When you are out at work. Our Quick Break Service allows you to schedule a 20 minute walk for your dog while you are out at work. Just like how we might take a break for some fresh air midday, it gives your dog a chance to do the same. Alternatively if it’s just a one off meeting you have to attend and you need just one walk now and again then we can accomate that aswell. No job too big or small!

 When you go on Holiday. Our Pet Sitting Service offers you the chance to travel away from home knowing that your dog is getting fed and cared for, and just as importantly they are getting their normal daily walks in the places they are used to and love to go to.

When you are going to be late home from work. If  your fancy some extra shopping after work, a drink with colleagues or maybe a trip to the cinema, then a Dog Walking Service can allow you to do that. You can enjoy yourself knowing that your dog is getting the walk they need.

When you have to attend  an event. I know from experience before we started Pet Sitters Ireland, every time we got invited to an event, such as a Christening or Wedding, our first thoughts were with the dog and what a long day it would be for them without getting out during the day. A Dog Walking service enables you to arrange a dog walk or 2 during the day to give the dog a break and let them out for some fresh air.

If you are feeling under the weather. We all have times when we are not well enough to walk our dog. So why not use the services of a Dog Walker until you are back on your feet.

So why not Contact Us for a chat about your upcoming Dog Walking Needs.

What ever your reason for using a dog walking service the most important thing is that your dog gets a good walk.

Happy Walking

Is it more about cost or would you be happy to pay that little bit more to know that the product was Made in Ireland.

As we selected items for our new online Pet Boutique, which I can assure you is coming soon, we found it really hard to locate items that were made here in Ireland.

So, although we are still importing a number of different items, we also decided to start getting a range of items made here exclusively for Pet Sitters Ireland.

The cat beds, dog beds, cat and dog bowls and homemade dog treats are nearly ready. With the rest of the range coming soon!

It has been great fun picking out colours and designs for the different items over the last few months and I know Coco and Patch have done more than their share of taste testing!

In an ideal world I am sure that a lot of people would buy locally and spend their money on Irish Products – but what’s the deciding factor for you on where you make your purchaes?

 Would you only buy Irish or are there other factors you take into account?

It’s crazy to think that people would even consider leaving their dog in a parked car on a hot day – but people do.

According to the PETA website “On a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to between 100  to 120 degrees in just minutes, and on a 90-degree day, the interior temperature can reach as high as 160 degrees in less than 10 minutes.”

We perhaps don’t see those temperatures here in Ireland every day, but on a warm day it is still not safe to leave your dog in the car.

Dog can suffer from heatstroke or suffocation from being left in a car for only a minute. Even with a window down it doesn’t mean the temperature in the car won’t be too much for them.

So remember it’s nice we are getting all this lovely weather – but don’t forget about out fury friends! After all they would much prefer to be taken for a run in the park than be sat in the car!

I know some people when they are looking for a dog are looking for a particular breed, which could be for a number of reasons. Maybe they have limited space, maybe they want a dog that is not too big as they have small children or maybe they just love a certain breed of dog.

I haven’t picked one of our dogs. Patch (collie cross) our first dog was from the pound in the UK. We only went to look around and came home with her. She was a found litter and was the one getting trampled on at the back. It was Mike actually that picked her-as I felt mean picking one and leaving the other 6 behind!

Lucky (springer spaniel) chose us. She was very sick and was hiding in the shed in the garden when we found her. Anyone that knows us, will know how much we loved having Lucky. The love she had for us was amazing and it was one of the saddest things when she passed away last year.

Coco (pointer) is our newest addition. Another dog from the pound. Michael went to look around and found her being picked on by the small dogs at the pound. They were bullying her and taking her food. Madness really considering the size of her!

Who wouldn't love that smile!

When we had Lucky I thought that an English Springer was such a loving dog and one I would have again. But when Coco arrived I began to realise that she was just as loving – so for me I realised it was more about the personality of the dog than the breed.

What’s your favourite breed and why? Or for you is it more about the dog’s personality?

Patch was microchipped when she was a pup, but I also have a tag on her as well. I always felt that if she was lost that someone could just take the number off the tag and call us immediately, as not everyone would be bothered to take a dog to the vets to get it scanned.

But then I do see the importance of microchipping animals, as not only does it stop people dumping animals, it also means that if your dog loses its collar then there is always the back up of the microchip.

Many people have neither – which is always a surprise. I would have mine tatooed with my phone number if it ensured that they would be returned to me. Doggy tattoos….mmmm probably not very animal friendly!!!

Whatever you have to identify your dog it’s important to keep the details up to date. No point having tags and microchips if the contact details are out of date.

So what do you use – id tag, microchip or both?

Walking your dog is a great way to take some time out from your day, keep yourself and your dog exercised and give you time to bond with them.

I know when I am out walking Coco I often wonder who is walking who, and I have tried both a collar and a harness and have been undecided on which is best. Although she much prefers a free run!

There seems to be Pros and Cons to the harness

Pros to using a harness

It can stop your dog choking when they pull

Your dog won’t be able to slip out of a harness

You tend to have more control over the dog – although with a larger dog then can use their weight to pull harder at times.

Cons to using a harness

Often a harness can be hard to put on – and when a dog is excited about going for a walk it can be even harder to get it on!

Some dogs don’t like the feel of a harness on them.

They can be expensive, and it’s important they fit correctly – so cheap is not always a good idea!

As I said I am undecided on which is best – although one thing I do know is whichever you put on Coco she loves going out for a walk. Although I would wonder which she prefers herself and which she feels more comfortable in.

Which do you think is best for your dog? Collar or Harness?

Here’s what www.dogtv.com have to say about their new channel for dogs.

” Cable’s first network for canines, DOGTV offers a promise to our beloved best friends that they should never again feel alone.

DOGTV is a 24/7 digital TV channel with programing scientifically developed to provide the right company for dogs when left alone. Through years of research with some of the world’s top pet experts, special content was created to meet specific attributes of a dog’s sense of vision and hearing and supports their natural behavior patterns. The result: a confident, happy dog, who’s less likely to develop stress, separation anxiety or other related problems.”

Check out their website and watch some of the clips

http://dogtv.com/Page/watchdogtv

Not sure whether that would keep a dog entertained for the day and I am not sure I want Patch and Coco sitting on the sofa all day watching TV!!

But the ‘exposure’ clip certainly made me smile…I wonder if our dogs will ever sit for the postman!!

So who wants to head out in a fleece and raincoat only to find the sun is shining and you need your shorts!

Pet Sitters Ireland ‘Walkabout Weather Report’  will alert you each day to the weather ahead and hopefully make that walk as pleasurable as possible.

Daily weather reports will come courtesy of Met Eireann.

So no excuse! Where are you taking your dog for a walk today?

Pet Sitters Ireland are offering a 14% discount on all weekend Pet Sitting bookings during February (minimum booking 4 visits).

So why not take your loved one away and let us take care of your pets while you are away!

To avail of this special 14th Feb Valentines Day Offer then please call the office on 1800 30 30 10 or Mike on 087 7453847.

Happy Valentines

So is Valentine’s Day something just for people or can it be a special time for our furry freinds?

So the normal perfume, jewellery or a meal out is probably not the right pressie for your pet, so what can we get them?

• A new Collar
• A bone
• Some Treats
• A comfy new bed to kick back in.
• A voucher for dog walking!
• Or just a simple Hug !

Whatever you decide to do for Valentine’s – let’s not forget our furry (or not so furry!) friends.

And remember to book your pet sitting early if you are planning a night away with your loved one!

Happy Valentines!