5 Star Housesitters

Tag: dogsitting

  • Senior Wieners – An Adorable Troika!

    Senior Wieners – An Adorable Troika!

    Our time dog sitting  Bubba, Lucy and Big Daddy, the senior wieners

    Dog_Sitting_Elderly_Dachshunds_CaliforniaA wonderful doggie mom contacted us about dogsitting her dachshunds during her mother-daughter European vacation. She’s a very caring soul, and in her good-heartedness, rescues dogs that are difficult to place. That’s how we had the opportunity to love Bubba, Lucy, and Big Daddy. (pictured left, left to right)

    Dogsitting_Senior_Wiener_Dogs_in_CaliforniaAll seniors (around mid-teens) these three are like a little sibling family, each very different, but bound together emotionally. Big Daddy is on the giant end for a standard smooth dachshund, pushing 30 pounds and built very low to the ground. Perhaps not an Einstein in doggie intelligence, he has such a sweet, undemanding demeanor. But first, you’ve got to get past Bubba to be part of the “circle of trust.” Besides being the oldest, Bubba is the protector of them all. Until he knows and trusts you, he will put himself in between you and his family –  barking, snapping, and even biting to keep you away. He is a toughie, until you figure out his “kryptonite” — his teeth are so worn and sparse, he can’t hurt you. 🙂

    The trials of puppy mill rescues

    I tell it as a light-hearted anecdote, but his back story isn’t a happy one — he and Lucy, his mate? daughter? (their unique and similar coloring, and their attachment to each other, make it likely they come from the same breeder), apparently were discarded from a puppy mill once they reached old age.  Bubba has an ineffective bite, but Lucy’s teeth were so bad, many of them had to be removed. Now, in a darling but sad way, her little tongue slips out when she’s asleep or resting. It’s not hard to empathize with Bubba’s distrust, aggression and protectiveness when you have a sense of what they’ve been through.Senior Dachshund Puppy Mill Rescue

    Still, they’re happy kids, once you break through. They love snuggling on the couch together, they LOVE LOVE LOVE mealtime, and,  getting them out for a short walk is like doggie nirvana for them. These usually sedentary elders get all puppy hippy hoppy when they see their harnesses and leashes, especially Big Daddy. It is seriously hard to get Big Daddy off the couch, but not when he thinks he’s going for a walk!

    One of the other “bless her heart” issues their kind owner has to deal with is accidents. It doesn’t appear to be age-related incontinence, it seems as if there are just times they decide to “release,” and it’s not always outside the doggie door. We have heard that’s pretty characteristic of puppy mill dogs, because for years, they’re just kept in cages until they’re called upon to “perform.” (It really is remarkable how these little ones can come through so much and still have the capacity to love and be happy in a good environment).

    Even with all the “extra” that comes with dog sitting elderly dachshunds, it’s impossible not to love this trio and deeply appreciate good people with big hearts! 🙂

     

     

  • Three’s company! (and great companionship, too)

    Three’s company! (and great companionship, too)

    Three beautiful little ones to enjoy, how does it get better than that! This mixed trio of two cats and a dog (the smallest of which was the dog) came to us when their wonderful parents looked for some “live-in” pet care while they vacationed. Dogsitting for this fox terrier mix and providing cat care for her two feline housemates, kept us busy, in a fun way!

    Dogsitting Fox Terrier Mix in Southern CaliforniaSprocket at 11 months was all of about six pounds, and just a handful of puppy spunk and love. Although she was much smaller than either of the cats, she worked tirelessly at establishing her alpha position with them. (Not that cats care about who’s the leader — they tend to be rather libertarian and prefer everyone just go about their own lives and leave them alone 🙂 ). All the dust-ups between Sprocket and the cats needed some attention — occasionally a cat would get very annoyed and claw back, but they generally just gave her the “whatever” look cats have and moved on.

    Dog sitting for fox terrier mix in Southern CaliforniaCaring for a six-pound dog can be a lot of fun because they are so transportable, you can take them with on any excursion! (Not saying we hid her in pack-along bags and took her places dogs aren’t technically allowed, but hypothetically, if we did, she’d be hard to notice!) Sprocket is an excellent traveler, up for any experience, very well-behaved for a puppy, and oh so affectionate.

    And of course, as a fox terrier, chasing and retrieving “prey” is her favorite game, which can be pretty hilarious when most of her toys are almost as big as she is! Terriers, however, are tenacious, and size doesn’t matter when it comes to getting the “job” done!

    Sedona Cat Care for Silver Bengal on PorchThe two cats were unique personalities, too. Sedona is a beautiful silver bengal, very confident, curious and affectionate. She enjoys being brushed, and just luxuriates in the feeling of the bristles along her skin. People are very interesting for her, she often hangs around to see what’s up and pick up some loving, too. She is an indoor only cat — you do have to watch as she would LOVE to sneak outside — but she does have a second story deck she can use to enjoy the world.

    The bed gets a little crowded at night — “princess” Sprocket, of course, takes the center, and Sedona has to find a nook or bent leg somewhere to get that contact she enjoys at night. Oh, and did I mention this cat likes belly rubs in the morning, too?Bely rubs! Cat care for silver bengal

    And then, there’s Marley, the “ghost.” 🙂 I’m not sure if it’s a tuxedo cat specific thing, but it seems that all the tuxedo cats we’ve watched are, well, scaredy-cats. It can take days for their curiosity to overcome their aversion to new people. Finding a hiding, black “ghost” can sometimes be a bit problematic, so we’ve learned to check with owners about favorite hiding places before they leave (Marley’s favorite was under their bed.)Cat Care for Tuxedo Cat hiding under bed
    Good thing Marley enjoyed being brushed, too, or we might never have gotten to enjoy him. Banging the brush vigorously next to the bed eventually got him to poke his head out and enjoy some brushing — that is, until the little terror, Sprocket, would figure out what was going on and come in to assert her “leadership!” And then Marley would dash for cover, Sedona would come in to see what the ruckus was, Sprocket would start with her and…a wonderful, raucous time was had by all! 🙂Cat care for tuxedo cat in Southern California
    Although it was a relatively short dogsitting and cat care engagement, we thoroughly enjoyed, and absolutely fell in love with, all three. Wish we had some video of the cats, but, we do at least have a clip at the beach with Sprocket, at “work!” (Click here, or on the picture.)Cute dog video dogsitting fox terrier mix digging the beach

  • Sprocket, the fox terrier mix, at “work!”

    Sprocket, the fox terrier mix, at “work!”

    Sprocket at 11 months was such a joy to be dogsitting! Terriers, (including fox terriers) are notorious diggers (the development of the class involved ground activities, such as burrowing to flush rodents, and, “earth” being “terra” the class is known as “terrier”). So, in our first meeting with her parents, we’re in the backyard and a flash of 6 lb mighty terrier merrily runs by with a dead sparrow in her mouth, to her mom’s horror and our bemusement. After proudly displaying her “find,” she of course promptly went to bury it, (which was actually convenient as the dead bird could then be removed and disposed of).

    We didn’t get that on video, but she’s so intense “at work,” we put together a clip of her time at the beach. Can’t help it, we love cute dog videos!

  • Crazy for Coco and Loco for Lulu!

    Crazy for Coco and Loco for Lulu!

    Mixed breed dogsitting and orange tabby cat care in MontereyWe had the opportunity to do some dogsitting and cat care in the Monterey area for two wonderful pet parents. They entrusted us with their little Coco, an adorable two year old girl of mixed breed, and Lulu, the male orange tabby. “Mixed” households can be interesting — sometimes dogs and cats don’t play together well, but there two were fun to be around, individually and together (although Coco gets very jealous when Lulu’s getting the attention!).

    Dogs have a wonderful gift of making an open heart sing — their innocence and openness to experience really connects with that memory of being a child in love with life. Little Coco girl has the special gift of giving that momentary connection to virtually everyone she meets — watching people who caught eye of her brighten with joy became a wonderful add-on to the fun of being out with her.

    Dog sitting cute mixed breed in Monterey areaCoco is an intriguing breed mix (Tibetan spaniel?) that just turned out to be practically perfect in every way :). At about 15 to 20 lbs., she’s sturdy, athletic, endlessly cuddle-able, and very transportable, besides being highly intelligent, social, and eager to please, with a sunny disposition to boot.

    Lulu Cat Care for Orange Tabby in MontereyCoco has a housemate, Lulu, an affectionate, yet independent, and very curious orange tabby. Lulu will keep to himself as the situation requires (he has a doggy door for indoor/outdoor access as he chooses), but he certainly seems to prefer engaging with people — we moved one of his toys into the room where we watched movies, and it was so much fun watching him discover ways to play with it when we were there! Like many cats, he also enjoyed being in physical contact with us at night, sleeping in the crook of a bent leg until his internal alarm clock rang his “I’m hungry, right now!” bell (usually pre-dawn, of course).

    Orange Tabby Cat Care in MontereyWhen people hear we watch cats, too, we often get the question about cats and “gifts,” a particular hazard with indoor/outdoor pets. It’s not a regular occurrence, but, yes, Lulu was very demonstrative about his affection. How thoughtful, in cat world, to  forego a tasty mouse you’ve killed to offer it as tribute, you would think “they” would be more appreciative! Although we understand the nature of the compliment, we could have done without Lulu’s rodent cuisine!

    Cute dog video we took while dogsitting in Monterey
    Coco’s beach video

    The Monterey area has a terrific amenity — in addition to dog parks and off-leash open space, they have a beautiful and spacious beach where off-leash dogs are welcome! Coco’s enthusiasm for beach play is infectious — that ecstatic smile and uninhibited romping made many beach goers’ faces light up. This is a link to a video we shot of her (or you can just click the picture!)

    Leaving these two after our dogsitting and cat care duties were complete wasn’t easy (even when the owners came back, both Coco and Lulu spent one more night cuddling with us in bed!), but they have such wonderful, loving parents, we’re just happy we have the opportunity to spend time with them!

  • Santa Barbara’s most beautiful spaniel, Quila!

    Santa Barbara’s most beautiful spaniel, Quila!

    Housesit and Petsit for Quila, a Field Spaniel, in Santa BarbaraWhat a great experience spending time with Quila, the field spaniel, in Santa Barbara!

    Housesitting and Petsitting our Dear Field Spaniel Quila in Santa Barbara, CAWe admit, we’re part of the local “choir” — Santa Barbara has got to be one of the nicest places in the world.  Just a relatively narrow strip between the mountains and a pristine beach, part of Santa Barbara’s charm is that it never will be developable into a major urban area!  Beautiful beach line, sunny, temperate climate, wine country to the east — what more could one ask? 🙂

    And little Quila! (short for Tequila Sunrise — her litter was named for tequila drinks)  We love working dogs, and Quila was a great example of all the excellent characteristics of her breed, thanks to years of loving, consistent attention by her owners.  Of course Quila needed physical exercise, but she also needed stimulation of her instinctual gifts — tracking ball tosses and general off-leash exploration were such an important part of her day, and such a great time for us!Housesitting and petsitting Quila, the field spaniel, in Santa Barbara

    Quila’s intensity and focus on ball or birds or tracking is part of her DNA, and it required that we be extra vigilant when she was off-leash.  Fortunately, the owners have done such a wonderful job, working with professional trainers, it was relatively easy for us to step into the routines and thoroughly enjoy our outings with her…

    …and that’s really the reason we embarked on this journey — it is so joyful spending time with these beautiful companions, and helping out the people who love them while they’re away!