Happy New Year!
2015 is in our rear view mirrors and Buddy is peering out the window to the future of 2016 ahead. He can hear the city buzzing; the collective murmur is of a fresh start, of new horizons, and those tiny specks of golden light flecking the brim of your horizons are your aspirations. Everything you’ve been working towards culminates in this very year–or maybe not. Maybe this year only brings you one step closer, but the point is progress. With each waning year and each waking day, every man, woman and child strives for that one special thing. But what about your pets (yes, what about them)? Don’t they want to find happiness through self-improvement, adventure and success as well?
I found myself contemplating this very idea. Why else would Buddy spend countless hours of his day perched atop the sofa, staring out the window longingly?! So, with that, I decided to ask Buddy what his New Year’s resolutions were. This is what he had to offer; I invite you and your pets to find inspiration in his plans for the new year
BUDDY’S NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS:
GET OUT MORE
This is especially imperative for younger, developing pets, but Buddy’s insistent on new experiences and he’s eager to live it up. It’s important to socialize and familiarize your pet with the countless variables of waking life, from construction, honking horns and crooning sirens to stranger-infested coffee shops and grocery stores. When situations aren’t foreign, your furry ones aren’t frightened. This exposure is essential for a healthy, confident pet. Of course, make sure you’re taking the appropriate precautions and ensuring that they will behave safely in those environments. (Learn more on Youtube or at AHS)
LEARN A TRICK OR TWO
Buddy wants to impress his person’s friends and the other dogs at the park. On par with exposure, learning a few basic obedience cues can improve your pet’s problem solving skills, confidence and potentially save his/her life! Having objectives to focus on really soothes your pet’s anxious tendencies. Some breeds of dogs, for instance, were specifically bred to work (i.e. Australian Shepherds). Giving them a task to focus on may alleviate stress and allow just the mental stimulation they need to keep from chewing on your shoes and furniture, amongst many other naughty behaviors. Furthermore, the ability to properly communicate with your little one is priceless in the event of an emergency.
IMPROVE MY DIET
More than 50% of household pets in the U.S. are overweight, according to APOP! Buddy is embarrassed by his contribution to this unruly statistic and he wants to do something about it. He knows that a healthy diet can improve his overall health and even stifle impending diseases. He also wants to keep up with the other pups at the park, so he’s researching his kibble’s nutritional benefits and watching his calorie intake. (Learn more at Pet Diets)
MOTIVATE MY PERSON TO WORKOUT
Buddy thinks exercising with his person is a great way to spend their time bonding and he thinks he could be quite the motivational workout partner. Besides, he thinks his person could stand to lose a few pounds too. There are a ton of really cool things he wants to try, like hiking, Doga and agility training, as well as many other activities!
(Learn more at Huffpost or Animal Planet)
UPDATE MY CONTACT INFO
Buddy has been wearing the same collar and tags for the past 5 years. He has counted at least four moves (he ran out of paws) since the last collar he got and he’s pretty sure his tags still say 3253 Penelope St. He’d like to update that before his next late night rendezvous. The new year is a great time to take care of those simple yet extremely effective safety precautions.
Needless to say, Buddy has a busy year ahead. He’s excited to take on the challenge though and he’s exhilarated to have a bunch of furry, four-legged friends to accompany him on the journey. He’d like to wish you all the best of luck and a happy New Year!
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Here’s a cool pro tip for turning your Pet Sitter Software into a “mobile app”:
Step 1: On your phone, go to the Pet Sitter Software and login.
Step 2: Once you’re on the homepage, look for options in a task bar at the bottom of your screen. Along with the forward/back, bookmark and tab icons, there is a sharing icon (an open square with an arrow pointing out of it). Look for the menu option on Android devices.
Step 3: Click on this icon; it will give you options to add to favorites, bookmarks, a reading list or your homes screen. Click on “add to home screen”, personalize the app name and click “add”.
Voila, you’re done! A thumbnail will appear alongside your other apps on your home screen, providing easy access to the Pet Sitter Software on your phone.
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Dear valued client: we understand just how powerful the internet and social media are and we love being a part of it–from wonderful electronic services like the customer portal, where it’s convenient for you to book, cancel and review your requested services, to Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, where’s it’s easier than ever to share photos of your little ones and communicate with the masses, quickly and effectively, about any updates that may arise.
These various social media outlets are also imperative for maintaining a thriving small business in 2016. When you’re searching for local services, where do you go; Google, Yelp Angie’s List? We know all of these sites are essential for informing a company’s quality and integrity, which is why we would love it if you could share your voices. If you’ve enjoyed our services in 2015, please take a moment to review us on one or all of these sites so that we may continue to be there for pet owners near and far. Thank you and happy New Year!