Bark Ave

04/11/2026

Hello Furiends 🐾,

We hope you are all well and continuing to train your families to be the best people they can be as you celebrate National Pet Day.

This has been an occasion of deep reflection for your Auntie Em. After some time and many tears, I have put together a tribute on Bark Ave’s website to honor my beloved Gia. Each year without her is difficult, but I am reminded of all the love and joy she brought to my life, as many of you do for your people too. Please continue being the reason we strive to live life to the fullest.

With Love,

💗Auntie Em

A Tribute to My Soul Dog

04/01/2026

I can’t tell you how often this profession is looked down on, viewed as irrelevant and something “anyone” can do. It’s anything but. Lives are in your care. People’s homes are under your watch. So much of what people treasure is your responsibility to keep safe. It’s not something we’ve ever taken lightly. For those who do take the time to show their respect and appreciation, we thank you. Your animals mean the world to us. 🫶🌍🐾

“Is that your full-time job?”
“Can you really make money doing that?”
“Oh, I bet it’s so fun to play with cats and dogs all day!”

👂Sound familiar?

While pet sitting has gained recognition over the years, there are still a few misconceptions out there.

But ask any professional pet sitter or dog walker, and they’ll tell you:
this work is NO JOKE.

On a day known for pranks and punchlines, we want to pause and recognize something serious: the dedication, professionalism, and heart behind professional pet-care businesses.

Here at PSI, we always say that pet sitting isn’t for the faint of heart, and pet sitting is absolutely a real career. 💜

Professional pet sitters and dog walkers are small-business owners and vital contributors to their communities and local economies.

They are:
✔ Licensed (where required)
✔ Insured and bonded
✔ Trained in pet care and pet first aid
✔ Committed to ongoing education and professional standards

They work year-round—early mornings, late nights, weekends, and holidays—
so pet parents can have peace of mind and pets can receive quality in-home care.

And this profession?
It’s about so much more than dog walks and cat cuddles.

👉Ask any pet sitter who’s missed holidays with family, extended visits to comfort a sick pet, or felt the heartbreak of a client’s pet passing.

👉Ask the pet parent whose dog walker noticed something wasn’t right and helped save their pet’s life.

👉Ask the family whose professional pet sitter graciously agreed to sit with them as their 15-year-old cat had to be euthanized.

Spend just one day with a professional pet sitter or dog walker, and you’ll see what we know to be true:
📍Pet sitting is no joke.

It’s a career…a lifestyle…a passion.

🐾Today, we thank the professionals making the world a better place every single day for pets and the people who love them.

03/22/2026

Mast cell tumors are the most common skin cancer in dogs, and your dog’s gut bacteria can influence how aggressive they become. Dogs with higher levels of inflammatory bacteria like Clostridium, Enterobacter, and Escherichia-Shigella tend to develop faster-growing tumors, more metastasis, and shorter survival, according to a new peer-reviewed study on ScienceDirect.

These findings mirror human cancer research and point to the gut microbiome as a potential target for therapy. Probiotics, prebiotics, and even f***l transplants can help by restoring beneficial bacteria, balancing the microbiome, and boosting short-chain fatty acids, which can reduce inflammation and tumor-supporting signals.

Certain probiotic strains can also directly influence mast cell activity. Lactobacillus rhamnosus may reduce mast cell activation and histamine signaling, Lactobacillus plantarum can lower degranulation and support helpful gut metabolites, and some Lactobacillus casei strains can limit inflammatory mediator release. Strain choice matters, making precision-formulated probiotics important.

’s PRIMITIVE PROBIOTICS™ includes these specific strains, sourced from wild canids, healthy domestic dogs, and living soil, offering a science-backed approach to rebuilding and maintaining your dog’s microbiome.

Comment BETTERBELLY to explore this targeted probiotic option for your dog.

03/14/2026

I wish more veterinarians thought and practiced this way. Think of all the animals that could benefit if they got to the core of the issue, and balanced animals holistically. I will always advocate for the voiceless. 🐾❤️‍🩹

What is functional medicine and how can it help your pet? Explore the 8 branches of functional medicine and learn how it supports lasting wellness.

03/04/2026

🐾 Today is Thank Your Pet Sitter Day™ 💙

If your pet sitter has:
✔ Comforted your nervous pet
✔ Braved bad weather
✔ Sent you detailed updates
✔ Provided peace of mind
Take a moment to say THANK YOU.

🙏During PSI’s Professional Pet Sitters Week™, we dedicate this day to send an extra special thank you to the professionals who raise the standards of pet care every single day. Learn more at petsit.com/thanks.

💛 Want to show your gratitude? Repost this and share one thing you appreciate most about your pet sitter!

02/16/2026

02/16/2026

Some brands passed and some brands failed: a new investigation by the Clean Label Project tested 79 of the most popular pet foods and found that dry kibble consistently had the highest levels of heavy metals, plastic-related chemicals, and acrylamide, a compound formed during high-heat processing.
Compared to fresh and frozen foods, kibble contained:

• ~21× more lead and mercury
• 13× more arsenic
• 6× more cadmium
• 24× more acrylamide, with one product testing at 780 ppb

Plastic-associated chemicals like BPA, BPS, and DEHP were also highest in dry food and lowest in fresh and frozen products.

Researchers note that because many dogs eat the same dry food every day for years, long-term exposure and accumulation of contaminants in organs like the liver and kidneys may contribute to chronic disease and potentially increase cancer risk.

Link in comments to read more about which brands passed and failed:

01/12/2026

We bought a cool-mist humidifier to help with the dry air. The cats believe we have installed a portal to the Netherworld. Shadow is actively boxing the steam column. The Ginger is trying to eat the mist (and failing, because it is air).

The Persian is sitting too close, getting slowly damp and frizzy, and looking absolutely furious about it.

The Tuxedo is staring at the bubbling tank like it holds the secrets of the universe.

01/04/2026

01/01/2026

Happy New Year from these little loves. May your days be filled with sloppy kisses, wet noses, and furry confetti. 🪩💛🐾

05/30/2025

For local cat lovers looking to expand your family 😻