Archive for the 'Safety' category

Dogwalker not guilty in dog pooper scooper trial

Nov 28 2011 Published by under Safety

Dogwalker not guilty in dog pooper scooper trial. What will they think of next? Seriously, don’t people, and courts have better things to do than police poop? Neighbors getting even by reporting each other to the poop police. Someone get me a pain killer…

This is why I devoted a section of my book to this subject. It’s even worse for professional dog-walkers. You wouldn’t believe the type of people who somehow want to “get even” with you for the fact that you have such a good job. They just resent the heck out of it and will report you faster than a substitute teacher. Even if the dog I’m walking has already pooped three times and squats one last time to drop a couple of Hershy’s kisses, I always pretend to lean down and “pick it up”. Otherwise you’ll have one of these busy-bodies harassing you all the way down the street, if not the poop police paying you a visit. Until people start to wise up and realize there are far more important things to worry about than hawking for your neighbors, things will only get worse.

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Much Ado About Poop

Nov 28 2011 Published by under Gear, Safety

There it is. You could hardly expect a blog about dog walking NOT to include a post about poop, could you? Of course not!

Well, aside from those sub-zero days where a bag of poop doubles as a temporary hand-warmer, it isn’t much fun to carry around poop. Also, if you have more than one pooch to manage, having a handful of poop (in the bag of course!) can be a little awkward. Well, finally some inventive folks have come up with the perfect solution and I have to say, I’m impressed, both by the simplicity of the idea, and the utility. The product is called DoggieDid and it is almost as good as having a 3rd hand.

Well, a picture is worth a thousand words so I’ll let this one speak for itself. If you are a professional dog walker having one of these is an absolute MUST.

Also, if you are thinking of gifts for your clients this Christmas (you should be, it was in my book!) then this one fits the bill. Your clients will love it as much as you do, and will think of YOU every time they use it. Maybe you can get these nifty little buggers imprinted with your company name??  For bulk orders you’ll want to visit Doggiedid.com and for single orders, Amazon has them in stock here Doggiedid.

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Professional Dog Walkers and Pet Owners To Take Precautions Against Lyme Disease

Jun 22 2011 Published by under Business, Health, Safety

Eileen Antell & Timber

Eileen Antell and her dog Timber

Summer is finally here, along with all of it’s anticipated goodies: radiant heat, buzzing bugs, summer crowds, ice cream and hot dogs! Yes, I mean the hot dogs you walk! I’m sure you know all about the dog days of summer, but in case you need a refresher on keeping your client’s dogs safe, I found an article on a great website that is veterinarian endorsed. Check it out, ten tips how to keep your pet safe in the summer heat.

 

 

Remember to ask your client if they are using a tick preventative this year. It is their choice to do so. If they have applied something like Frontline, do your part for the environment and try to keep the dogs out of small streams and ponds, lest you contaminate the water for local wildlife (like fish and frogs). If they have a bug repelling collar or scarf, make sure you don’t leave on your walk without it.

If they have not applied a pesticide on their dog, I think that is admirable! You never know what is causing cancer or seizures in our beloved pets these days. Help these particular clients succeed in preventing tick bites the natural way, by keeping their dog on a leash and staying centered on the trail. Avoid the tall grass along trail and sidewalk borders (because these are popular elimination and sniffing spots for all dogs big and small, the foliage on these sidelines are like bus depots for ticks, where they get dropped off and picked up all season long). Before you deposit the dog back in the house, look him over for any obvious ticks that have not yet penetrated their coats. Check around the face, behind the ears, the neck, the chest, each leg, and between the toes. Brush the dog lightly with your fingers or with a brush if it’s handy. It is very difficult to spot a tick on a black dog, so focus on prevention by avoiding wooded areas and tall grass, and check him carefully upon returning.

Lyme disease (carried by deer ticks) is a real concern. An eye opening documentary that I highly recommend for everyone (and for their dogs, for they contract the disease and experience symptoms just as we humans do) is named, Under Our Skin (2008). Netflix has it streaming. WebVet also has a great article that describes Lyme Disease symptoms.

Before your walk, apply insect repellent to your ankles and tuck your pants in your socks. Ticks are easy to spot on white socks and light colored pants.. After your walk, check yourself for ticks as well. Check your shoes, ankles, legs, and pants. When you get home, check your warm shady spots where ticks quickly head to: armpits, chest, back, neck hairline, and groin. If you find a tick, pick it off with your fingers. If it has bitten you and is attached, pull it off with it’s head intact and save the tick in a jar for identification. Be sure to call your doctor, s/he may want to see you, or the tick for treatment and/or testing. If the bite develops a bulls eye rash around it, take yourself and your tick to see a doctor immediately!

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Pet Food Recall

Mar 21 2011 Published by under Safety

Thanks to a reader for bringing this to my attention! Please read.

Copy of FDA Press Release Follows:

Jones Natural Chews Co Recalls Pig Ear Dog Chews Because Of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

Contact:
Jones Natural Chews Co
877-481-2663 or 815-874-9500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 8, 2011 – Jones Natural Chews Co of Rockford, IL is recalling 2705 boxes of Pig Ears because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. People handling dry pet food and/or treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the chews or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

Jones Natural Chews Pig Ears were distributed in CT, IA, IL, MA, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NJ, NM, NY, PA,VA, WA, and WI. They were shipped to distributors and retailers between September 15, 2010 and November 2, 2010 where they were available for purchase.

Jones Natural Chews Co Pig Ears 2pk bag with header card–item upc 741956001047 lot 2420

Jones Natural Chews Co Pig Ears bulk 100ct box-box upc 741956001139 lot 2490, 2560, 2630, 2700, 2840, 2910, 2980

Jones Natural Chews Co Pig Ears bulk 50 ct box-box upc 741956001504 lot 2490, 2840

Jones Natural Chews Co Pig Ears bulk 25ct box-box upc 741956001467 lot 2700

Jones Natural Chews Co Pig Ears 1pk shrinkwrapped-item upc 741956001146 lot 2700, 2840, 2420

Jones Natural Chews Co Pig Ears 10pk printed bag-item upc 741956001405 lot 2420, 2560, 2630, 2840

Blain’s Farm & Fleet Pig Ears 10 pieces bag-item upc 741956001405 lot 2560

Country Butcher Dog Chews Pig Ears 1pk shrinkwrapped-item upc 741956001511 lot 2630

Country Butcher Dog Chews Pig Ears 1pk shrinkwrapped-item upc 741956001146 lot 2420

Country Butcher Dog Chews Pig Ears 12pk bag-item upc 741956001245 lot 2910

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recall was the result of a routine sampling program by Washington State Department of Agriculture which revealed that the finished products contained the bacteria. The company has no product left in inventory from this batch of pig ears.

Consumers who have purchased any of these pig ears are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-877-481-2663.

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