It's Ok He Won't Hurt You!

2011-05-26T18:30:00.000-07:00

I really don't mind this weather. As long as it is warm; I am happy. When it is rainy we have the woods or the fields to ourselves. My biggest stress is running into other dog owners on a trail. Their dog will be loose and deaf to all human voices. The other person will always yell to me, "It's ok he won't hurt you!" Hey buddy I am actually not worried about getting hurt. I am worried about a dog fight, and my client's dog getting injured in any way. Don't yell ahead that your dog is friendly, just get your dog! I pick out of the way places to run my dogs because I don't want to run into anyone. My eyes & ears are on high alert, searching for a potential danger on the trail. Once I ran into a man with two absolutely wild greyhounds. They were tearing through the brush like something out of Star Wars. They raced right into my Bouvier's face and started growling. Now in this situation I was concerned about the greyhounds' safety as their short coat is no protection from a Bouvier bite. Their owner on the other hand was quite cavalier as he strode right by me, the Bouvier and his own greyhounds, calling his dogs as if they were going to snap right into heel position. His dogs continued to growl at my Bouvier and began to place a front paw on his back (dog for "I'll meet you out back"). The man kept walking away from me and calling his dogs. He was quite insulted when I asked that he come get his dogs before there was a fight. While walking away from me with his silly greyhounds in tow he called over his shoulder, "Don't you ever let that dog off his leash?!" Well no pal, because I might run into someone like you.

Trust Me

2010-12-14T17:07:00.000-08:00

Every few months I get a call to come take care of "Magnus" for the weekend. Magnus is a very large, young, male, dark, Cane Corso or sometimes called an Italian Mastiff. I really enjoy taking care of Magnus,...after that first visit of the weekend. I am never sure how that visit will go. Magnus has always been good with me, but he has also been very protective when his owners are home. Magnus is owned by the nicest couple, and best customers a pet sitter could hope to know. Most of all Magnus spends his time waiting for his people to come home.

I turn the key in the door with my heart bouncing around behind my ribs. As I enter I talk to Magnus as if he were a poodle and he eyes me warily. He makes more eye contact with me than I am comfortable with, and he freezes. These are the cues I have come to know can mean curtains for the pet sitter. I break eye contact and keep talking as I head to the kitchen chair and sit. Magnus follows me; walking like he's wearing a suit of wood. The visit goes fine from there. I walk him where I think we can be alone as I am sure he could pull me off my feet to get to another dog. Each visit after the first goes better and better. One visit I invite him to play by jumping and squatting, and Magnus almost agrees. He quickly twists a little and looks at me as if to say, "Thanks, but I don't really get you Ms. Pet Sitter. "

I enjoy Magnus as he reminds me of all the Rottweilers I loved long ago. Rotties can be so stiff at first, but once you're in you're in for life. I have to stop myself from kissing Magnus on the cheek by reminding myself that this isn't one of those Rotties. Magnus is so absolutely devoted to his owners and it warms my heart to see such love between man and beast.

House Calls Pet Sitting

It's Ok He Won't Hurt You!

Trust Me