Adventures At Poochie Woochie Pet Sitting Service

Happy New Year 2012

2012-01-03T18:10:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had happy holidays and the new year is starting out right for you. All of this sun we have had the last month has been nice for me. Not so many muddy paws to wipe at one time. I wanted to invent those boots for poochie woochies to keep their paws nice and clean, but I saw that someone had already invented them. I'm just not sure anyone one has a size large enough for my Rosie's paws. I'm not sure she would ever wear the boots anyway. I would like to find out though.

I am still staying at my friend's house. It has been over a year now. For awhile, I had to stay to fully recover from surgery. Now I am still here for several reasons. Rosie loves her daddy, so it breaks my heart to think of taking her away to a new home. They could still see each other, but it wouldn't be the same. Then, there are the two kittens I found on craigslist for my friend to replace his old kitties that died in 2010. They are the sweetest kitties you could ever hope to own. Little Girl is laying beside me now letting me pet her while she naps. I would hate to be away from them, and I know they would miss me just as much. But the main reason I am still here is that it is hard to find a landlord that will rent to me once I disclose that I am a pet sitter and would like to be able to board pets in my home.

The words "pet sitter" bring up all sorts of negative connotations like dog poop everywhere, or damaged floors and carpets, and urine smell from cats, or holes dug in the yard. It is hard to convince landlords that all of those negative things are not caused by the pets, but by irresponsible pet owners who haven't taught their babies to behave and haven't trained them properly on where to go to the bathroom. They don't take their poochie woochies out for proper exercise so they don't get into so much mischief while they are away. It is a sad, sad situation for me, and my clients who loved to board their pets with me.

I am grateful for my new clients who have trusted me to watch their babies in their home so that my business hasn't gone to hell in a hand basket altogether. I have a theory on why people do not like to have someone stay in their home. The first reason is they are afraid you might steal something. Next, they are afraid you may snoop through all of their personal belongings. And, finally, they don't want to have to clean the house up for you if it is messed up.

I can assure you that as a pet sitter in your home, I can be trusted to do what I was hired to do, and that is all I will do. My main concerns are, "where are all of the foods, treats, leashes, food bowls, and litter boxes kept. Then I want to know if anyone needs to take any special medicines or eat any special diet. Then I like to know the sleeping arrangements for everyone. Each home owner has different rules for everything, so when I come into a home, the least of my worries is the rest of the house, except for which doors are supposed to be locked or if there is a doggy door that needs to be closed at night, and where the gas and water shut offs are in case we have an emergency. And, finally, I like to have everyone's emergency numbers in case I need to know anything that got left off of the instructions, or something happens to someone's baby. So far nothing has ever happened, but it helps to be prepared. After going through all of the details of taking care of my charges, I take care of everyone, and find the tv remotes. Then, we (meaning me and my babies for the night), all sit down on the couch and we all fall asleep together after everyone has had their pets. In the morning I get everyone fed and taken care of, and walked before I leave for the day, or I may take someone home with me. Between all of those details, I have enough on my mind to worry about anything else around me. I take the care of your babies very seriously. I try my best to earn your trust and respect, because you have had enough faith in me to leave me with your most prized possession; your home, and your babies. I do my best to make it easy for you to choose to go on vacation and have a nice time without worrying about what is going on in your home while you are gone.

My father taught me that no matter what I chose to do in life, to do it to the best of my ability. My parents taught me to be honest, to have integrity, and do what is right even when no one is looking. That is exactly how I live my life, and exactly why I appreciate people's trust in me. So, you don't have to worry about me stealing anything, or snooping in your possessions, or caring if your home is a little messy. Everyone's home is a little messy when you are getting ready for a trip. You have to pull out everything to find what you need to pack, you have to do laundry to get your clothes you want ready to go, you have figure out what is going and what is staying. By then, you are too tired to make the bed, or finish the dishes, or sweep every floor. You have worked hard all year to take that vacation, so who cares if your home looks lived in or not. I just want to do my job well so that your babies have a good time while you are away so they won't miss you so much. If I can do that, I have done my job well.

If you are already one of my clients, thank you for your trust. If you haven't tried my service yet, give me a try. You won't be sorry. I have excellent references. I am not bonded or insured, but I did pay for a background check through Care.com. I am come from a Christian family with old midwest character. I believe in the power of a handshake, and an unspoken code of integrity and trust. I like to keep things simple. I am a simple person, a simple person who loves poochie woochies and kitty cats.

Pet Toys For Christmas Disaster

2011-12-27T11:58:00.000-08:00

My friend got 2 new kittens this summer. This was their first Christmas. We wanted to get them fun things to play with. Our efforts turned out to be a disaster. We bought one toy full of pink feathers that had a snowman head. You were supposed to hang it on a door knob so the kittens could bat at it. The toy didn't last 2 minutes. One kitten went to bat at the feathers, and got a feather caught in her mouth. We had to rescue her from the feather. It came right off the toy. Several of the feathers came off, as a matter of fact. The toy didn't last 2 minutes. As soon as my friend stuck the toy on the door knob, the bottom half came right off from the top part. It is going back to the store. Then we bought a mouse that was in a stocking from the Martha Stewart collection. The mouse was supposed to have catnip in it, and the stocking had that noisy plasticy stuff that crinkles and makes noise. The cats couldn't have been less interested in that toy than if it was a rock. It went back already. The last toy, a ball of mylar crinkly stuff is still here. One of the cats is a little interested in it, but it needs to be tied up somewhere so she can bat at it. I have never had such bad luck with so many toys for cats.

I am writing this to warn you about buying anything with feathers, or other fuzzy materials on them. Cats cannot be left alone with any of these kinds of toys. They are interactive toys, meaning you can only let them play with them when you are in the room watching their every move, and preferably, you are interacting with them, and not really letting your kitty get a hold of the feathers or fur, but tease them with them so that they can get some real exercise jumping and stretching for the toy while you drag it along in front of them, or dangle it overhead. Once you are done playing with these kind of toys, they need to be put away behind closed doors so that your kitty can't climb up to them and get them in their mouths. Toys can look fun, but so many of them are dangerous to your babies.

One toy I whole heartedly recommend is a toy that has a round track with a ball in it that won't come out. In the middle of the toy is a scratcher pad. Our cats don't play with the scratcher pad at all, even though we put catnip in there for them. They mostly lay across the center of the toy while they bat at the ball. One of our kitties can really get the ball going. All you have to do is give the ball one good bat when you bring it in the door, and your kitties will do the rest on their own. They love this toy. It can't hut them, and it won't break on you. It is well worth the cost. There is a smaller version where the ball is encased in a circular structure and there are holes all around, so the cat has to stick its arm inside to bat at the ball. I have seen cats play with this type too, but I like the open circle one much better. I can give the ball a whirl when I walk by and this always gets someone interested in playing with the toy.

Another toy I like is a stick that comes with 6 different dangling toys. Some are feathery things, others have a ball at the end, and some are snaky things. This is definitely an interactive toy that you have to put away after you are done playing with your cat, or the cats will destroy the toy, and may injest some of the feathers or fur, which, as I explained above, or meant to if I didn't, is very dangerous, and can choke your cat to death if you aren't there to supervise.

As usual, like any other baby, you spend all this money trying to find the right toys for your babies, and all they are interested in are the ribbons the toy was wrapped in, and the box to jump in. I hope your pet toy buying experience was better than ours.

One more toy that disintegrated was a toy I bought for my Rosie. It was a little bear with a squeaker in it. The bear's hair came out by the handfuls all over the floor. I had to cut off the rest of the hair. Now Rosie has a bald bear to play with. She likes her snake though. It has a squeaker in every section. It won't take her long to destroy it, but she will have fun doing it, and it didn't cost too much.

I hope your Christmas toy buying experience went better than ours. Always remember to keep your receipts so that you can take anything that falls apart back right away. You shouldn't have to pay for anything that falls apart the minute you touch it, or turns out to be a severe danger to your pets.

Merry Christmas Everyone And Happy Happy New Year!

2011-12-24T18:10:00.000-08:00

The year went by so quickly. I am still living with my friend. It is hard to find a landlord that will rent to a pet sitter, but I gained new clients that wanted someone to watch their babies at home so that they felt happy, safe, and comfortable in their own place. It really is the best way to care for pets while their parents are away. But, if I could board poochie woochies and kitty cats again, that would be fun too. They all like making new friends and having a new place to go to play with their friends. I will keep searching for the right place to be able to board again. In the meantime, I appreciate the new clients that chose me to take care of their babies at home. I appreciate your trust, and your babies bring me great job. I love learning all of their personalities. I am behind on my blog, but as I catch up, I will share some of the antics I have watched while parents are away.

I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year! I look forward to continuing to be your babies' caregiver in the new year. If any of your friends ask you if you know of someone to care for their babies, please let them know about me. Let them know that I am there for them all year round.

I have got to go take care of a couple of little poochie woochies, and then I am off to spend the night with a kitty. So, you see, I am here every day of the year. I see it as a privilige to be greeted by my four legged charges. They are so happy to see me. I love not having to worry about being rejected by my little friends. Cheers to you all. I hope Santa is good to you and your babies, and please remember to keep the chocolates put up high. Happy Holidays! Punkie and Rosie

Make Your Holiday Reservations On My Calendar Early

2011-11-13T11:20:00.000-08:00

The holidays are quickly approaching. My calendar is starting to fill up already. Since I am not able to board right now, my availability is limited to daily visits, overnight stays, and daily walking. Remember to contact me even if you see a name on a day you need me. The reservation may be for daily visits or poochie woochie walking. There may be room for me to spend the night in your home. But, as I said, my calendar is filling up quickly, so contact me as soon as you know what your travel plans are so that you won't have to worry about the days you need being taken. I try to accomodate everyone who needs me if possible.

I am still searching for a pet friendly landlord. Keep me in your prayers. I will let you all know as soon as I am available to board your babies again.

In the meantime, try to stay calm for the holidays, enjoy your babies, but keep the chocolates put up high. We don't want any unwanted trips to the vet to get your baby's stomach pumped. Believe me, I have seen this happen while working in a veterinary clinic. It was an unpleasant experience for everyone involved, especially the poor poochie woochie that ate the whole box of chocolates, wrappers and all.

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

2011-11-13T10:57:00.000-08:00

Wow! That idiom is so true. I can't believe I haven't posted since September. Things got messed up when my on/off switch broke on my computer. I still haven't gotten it fixed. I bought a laptop, and have been trying to get used to it. Then, if I wasn't taking care of my poochie woochie and kitty cat friends, I was out in the garden trying to keep up with all of the tomatoes, and zucchinis. I did end up with a couple of 5 lb. babies as far as the zucchinis were concerned. It is funny how you say, "I will give this zucchini 2 more days to grow, and when you come back to pick it, it has grown a foot." I just laugh, pick the big baby and take it into the house to be shredded. The big zucchini are just as good as the small ones. You just cut away the good parts from the seed column. I use them to make bread all winter. Yum. Yum.

I tried to start to work on my website, but I ended up messing it up, because I wasn't used to the laptop. I'm still not sure I am used to it enough, but I will try again. I have mostly messed up pictures when trying to add them to the photo album, so I am going to add everyone here for now and tell you about my new friends as I do it. I will eventually get everyone in the album properly. I am just not as computer savvy as others. I try my best though. The main thing I hope everyone understands is that I take care of your babies much better than I take care of my website. I am much more competent where poochie woochies and kitty cats are concerned.

I will be changing the front page of the website to introduce you to new families instead of new poochie woochies, and kitty cats individually. That way you know who belongs to which family.

Minky

Harry Potter

Leo

Charcoal

One of my new clients has a poochie woochie named Leo, and 3 kitties named Charcoal, Minky, and Harry Potter. They live in the country of Sebastopol. Their mom's name is Sheilah. I love falling to sleep surrounded by everyone. They are all so soft, and love getting pets. Leo loves to go for car rides and for walks in Ragle Park. He does have a mane like a lion, so his name fits him perfectly. I almost forgot. There are 2 ferrel cats outside. I need to take their picture too. They may not like to be touched, but they wait to be fed every morning, and they need to be acknowledged as part of the family. They just prefer to live outside all of the time.

I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful fall weather outdoors with your babies as much as possible. We have been having amazing sunsets, and after the rain, the air has smelled so crisp and clean. I like to take Rosie out for an evening walk just as the full moon is rising. She loves it too.

Keep watching for more pictures of my new clients. As always, thank you for choosing Poochie Woochie Pet Sitting Service as your trusted caregiver of your homes and babies.

I Apologize About The Look Of My Website At The Moment

2011-09-12T10:28:00.000-07:00

I was starting to update the pictures of some new poochie woochie and kitty cat friends on Sat., but didn't get to finish. When I woke up Sunday morning, my computer was down. It doesn't look like it can be fixed, so I have to go buy a new computer today. I can't get to my site builder software until I get the new computer up and running, so please bare with me until I get the problem fixed. I was so excited to show you all of the new faces from this summer. I had gotten behind on posting them. I know these things happen to everyone eventually, but it is still frustrating. I talked to a computer guy who says he thinks he can save all of my data, and transfer it to the new computer. It is my pictures I worry about the most. I just gave myself a warning the other day that I should be backing up my new pictures to my flash drive, and I forgot to do it. What a difference a day makes. Love to all. I will show you all of the new pictures soon. I have made lots of new friends this summer. The antics of some just kept me laughing. Each poochie woochie and kitty cat has their own personality. Thanks for understanding. Punkie

Thank You To My Clients

2011-08-25T22:44:00.000-07:00

It has been a year since I had my surgery, and almost a year since my friend took me in after my landlord sold the property I lived on. It has been an adjustment to lose my home and not be able to board pets where I am staying. Things are working out though. My previous clients in Sebastopol have been loyal, and have welcomed me into their homes. I have also met new clients in Petaluma, Sebastopol, Rohnert Park, and Santa Rosa who have found my services online. I started out as an IN-HOME pet sitter, so I have come full circle. One day I will find a pet friendly landlord, but in the meantime, I want to thank all of you for contacting me when you need someone to watch your babies and homes while you are away. I appreciate your trust in me. I enjoy your babies and all of their different personalities. The love I receive from all of them reassures me that I picked the perfect career. Playing with poochie woochies and kitty cats bring me such joy. THANK YOU. Punkie

Introducing Little Girl and Purry

2011-08-25T22:11:00.000-07:00

My friend lost his 2 babies last year to cancer. I was there to help one of them cross the Rainbow Bridge, but I was in the hospital a few months later when the other kitty crossed over. I was so sad not to get to say goodbye to her. That was Tasha and Cleo. They lived 18 years. My friend was so sad to lose his girls. He had them since they were little kittens. Like me, he never had any 2 legged children. It took a year of mourning and searching for the right match before we brought home the perfect little girls. Purry is the kitten on the left, and Little Girl is on the right. Of course, they are ornery like any little kittens, but they are sisters, so it is so much fun to watch them. They love each other, and where one goes, the other one is sure to follow. They each have their own personalities that we are still learning, but it is so much fun to watch them and listen to them run up and down the hallway like gallopping horses, and then jump straight in the air to do chest bumps like football players. As I have mentioned in previous posts, we are still mourning and remembering Tasha and Cleo, but we are enjoying smothering our new girls with love. They love to be loved and to give love in return. There is nothing like getting your nose licked by a little kitten tongue. May Purry and Little Girl be with us for many years to come.

Good News For Sassy

2011-07-29T21:50:00.000-07:00

In my last post, I was very sad about the passing of Jazzpurr. I still miss him and still feel sad that he is gone. I always will, but time and life marches on. My clients mourned for Jazzpurr too, but as time went on, the house felt so empty without him. After all, he had been their baby for so many years. They went looking for a new kitty to love, and found Sassy in Rohnert Park. She had been living in a cage for most of her life, waiting for the right parents to take her home and love her, and let her into their hearts. I have already spent the night with her one weekend. She is still a little shy, and is still getting used to having so much room to run around in and discover every nook and cranny, and all of the best hiding places. She is a very sweet little girl. I don't have her picture yet. I will post it when I do. Her parents tried to send me one, but she was just a blur as she ran by just as the camera clicked. Kitties are always hard to catch a snapshot of. They are always playing and chasing each other. You almost have to wait for them to go to sleep before you can take their picture, but then you can't see their eyes. Such a dilemma.

I am happy for my clients. We are still sharing our memories of Jazzpurr, but now we have Sassy's antics to discuss too. A new kitten in the house keeps life interesting, for sure. Congratulations to Sassy and her new parents for finding each other. I am thankful that they did, because some people are so sad about losing their baby that they vow to never have another one. They say the pain is too hard to think about having to go through it again. I say that too, but then I remember all the joy my baby gave me while we were together. I know a new baby can bring joy back into my life again, and help ease the pain of losing my last baby. I'm glad other people have the same view on this subject, because there are just too many lonely kittens, puppies, and older pets too that are waiting for someone to love them.

So, when you lose one of your babies, take all the time you need to mourn their passing. Then take all of the time you need to find the right match for you and love your new baby with all of your heart. You need each other.

Jazzpurr Crossed The Rainbow Bridge

2011-06-07T10:52:00.000-07:00

Jazzpurr was a wonderful kitty. He was around 16 or 17 years old. I spent the night with him most every holiday weekend and for other special occasions while his parents went to see their family for over 2 years. He loved to sit in my lap and purr while I petted him. He would happily fall asleep. I would hate to move, because I knew this would wake him up. Jazzpurr had a way of communicating with you by hissing at you. All of his hissing meant different things. One hiss was for feed me. One was for make room in your lap. One was for let me out. One was for don't put me out. One was for pick me up.

I knew the last few times I saw him that he was not feeling well, and I suspected his time with us would be coming to an end soon. I got the news a couple of nights ago in an email from his mother. She was too upset to talk on the phone. I know how she felt, because I began to cry the minute I read what she wrote. I have been crying off and on since I got the news, because he was a beautiful cat, and I felt privileged to be his sitter. I truly love animals, and when one dies it hurts so much, because I know I have lost a true friend. I cry for the owners too, because I know how much they loved their kitty. I cry for all of the animals of my own that I have lost. Our pets give us such joy while they are with us, and such terrible grief when they leave us.

Sometimes I wonder how I will get through the grief of losing a pet, but time and the good memories help. And when the grieving period is over, I know that my dog or cat cannot be replaced, but there are so many others out there that need someone to love them and care for them, and I have so much love to give, that I find a new friend to start a journey together, wherever that may take us, knowing that I need them as much as they need me.

Background Check Through Care.com

2011-06-03T11:55:00.000-07:00

Care.com is a site where people can look for the kind of service they need. They also allow people like pet sitters, baby sitters, tutors, and others advertise their business. I don't know if there is a cost to the person searching for a service, but there is no fee for a person like me to post my profile.

The site will notifiy me if someone has posted on site with a need for a service I have signed up to be a provider for. Right now I am only signed up to provide pet sitting services.

When a provider posts their profile, they are asked if they would like to have a background check done on them so that clients will have more confidence in a person when trying to decide to hire them. I let them do a background check on me, because I want my client to be assured that they are making the right decision when they hire me to watch over their most precious possessions which are their pets, and their homes.

I could also have a few of my clients submit to a telephone interview from the site to verify that they are satisfied with my services. I chose not to do this. I would rather have new clients talk directly with my references so that you can ask all the questions yourselves and have all of your concerns satisfied. I am very confident that when you contact my references you will see that I am the best person to form a bond with. You will be able to count on me for years to come to take care of your home and pets with the professionalism and love that you give them yourself.

I look forward to taking care of your poochie woochies, kitty cats, and homes soon. Punkie

Pay Attention To Prince Park Dog Hours Or You May Be Ticketed $208

2011-04-25T18:25:00.000-07:00

ursThe other day I was in Prince Park in Petaluma around 3:00 p.m. A man came to the fence and told me I better get my dog off the field in a hurry. He had just been given a $208 ticket. I was shocked. I have always seen the posted hours, but it didn't seem like anyone ever paid attention to them, so neither did I or my friend. I had never heard of anyone getting a ticket. But, from now on, I am not taking any chances. I will only take my dog to the park during the posted hours. Here they are:

September - May 6:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
NO HOURS FOR THE WEEKEND DURING THESE MONTHS

June - August 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. Monday through Friday
6:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. Saturday and Sunday
8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Monday through Sunday

Post these hours on your fridge so you don't forget and go to the park at the wrong time. Who can afford to waste gas for a wasted trip to anywhere these days? And, do any of you really want to pay a large ticket for forgetting to look at the sign before going onto the field? I know I don't.

I guess I will be getting up a lot earlier if I want to make sure my Rosie gets her frisbee time. Have fun. Play safe. Enjoy the summer, and don't forget I am available to walk your poochie woochies for you if you need me. Woof! Meow! Purrrr! Punkie

Pictures Of Our Country Walk

2011-04-21T13:03:00.000-07:00

Poo

Isn't it beautiful where we go walking every day? I just love it out here. I lived in the country before, and I am lucky to be staying with a friend who lives in the country now. The air is so fresh up here. Rosie and I would be happy to share this beautiful countryside with your poochie woochies. Contact us at poochiewoochie@yahoo.com, or look for our telephone number on the website at www.poochiewoochie.net. We look forward to sharing our walk with your babies soon.

As I said, I will take pictures of Prince Park and the marsh soon. They they are also great places to visit. Punkie and Rosie

Thumbtack.com

2011-04-06T15:33:00.000-07:00

I kept seeing this thumbtack.com on craigslist posts, so I decided to see what it was all about. They say they advertise for you for free. They do, but I noticed a couple of things I didn't like. When I was signed in to my account, I could see my website address. I assumed that my website would show on my page when someone looked for pet sitting services in my area and they clicked on my advertisement. I was wrong. They act as a middleman, and do not let people contact me directly. You have to give them your name and other personal information, and then they would forward an email to me to say that someone is interested in my services. I did not like this, because I don't feel very many people want to give out their personal information to someone they have never met before, and know nothing about them. Plus, I already advertise myself with my own website address on craigslist, which also goes on Google. I don't feel I need a middleman.

I just learned how much this site charges the person offering the services. If someone contacts the site about my services I either have to choose to be charged $4.00 or 8% of my fee for the lead of a new client. I do not know if they charge the person looking for a service or not. They get people who offer services to sign up for free, but do not tell the person signing up that there will be a fee if anyone is interested in using me. Therefore, I will leave my advertisement on their site, but I will no longer be using them on craigslist and directing people to this site, as the advertisement says to click here to learn more about me, and book me on thumbtack.com. We can communicate just fine between ourselves, don't you think? Punkie

Do You Wonder What To Use To Clean Up Pet Stains?

2011-03-20T17:51:00.000-07:00

I was recently watching a show that featured a veterinarian. He was asked what he recommended for pet stains and flea treatment. I can't remember what he said about the flea treatment, but he did say it was a pill which was better than making a big mess all over your pet's back. If I can ever remember what it was called, I will let you know.

The two products the vet mentioned for pet stain removal are called "Eewww", and "Safe Paws". I haven't used either one yet, but I want to try them, because I usually use Nature's Wonder, but it doesn't seem to work as well as it used to, or maybe I am not using it properly anymore. At any rate, if you aren't satisfied with whatever product you have been using, try one of these 2 mentioned above. I hope they work for you. Good Luck, Punkie

Hotel Pet Sitting Service Available

2011-03-20T15:09:00.000-07:00

I just realized I had forgotten to mention on my website that I offer pet sitting services to people who are visiting Sonoma County to go sightseeing, wine tasting, or for special events like weddings.

I cannot board pets overnight where I am staying right now. I usually watch your pets for the day while you are out having fun. We go for walks in the country, play in a park, or on nice weather days, we go to the beach. Then I meet back up with you to drop your poochie woochie off to you for the night. I do watch poochie woochies into the evening hours, as well. I realize not all events end at dark. I know it is hard to leave your baby at home, even for a short trip, but a lot of hotels do not want you to leave your pet alone in the hotel room, and your pooch becomes anxious in a strange environment. I offer free pick up and drop off service so that you can get on your way quicker, instead of trying to find me, and get lost in the process, wasting precious time that can be better spent sightseeing.

I have tried to leave my brochures in hotel lobbies, but one hotel told me that they could not recommend pet sitting services. One client I pet sat for said he was here to attend a wedding. He told his friends what he did with his dog, and his friends said that if they had known about me, they would have brought their poochie woochies too.

I know how hard it is to leave your poochie woochie at home when you are taking a short trip. This service allows you to get away for some relaxation and not have to worry about who is going to watch your poochie woochie. You don't have to worry about leaving them in a hot car either. After all of the dogs being stolen from cars lately, this is not a good solution.

I charge $40 a day for this service. The fee may be slightly higher if there is more than one poochie woochie. So, the next time you are visiting Sonoma County, bring your poochie woochie along and contact Poochie Woochie Pet Sitting Service.

We can be reached at poochiewoochie@yahoo.com, or you can find our telephone number on the website at http://www.poochiewoochie.net We look forward to serving you soon.

Happy Spring! Happy Traveling!

A Special Thank You I Received And Will Always Cherish

2011-03-19T15:09:00.000-07:00

I mentioned in late summer that I had lost my first poochie woochie friend. During the Christmas season I was really missing her, so I knew that her owners must be feeling even more sad than I was, because this would be their first Christmas without their baby. I wrote to the owners to let them know I felt their pain. I wanted them to know I missed their baby as much as they did. She was a special poochie woochie. I received a Christmas card back with a message I wasn't expecting, but I appreciated so much. It is the same message I receive from one client afte another. It proved to me that I am on the right track, that I chose the right way to serve people since I could no longer be a teacher. Here is an excerpt from the card, "Dear Georgia and Rosie....you provide such a wonderful service to all who need your help during this time of the year and all year through. We always felt Callie was in such good hands and loving hands. We never worried about her when we left her with you. Thank you so much for all the years of service and love you provided for us and Callie. Callie was so lucky to have you and Rosie for her buddies.... Susan and Gib

When I first started watching Callie, I spent the night with her at her home. I loved it there, because her owners had a beautiful home, a beautiful flower garden, and a beautiful view of Mount Saint Helena. Eventually, I started boarding at my home, so Callie came to stay with me there. This picture of her is when she greeted me the minute I pulled into the driveway. She was always ready to climb into my car. I would let her in, and then go get the things I needed for her stay with Rosie and I. She was the best poochie woochie anyone could ask for. We all miss you so.

Cal And Snack

2011-02-05T10:27:00.000-08:00

I forgot that I could put pictures in my posts. I just noticed the picture link, so I tried it and it worked. This is a picture of Snack and my friend Cal. He took me in when my landlord sold the house I was living in. He was a big help at Christmas time. Snack loves to be held, and Cal loves to have a poochie woochie in his lap, so this worked out well for both of them. Cal is Rosie's daddy, and loves animals as much as I do.

Happy New Year Everyone!

2010-12-30T17:52:00.000-08:00

I would like to thank everyone for using Poochie Woochie Pet Sitting Service for all of your pet care and house sitting needs. I look forward to being of service for another year. I just can't imagine doing anything else. Your poochie woochies and kitty cats are so dear to me, and they give me such joy, and unconditional love. Rosie enjoys all the different playmates too.

I wish you all a year full of good health, happy times with your loved ones, 2 legged, and 4 legged, and may you prosper in riches, not the material kind, but the simple joys of living. As someone once said, "Stop to smell the roses."

Love to all from Punkie and Rosie

2011 San Francisco Bay Pet Expo

2010-12-02T11:47:00.000-08:00

I was reading a great book about the dog world called One Nation Under Dog. That is where I first heard about these pet expos. http://www.bayareapetexpo.com/ It is free and you can take your pet with you. I guess, according to the book, you can find everything under the sun you will ever need or want, or anything anyone can dream up for their poochie woochies. This year it is being held at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds on Feb. 26th, 2011. Mark your calendars now if you want to attend this event. I think I may try to go to it to see all of the crazy things people have decided we, as pet owners, and our beloved pets, just can't live without. I think it will be great to see all of the pet owners with their poochie woochies. I'm not sure I will take my Rosie. I think it would be too overwhelming for her, but, then again, just think of all of the free treats companies will be giving out to try to get your business. It should be a poochie woochie's day in heaven. Keep it in mind for something to do in the middle of winter. There should actually be some good information passed out and plenty of things to do. I haven't looked at the agenda yet. I was just so excited that I got the email about one of the expos coming to our area that I had to pass on the website immediately, before I forgot. If you do go, I hope you and your poochie woochies have a wonderful time.

Cronkite Beach "Also Known As Rodeo Beach" Day

2010-11-25T08:40:00.000-08:00

Last week while we were having such beautiful weather, I thought it would be a great time for a beach day. My friend agreed, and so did Rosie. We were going to go to Dillon Beach, because dogs can run free there, but we were headed in the opposite direction to run an errand first, so we decided to visit a different beach that we hadn't been to in years.

It is Cronkite Beach, officially known as Rodeo Beach. It is free to park, and dogs can run free there too. It is just before you get to the Golden Gate Bridge. You can watch the ships going in and out of the bay, listen to a fog horn, and play on homemade teeter totters people have made out of the drift wood. We took a blanket to lay on, a few treats to keep hunger away, because we know once we get there we don't want to go home any time soon, and then we just relax and let all of our cares and worries melt away.

Rosie had fun exploring, running, meeting new poochie woochies, and climbing on the clifts and rocks. I enjoyed sitting on the rocks just out of reach of the waves. It is fun to watch them come up close, but not get soaking wet. We found a couple of heart shaped rocks to add to the rock collection, played frisbee, and stick, and walked along the beach in the waves. Rosie went with me to the far end of the beach, but when we turned around she deserted me to run all the way back to her daddy. She wanted to make sure he was still there. She couldn't see him from where we were. I wasn't worried. I knew where she was headed. She adores her daddy, and he doesn't come to the beach with us very often, so she wanted to stay close to him.

It was the perfect beach day, not to breezy, or too cold. So if you get tired of going to the beaches up here, Cronkite Beach is a great alternative if you don't mind a little drive.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE

2010-11-20T09:10:00.000-08:00

I, personally, have much to be thankful for this year. My health is very precious to me. My friend that took me in when my landlord sold my house is also a blessing. I cannot thank him enough. I have such loyal clients who entrust me with their most precious possessions. Taking care of your babies is my whole world. I would be lost without them, and the love they give so freely to me. I truly feel lucky that you have chosen me to be your babies' special friend while you are away. I do my best to give them all the love they need and deserve. I look forward to another year of service to you and your babies.

Enjoy the holiday, your family and friends, the good food that will be served, and the sunny weather that we are going to have on Thanksgiving Day. Don't forget to give your poochie woochies and kitty cats a little nibble of turkey. I love you all. Punkie and Rosie

Poor Rosie Is Lonely

2010-10-29T11:55:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago it got really warm, so I decided it was time that Rosie and I went to the beach again. We hadn't gotten to go since the end of May, right before I got sick. My poor dog really wondered what had happened to the fun we used to have; all the walks we took through the woods, and trips out to the beach. I think she thought she was never going to see the beach again. It had been almost 4 months since we had gone. I just couldn't take it anymore. We just had to go out to Dillon Beach to play. I'm not up to full speed yet, but I could still throw her frisbee for her. She was lonely though. We usually have another poochie woochie or two along with us. She went up to every poochie woochie she could find and talked to them. She would say, "Come on. Let's play. You chase me, or let me chase you." She would love it when a pooch would take her up on her plea. She loved to show them that she could outrun them in the waves. It was fun to watch her ask each pooch to play with her. It had been so long since she had gotten to play a good game of chase. So, if any of my regular clients or any new clients want to let their pooch ride along with Rosie and I, I will take them out for a beach day when the weather is half decent. Rosie needs someone to dig with, run with, play ball and frisbee with, and just plain stretch her muscles with. I love you all, Punkie

Welcome Petaluma Clients To Poochie Woochie Pet Sitting Service

2010-10-17T10:10:00.000-07:00

Hello Petaluma,

Let me introduce myself. I have been a pet sitter full time since the fall of 2007. I have raised my own poochie woochies and kitty cats all of my life. I can't remember a time when I haven't had a poochie woochie by my side to walk with, or a kitty sitting in my lap. I love animals as much as they love me. I have a special bond with them. They love my touch, and I love their kisses.

I have primarily been working in Sebastopol, because that is where I lived for 6 years. I am in the Petaluma area now, so I can now serve clients here, as well as my clients in Sebastopol. I am not in my own home right now though, so I cannot board any poochie woochies like I did before. Hopefully, when I find a new home, I will be able to do that again. In the meantime, I am available to pet sit in your homes for daily visits or overnight stays. I can walk your poochie woochies too. Contact me through my email at poochiewoochie@yahoo.com, or look on my website for my telephone number. I am available 7 days a week, and have reasonable rates. I look forward to adding Petaluma clients to my pet sitting family. I have excellent references. See you soon. Punkie

I Am Getting So Much Better But Rosie and I Have Missed You All So Much

2010-09-26T18:10:00.000-07:00

It has been 3 months since my surgery. I am getting out and walking more and longer distances, and getting stronger every day. I have even gotten back into pet sitting a little bit. I have had Kate come snuggle for the night one night, and the next night I took care of Jazzpurr for the night. I felt so blessed to get to snuggle my babies again. It meant I was truly on the road to recovery. I just had another client ask for me a little while ago. It felt so good, because if means things are getting back to normal, or at least almost normal. I won't be able to watch really big dogs anymore, but I will still be able to watch well behaved Poochies, and always kitties.

I have to tell you that as of Wed. Sept. 30, I won't be living here any longer. The landlord finally sold this piece of property. I will really miss my home. I will be living with a friend down in Petaluma for a little while so that I can concentrate on finding a new place to live. I found out I won't be able to board poochie woochies at his place. I will only be able to watch your babies at your house until I find a new home. I will serve you in any way possible.

I look forward to working with you all again soon.

Sincerely,

Punkie and Rosie

I'm Losing My First Poochie Woochie Friend

2010-08-29T19:44:00.000-07:00

I've cried buckets of tears, and can only imagine the agony the owners are going through. This Poochie Woochie will always be special to me, because her owner was the first person who trusted me with their baby. She was an older Poochie Woochie, so we all knew this day was coming, but knowing this never makes the day easier. Please pray for the owners, and wish the Poochie Woochie well as she crosses the Rainbow Bridge. God Bless, Punkie and Rosie

Publish Post

Recovery Continues In July

2010-07-30T03:19:00.000-07:00

In June, I had to have surgery on my aorta. I have been expecting this surgery for awhile. I just didn't know when it would occur. I received excellent care while at Stanford Medical Center. My recovery is going well, but I won't be pet sitting for a little while. I appreciate all of the good wishes from my loyal clients. Your love and prayers have meant so much and have truly helped in my recovery. I will be back on my feet before you know it. Thank you for your support. Love, Punkie and Rosie

I Missed Half The Month Of June

2010-07-06T06:56:00.000-07:00

Dear Loyal Poochie Woochie and Kitty Cat Owners,

I have been out of commission since June 16th. I was unable to contact anyone due to being in the hospital ICU, and phones are not allowed in there. I tried to have someone help me, but I know I missed a few people. You have my sincerest apology. Please pray for my speedy recovery. I can't wait to see your poochie woochies and kitty cats again.

Don't take this summer for granted. I couldn't go outside for 2 1/2 weeks. It was pure torture. I missed smelling the flowers, listening to the birds, and sleeping in my swing in the sunlight with my Rosie.

Love, Punkie and Rosie

Gopher Working

2010-05-31T22:22:00.000-07:00

I finally captured a gopher with my camera. I actually got some video of him too. Gophers are funny little creatures. They are mostly a menace to any gardener, but they are amuzing to watch too. After they steal any vegetation from the top of the ground, they then push all the dirt that fell down into their hole back up to the surface and close their hole at the top. They like to keep their tunnels dirt free, and by closing the hole it keeps any other creatures from infiltrating their tunnels.

The poochie woochies that visit out here love to dig for gophers. You can always tell who has a good nose, because they dig the deepest holes trying to find the gophers. It is good exercise for sure, but so far, no poochie woochie has ever caught a gopher out here.

Let's Rumble

2010-05-31T21:53:00.000-07:00

Little Griffin weighs 22 lbs. and my Rosie weighs almost 80 lbs. Griffin loves to play. He doesn't care how big Rosie is. He was with us for over a week. Griffen was ready to rumble every morning. He would let Rosie get her eyes open and say good morning to me, and then he would say, "Let's Play!" It was so cute. He would stand on his hind legs and put his paws across Rosie's back. If that didn't get a response he would tug on her ear. If that didn't work, he would pull on her chest hairs. It was so funny to watch, because he was so small against Rosie, but all he cared about was that she was there to play with him. Rosie was always willing to oblige Griffin. She loves to play too. I love that other poochie woochies can see that Rosie is a gentle girl. They don't let her size bother them. She is my big baby.

Meet "Grinny"

2010-05-15T10:44:00.000-07:00

Griffin is staying with us this week. His mom and dad nicknamed him "Grinny", because he is happy all of the time. He is bursting with energy and ready to play at a moment's notice. I caught his smile. He is happy to have a new bone to play with. Yesterday we enjoyed a nice long walk through the back trail of Ragel Park. Grinny's dad said Grinny had so much fun while he was here the last time he just had to bring him back again. This is a perfect place for high energy poochie woochies, because they get plenty of exercise on the trails, and wrestling with Rosie. Rosie and Grinny have been chasing each other up and down the stairs, and wrestling. I love to watch them. Ah, to be young and playful. They are so lucky. They keep me young and moving.

Rosie's New Sweater

2010-05-13T18:00:00.000-07:00

The other day I was at a yard sale. I saw a woman pick a sweater up and say she could make something for someone out of the sweater. She asked how much it was, and was told that it cost $1. She put the sweater down. I went to look at it. It was perfect colors for Rosie. I have never bought a sweater for Rosie before, but I could see this one on her. I brought it home and put it on her. I could tell she liked it. I will have to make a few changes, but I let her wear it that evening when we went on a walk. It may not look like it in this picture, but she is proud of her new sweater. I tried to take it off of her after her walk that evening, but she wouldn't let me take it off. She wanted to leave it on until bedtime.

Angelo and Citrus Visit For Awhile

2010-05-13T17:36:00.000-07:00

Meet Citrus and Angelo. These 2 loving boys came to stay for a few weeks while their parents were preparing the homestead for sale. All involved thought the boys would be safer at my house while all of the action was happening so they wouldn't be stressed out by the workers coming and going. It sure was nice to have the kitties in the house. There's nothing more satisfying than having a content kitty purring in my lap.

Banjo Gets A New Brother

2010-05-13T17:26:00.000-07:00

Banjo is a little Chihuahua friend. A few months ago he got a new brother. His name is Snack. They have fun playing tug of war together. Here is Banjo playing King of the garden. Snack is taking a break from digging for gophers. I really enjoyed their visit as much as they did. My Rosie is a little too big to sit in my lap. I got to hold Snack and Banjo and brush them. It put smiles on their faces and mine.

A Beautiful Weekend

2010-04-17T22:21:00.000-07:00

We sure are enjoying this beautiful weather. On Friday I took Rosie and Simon out to Dillon Beach to play. It was warm, not too breezy, and there were plenty of Poochie Woochie friends to play chase with. It is always fun to watch all the interaction. Dillon Beach is really a nice place for dogs to play. It is mostly flat, and the waves will not sweep your puppies away. They can run and splash all they want. Although, Rosie likes to wash her frisbees when they get full of sand, so I do have to chase them down before a wave carries them away.

The picture is of Flash that I took with my cell phone on another trip to the beach. He was taking a break from digging a hole, and watching everyone else play. He didn't sit with me for very long. He had to get back to the action.

Today I took Rosie and Simon out to Armstrong Woods in Guerneville for a nice walk among the Redwoods. It was so peaceful there. I loved seeing all of the giant trees, all of the color variations on their bark, and there was a nice babbling brook. Rosie and Simon liked all of the new smells and new sights.

There are so many lovely places in our area to walk Poochie Woochies, so I try to venture away from our normal stomping ground from time to time. We love Ragle Park and the long trails in the back, but right now, with all of the rain this year, they are too sloppy to walk on, so we have to walk on the roads in the front. I like to change our walks fairly often. I know it sounds silly, but I think dogs get bored just like we humans do. I like to make staying with me an adventure for them. That's why they are so happy to see me when I pick them up. They know they are going to have fun.

We have one more day to enjoy before the rain starts again. Where will we go this time........? That will be my little secret for now. The puppies are fast asleep for the evening.

Walking At Shollenberger Park

2010-04-09T21:43:00.000-07:00

The other day I went down to Petaluma for an appointment. The Poochie Woochies went with me, of course. I always like to go to different parks to walk in so that nobody gets bored sniffing the same smells every day. I hadn't gone to Shollenberger Park in awhile. The last time I was there was before the rainy season. After 3 years of drought, the marsh was almost dried up back then. If you don't know about Shollenberger Park, try it out. The rains this year have filled it back up. There is a marsh full of all kinds of birds. My favorite birds are the swans, the red winged blackbirds, the igrids, and the blue herons. There is a wonderful path that is over a mile long, I think, that goes around the marsh. There is another path that goes all the way over to the Sheraton Inn. It is a very relaxing and beautiful walk. Enjoy! But if you can't take your dog for a walk, because you work long hours, I am here for you to make sure your baby doesn't sit alone all day. Happy Spring! Punkie and Rosie

It Is Nice To Be Loved

2010-04-03T11:06:00.000-07:00

I went to pick up Harry, who is a little Welsh Terrier, on Friday. When I knock on the door, I know that Harry will be waiting for me on the other side with a smile on his face, tail wagging, and so ecstatic to see me that he jumps straight in the air to greet me. His mommy tells me that I am Harry's favorite person in the whole wide world. He doesn't worry about them leaving on their trips, because he knows he gets to go on a trip of his own to my house. When I open the door, he practically flies to my car he is running so fast. He knows he will get to go to the beach so that he can run at full speed, go for walks in the park, and dig for gophers in my yard. Harry has a huge yard to run in at home, but his mommy tells me that he won't play out there by himself, so he is more than ready to run when he gets to my house. I can never be depressed while Harry is by my side. His eyes are filled with such adoration. Who could ask for anything more? It is nice to be loved.

Feed The Fish

2010-03-29T10:57:00.000-07:00

I added this cute fish game to my page. Click anywhere on the fish pond and food will appear for the fish. Feed them a lot. They are very hungry.

Our New Poochie Woochie Friend

2010-03-29T10:46:00.000-07:00

We have a new Poochie Woochie friend. Her name is Amber. She is a sweet little Cockapoo.

Yesterday we went down to a field we like in Petaluma where dogs go to play off leash in the grass. Amber enjoyed chasing balls and frisbees with Rosie and the other Poochies that were there. We got to watch a Petaluma K-9 play with his partner. You should see that big Poochie Woochie run. I thought Rosie could run fast, but she is slow compared to that German Shepherd. Then we met a German Shepherd puppy that wanted to play too. He was only 16 weeks old and already weighed 40 lbs. What a pup! He was very playful.

After an afternoon of running and fresh air, Rosie and Amber came home and fell fast asleep. I had to wake them up to eat dinner. What a beautiful day it was!

Off To Dillon Beach

2010-03-21T19:11:00.000-07:00

Monday was a great day. I took Rosie and Neo out to Dillon Beach for a day of running, and frisbee, splashing in the water, and playing chase with all of the other dogs out there. I love to watch them all play together. Tongues are hanging out, mouths are smiling, everyone gets covered in sand. You see some dogs digging holes, others playing fetch with balls. Rosie loves her frisbee. I hope to get a better picture of her next time, but here she is coming down from a high jump after catching one. There is just nothing better than a day at the beach to get Poochie Woochies the kind of exercise they need and want. It is always good for us pet owners as well. Monday was a glorious day full of sunshine, no heavy wind, just right temperature, and not too crowded. Give me a call if you ever want your Poochie Woochie to go with us one day. Happy Spring Everyone!

Daylight Savings Time Is Here Again

2010-03-11T13:47:00.000-08:00

Don't forget to change your clocks this Saturday night. I can't believe the winter went by so quickly. Daylight Savings Time starts Sunday, March 14th, at 2:00 A.M. That means there will be more time to play, and go for a walk, and stay at the beach longer in the evenings now. Yippee! Spring is almost here. March 20th is the big day. Yay!

Make sure to get your Poochie Woochies out for lots of playtime to get rid of the extra weight they may have gained through this rainy winter. If you are having a hard time getting out for those walks, make sure to contact me, so that Rosie and I can help you out. We always like the extra company. The fee is $15 for a Daily Walk, and sometimes we go out to Dillon Beach to really run. I charge $20 when we go out there. It helps pay for the gas, and the parking fee. It is well worth it when you see how happy and tired your Poochie Woochie is from a day of fun at the beach with all of the friends that they meet.

Rainy Day Walk

2010-02-26T12:39:00.000-08:00

Today it is raining, but that won't stop us from going for a walk. Rosie loves to go for a walk in the rain. The other day Simon, Kate, Rosie, and I went for a rainy day walk in Ragle Park. It was great. We had the park to ourselves. It was so quiet and peaceful to listen to the rain gently coming down. Rosie loved splashing in the puddles and drinking the rain water. Simon walked calmly by my side. I like that he doesn't try to pull me. Kate had her usual smile on her face. She is always happy to go on any adventure.

The picture is of Simon. He is our newest Poochie Woochie friend. Simon has the ability to talk to you with his eyes. He is a gentle soul. I'm glad his mommy found us.

Welcome To Our New Blog

2010-02-20T00:33:00.000-08:00

Dear Mommies and Daddies,

It will take me a little time to get the hang of this and customize everything, but I am excited to be able to share the adventures of your Poochie Woochies and Kitty Cats while here at Poochie Woochie Pet Sitting Service. Each and every one of your babies has his/her own unique personality. I enjoy them all so much, and I feel blessed that you all have entrusted me with your babies, to care for them, to ensure they are safe, happy, and comfortable, and that they get everything they need so that they have an enjoyable time while you are away.

Right now Harry is here sleeping on his bed next to me. Everyone loves to see Harry when we are out walking. He is a Welsh Terrier. At the beach the other day a woman with an Airedale came up to us. Harry met the Airdale. The woman jokingly told Harry that if he ate his Wheaties, he too would grow up to be as big as her dog. Harry did look just like her dog, only in miniature size.