Blue Skies Pet Care

10/21/2026

"Now I have to fight GHOST SQUIRRELS, TOO???" 👻🐿️

Yesterday, your dog walked past the neighbor’s yard without a second glance. Today, there’s a twelve-foot skeleton next to the mailbox.

Sometimes, though, it’s a small ghost fluttering in a tree that deserves a very serious investigation.

Halloween decorations can make familiar walks feel unfamiliar.

If your dog hesitates, give them space.

From a distance where they’re comfortable, let them notice the decoration, say “Nice!” and offer a treat. We’re helping that unusual sight predict something good - WITHOUT requiring a closer inspection.

We’re watching for these seasonal surprises on our regular client dog walks, too, giving dogs extra room and time when they need it.

And these skills come in handy long after Halloween, when inflatable turkeys and waving Santas move into the neighborhood!

Read our tips for helping your dog feel comfortable with holiday decor: https://blueskiespetcare.com/when-the-neighbors-yard-gets-weird-helping-your-dog-feel-comfortable-with-holiday-decorations/

What decoration has earned a suspicious look from your dog?

10/05/2026

🐾 Newton fam, let’s help fill some food bowls!

Newton High School’s National Honor Society is organizing a pet food drive for Caring Hands Humane Society and we’re happy to help spread the word! 💙

📅 October 17, 2026
⏰ 1 - 3 pm
📍 South Dillons in Newton

🐱 Adult cat food is the biggest need right now! Caring Hands feeds Purina ONE, but donations of any dog or cat food are welcome. Other brands can help support local pets through their community pantry.

We love seeing local students step up for animals and the people who care for them. Thank you to student organizer Isaac and the rest of the NHS committee for making this happen!

Picking up groceries? Add a bag of pet food to your cart and stop by during the drive. Please share this post to help spread the word! 🐶🐱

09/28/2026

Even more flexibility. Same trusted care. 💙🐾

If you’ve noticed more hiring posts from Blue Skies lately....

We’re always quietly looking for the right people when we find someone who genuinely meshes with our team, our standards, and the way we care for pets.

But lately, we’ve been much more deliberate about it.

Over the past several months, we’ve seen a tangible increase in last-minute and short-notice care requests.

And one of the things our clients have counted on for the past 16+ years is flexibility.

Plans change. Work schedules shift. Trips come up. Family situations happen. Life does not always give two weeks notice notice.

We want to keep being the team that can say “yes” when those things happen.

So we’ve been thoughtfully growing our trained, reliable team to offer even more flexibility while continuing the dependable care our clients have counted on for 16 years - even as short-notice requests increase.

That growth is intentional.

We’re not interested in adding people just to add capacity. We want caregivers who fit Blue Skies, receive the training they need, and can help us grow without lowering the standard of care behind every visit.

Alongside that growth, we’re also making an update to our short-notice scheduling structure beginning October 1.

The goal is pretty simple:

💙 Keep making room for last-minute care
💙 Continue growing capacity as demand increases
💙 Keep our pricing clear and transparent
💙 Protect the quality and reliability clients expect from us

We know life is messy and we absolutely still want clients to reach out when something comes up.

In fact, we’re growing specifically so we can keep saying yes.

We’ve shared the full scheduling update here, including how the new short-notice fees work and options for clients who need the same visits regularly:

👉 https://sh1.sendinblue.com/mk/sc/7CR-5tgWq4xpb1y__iqJpMeAt0RTalAqvVTtBpE4fuoKEihXCoZCallhA5jDKYUmaBf2Qt9kKoJJwTDZGsoH3qIoMFlwUQw?t=1790632949036

Please note that if you are an active client and did NOT receive the email, you may have accidentally unsubscribed at some point. Please message us through the portal so we can fix that for you!

You may have noticed more hiring posts lately. We’re growing deliberately so we can say “yes” to more last-minute care without lowering our standards.

09/17/2026

Looking for a job with better coworkers? Ours have four legs, wagging tails, and are usually very excited to see you. 😄

We’re hiring part-time and full-time team members in the Newton area. Part-time schedules can be pretty flexible - we’re less concerned about which days you’re available and more interested in finding dependable people with a reasonable amount of availability who want to stick around and become part of the team.

Our current full-time team lead opening includes benefits and primarily covers weekends + Monday nights.

If you love animals, don’t mind being outside, and are looking for work that definitely doesn’t involve sitting behind a desk all day, we’d love to hear from you.

🐕 Dog walks
🐈 Pet sitting
💩 Yes, occasionally p**p
❤️ Lots of very good coworkers

Apply today: Use the QR code or visit BlueSkiesPetCare.com/jobs !

09/01/2026

🐾 One small Bungalow detail that can make a BIG difference at home, too: frosted windows.

Some dogs love watching the world go by from a window. Others? Ehhh… not so much. 😅

People walking past, other dogs, delivery drivers, squirrels, or neighborhood activity can send some dogs into barking, rushing the window, pacing, or lunging at the glass. And when they get to practice that response again and again, it can become an increasingly strong habit.

That’s why one simple management tool we often recommend to training clients is something we built into The Bungalows from Day One: frosted windows.

The goal isn’t to “fix” a dog with window film. It’s to reduce unnecessary visual triggers so they have an easier time relaxing instead of spending the day on neighborhood watch.

And it’s a surprisingly inexpensive solution:

🐾 Wax paper + masking tape can work in a pinch.

🐾 Adhesive privacy film works for something more permanent.

🐾 Static-cling window film is our favorite. It applies with water, smooths into place, removes easily, and comes in everything from basic frosted glass to decorative patterns.

You don’t necessarily need to cover the whole window, either. Often, covering just the portion at your dog’s eye level is enough.

At The Bungalows, we use a basic frosted static film. It still lets in plenty of natural light while giving our boarding guests some privacy from all the activity outside.

Sometimes helping a dog feel more comfortable isn’t about asking them to learn to ignore everything. Sometimes we can simply make the environment easier! 💙

Management is part of good dog training, especially when it prevents repeated practice of behaviors that leave a dog stressed or overly worked up.

Little details like this are part of the benefit of boarding designed and managed by professional pet caregivers and dog trainers who think about what helps dogs actually settle and feel comfortable.

And if your dog spends half the day yelling through the front window at the neighborhood… consider this your sign that an $8-ish roll of window film might be worth a try. 😂

08/28/2026

If you know Patty Briar, please let them know that their social security card was turned into the Harvey County Sheriff's Department. We found it out on a dog walk today. ❤️ No other info is available, as we passed it right along.

08/17/2026

Rain or shine, Oliver has places to sniff. ☀️🌧️🐾

Oliver is one of our regular dog walking buddies, and we love getting to be part of his routine! Since life keeps his busy mom, well… busy, our team helps make sure Oliver still gets a chance to stretch those long legs, explore the neighborhood, investigate all the important smells, and enjoy a little one-on-one time.

Some days are sunny. Some days are soggy. And some days Oliver would probably vote for staying on the couch with a good book. 😂📚

But having a consistent walking routine means his mom doesn’t have to choose between everything on her plate and making sure Oliver gets the activity and enrichment he needs.

That’s exactly what recurring dog walks are for. 💙

Rain or shine, we’ve got you, Oliver!

08/15/2026

Sometimes a “behavior problem” isn’t just a behavior problem. Up to 80% of behavioral issues may be pain-related. 1 in 3 of dogs over 1 suffer from arthritis. 80% of dogs over eight years old.

Pain and physical discomfort can change how dogs and cats interact with the world. A pet who suddenly becomes more irritable, hesitant, sensitive to handling, reluctant to move, less social, or defensive may be communicating that something hurts. Changes in behavior are considered an important indicator of pain in both dogs and cats.

But pain doesn’t always create an obvious new behavior problem.

Sometimes pets compensate...

A dog with chronic arthritis may still go on the walk, but shift their weight differently (like leaning forward to take pressure off back leg pain). They may stop jumping into the car and wait to be lifted. They may hesitate before lying down, take longer to get up, choose different sleeping positions, avoid slick floors, or slowly reduce how much they play.

A cat may still get onto the couch - but start using an intermediate surface instead of making one big jump. They may spend more time downstairs, groom less thoroughly, stop chasing toys as often, or develop litter box difficulties because climbing into the box has become uncomfortable. Chronic musculoskeletal pain can develop gradually enough that these changes are easy to mistake for simply “getting older.”

And compensation occurs from a behavior standpoint, too!

If standing, sitting, turning, being touched, navigating stairs, getting into position, or performing a particular skill is uncomfortable, we can very easily interpret the animal’s response as:

“They’re being stubborn.”
“They know how to do this.”
“They’re just not listening.”
“They’ve suddenly become reactive.”
“They don’t like being groomed anymore.”
“They’re getting grumpy in their old age.”

When what we could actually be seeing is an animal making choices based on what their body can comfortably do.

That doesn’t mean every behavior change is caused by pain.

Behavior in any mammal (including humans!) is complicated, and medical, environmental, learning, and emotional factors can all play a role. But when behavior changes - especially when something changes suddenly or an animal begins avoiding something they previously did comfortably - physical discomfort deserves a place on the checklist.

And you don't necessarily need to see an obvious limp before asking the question.

If you've found yourself wondering, “Could my dog be in pain?”, Canine Arthritis Management has a free resource designed specifically for pet owners. It walks you through signs that can be easy to overlook, what information and videos can be useful to collect for your veterinarian, and how to prepare for a veterinary conversation about pain.

During continuing education, our team was introduced to a free resource from Canine Arthritis Management that we thought was worth sharing. It’s designed to help dog owners take a closer look at subtle signs of discomfort, identify changes that can be easy to overlook, and gather useful information to discuss with their veterinarian.

👉 Is My Dog in Pain?
https://www.cameducation.co.uk/course/is-my-dog-in-pain

Sometimes the first clue that a body hurts isn't a limp.

Sometimes it's a change in behavior.

(Stats provided in this post courtesy Dr. Hannah Capon and CAM)

07/25/2026

🐾 We’re hiring Pet Caregivers and Team Leads!

Blue Skies Pet Care is looking for reliable, compassionate pet lovers to join our growing team in Newton, Kansas.

✨ Paid training
✨ W-2 employment
✨ Mileage reimbursement between visits
✨ Client tips
✨ Growth opportunities
✨ Benefits available for eligible full-time Team Leads

Reliability, communication, good judgment, and a true love for animals matter most.

Know someone who would be a great fit? Please tag them or share this post!

Ready to make pets and these clowns your coworkers?

More info and application link is in the comments. (If post is shared, click through to the original!)

07/18/2026

🐾 We’re Expanding Our Team Leadership! 🐾

Pet Care Team Lead in Training - Evening & Weekend Shifts
📍 Blue Skies Pet Care | Newton, Kansas
(Application link below!)

Blue Skies Pet Care is hiring dependable, level-headed animal lovers for two hands-on positions with a clear path into a Pet Care Team Lead role.

This position is a great fit for someone who provides excellent pet care, notices the details, communicates clearly, and can make thoughtful decisions without needing step-by-step direction after training is complete.

***Two Positions Available***

Position 1: Evening Team Lead Shifts (EDIT: FILLED)

Position 2: Weekend and Monday Team Lead Shifts

Saturday: 6:00 AM-3:00 PM
Sunday choice of:
• A double shift from approximately 6:00 AM-10:00 PM
• Or, one regular shift with on-call coverage during the other shift (First shift: 6:00 AM-3:00 PM, Second shift: 3:00-10:00 PM)
Monday choice of:
• A double shift from approximately 6:00 AM-10:00 PM
• Or, one regular second shift: 3:00-10:00 PM

Reliable availability is essential.

How the Position Works

The selected candidates will begin as Pet Caregivers for approximately 90 days at the regular caregiver rate.

This introductory period provides time to learn Blue Skies Pet Care’s clients, systems, safety procedures, service standards, Bungalow routines, and daily operations.

Candidates who demonstrate reliability, sound judgment, initiative, strong communication, and the ability to work independently may be promoted to Pet Care Team Lead at or before the end of the 90-day introductory period.

In plain language: dependable, thoughtful, capable people who take appropriate ownership will not be made to wait unnecessarily for the promotion.

Pet Caregiver Responsibilities

🐶 Completing pet sitting, dog walking, and p**p-scooping services throughout Newton and the surrounding area
🐱 Caring for boarding guests at our Bungalow locations
💊 Following feeding, medication, access, safety, and household instructions carefully
📸 Writing professional visit reports and taking quality pet photos
❤️ Monitoring pets for changes in behavior, appetite, mobility, elimination, or health
🧹 Keeping pet areas clean, comfortable, and secure
🚗 Driving safely and remaining on schedule
📱 Communicating promptly and appropriately when concerns or unexpected situations arise

Team Lead Responsibilities

After promotion, responsibilities will also include:
• Supporting and guiding caregivers during the shift
• Helping troubleshoot scheduling, access, pet care, and client concerns
• Monitoring visit progress and making sure nothing is overlooked
• Assisting with Bungalow operations and boarding guest rotations
• Responding calmly and appropriately when plans change
• Documenting concerns and escalating genuine emergencies
• Helping shifts run smoothly through practical problem-solving and professional communication
• Balancing independence with knowing when management needs to be involved

Team Leads may also complete supplemental paid duties during downtime or slower seasons. These may include Bungalow cleaning and organization, special projects, training activities, door-to-door flyer distribution, and paid volunteer work with local community organizations like Caring Hands Humane Society.

A Strong Candidate Will:
• Have excellent attendance and arrive ready to work
• Notice details others may miss
• Follow written instructions and important safety procedures
• Use critical-thinking skills before escalating routine problems
• Ask questions when clarification is genuinely needed
• Communicate directly, respectfully, and professionally
• Remain calm when pets, clients, schedules, or coworkers are having a difficult day
• Work independently without constant reminders
• Care about doing the job correctly even when no one is watching

Minimum Requirements

• At least 18 years old
• Valid driver’s license
• Reliable, insured vehicle
• Smartphone with dependable service
• Ability to pass a background check
• Comfort working with dogs and cats of different sizes, ages, and temperaments
• Ability to walk, bend, lift, clean, manage multiple leashes, and work outdoors in Kansas weather year-round
• Reliable availability for one of the posted schedules
• Willingness to work assigned holidays (with holiday pay!)

Professional pet care experience is helpful, but strong judgment, reliability, communication, and the ability to learn are even more important.

About Blue Skies Pet Care

Blue Skies Pet Care has served Newton-area pets and their families since 2010. Our local W-2 employee team provides professional pet sitting, dog walking, limited small-group boarding, dog training, and p**p-scooping services.

We believe pets are family, safety matters, communication should be clear, and reliable employees deserve opportunities to grow.

📩 Interested applicants should apply here: https://blueskiespetcare.mfs.gg/mIfi-3m

Note in the application that you are interested in the pet care team lead promotion path.

https://blueskiespetcare.mfs.gg/mIfi-3m

Compensation

Compensation dependent on experience.

Candidates promoted to Pet Care Team Lead will receive an increased Team Lead rate based on experience, performance, and demonstrated readiness for the role.

Additional compensation may include:

• Tips from clients
• Mileage reimbursements
• Holiday pay for eligible assigned holidays
• Paid training and team development
• Health, dental, and vision insurance (full-time team lead and above only)
• Sick leave and PTO (full-time team lead and above only)
• Paid supplemental work during slower periods, including Bungalow projects, community volunteering, and flyer distribution

https://blueskiespetcare.mfs.gg/mIfi-3m