Shenanigans
Recommended books about dogs
Since I’ve finally published Nitro: A Dog’s Tale, I have found myself spending WAY too much time on Amazon lately. In so doing, I have learned at least one interesting fact: Amazon ads permits indie authors to “tag” top selling dog books so scrubs like me are able to piggyback…
Nitro: A Dog’s Tale
Good news! I finally published my book about the pet sitting years. It’s available as an eBook or paperback. You can preview Chapter 1 directly from the eBook link even if you don’t have the Kindle app. What’s it about? It’s about starting over. It’s about new friends, dog park…
Dog Idioms
An idiom is a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words. “Idiom” is really just a fancy word for a “figure of speech” or “something that grandma liked to say.” These types of phrases faithfully express the rich and…
Names of dog breeds
A great number of silly things happen when you decide to sit down and write a book. One of them is that you forget to blog and two months go by. Another thing is that you notice some dog breeds are capitalized and others are not. Dog breeds are often…
So, you live with a pet sitter
Not everyone knows this, but living with a pet sitter tends to be somewhat unusual. It may be amusing, enthusiastic, or even a little bizarre at times. If your significant other is a pet sitter, there are a few things you should know. Do you have a parent, best friend,…
Rogues, Rascals, and Rapscallions
Is it just me or does everyone receive those “Cloud storage is almost full” notifications twice a year? My Verizon is full of puppy photos. Was it Mick Jagger or Wilbur Wright that said, “Hey you get off of my Cloud!”? The feature photo for today shows Duncan on one…
Faithful dogs – Part 2
Hachikō (Nov 10, 1923 – Mar 8, 1935)Hachiko was a Japanese Akita dog remembered for his remarkable loyalty to his owner, Hidesaburō Ueno, for whom he continued to wait for over nine years following Ueno’s death. Hachikō was born on a farm near the city of Ōdate. In 1924, Hidesaburō…
A pet sitter’s photo gallery
A picture is worth a thousand words. The featured photo is a rare shot of Duncan in repose. Twelve hours of maniacal outrageousness wears this little lunatic out every time. I wouldn’t say the following photos are the “best” of Eric’s Pet Sitting, but they are certainly among the top…
Eric’s Pet Sitting newspaper article
Everyone remembers newspapers, right? The Raleigh News and Observer article below was published some time ago, when many former employees had to reinvent themselves during the recession which began in 2008. The article was relevant five years after the recession, and serves as a useful resource even now. The pandemic…
Faithful dogs – Part 1
Four awe-inspiring stories of dogs so loyal, they waited years or traveled a great number of miles to be with their owners again. Full disclosure: most of today’s content was provided by various sources edited by yours truly. Featured photos are internet grabs, and not from the archives of Eric’s…
Developing a pet sitting website
Creating a website for your small business is rewarding, fun, and easy to do. Think of it as a business plan, but with puppy pictures. For pet sitters, most of your business derives from word of mouth, and a website enables potential clients to consider you when they search online.…
Dogs, blogs, and catalogs
It has now officially been six months since I began posting blogs to the interwebs. Wow! Time flies, but where in the heck is that $20,000 /month everyone keeps talking about?? Maybe in another six months. In any case, retiring and writing has been every bit as exciting as I’d…
Service Dogs Part 2 – FAQs
My previous post on service dogs covered the basics but since this is such a fascinating and counterintuitive topic, I’ve provided a sequel. The FAQs I chose to share here include some of the more interesting exceptions and considerations for those who need to know more about service dogs. A…
Dog Park “Don’ts”
Over time, dog park parishioners are going to witness some exceptionally weird behavior. I’m not talking about failing to police your poo, or shirking responsibility for a humpy or dominant dog. Those mundane matters have been covered already. Today, I’m talking about the surreal and bizarro world of: Dog Park…
Service Dogs Part 1 – Tasks and Facts
Animal companions help us in many ways, but there is a class of working dogs so special we’ve included them in the law of the land. Apparently, this was completed in a bit of a hurry because the designation system uses inconsistent nomenclature and leaves many people out to sea…
What is canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC)?
As I was perusing an ordinary, unbiased, and completely reliable online news source the other day, I noticed an article that included a WARNING for dog owners in south Florida since a “highly contagious virus is spreading across the Sunshine State.” While I’m happy to be given a heads up,…
Dogs do the darndest things
Last Friday, whilst sitting in the sunny back yard, I was doing some light reading and wondering what to blog about next. After noticing Rex stealing logs from the woodpile, I heard a strange sound that can only be described as a cow peeing on a flat, metal rock. I…
Which dog breed is the best?
Choosing your next best friend can be an intriguing and baffling challenge, especially if you haven’t known a lot of dogs. There are nearly 400 breeds to ponder over, and going online to complete superlative searches like “best family dogs” or “smartest dog breeds” is a worthwhile place to begin.…
Dog Fostering FAQ
Becoming a foster volunteer can be a marvelously cooperative and rewarding adventure. Fostering may be a good idea for folks that aren’t sure what kind of dog is right for them, or are currently “between dogs.” Other foster parents are people that have lost their once-in-a-lifetime dog and decided the…
Articles of Organization for a pet sitting LLC
The Articles of Organization is the document that you’ll file with the Secretary of State’s office in the state where you are forming your pet sitting limited liability company (LLC). Some states call this a Certificate of Organization or Certificate of Formation. Most states have a free Articles of Organization…
List of dog holidays
Whenever a social media site declares that its National Dog Day it makes me chuckle. After digging a little deeper, I discovered there are roughly 170 days, weeks, or months dedicated just to pets. The United Nations General Assembly and their affiliate agencies are partly to blame for this. The…
Expanding a pet sitting business
After that first slow year, word on the street will get out, and that’s when pet sitters are able to finally fill a weekly schedule. Before you know it, you’ll be running around town like your feet were on fire and your drawers were catchin’. As you envision heaps of…
Should I adopt a second dog for my dog?
Yes! Of course, you will need to chew over a few bits before you take on this bone of contention. For many folks, leaving their dog alone while they go to work evokes immense guilt. Owners deal with this by leaving the smooth jazz channel on or preparing bizarre combinations…
What is the best dog DNA test?
Fifteen years ago, dog DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) tests were primarily a novelty that enabled genotype research facilities to generate additional revenue. Since then, dog DNA tests have become increasingly popular, affordable, and accurate. Aside from ancestral breakdown by breed, DNA test centers may reveal whether a dog has a medical…
Tax deductions for pet sitters
For some reason, people tend to get very excited about tax deductions. Admittedly, claiming deductions does reduce the tax burden on a small business (for now), but they require time and effort to prepare, and may increase the risk of an IRS audit. About 10% of the money claimed on…
What is the best dog food?
Now that puppy Duncan is becoming an adult, and old Rex is getting older, I am revisiting this oft pondered and markedly idiosyncratic interrogative. Rapidly remembering just how overwhelming pet food analysis can become, I was elated to rediscover a couple of excellent resources to share. There isn’t a “catch…
Amazing facts about dogs – Part 2 of 2
RMS TitanicThree dogs survived the sinking of the Royal Mail Ship Titanic: A Newfoundland, a Pomeranian, and a Pekingese – Mostly true. Lady, a Pomeranian, was taken aboard Lifeboat 7 with Margaret Bechstein Hays. Sun Yat Sen, the Pekingese, belonging to Myra and Henry S. Harper (a publishing magnate), survived…
Pet Sitting Tips and Tricks
I stumbled into a myriad of situations I wish I had known about before beginning pet sitting. Some of these seem like common sense in hindsight, but let’s just say I didn’t realize HOW IMPORTANT they were until later. OvernightsMost dogs get what I call “first-night-itis” even when they know…
Amazing facts about dogs – Part 1 of 2
Amazing facts are incredible, thought-provoking, and fun. Sometimes, however, they may seem a little TOO amazing. So, with wild-eyed (and suspicious) wonderment, I filled in the blanks on a popular list of far-fetched, vague, or unqualified dog facts. A German Shepherd guide dog led her blind companion through the entire…
Pet Sitting Groups and Organizations
If your pet sitter belongs to an organization (or two), it is a good sign that you’ve found a responsible caregiver. Pet sitting organizations offer two principal benefits to members: pet sitting insurance and sound business advice. Pet sitting organizations are also useful to pet owners searching for quality sitters…
Are dogs color blind?
People love myths. The origins of myths are captivating, contentious, and contagious, and I quite frankly find them irresistible. Why would we even think dogs are color blind, and what does “color blind” really mean, and what in Sam Hill can we do about any of this? Well. I’m glad…
Personalities and Playstyles of Dogs
We love dogs for several reasons, not the least of which being their astonishing range of invigorating personalities. Dog park visits are amusing and thought provoking when we notice the diverse dynamics that develop within pairs or groups of dogs in neutral territory. These adorable knuckleheads always seem to know…
People and Personalities in the Dog Park
Most people that attend the dog park are fun, dog-loving folks that follow the rules and pick up their poo. However, there are several remarkable character types to watch out for. Now, granted, some of these personality types may be found in any office, jobsite, or interpretive dance class, but…
Free Sample Operating Agreement (Single Member LLC)
If you are looking for a FREE sample of an operating agreement for a single member LLC – congratulations! You’ve actually found one. I remember searching for free operating agreements back in 2011, but online legal tech companies require signing up for a “free” trial of their ministrations. Of course,…
Pet First Aid and CPR
My Calc III professor liked to say, “The more you know, the better off you’ll be.” I have found this to indeed be very true (and ironic, since I haven’t used calculus in 50 years). Pet owners and sitters that are knowledgeable in pet first aid and CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)…
Best quotes about dogs
I love quotes. Their unvarnished efficiency invariably serves to inspire, and quotes about dogs completely carry the day. Today’s post includes 22 of my favorites that I think everyone will enjoy. I even spent a few minutes verifying each one, so at the very least, we’ll know which correspondent is…
Should pet sitters be licensed, bonded, and insured?
Licensed, Bonded, and Insured! As awe-inspiring as this tagline may be, it’s important to qualify what it means in the context of pet sitting. LicensedWhen a pet sitter is licensed, it means they are registered with the secretary of state, or they have obtained a privilege license to do business…
Are dog parks dangerous?
A well-managed dog park that includes fenced-in areas for large and small dogs is an outstanding place to exercise and socialize your dog. Going to the dog park does require risk management, because they CAN be dangerous, especially for small dogs. I love the dog parks we have in Cary…
Pet Sitting – Sample Business Plan
If you are intent on initiating a pet sitting small business, but aren’t sure what a business plan looks like, you’re in the right place! The following is the business plan I used when launching Eric’s Pet Sitting. A business plan is an excellent way to get organized and map…
A day in the life of a pet sitter
This post will be useful for the aspiring pet sitter, or my friends and relatives that wonder what I do all day, and clients that ask “how do you do it?” with regard to tiring out their relentless doggo-maniacs. Eric’s Pet Sitting provides walks, day care, and overnight stays for…
How much exercise does your dog need?
The answer to this frequently asked question is remarkably subjective. Exercise is fun and espouses a healthy lifestyle on several fronts. Benefits to a well exercised pup include: improved obedience training, restful sleep, and an increased likelihood that your shoes, furniture, walls, and flooring will not be clawed or gnawed…
Do dogs reduce stress?
Well, let’s face it, life is just one kick in the pants after the next. I have noticed, however, that life is better with a dog (or three). Dogs are optimal companions, vigilant guardians, perpetual playmates, and even extemporaneous vacuum cleaners. Studies have demonstrated that these generators of joy actually…
Curly Dog Names
There are just too many great names for dogs out there. A couple of tips to keep in mind: don’t use a name that’s too long (like Albus Dumbledog) and try not to use a name with negative connotations (like Vlad the Impala). Be sure to have this list handy…
How to start a pet sitting small business
Establishing your pet sitting business as a legal, state-certified entity confers several advantages. It adds legitimacy to your enterprise, facilitates the deduction of business expenses from your taxable income, and it satisfies prerequisites to obtain a business checking account. Business checking is useful to minimize fees, enable payment by credit…
Can you make a living pet sitting full time?
Yes, you can make a living as a full-time pet sitter. The demand for pet caretakers is significant, and in most towns the pet population is about 8% dogs and 6% cats. So, if the population of your city is 100,000 there are 8,000 dogs needing exercise and relief breaks.…
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