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Tag Archives: dog boarding

A Wild Spring Break

30 Saturday Mar 2013

Posted by wildthingspetservices in Blog, In The Neighborhood, Services

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

australian shepherd, bark park, batavia IL, chocolate lab, cute, dog, dog boarding, dog park, dog walking, dogs, english setter, fox river bluff, geneva IL, golden retriever, james o.breen, pet sitting, puppies, spring, st charles IL

We were so blessed to have so many of our best friends come out to play with us over spring break!  We made a video of just a few of our favorite moments.  What was your favorite spring break memory with your best friend?

A Wild Spring Break

Starring:

Shelby

Shelby (aka Nibbles)

Rosey

Rosey

Murphy

Murphy

Cooper

Cooper (aka String Bean)

Cinema professional

Cinema

Max Professional

Max

Bedtime In Chi-ville

06 Wednesday Feb 2013

Posted by wildthingspetservices in Blog, Services

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

batavia IL, chihuahuas, cute, dog boarding, dog walking, dogs, funny, geneva IL, pet sitting, pets, st charles IL

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All the windows were dark.  Quiet snow filled the air.
All the Chi’s were all dreaming sweet dreams without care.  Except one…

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“I am AWAKE!  Alert!  Unstoppable!  Your powers have no effect…

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… on… me… woman…”

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Zzzzzz

Honoring Childhood Traditions… With A Puppy Twist

22 Tuesday Jan 2013

Posted by wildthingspetservices in Blog, Tasty Treats

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

batavia IL, Cinnamon Rolls, cookies, dog, dog boarding, dog walking, dogs, geneva IL, pet, pet sitting, pets, st charles IL, treats

One of my favorite childhood memories was waking up with my sister to my dad’s homemade cinnamon rolls.  He especially loved to make them for us in the winter months; the hot gooey treat was the best way to kick-start a day of playing in the snow.  When I came across this recipe for cinnamon roll dog cookies I knew I had to make them for my fur kids, and was just a little too excited to wait for snow.

Corinne & Kathleen

Me and my twin sister Kathleen
(That’s right, I had a robo-cat, it was awesome.)

These small cinnamon roll biscuits are made with whole wheat flour and canola oil, which contains heart healthy mono and polyunsaturated fats as well as omega 3 fatty acids. They look as good as they taste; having been rolled into a log and sliced they resemble the real thing – even more so if you drizzle them with cream cheese, thinned with a little water. Drizzling is easy if you put the sugar-free cream cheese “icing” in a zip-lock bag and snip off one corner to squeeze the mixture out.

Cinnamon Roll Biscuits

2 cups Whole wheat flour
1 tsp. Baking powder
1/4 tsp. SaltCinnamon Roll Treats
1/2 cup Water or milk
1/4 cup Canola oil
1 Large egg
2 Tbsp. Honey
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1/4 cup Finely chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Cream cheese drizzle (optional):
1/4 cup Light cream cheese
1-2 Tbsp. Milk or water
Whisk together into an icing consistency

Preheat oven to 350°F.

In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. In a small bowl stir together water, oil and egg. Add to the dry ingredients and stir just until you have a soft dough.

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On a lightly floured surface, roll or pat the dough into a rectangle that measures roughly 8×14-inch. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with cinnamon and nuts, if using.

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Cinema’s Secret To Successful Baking:  Taste Testing

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Starting from a long edge, roll up jelly-role style and pinch the edge to seal. Using a sharp serrated knife or (even better) dental floss, slice half an inch thick and place slices cut side down on a cookie sheet that has been sprayed with nonstick spray.

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Bake for about 15 minutes, until springy to the touch. Wait until they have cooled completely before you drizzle the cream cheese on them.

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“Lord, Please let it grow legs and jump into my mouth!
Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please!”

Makes about 2 dozen biscuits. Store extra in a tightly covered container and freeze. If they are frosted, store the container in the fridge.  Or better yet, share with friends!

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No puppies were left hungry following the completion of this recipe. 🙂

Puppy Smoosh Pile!!!

04 Tuesday Dec 2012

Posted by wildthingspetservices in Blog, Services

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

batavia IL, chihuahuas, cute, dog boarding, dog walking, funny dogs, funny puppies, geneva IL, pet sitting, puppies, puppy love, st charles IL

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Helping Your Pets Cope With Loss

03 Monday Dec 2012

Posted by wildthingspetservices in Blog, Pet Health and Safety

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

batavia IL, cats, death of a pet, dog boarding, dog walking, dogs, geneva IL, grieving pets, pet health, pet mourning, pet sitting, st charles IL

My heart is breaking for the family of Rocket, one of the sweetest dogs I’ve ever had the pleasure of caring for.  Rocket has spent months fighting a battle with lymphoma.  There have been highs and lows with the help of medication and loving care, but last night, surrounded by love and a great deal of tears, Rocket took his last breath.

The anxiety, confusion, and grief of his furry companions is obvious and heartbreaking.  Wrigley, a cat who developed a deep bond with Rocket, and Joey, Rocket’s canine best friend, seem most affected.  It’s in their honor that I write this post, to help pet parents help their pets mourn the loss of their friends.

Edit-8456-OptimizedWhat to Expect

Just like people, all dogs and cats react differently to loss.  Some common reactions to the death of a companion include:

  • Physical symptoms.  The pet left behind may have physical symptoms in response to the loss, loss of appetite, lethargy, and sometimes even illness.
  • Personality changes.  If the pet that passed away was the leader of the pack, the dog left behind may feel it’s now his responsibility to take on the job.  You many notice him barking more at passerby or acting more outgoing and confident.
  • Social structure changes.  If you have a multiple pet household there may be increased tension (possibly fighting or vocalization) in the remaining animals.
  • No signs.  Other pets may not show any signes when they lose a companion.

Joey-OptimizedHow to Support Them

Watch your pet.  It is recommended not to leave them in an area where they could escape; as some pets literally ‘search’ for their friend.  If you have an inside/outside cat keep them in for a couple of days.  Keep a close eye on your dog when they are left outside; even if they are normally good about staying in the unfenced yard.

Talk to them.  Try to be positive around your grieving pets.  They may not understand the words but will pick up on your emotions.  You’ll want to avoid babying, though, because this can reward the pet for acting depressed.

Play music.  Particularly uplifting, faster tempos to lift depression or relaxing classical music to soothe anxiety.

Stick to your routine.  No matter how your animals react to the loss of another pet, chances are they’re feeling stress over the changes in the household.  One of the best ways you can help them adjust to the loss is to stick as carefully as possible to their normal routine.  Continue to feed them and walk them at the same times.  Sticking to their usual schedule can help a great deal in reducing their stress.

Provide more exercise and stimulation.  Chances are the pet that passed away played a large role in the day-to-day life of your other pets.  They may have played together or napped together.  Losing this may leave the remaining pets feeling bored and anxious.  You can help your pets deal with the boredom and anxiety by providing them with more exercise and mental stimulation.  Some things you can do include going for an extra walk each day, providing plenty of interesting toys, starting an obedience program and playing with them.

Allow them to re-establish their social structure.  This may mean allowing some fights to break out.  Of course, it is up to you to protect them from harming one another but it is important that they re-establish their hierarchy within the group in an effort for them to adjust and reclaim order for themselves.

The Birdcage Evening With Agador [&] Spartacus

01 Saturday Dec 2012

Posted by wildthingspetservices in Blog, Services

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

batavia IL, chihuahas, dog boarding, dog walking, dogs, geneva IL, pet sitting, rescue dogs, st charles IL, the birdcage

It was a FABULOUS evening with Agador and Spartacus, full of tummy rubs in bed and inappropriate ‘The Birdcage’ references.

Agador

Agador

Agador: Armand, why don’t you let me be in the show?  Are you afraid of my Guatemalan-ness?
Armand (Me): Your what?
Agador: My Guatemalan-ness, my natural heat.  You’re afraid I’m too primitive to be on the stage with your little estrogen rockettes, right?
Armand (Me):  You’re right.  I’m afraid of your heat.

Spartacus

Spartacus

“I thought I was gonna have a heart attack.  I mean, I walk in the door and there’s a woman in my bed!  Oh, God.  And I thought, “what the hell, let’s try it once with a woman and see what those straight guys are raving about.”

Spartacus: “and the tummy rubs were gooood!”

Busted

28 Wednesday Nov 2012

Posted by wildthingspetservices in In The Neighborhood, Presents 4 Pets, Rescue & Shelter News

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

batavia IL, christmas, christmas dogs, cute dogs, cute puppies, dog boarding, dog walking, dogs, geneva IL, pet sitting, presents 4 pets, puppies, rescue dogs, st charles IL

I had lots of help wrapping boxes for our Presents 4 Pets campaign last night. : )  It’s hard to believe it’s just a week away!

Busted

My Day In Pictures…

20 Tuesday Nov 2012

Posted by wildthingspetservices in Blog, Services

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Tags

batavia IL, dog boarding, dog walking, dogs, geneva IL, pet sitting, puppies, st charles IL

Joey’s first full day with us starts off with a trip to the Bark Park. His happy face and exuberant enthusiasm makes my heart melt.

Bailey finds heaven in a bed of leaves.

There is a battle over a stick.  Cinema wins.  (But only because Murphy is in love with her.)  Cinema’s ego grows by 200%, it is now about 800% above modest.

Dad comes for a visit. I’m making dinner and all of a sudden I realize I’m completely alone, a feeling I haven’t experienced since… ever. This is what I find. My dad says sheepishly “I wandered in to see the score of the basketball game, next thing I know I’m collecting dogs.” =)

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Wordless Wednesday: Heroes wanted

14 Wednesday Nov 2012

Tags

animal rescue, animal shelter, batavia IL, dog adoption stories, dog boarding, dog rescue, dog walking, dogs, fostering, geneva IL, pet sitting, rescue dogs, shelter dogs, st charles IL, wordless wednesday

Posted by wildthingspetservices | Filed under Blog, Presents 4 Pets, Rescue & Shelter News, Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

An inspiring kind of day…

10 Saturday Nov 2012

Posted by wildthingspetservices in Blog, In The Neighborhood, Presents 4 Pets, Rescue & Shelter News, Services

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

animal rescue, animal shelter, batavia IL, dog boarding, dog rescue, dog walking, foster dogs, fostering, fostering dogs, geneva IL, inspiring, National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week, pet sitting, st charles IL

Every once in a while you have a day that reminds you of why you work so hard, motivates you to keep on trucking, and validates all of your efforts.  Yesterday was one of those days for me.

It started off with a morning at the park where my foster, Rolo, and I played his new favorite game… soccer.  Rolo LIVES to play soccer.  And he’s so good at it he could go pro if it wasn’t for the fact he’s furry and has the tendency to try to eat the ball between plays.  He even has a favorite ball, a UCLA basket ball.  I don’t have the heart to tell him it’s not regulation but I’m sure that even if I did he’d just look at me with a face full of smile and his little nub would wag furiously in anticipation.  It’s mornings like these that I love being a foster, when the occasional inconvenient accident in the house pales in comparison to the enormous pride that comes with watching them thrive.

Rolo the Soccer Pro!

At work… well… Nothing makes me happier than seeing my pups and my clients having a ball together.  Yesterday Cinema got to see her bestie, Murphy, for the first time all week.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen them so happy.

After my last client for the day I dropped by Critters Pet Shop to pick up some items to donate to Grahamville Rescue and Sanctuary in honor of National Animal Shelter and Rescue appreciation week.  I had just started filling my basket with toys when the owner, who I had met only briefly while campaigning for my Presents 4 Pets donation drive, approached me to ask if I needed any help.  I explained that I was looking for items to donate and to my delight he started glowing about (and selling) the Presents 4 Pets donation drive.  I was over the moon.  We both had a laugh when he realized it was my initiative and then he proceeded to donate 8 collars and leashes to Grahamville Rescue and Sanctuary.  With his help, I was able to put together a fantastic gift basket for a rescue that has seen a lot of hard times lately.  I am so excited to present them today at the Kane County Fairgrounds’ Chicago Pet Show.

A Gift for Grahamville Rescue and Sanctuary

A Gift for Grahamville Rescue and Sanctuary

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Presents 4 Pets

The Grand Finale!December 23rd, 2012
The big day is here! Lets make this last day of Presents 4 Pet a huge success!

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