pet sitter.
Anna Westhoff Each week, Ben Westhoff shares the ups and downs of owning Pippi, the Dalmatian mix he and his wife, Anna, adopted as a puppy in late 2009. Many readers expressed concern about our post from a couple weeks ago, in which we noted that, despite Pippi's traumatizing experience at the kennel earlier this year -- she got frighteningly sick and lost a bunch of weight -- we decided to bring her there again during a recent vacation. "Please reconsider," pleaded one Doggie Diaries reader. "I don't understand why you would put Pippi back in the same situation that made her so miserable before," said another. Trust us, we would prefer to board her with a friend or have someone come ...
Getty Images Brock Schwartz prefers the term "dog-walker inspector" to describe his profession. The legendary Ace Ventura called himself a "pet detective." And though the dog walkers of the world might prefer a term like "snoop" or even "secret police," this sleuth has no shortage of clients -- or cases to solve. Much like any other private eye in Manhattan, Schwartz is hired to discreetly gather information. The primary difference is that his subjects are pet sitters. According to the NY Post, Schwartz uses hidden cameras and sometimes even disguises to uncover the unethical or unprofessional practices that some dog walkers try to get away with. It's a job that could probably exist only ...
Getty No matter how conscientious a pet owner you may be, everybody needs a little help watching their dog, cat, bird, gecko, etc. sometimes. Right? If you live in the boondocks, you may have no choice but to rely on friends and neighbors to keep an eye on your animals. However, if it just so happens that you live in on of the 10 "Top Cities to Find a Pet Sitter," you can have peace of mind that comes with knowing that you're handing your leash over to a professional, and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg. There are a million and one important considerations you should make when choosing a pet sitter, but price is a pretty major one. To determine which cities reign supreme when it comes to ...
Fetch! Pet Care When it comes to hiring a professional pet sitter are you a helicopter parent that leaves detailed pooping and walking spreadsheets? Or are you more of the hands-off type who feels perfectly comfortable letting your sitter do his or her own thing? A well-prepared sitter can keep your pet happy and anxiety-free while you're away, greatly reducing the number of chewing, scratching, and/or bathroom accidents occurring in your home. The question is: How do you ensure that you've given your pet sitter all the necessary tools to keep your animals relaxed and healthy? To get a little expert guidance on the subject , we've enlisted the help of Paul Mann, founder of Fetch! Pet ...