Pets Home Companion, LLC

05/29/2026

Surprise!
Let's talk about dogs again.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I love to learn and take in new information and apply it to my Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Business.
I have a client whose family welcomed a grandbaby. Congratulations!
This baby has grown and is a toddler.
This client also has a dog whom while she is wonderful and loving and sweet- she has a "possession" issue, meaning- don't take her stuff! And if she takes your stuff, don't take it from her!
I was quite worried internally as I knew the dog would be spending time with the baby.
This family did everything right and introduced the baby and the dog the right way and fostered that relationship.
This means they were very careful and monitored the two of them while interacting to make sure everyone was safe.
They always put the safety of the baby first while safely including the dog.
And in texting with this client the other day and receiving a picture of the two of them together I just felt this wave of happiness because I'm so proud of this dog! She truly surprised me for the better.
And for this dog- it opened up a whole new world for her, reinforced her confidence and helped her shed some of her habits by experiencing this relationship with this little one.
"They" say, as in, it's said that a dog seems to know when it's a baby and they're gentle with them.
That could be. That was certainly the case when I was growing up with family dogs.
Well, while this is not 100% true for every dog, it's true for a lot of dogs.
They seem to know instinctually not to harm a baby or a child but we can't take for granted that this is true of all dogs, so precautions need to be taken, boundaries put in place, and recognizing our dogs for who they are and adjusting our actions in being their leader accordingly.
Until your dog proves to you that they will fall into the category of dogs who know that a baby is vulnerable and go into protective mode instead of reactive mode,
adjust your environment and boundaries for that dog in the presence of a baby or child.
And if you do everything right, introducing the situation slowly, protecting the baby and
always being attuned to changes in your dog's behavior- only then may they have the space to surprise us!
Cheers to more dogs surprising us in the very best ways!
K.R.

05/29/2026

Over the years I've helped a lot of people with their animals outside of being paid for it.
I live in a way that allows me to feel good about the way I live my life and if I can help someone, I help them.
My connection with animals has always been a gift in my life and for me it's very easy to be able to apply that. I believe that if you have certain skills, you should not hesitate to help people.
For instance, before I started my own business in 2007, I was working for another Pet Sitter for 9 Months.
We had a situation where the owner took in a beautiful well balanced pit bull through a recent rehoming situation.
So this dog was given up by his owner and this new person now had him.
She was scheduled to go on an overseas work trip. She was the client of the Pet Sitter I worked for.
I was walking this boy daily Monday though Friday for a couple weeks before she was going away.
Then he was off the schedule for a couple weeks and she was away on her trip.
I was scheduled for the afternoon walk and the upstairs neighbor was supposed to be taking him out at least twice more during the days breakfast and evening.
When I showed up for the first afternoon visit during a particular week, this well-balanced dog came slinking out of the bedroom.
He looked thinner and his whole demeanor was different. He was a little traumatized.
Of course I contacted the person I worked for. I don't believe she contacted the owner overseas right away.
I went back the next couple days only in the afternoon because he was supposed to have been cared for rest of the time.
Then he started having accidents in the house.
I took it upon myself to go upstairs and leave a note with my phone number on the woman's door who was supposed to be walking him and I started to assume care of him.
I washed his food bowl after I fed him and when I got back the next time and there was no evidence that the food bowl had been used. I don't think that she was coming and I don't think he was being fed.
She received my note and knocked on the door a few days later and told me she could not physically handle the dog. I believe the original arrangement was for her son to walk the dog.
So I told her that's okay. I'll take care of it.
I immediately contacted the Pet Sitter that I worked for I told her I will do this at no charge for the two weeks while the owner was away, 4 visits per day for this dog.
I was so afraid that the pet sitting business owner I worked for would not allow me to do this. I convinced her to do it.
She mentioned something about kenneling him, and I didn't want that for him. He'd had enough trauma.
It took a little bit of convincing her because she didn't know if she was going to get paid and be able to pay me. I told her it was good karma for me.
I continue to care for the dog and did a lot of other things like spending hours at a time with him, falling asleep in an oversized chair with him in my arms snuggling me, taking him for a couple walks to a park that had trails. In return, I received big sloppy kisses!
I got him back to where he needed to be.
I was cooking beef and rice for him for his gastro upset and giving him probiotics to get his stomach back to normal.
Everything I did for him worked and got him back to where he was when I first met him.
I'm not sure, but I don't believe the Pet Sitter ever received payment for this.
I regret nothing.
I remember him after all this time and I can smile when I think about him and that I saved this boy.
There isn't much that I wouldn't do for an animal.
~Kerry

05/29/2026

Ask me about Angel Walks...

05/25/2026

05/25/2026

Pet Sitting Journeys
Kind of hard to walk when you only have one boot!

05/23/2026

05/19/2026

Hot dogs
Hi All,
As you may know, I am a licensed, professional pet sitter in business since 2007.
Now that summer is upon us, do you know about the 15 minute rule?
In extreme heat like we have been having these past few days and extreme cold, it is advised to only keep your dog out on walks for 15 minutes. A dog’s normal body temp is 101.0 to 102.5.
When their body temp reaches 104 it is very dangerous and they can be at risk for heat stroke.
Dogs cool their bodies through panting. They cannot dissipate their body heat the way humans can.
Breeds that are brachycephalic like Pugs, English Bulldogs, Shih Tzu’s, Boston Terriers, etc. who all have a short head and face, and therefore shortened airways- are more at risk.
Senior dogs also have a harder time dissipating heat.
The high humidity, like we’ve been having is actually more of a risk for heat stroke than high temps though neither one is good for your dog.
So keep this in mind when you venture out on walks.
And for the runners out there- go solo, as summertime is not the time to take your dog running.
Also, when there is extreme heat and you are heading out, you can put your palm to the pavement to see how tolerable it is for their paw pads. Be cool, keep your dogs safe.

05/19/2026

95° in May!!
Keep your dog's walk short.
No more than 15 minutes outside in extreme heat, and I would recommend even shorter if you can.
Take advantage of the early mornings and evenings for a little bit of a longer walk.
Watch the humidity level too!
Fresh cold water when they get back from a walk is always an incentive for them to drink and make sure your home is cool enough so they can at least co themselves off after a walk.
Most dogs are great at self regulating so don't force them to stay out in the heat as it's a risk for heat stroke.
A dog's body temperature is much higher than humans so they're already starting out at a higher temperature and there's not much room for their body temperature to rise until it becomes a medical emergency.
Dogs don't sweat and they can't dissipate the heat the way humans can.

05/19/2026

Through the kindness of others, we are lifted