, crunchy days. Walking dogs can be physically painful when the temperature dips so low. Dogs like to meander and savor the smells on the snow which leaves me standing and shivering. The wind comes along and searches my coat for a way in. People think walking dogs is great exercise, but actually it is mostly waiting. I don't take dogs for a run anymore and I really miss that. I loved letting Wyatt or Heidi out of my van and we could all trot at our own pace through the woods. I knew the dogs would getting all their energy out and I was feeling healthy striding through the snow. The downside was worrying about running into other dogs or worse; worrying that the dogs would run off. I used to raise Akitas and they like to fight and run away, so those years have left me with a permanent "worse case scenario" thought process. Now I only walk dogs on leashes and my day is nearly stress free, but some of the fun is gone from the afternoons.

It's Ok He Won't Hurt You!

I really don't mind this weather. As long as it is warm; I am happy. When it is rainy we have the woods or the fields to ourselves. My biggest stress is running into other dog owners on a trail. Their dog will be loose and deaf to all human voices. The other person will always yell to me, "It's ok he won't hurt you!" Hey buddy I am actually not worried about getting hurt. I am worried about a dog fight, and my client's dog getting injured in any way. Don't yell ahead that your dog is friendly, just get your dog! I pick out of the way places to run my dogs because I don't want to run into anyone. My eyes & ears are on high alert, searching for a potential danger on the trail. Once I ran into a man with two absolutely wild greyhounds. They were tearing through the brush like something out of Star Wars. They raced right into my Bouvier's face and started growling. Now in this situation I was concerned about the greyhounds' safety as their short coat is no protection from a Bouvier bite. Their owner on the other hand was quite cavalier as he strode right by me, the Bouvier and his own greyhounds, calling his dogs as if they were going to snap right into heel position. His dogs continued to growl at my Bouvier and began to place a front paw on his back (dog for "I'll meet you out back"). The man kept walking away from me and calling his dogs. He was quite insulted when I asked that he come get his dogs before there was a fight. While walking away from me with his silly greyhounds in tow he called over his shoulder, "Don't you ever let that dog off his leash?!" Well no pal, because I might run into someone like you.

Negative Zero

Yes it is cold...and the first thing everyone comments on when I see them. My own little doggies continue to shiver in the kitchen, even though they have heated dog beds and a space heater. I don't mind the cold so much when I am outside walking a dog. I took a little Cairn out this morning, and he relieved himself in record time!

Yesterday I took Henry out for a short walk and played with him inside. I picked up Heidi & Wyatt and brought them to a nice little area to run. There is a pond there, and even though I am sure it is frozen solid...I don't want to go on any ice alone. Heidi wanted to go right out, but I don't want her on the news with the fire department rescuing her. Wyatt recently got quite a haircut, but the cold does not seem to bother him. I headed over to Tucker's house and he greeted me in an argyle sweater...all he needs now is a pipe. Tucker enthusiastically zipped around his yard retrieving the ball, and seemed disappointed when it was time to go in.

Today the temperature gauge in my van said it was -2 degrees out. I wear two coats and a lot of chapstick. It is always in January that I start thinking about whether or not I want to always live here in New England, but every year I stay.

It's Already Wednesday?

Monday was a very busy day. I had all my usual Middays, met a new customer, and started with two new dogs.

Henry slipped on his front steps and bonked his chin on the ice. He seemed ok, but later was limping. Henry seems lonely to me, and I suggested to his owners that he may be happier in a doggy play group. I will feel very sad to lose Henry as I have been visiting him since he was little, but I want him to enjoy his life. So I may not have Henry as a daily much longer.

I met another very nice customer with 3 cats and a fish tank. She seemed sheepish about asking if she can call me while she was away. I always tell new customers that they can call me anytime or I will call them if they like. After all I would want to know things like, did the pet sitter get in, are my pets OK, etc..

Tucker rushed the glass door at me as usual, but he took a little longer to settle and let me in. I wonder how his eye sight is, but then again he can really nab the ball when I chuck it across the yard. This dog could go on and on retrieving the ball. I threw it straight up a few times and he leaps straight up to get it!

I brought Wyatt over to Montana's house just for the ride. Montana was unusually rough last Friday. I took him out without a Frisbee in hopes that he would relieve himself before playing, but he foiled my plan. Montana just kind of harasses me to play with him no matter what I do. I walked around with my hands in my pockets, as he leaped around me.

After I brought Montana in, I walked Wyatt around the yard. Wyatt bursts from the back of my van, and after a long struggle I clip him to my lead. He bounded around the new yard, bull dozing his mustache through the snow and looking up at me as if to say, "This is GREAT! Have you smelled this yard?!" I am hoping that Wyatt & Montana will get used to each other's scents, and one day they can play together.

My last call was for 2 very sweet Shih Tzus, Jake & Carter. They live on the second floor of a very pleasant apartment building. When I entered the apartment, the pups bounced off the couch and wiggled up to the door. They already had their harnesses on, so out we went. Now the Shih Tzu is not always a friendly dog, so these two were a very fun surprise. We picked out way around the snow & ice until they were shivering, and Carter's paws were freezing. I carried them back in. I am looking forward to visiting them again!

Yesterday was much more manageable as Henry & Montana cancelled, so all I had to do was Heidi & Wyatt. Heidi & Wyatt play together so it can't get any easier! I picked up Heidi first and headed up to Wyatt's house. Wyatt's "nanny" let him out as we pulled in, and he bounced into the van. I took them both for a nice walk in the snow. Heidi can go off leash, but Wyatt has to be leashed. I skipped using the Gentle Leader, so I went for a jerk-walk as he can really hit the end of the Flexi hard. I am always sorry when I skip using the head collar! Even though Wyatt can be a handful, I think he would make a great obedience dog with the right trainer. I might suggest the remote collar to Wyatt's owners.

Today I have the 4 regulars at Midday; Henry, Montana, Wyatt & Heidi.

The Midday Crew

Henry is a big floppy Bassett Hound puppy, about 8 months old now. Henry likes to lounge. He likes belly rubs. He likes to eat...and that's about it! Taking him for a walk is like being an Olympic coach, "C'mon Henry let's go! C'mon you can DO IT!"

Duke is a huge 7 year old Rottie/Shepherd cross that lives in an apartment. He is gentle, and needs encouragement to leave the bed. He is very devoted to his owner and seems to want to stay home in case she returns. Once we are outside he enjoys poking around the woods. He is a very strong dog, and if he sees a squirrel - I will suddenly look like Gilligan holding a palm tree in an island hurricane.

Heidi is a very sweet 5 year old Golden. She is just the perfect dog for anyone. She is very obedient and loves to get in the van to go for a run. She stays with me off leash and comes when called. I wish my own dogs were as saintly!

Wyatt is an exuberant 2 year old Bouvier. He has deep brown intelligent eyes and deep down he really wants to please. He is loaded with energy and a love of life. He is a big dog that can run by me and jump as high as my head. He will cooperate for most commands for a cookie. He means well, but he is like a bull in a china shop and I always walk him with a Gentle Leader as he easily out powers me.

Montana is a young male black lab. He's full of love and eager to please (so unlike a lab!) He is a beautiful dog with shiny blue-black fur, dark eyes and a blocky head. He is obsessed with the frisbee and cookies. His family just welcomed a baby so we will see how he adapts.

Tucker is a rescued Belgian Malinois. He is just not sure what is what in his world. He lived in a foster home before my client adopted him a month or so ago. Tucker can really charge the glass door when I arrive, barking with his teeth flashing. When I open the door and talk to him, he stops suddenly and crouches to the floor with his eyes wide. He races out the back door and chases balls like a machine.

Daily Pooch

As I have started pet sitting everyday, and don't have any co-workers to talk to; I will chat with you. I visit several dogs at lunchtime during the week. Most of what I write won't make sense unless I describe who's who.

Rhody: Unfortunately Rhody just died of cancer last week, and although I only knew him for a month, I am painfully missing him. Rhody was a 6 year old Yellow Lab. A gentle soul that flopped his tail and smiled at me when I entered his house. He was never well when I visited him, but he never complained. He did his best to limp around the yard and acted happy for my company. He had a big comfy bed with his name monogrammed on it. For a few visits he would take treats from me. In the end he wasn't eating anything at all. He always looked healthy in body - a big solid dog with knowing eyes. Last Wednesday was my last visit with him, and I didn't know it. He was panting and in pain. His owner was frantically trying to find an answer to his illness, as each vet she consulted with came up with nothing. She took Rhody to Angel Memorial that day, and I thought I would see Rhody on Friday. Thursday I read the devestating email from Alison that her sweet boy was gone. My eyes are filled with tears as I write this. It's 12:15 and I want to go see Rhody. I can't believe it. I don't know how Alison is doing.