Wednesday, December 14, 2011

• Samoyed Winter Walk ~ December 18

The Potomac Valley Samoyed Club will hold its Winter Wonderland Walk on the National Mall this Sunday, December 18, at noon. The Sammies and Santa will meet at the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree (West Lawn) at noon.

Come on over! Meet Santa. Plunge your fingers into a Samoyed ruff—the softest, whitest fur you'll ever feel. Get a kiss from Darcy the Dalmatian, the honorary Samoyed. And bring your camera to take pictures of your kids with Santa (for free!)

After hanging out at the Capitol the dogs will walk to the Botanic Gardens, then to the Ellipse across from the White House. Awards will be given for Most Festival Sammy and Most Vocal Sammy.

There should be parking in the lot that lies between Pennsylvania, Constitution, and 1st, NW, next to the reflecting pool.

We're going to have a howling good time! See you there.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

• Pet-Themed Hostess Gifts

If your dinner or party host owns a pet, consider giving him or her a gift with a pet theme.

• A gift card to a pet store is always appropriate.
• A dog or cat photograph frame is fun, and even better if it contains a photo of their pet (you could download a photo from Facebook or Twitter). In the Washington, D.C., area Marshall’s, T.J. Maxx, and Ross always have frames on sale.
• One hundred percent of the net profits from Rescue Chocolate are donated to rescue organizations. Order online or purchase in stores.
• From Good Dog Express, how about a whimsical tray that makes bone-shaped ice cubes?
• Everything and Anything Dog has a festive Christmas tree ornament with paw prints.
• At the Animal Rescue Site, each purchase funds at least 14 bowls of food for animals in shelters. Inexpensive gifts include a silicone oven mitt shaped like a dog and neoprene oven mitts shaped like cats.
• Dog Mountain "Life is a Ball” note cards showcase artist Stephen Hunek’s love of Labrador Retrievers.
• At $18.95, tea towels from Fjorn Scandinavian are a bit pricey, but they’re so darned cute. Designs include Tall Cats and (my favorite) Long Dogs.

If your host has lost a pet, making a donation to a local animal shelter or rescue in a pet's name, as a friend did when my hamster Zim died, is deeply meaningful. Dog Mountain makes small dog angel ornaments. The selection of breeds is limited, but I think the ornaments are tasteful. PetPro offers a wide variety of breeds of dog and cat angel ornaments.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

• Pet Photos With Santa Part II

Your pet photographed with Santa! What could be more fun? Check the web site first for specifics; you may want to call beforehand. Drop me a note if you try any of these sites. And see my previous post for more photo opps.

Pets Photographed with Santa
Saturday, December 3, 2011
10:00 a.m. –5:00 p.m.
Dogtopia, 4920 Wyaconda Rd., N. Bethesda
All animals welcome! Photos printed on-site; packages start at $20. No appointments necessary. Questions? Contact Juliana at jwillems@mchumane.org or 240.401.8144. Portion of proceeds benefits Montgomery County Humane Society.

PetSmart Santa Claws In-Store Event (All PetSmart stores)
Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4, 2011
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Package includes 4x6 digital photo and holiday frame for $9.95 with PetPerks card ($10.95 regular price). Adoption partners will play Santa Claws and take photos; $5 from every photo package will be donated to participating partners.

Santa Pet Night
Sunday, December 4, 2011
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Springfield Mall, Springfield, Virginia; in the JC Penny Court
Photo packages vary. Dogs and cats only.

Pets Photographed with Santa
Sunday, December 4, 2011
11:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m.
The Dog Stay, 8122 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, Maryland
Hosted by Living Ruff and The Dog Stay. All animals welcome. Photos printed on-site; packages start at $20. No appointments necessary. Questions? Contact Juliana at jwillems@mchumane.org or 240.401.8144. Portion of proceeds benefits Montgomery County Humane Society.

Santa Paws
Sunday, December 4, 2011
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax, Virginia
See web site for prices.

St. Nick’s Pet Pics
Monday December 5, 2011
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Landmark Mall, Alexandria, Virginia
Photo packages range from $10 to $20.
Cats and dogs only.

Westfield Montgomery Mall, Bethesda
Monday, December 5, 2011
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Photo packages available.
The mall’s web site does not mention pet photos, but I got this info from two sources. I suggest you call the mall before you go.

Pet Photos with Santa
Thursday, December 8, 2011
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Dogma Bakery in the Village of Shirlington, 2772 S. Arlington Mill Dr. Arlington, Virginia
Photos by a professional photographer, Jeanne Taylor, cost $20 each with proceeds going to Lucky Dog Animal Rescue. Photographer will release an e-photo of each selected photo to each owner in high-resolution format sized to 4×6 for unlimited personal printing.

PetSmart Santa Claws In-Store Event (All PetSmart stores)
Saturday, December 10 and Sunday, December 11, 2011
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Package includes 4x6 digital photo and holiday frame for $9.95 with PetPerks card ($10.95 regular price). Adoption partners will play Santa Claws and take photos; $5 from every photo package will be donated to these participating partners.

Pets Photographed with Santa
Saturday, December 10, 2011
1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sniffers Doggie Depot, 7300 Westmore Rd. #1, Rockville, Maryland
All animals welcome! Photos printed on-site; packages start at $20. No appointments necessary. Questions? Contact Juliana at jwillems@mchumane.org or 240.401.8144. Portion of proceeds benefits Montgomery County Humane Society

Santa Paws
Sunday, December 11
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax, Virginia
See web site for prices.

St. Nick’s Pet Pics
Monday December 12, 2011
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Landmark Mall, Alexandria, Virginia
Photo packages range from $10 to $20.
Cats and dogs only.

Westfield Montgomery Mall, Bethesda, Maryland
Monday, December 12, 2011
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Photo packages available.
The mall’s web site does not mention pet photos, but I got this info from two sources. I suggest you call the mall before you go.

Pet Photos with Santa
Thursday, December 15, 2011
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Dogma Bakery in the Village of Shirlington, 2772 S. Arlington Mill Dr. Arlington, Virginia
Photos by a professional photographer, Jeanne Taylor, cost $20 each with proceeds going to Lucky Dog Animal Rescue. Photographer will release an e-photo of each selected Santa photo to each owner in high-resolution format sized to 4×6 for unlimited personal printing.

PetSmart Santa Claws In-Store Event (All PetSmart stores)
Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18, 2011
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Package includes 4x6 digital photo and holiday frame for $9.95 with PetPerks card ($10.95 regular price). Adoption partners will play Santa Claws and take photos; $5 from every photo package will be donated to these participating partners.

St. Nick’s Pet Pics
Monday December 19
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Landmark Mall, Alexandria, Virginia
Photo packages range from $10 to $20.
Cats and dogs only.

PETCO also offers pet photos with Santa. Go to the store locator and type in your Zip code. On the map click on the icon for your store then click “details.” Click on the event calendar to find dates and times.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

• Santa & Paws

Get your pet's photo taken with Santa! It's fun, it isn't too expensive, and often supports a good cause.

• Photos with Santa or the Rabbi
Sunday, November 20, 2011
5:00–7:00 p.m.
PetMAC Arlington, 822 N. Kenmore St., Arlington, Va.
Make reservation at (703) 908-7387.
$20 for two digital photos. Donation to Homeward Trails to help homeless dogs and cats.


Sunday, December 4, 2011
7:00 p.m.–Midnight
The Big Bad Woof (Old Takoma), 117 Carroll St., NW, Washington, DC
$20 donation

Wednesday, December 7, 2011
6:00–9:00 p.m.
Tysons Galleria (Tysons II), 2001 International Dr., McLean, Va.
Level one in front of Neiman Marcus
$20 donation

Washington Humane Society: Photo with Santa
Saturday, December 10
11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Pro Feed Pet Nutrition Center, 5104 MacArthur Blvd., NW, Washington, DC
$20 donation

Washington Humane Society: Photo with Santa
Sunday, December 11
2:00–4:00 p.m.
Hotel Monaco, 700 F St., NW, Washington, DC
$20 donation

Washington Humane Society: Photo with Santa
Saturday, December 17
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
The Dog Shop (Georgetown), 1525 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington, DC
$20 donation

The OldeTown School for Dogs: Pet Photos with Santa
December 2–4, 2011
Appointment booking begins November 15. Call (703) 836-7643
Olde Town School for Dogs, 529 Oronoco St., Alexandria
Benefits the Alexandria Animal Rescue League. By professional pet photographer Alison DeSilva
For a $40 portrait sitting, you receive a USB drive with photos.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

• Petsitter Quandary: Favoritism?

Lily (left), Shelly, and me
Usually I write about solutions: how to keep pets from escaping, where to find dog-friendly restaurants, that sort of thing. But this time I have a problem and need help.

I'm pet sitting Shelly and Lily, two older dogs. Shelly's arthritis has been getting worse. She slipped climbing up the basement stairs one day. I didn't see her, only heard, so I don't know how far she fell. When I went downstairs she was wandering around slowly, dazed. She didn't even hear me call her name. I carried her upstairs. She came round quickly, and seemed fine after that.

Her owner said Shelly has slipped on those stairs before and wasn't worried. But I do not want Shelly to fall on stairs again.

The girls have a routine for getting in and out of the house. Both ways involve stairs. If I didn't have arthritis in one knee, I could carry Shelly up and down, but more stairs equals more pain. So I've switched up the routine.

Therein lies the problem. Because I put a leash on Shelly and take her out the front door for a quick wee several times a day, Lily thinks Shelly is getting walks—and she (Lily) isn't.

I've come up with some other ways to get both girls in and out of the house that I hope will work better for Lily. And of course I'll keep walking them twice a day.

But I don't want sweet Lily to feel jealous. Does anyone have suggestions?


Follow-up one week later: Things are somewhat improved. Some days Lily pouts when she thinks Shelly is getting special treatment; other days she's less sensitive. I shower the girls with praise and give them a Milk Bone after potty breaks and walks. My peace of mind comes from knowing I'm doing the best I know how to do for the health and welfare of all three of us. Their owner returns in two days (hard to believe, after two weeks!) and will restore their equilibrium, for which I'm grateful. I hate to see Shelly or Lily confused or upset.


Sunday, July 31, 2011

• Dog-Friendly Shopping • Tysons Corner, Va.

Tysons Corner Area
Dogs under 10 pounds are welcome at the Tysons Corner Center mall, but their feet cannot touch the ground. (Angel wings? No, in a stroller or carried.) Nordstrom doesn’t have a formal dog policy, but I understand they allow well-behaved dogs. According to one source, Bloomingdale's does too. If you get hungry, Chipotle has a patio that accepts dogs. Usual “traffic” is one or two small dogs. They do not take reservations.

Service dogs are allowed to walk in the Tysons Galleria, but other dogs must be in a stroller or carried. (No weight limit specified.) I hear Neiman Marcus allows well-behaved dogs. Anthropologie allows leashed, well behaved dogs.

The Orvis Company Store will give your dog a treat while you both peruse their Dog Shop. Pike 7 Plaza, 8365-A Leesburg Pike/Route 7, next to Staples and dog-friendly Panera. (fyi, the Sheraton charges for WiFi but at Panera it's free.)

Other Locations
In the Reston Town Center some shops, including Anthropologie (11965 Market St.), allow dogs. (Most restaurants with open patios allow well-behaved dogs, including Clyde’s).

If you need doggy daycare, A Dog’s Day Out offers cage-free daycare: 2800 Gallows Road, in Vienna. Dogtopia, also in Vienna, offers dog daycare.

This post was originally written for participants of the BlogPaws 2011 conference. Information is accurate as of August 2011.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

• Dog-Friendly Sundays in Northern Virginia

Northern Virginia abounds with activities that welcome people and their dogs. Some of the venues below may be available only during certain seasons.

• O’Malley’s Pub hosts Paws on the Patio, 3–7 p.m., with a grassy area for dogs.

• You'll be welcomed by the resident dogs at The Barrel Oak Winery. The owners call it “BOW—as in BOW WOW! Hang with your friends and dogs (on leashes, please). Great wine and lite fare served or bring your own picnic lunch or dinner.” (Delaplane)

"On a Wing and a Prayer" colorfully describes the Flying Circus. (Bealeton)

• Leashed pets are allowed on the grounds of Arlington National Cemetery. The cemetery is next to the Iwo Jima Memorial and the Netherlands Carillon. (Arlington)

• Dogs are welcome at Mount Vernon, George Washington’s Estate and Gardens; however, they are not permitted in the Mansion, the theaters of the Ford Orientation Center, or the galleries of the Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center. (Alexandria)

• Although they're allowed, I'm sure you won’t want to take dogs to the military demonstrations at the Manassas National Battlefield Park

This post was originally written for participants of the BlogPaws 2011 conference. Information is accurate as of August 2011.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

• Alexandria, Virginia: A Dog-Friendly Town

Pat Troy's has a menu for dogs.
In 2011, DogFriendly.com listed Alexandria, Virginia, as one of the top 10 dog-friendly cities in the U.S. Ordinarily I would suggest specific restaurants or shops, but there are so many I thought it better to give you the info. (I should mention, however, that Pat Troy's Irish Pub is famous for its menu for dogs!)

For an afternoon of walking—with or without your dog—I love Old Town Alexandria. This web site links to Old Town attractions, restaurants, and shops.

To figure out which places are dog-friendly, cross-reference with the Northern Virginia Dog-Friendly City Guide, which lists attractions, parks, stores, and restaurants in Alexandria (as well as other places). FYI, dog parks in Alexandria are fenced and unfenced. Founder's Park, in Old Town, is not fenced.

This map will help you get to Alexandria, find a restaurant, park, or store, and guide you in finding a parking place. If you want a suggestion for a walking route, I'd go down King St./Route 7 from about N. Henry to the waterfront. It's heaven for people-watching and window shopping.

This post was originally written for participants of the BlogPaws 2011 conference. Information is accurate as of August 2011.

Friday, July 22, 2011

• Leesburg, Virginia: A Dog-Friendly Town

Dog Day Afternoon
The Town of Leesburg, Virginia, is a nice option for a day trip with your dog. You get a sense of Colonial life in its historic downtown, which provides blocks and blocks of pleasant walking. In addition, CNN Money Magazine named Leesburg Number 4 small town in the U.S.!


Dog-Friendly Dining in Leesburg
The Virginia Dog reported these places as dog-friendly, but I did not confirm. If you plan to go to one of these restaurants, please call first.
South Street Under, 203 Harrison Street SE, (703) 771-9610
Fire Works Pizza, 201 Harrison Street, SE, (703) 779-8400

Lightfoot, 11 North King Street, (703) 771-2233

Eiffel Tower Café, 107 Loudoun Street, SW, (703) 777-5142


Dog-Friendly Parks in Leesburg
• Dogs are allowed off-leash, but all dogs play together, at the Leesburg Dog Park, at the Olde Izaak Walton Park. The park has a Facebook page.
• In Leesburg you have two access points to the Washington & Old Dominion Trail—the Leesburg and Leesburg West entrances. Dogs must be leashed.
• Dogs must also be leashed at Balls Bluff Battlefield Regional Park.
• At Morven Park dogs must be leashed and remain in designated areas. Dogs are not allowed in buildings.
• What about the Leesburg Canine Country Club? you ask. You must be a membah. So veddy veddy sorry.

Dog-Friendly Shopping in Leesburg
Check the hours of these small stores to be sure you don't get shut out.
The Reign of Cats and Dogs, 13 1/2 South King Street, (703) 669-6920
• The Dog Day Afternoon boutique, 305 #B East Market Street, (703) 779-1333
Chase Your Tail Bakery, 305-A East Market Street, (703) 771-3019
• Leesburg aso has a Petco (200-250 Fort Evans Road) and Petsmart (510 D East Market St).
• At the Tarara Winery, dogs are allowed around the grounds, but not in the tasting room. (Hiccup!)
• If the weather is nice the outdoor Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets mall, is delightful. Dogs are allowed throughout the mall, but not in the food court.

This post was originally written for participants of the BlogPaws 2011 conference. Information is accurate as of August 2011.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

• The Emmy the Pet Sitter T-Shirt

Darcy looks better in my shirt than I do!
As a pet sitter, I made a T-shirt advertise my business, Emmy the Pet Sitter .

I chose CustomInk to make shirts; they have a good plus-size selection and I could buy a small quantity. I liked the quality and price of the Gildan Ultra Cotton T. Standard-colors were less expensive, but I picked a shirt to flatter my coloring. To reduce cost, I used one color of ink and royalty-free clip art. It was easy to design my shirt on their web site, but if you tell them what you want they'll do the design for you.

About 10 days later, I had six Ts in hand for about $18 a shirt. I give CustomInk an A+. Customer service was excellent and the final product is top notch.

Arlo and me and T
On its front, I placed a small design at the top so it would show in photos, but I have to laugh. I'm always photographed with an animal, and its head usually blocks the design! On the back, the name of my business and URL are large and clear.

Is the Emmy the Pet Sitter T-shirt a success? Unfortunately, no stranger has asked me to pet sit. But when I wear the shirt, people I know ask about my new business.

This post was originally for participants of the BlogPaws 2011 conference and titled, "BlogPaws: Learning from Each Other."

Saturday, July 16, 2011

• Best Pet Resources of Northern Va.

I was 45 minutes early for the doctor and she, in turn, was an hour late, so I had ample time to review the 2011 Best Pet Services in Northern Virginia Magazine.

• Best Pet Shop: Dog Gone Natural carries high quality holistic kibble, air-dried cuisine, and raw foods (and cat food).

• Best Dog Park: Shirlington Dog Park is one of the Arlington, Virginia, Community Canine Areas.

• Best Self-Wash for Dogs: Bark 'N Bubbles is a chain of self-service dog washes that’s easy, convenient, and affordable. Ashburn, Herndon, Fairfax, and Leesburg.

• Best Veterinarian: Clocktower Animal Hospital, in Herndon, also received top ratings from Washington Consumers’ Checkbook, Talk of the Town, and Washingtonian Magazine.

• Best Dog Walker: Woofies is a professional, award-winning pet sitting and dog walking company based in Ashburn. It services clients only in that area.

• Best Boarding Kennel: Old Mill Boarding Kennel, 91 Lawson Road, SE, Leesburg; (703) 777-4183

Thursday, July 14, 2011

• Dog Parks Near Tysons Corner, Virginia

First: Tips for dog parks

Off-Leash Dog Parks
Fairfax County, Virginia, has a number of off-leash parks, with rules. Parks closest to Tysons are listed below.

• Baron Cameron Dog Park, 11300 Baron Cameron Avenue, Reston. About 7 miles from the Sheraton.  Review and maps of the Baron Cameron Dog Park

• Blake Lane Dog Park, 10033 Blake Lane, Oakton. Open dawn to dusk. About 7-9 miles from the Sheraton, depending on route. I suggest 123 through Vienna and Oakton (avoid rush hour). Review and maps of the Blake Lane Dog Park

• Chandon Dog Park, 900 Palmer Drive, Herndon. Open dawn to dusk. About 12 miles from the Sheraton.

• Vienna Dog Park is at Moorefield Park, 700 Courthouse Road, Vienna (adjacent to Nottoway Park), less than 5 miles from the Sheraton.

Dogs-On-Leash Parks
• Behind the Sheraton is a neighborhood of townhouses and at its edge is Ash Grove Park (see Sheraton's Local Area Map; the park is at the end of Ashgrove Lane). Dogs are allowed in all Fairfax County Parks on a leash, but not in the Ash Grove plantation. This 18th -century home and other historic landmarks are a reminder that no matter how slick Northern Virginia may look, the heart of the past throbs beneath its surface. The Sheraton was built on Ash Grove land.

Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. Dogs must be on a leash and cannot enter the theater (sorry, budding thespian dogs). Do not bring dogs during a performance. About 3 miles from the Sheraton. 1551 Trap Road,
Vienna; (703) 255-1800

Great Falls Park. Spectacular views of the Falls of the Potomac; no swimming. Guidelines for Pets. It’s less than 7 miles from the Sheraton and you should have little traffic. Take Route 7 West, right on Towlston Road. Follow Towlston to Old Dominion Dr. Go left on Old Dominion, which will dead-end at the park's entrance station. 9200 Old Dominion Dr., McLean

Chesapeake & Ohio National Historic Park. You can hike with your (leashed) dog along the C & O Canal, a wide, flat towpath. One of the closest access points from Tysons is the Carderock Recreational Area, in Maryland. (This map of the entire park shows at bottom left Tysons Corner [Route 7-Dulles Access Road-495] and Carderock.) You can get on the Canal at several places, but Carderock is fairly close to Tysons and has restrooms, picnic tables, and adequate parking. On a weekday, leave the Canal by 2:30 p.m. to avoid Beltway rush-hour traffic. About 9 miles from the Sheraton.

Sully Historic Site. Sully reflects the history of Fairfax County. Leashed dogs are allowed on the property, but not in buildings. 16 miles from the Sheraton. 3650 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly; (703) 437-1794

Manassas National Battlefield Park. Leashed dogs are allowed in the park—the site of two great battles of the Civil War—and the hiking trails, which cover open fields and woods. The park has 6 self-guided hikes on interpretive loop trails. About 23 miles from the Sheraton. 6511 Sudley Road, Manassas

Ticks and Mosquitoes
Watch out for ticks, one souvenir you don’t want. If you have sensitive skin like mine, the mosquitoes will love you. I always carry bug spray and cooling gel.

This post was originally written for participants of the BlogPaws 2011 conference. Information is accurate as of August 2011.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

• Dog-Friendly Dining in Tysons Corner, Va.

 Tysons Corner
• The Tysons Corner Ruth's Chris Steak House happily welcomes dogs to their patio. 12 tables serving 2–4 each are available. Call and they'll make sure you get all the tables you need. (703) 848-4290

• The Tysons McCormick & Schmick’s patio holds 21 tables (9 on one side, 12 on the other) and dogs are welcome at all tables. You can make patio reservations! 8484 Westpark Drive,
 McLean/Tysons Corner; (703) 848-8000


• Panera Bread in the Pike 7 Plaza, Panera has free WiFi. (Dog-friendly Orvis is in Pike 7.) 8365 Leesburg Pike #B
, (703) 556-3700.


McLean
• Not only does the Lost Dog Cafe serve food, allow dogs on their patio, and deliver, owners established the Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation, with hundreds of successful rescues. In its McLean location, the Log Dog outside area seats 16 people. No size limit on dogs, but they don’t take reservations. Mid-afternoon you could easily get a table.
—Call if you have questions (703) 356-5678
—Address: 1690 Anderson Road, 
McLean; corner of McGarrity and Anderson.
—Lost Dog delivers. $20 minimum. Orders over $50 computer automatically adds a 10% gratuity.


• Indian Café Taj has an outside patio that serves 20 people (4 tables for 2 people and 5 tables for 4). Unfortunately, they don’t take patio reservations.  1379 Beverly Rd, McLean; (703) 827-0444

• Quiet, well behaved dogs are welcome at Kazan (Turkish and Mediterranean). The patio holds 1-2 dog-friendly tables with 4-5 people per table. 6813 Redmond Drive, McLean; (703) 734-1960



Reston
Reston Town Center has shops, art galleries, and restaurants with open patios, most of which allow well-behaved dogs. Some shops allow dogs. Clyde’s of Reston welcomes dogs at certain tables in the patio area, but reservations aren't accepted.  11905 Market St., Reston; (703) 787-6601

• Reston’s Lake Anne Center has several cafes with patio dining that allow dogs. Cafe Montmartre is one of the dog-friendly restaurants overlooking Lake Anne. Per one review, “Very good French and Vietnamese food on the plaza overlooking Lake Anne. You can sit out one of the tables ringing the patio and leash your dog to the rope surrounding the patio. Jasmine Cafe on Lake Anne was also terrific and has a relaxed dog policy." 1625 Washington Plaza; (703) 904-8080
.

• Reston McCormick & Schmick’s. 11920 Democracy Drive, Reston; (703) 481-6660

Oakton
• Tigris Grill. Their patio seats 8 but they can make room for more. Hunter Mill Plaza, 2946 Chain Bridge Rd, #P, 
Oakton (703) 255-5950


Tips for dining with your dog

This post was originally written for participants of the BlogPaws 2011 conference. Information is accurate as of August 2011.

Friday, July 8, 2011

• BlogPaws 2011: Shopping

If you love to shop and have free time at BlogPaws 2011—the Pet Media Blogging Conference in Tysons Corner, Virginia—welcome to Mecca.

I’ve lived in Northern Virginia since 1963, when the Tysons meat-packing plant stood at the corner of two-lane roads. No stoplights. Drawings of three huge animals decorated the plant: a pink pig, a cow, and a lamb. Now Tysons Corner is, among other things, a major shopping destination.

Fun Shopping
Tysons Corner Center (old-timers call it Tysons I) is a behemoth. You may want to look at the mall map before you go. You’ll find name-brand stores, boutique shops, and countless places to snack, eat, and dine.
*** NEW INFO Dogs under 10 pounds are welcome, but their feet can't touch the ground (doggy stroller or carried). Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's don't have formal policies, but people have seen dogs there. If you get hungry, Chipotle has a patio that accepts dogs. Usual “traffic” is one or two small dogs. They do not take reservations.

Tysons Galleria (Tysons II) is upscale. I love to walk through Neiman Marcus and pretend I could spend $1,000 on a purse—if I wanted to. A centrally-located Starbucks offers comfy chairs where you can chill. If you want a quick bite, try the Corner Bakery Café.
*** NEW INFO Service dogs are allowed to walk in the Galleria, but other dogs must be in a doggy stroller or carried. (The Security Office didn’t specify a weight limit.) Although Neiman Marcus doesn’t have a formal policy, evidently they allow well-behaved dogs, as does Anthropologie.

*** NEW INFO Originally I said the two malls are close enough to walk between, which is true. But don't. Drivers don't expect to see pedestrians in the area and they're frustrated by being stuck in traffic.

The Shops at Fairfax Square. I’ve never had the nerve to go to this smaller mall. I’m afraid no matter how nicely I’m dressed, everyone will know I can’t afford Hermés and Tiffany’s. If you go I want to hear about it!

The Sheraton offers a free shuttle to the malls. Make a note of where the driver will pick you up.

Practical Shopping
Between the Sheraton and the Beltway on the “Sheraton side” of Leesburg Pike/ Route 7, a sidewalk makes walking possible—although between the dust and exhaust fumes, I wouldn’t call it pedestrian-friendly.
*** NEW INFO If you choose to walk here, look both ways at intersections. Drivers in the D.C. area routinely speed, "drift through" stop signs, and don't yield to pedestrians. Be careful!

Forget something for your booth or presentation? Staples, at 8387C Leesburg Pike, (703) 883-0011, is a little more than a mile from the Sheraton. At the same strip mall (Pike 7 Plaza) is a FedEx. *** NEW INFO Also at the Pike 7, dogs can sit outside at Panera. Orvis, next to Panera, is dog-friendly.

A little more than two miles from the Sheraton is a PETCO at 1929 Old Gallows Road.

The closest grocery store is Harris Teeter, 8200 Crestwood Heights Drive, in McLean, (703) 448-0132. If you don’t have a car you can order from Giant using PeaPod. The closest Giant (store #0758) is at 1454 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean, (703) 893-0377. Order 24 hours in advance.

Check with your hotel concierge for any needs; he or she can give you the best advice.

Don't miss All My Posts About Northern Virginia for BlogPaws-ers, including Dog-Friendly Shopping.

What else do you want to know? Give me a shout.
escammahorn@hotmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/EmmyThePetSitter
@EmmySits (Twitter)

>> Go to Emmy the Pet Sitter Web site >>

Thursday, June 23, 2011

• Take Your Dog to Work—Guide for Dog-Less Folks

Take Your Dog to Work Day is Friday, June 24, 2011. If you, like me, don't have a dog, you might feel left out. (I used to joke that my workplace should celebrate Take Your Hamster to Work Day.) But you can participate!

If your company is going to allow dogs, a dog-less person can do many things:
• Volunteer to take a co-worker's dog for a walk or watch it while she attends a meeting.
• Take photos of dogs for the company newsletter. Then submit the photo to the TYDTWD Photo Contest!
• Bring dog treats. (Check with owners before offering.)
• Hold fun contests such as best trick, friendliest canine co-worker, or "employee of the day."

Whether or not your company participates, you can educate co-workers on the primary reason for TYDTWD: the importance of adopting from an animal shelter. The Human Society offers five easy-to-remember talking points for reasons to adopt.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

• A Pet Sitter Asks: "Does Your Pet Try to Escape?"

"Does your dog try to escape?" That was what I asked when I first started pet sitting. Through experience, I know I need to delve into details. The possibility of a pet trying to escape is one of the most important things a pet sitter and owner should discuss.

Is a pet more likely to escape through the front door or the back door? How do you keep him from getting out? If he escapes, will he come when I call? If not, how do I get him back in the house? Can I let her off leash at the dog park? Will she come right away when I call her or should I carry a treat?

I've had my share of escapes. With my foot, I successfully blocked a cat from going out the back door dozens of times—until the time she streaked by like lightening. I knew to entice her by shaking a box of treats. A Havanese liked to climb on an air conditioning unit and jump down into the next-door neighbor's yard. Luckily, the neighbor didn't mind, and the fence was low enough I could climb over it.

Today I'm caring for Arlo, a Samoyed, and his sister Darcy, a Dalmatian. Arlo loves nothing better than to make a break for it. Once he took a dip in a neighbor's koi pond. He didn't hurt any fish, but his owners and the neighbor with the pond have a strained relationship to this day.

Arlo's not only headstrong, he's dextrous. If you don't latch the backyard gate just so, he can open it. If I go out that gate I always shake the door to make sure it's locked.

I learned some new tricks from his owner. Arlo crowds the front door when anyone comes in or goes out. When you're going out the front door, say, "Go to the window, Arlo." He'll run to the window that looks out on the yard, where he can see people coming and going.

If Arlo gets out the front door of the house, open a car door. "Arlo, do you want to go for a ride?" Arlo will hop right in. Once he's safely in the car, put his leash on him. He'll follow you into the house like a little lamb.

If you're a pet owner, talk to your pet sitter about any history of escapes. If you're a pet sitter, ask the owner questions about all the situations you think you may encounter.

May you have an escape-free experience!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

• Tornadoes: Be Part of the Miracle

The devastation from recent tornadoes makes me feel sick. And helpless. I think the best I can do is pass along information that may help the displaced pets.

Social media stepped up to the plate for these pets. DogTipper has a list of Facebook pages—virtual “lost and found” bulletin boards—of displaced pets in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.

Click on the “Found” photos. Each represents a miracle: a dog that lived through a tornado, found by someone willing to help it find its way home. And each represents a potential miracle: a pet that could be reunited with its family. There are hundreds more.

The connections cannot be made without you. Please take a minute and email the DogTipper list of lost and found tornado pets to everyone you know. Ask them to send it to everyone they know.

Be part of the miracle.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

• Leah Needs a Home

Meet Leah. This beagle mix is no spring chicken and she comes with—as they say in the singles ads—"a few extra pounds," but she's a sweet, friendly dog who deserves a loving home.

Lucky Dog Animal Rescue thinks Leah is between 8 and 10 years old, and suspects she was used as a breeder in a puppy mill. I volunteered as a handler at today's Lucky Dog event and felt lucky (so to speak) to care for her.

When people approached, Leah wagged her tail and arched forward, eager to be petted. When I stroked her, she practically melted into my hand. She especially liked children. Though stout, she trotted all around PetSmart, her nose twitching. (I brought a chair because one of my knees is bothering me, but I barely had a chance to sit!)

I was impressed with her temperament. She pretty much ignored other dogs sniffing her and yawned when one of the large males attempted to mount her. And she never made a sound.

I was disappointed that gentle Leah didn't find her "fur-ever" home, although 20—yes, 20!!!—dogs were adopted today. If you live in the D.C. area and are "kind of–not sure–maybe" thinking about getting a dog, go online to see photos and profiles of available Lucky Dog dogs (and cats).

P.S.: Two Leahs are online: "my" Leah and Leah the Lab.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

• Prevent Dog Bites

When I started pet sitting seven years ago, I thought I knew everything about animals. I loved animals. Animals loved me. What more did I need to know? As it turns out, a lot.

Dog bites, for instance. I never gave a thought about being bitten; dogs liked me. But recently a dog I was caring for nipped me—no bigger than a pinprick, but he broke the skin. Luckily, he had his rabies shot and the area healed in a few days.

But things don’t always turn out so well. More than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year; about 800,000 warrant a trip to the hospital. Just this week, a dog ran onto a school bus in Clinton, Maryland, biting four students and sending them to the hospital.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is hosting National Dog Bite Prevention Week, May 15–21, 2011 in an effort to help educate the public about safe dog practices, especially for parents and children. The AMVA web site has great resources.

DoggoneSafe also offers Tips for Parents, Kids and Dog Owners, including a quiz that tests your knowledge of dogs’ body language.

In Dogs Bite When Humans Greet Inappropriately, Dr. Sophia Yin gives what I think is great advice: “ . . . we’ve been told many times that you should greet a dog by letting him sniff your hand, but in reality, the best way to greet is to stay outside of the dog’s personal bubble and let the dog approach you at his own rate.”

On Saturday, May 21, Kahuna's K9 will host Teach a Child, Save a Dog, a free event for parents and dog owners to learn about how to protect children and dogs through education. Children are also welcome. It's at the North Beach Community Center, in Maryland.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

• Pups in the Ball Park

Major league baseball is going to the dogs—literally.Today the Washington Nationals hosted Pups in the Park. My friend Kathleen Ridgely, her best girl Gigi, a Jack Rusell/Beagle mix, and her sisters dog, Petie, a Border Collie/Australian Shepherd mix, took in the game. I asked Kathleen to write about the experience.



“Pups in the Park provided a great venue for dog lovers and dogs,” reported Kathleen. “Dogs met and played in a designated area. The park created a temporary lawn for pups to ‘get the business’ done between innings. Dogs even had their own seats! I was surprised that with the number of dogs, that everyone got along. Dogs really can go places with their families and blend in with the crowd!

“Gigi and Petie had a great time. They grabbed a couple bites of hot dog and are in for a good night's rest. I would definitely recommend Pups in the Park to anyone looking to have a good time for the whole family, including the waggy-tailed ones!”

The Washington Nationals offer two more Pups in the Park dates in 2011: Saturday, July 9, and Saturday, September 24. Owner tickets are $20 and a dog ticket is $5. One hundred percent of your dog’s ticket price goes to the Washington Humane Society.

For those not in D.C., here's a list of MLB 2011 "Dog Days" events in participating cities, courtesy of Paw Nation.

P.S. Kathleen, many thanks for the write-up and to you and fiancé, Ed Negron, for photos. Hey—is there a flower girl costume in Gigi's future?

Sunday, May 1, 2011

• A "Lucky" Lucky Dog

Whew! Wow! I'm both tired and energized after volunteering at a Lucky Dog Animal Rescue adoption event.

My charge was Apple, a shy, Chihuahua-Rat Terrier mix. Apple's adoption was already in motion, and the young couple that had fallen in love with her picked her up during the event. How awesome it was to see Apple with her "forever family," nestled in her new mom's arms and sporting a pink collar and bib.

After Apple left, I talked to other volunteers. Lucky Dog had brought in a lot of dogs to the event, which was held at the Falls Church, Virginia, PetSmart. Several dogs were adopted, pending the approval process. Some got nibbles (pun intended) of interest.

I need to tell on myself. I was apprehensive about a few of the dogs. You know the ones: sort of a pit-bull-terrier-shepherd-type mix, built like a linebacker, with massive jaws and chest. But I petted every dog, and every single one—no matter the size or breed—was friendly. Some were energetic. Some were curious and eager. Some were shy. And all were sweet.

I watched a little boy, maybe three or four, march up to a dog with a squarish face and stocky, muscular body. The dog outweighed the kid two to one, but the boy never hesitated. He patted the dog on top of its head. That dog wiggled its rock-solid behind and gave the boy's arm a happy lick.

Sweet. And shame on me for presuming otherwise.

Lucky Dog has photos of dogs available for adoption on its web site and holds adoption events every weekend. So next weekend, you could get Lucky.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

• Block New Dog Fighting App

Dog fighting is illegal, and I thought that society no glorified that particular blood sport. I was wrong.

“Dog Wars,” an app for Android smart phones, makes a game out of dog fighting. You can feed, water, train, and fight your virtual dog. (I wonder—can you fight your dog to its death?) Android is a subsidiary of Google.

Kage Games, which created the app, says the game will educate people about animal cruelty, and that proceeds will benefit animal rescue organizations and the Japanese tsunami relief effort.

Many individuals and groups have condemned the app, including the ASPCA and Michael Vick.

In Unleash the Dogs of War? Tell Android/Google No!, Edie Jarolim offers background on this issue, and why the app is not only bad—but racist.

Take action. Tell Android/Google to block "Dog Wars" and stop condoning animal cruelty.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

• Saturday Blog Hop

I am diving out of my comfort zone and into social media.

I've been pet sitting for seven years, and more recently started creating journals and blogs of my four-legged clients. My first toe-in-the-online-water—Coco's journal—took forever. The Emmy the Pet Sitter web site followed the same tortuous route of revision, revision, revision.

That's not how social media works.

I just joined the Saturday Pet Bloggers Hop. According to hop rules, three other bloggers will check out this blog and befriend me. I want to post before they get here. A quicky post: killing me! But I'm doing it. So I'd better hop to it and sign off.

P.S. Have a pet-safe Easter.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

• Pet First Aid

According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) one-out-of-four more pets could be saved if one basic pet first aid skill or technique was applied prior to receiving veterinary care.

So if your pet is injured, you are the paramedic until it gets to the vet. But don't panic—just prepare.

April is National Pet First Aid Awareness Month. Below I list some key steps to care for your pet in an emergency.

1) Buy a pet first aid book. I use the Red Cross books "Dog First Aid” and “Cat First Aid," which include demonstration DVDs.

2) Many web sites address pet first aid. Peruse sites; bookmark one or two you like.

• PetEducation.com: First Aid and Emergency Care for dogs and for cats. Covers in detail situations including CPR, choking, electric shock, allergic reactions, poisoning

Red Cross: First Aid for Animals Vital statistics, basic first aid, handling injured animals

HealthyPet.com Basic information for common emergencies

3) Assemble a pet first aid kit or buy a kit, such as the American Red Cross Deluxe First Aid Kit for Pets or the Red Cross fanny pack.

4) Take a pet first aid course. To find a class, ask your veterinarian or local chapter of the Red Cross. ("Pet First Aid" photo taken during Red Cross class I took)

5) Program emergency phone numbers into your cell phone and print a list next to your home phone: your vet, emergency vet, ASPCA Poison Control Center (888-426-4435), and Regular Poison Control (800-222-1222).

In case of emergency, know when to call your veterinarian for your dog or your cat. Print these instructions and keep them next to your emergency numbers.
If your kids are old enough, involve them. Everyone in the family should know where the first aid kit and book are kept. Be prepared: One day, you may make the difference between life and death for your pet.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

• Hamster Ball Derby

For a minute they were neck and furry neck, but in three out of five races Pinkie-the-Syrian-hamster bested my Maggie, winning first place in the 2011 Petco Hamster Ball Derby.


Who took third? Well . . . no one. A fellow with a gray-and-white rat wanted to race, but hadn't followed the Petco Training Tips and Schedule, which clearly states that ball work should have begun on February 28. In a ball for the first time, the rat promptly emptied her bladder in fear. Her owner bowed out.


Pinkie—with deliciously velvet, grayish-pink fur—won decisively. Maggie backpedaled a couple of times and, although he likes his ball, simply was not as fast. (Apropos of nothing, I would have had children if I were guaranteed they'd be as cute and sweet as Pinkie's owners, two little red-headed boys.)

Tonight I'll rip open the bag of treats and give Maggie extra corn, her favorite. And I imagine the two little red-headed boys will have put together Pinkie's new cage by the time she wakes up.

Victory is sweet—and crunchy.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

• Prevent Animal Cruelty

The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) designates April as Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. Their slogan is "Go Orange for Animals."

It's easy to "Go Orange"—tie orange bows on your dog’s collar, or dedicate your MySpace page, Facebook status or blog to the ASPCA during the month. The ASPCA suggests simple ways to help animals in your community, such as assisting an elderly neighbor having trouble taking care of his or her pet. ASPCA for Kids includes fluffy-fuzzy pics and a section on real issues for older kids and teens (review to make sure it's appropriate for your child).

On the local level (I live in Northern Virginia), the Washington Humane Society suggests ways to prevent cruelty in the Nation's Capital.

Me? I'm headed to Goodwill to buy an orange T-shirt. And all month when I explain why I'm wearing a cheap, ugly shirt that is so not my color I'll sneak in a plug for the ASPCA. Easy! I draw the line, however at orange lipstick.

• My Philosophy

As far as this blog goes, I promise to:

1) Keep it short.

2) Keep it meaningful.

3) Keep it balanced and accurate.

4) Focus on "free." I'll suggest actions you can take to help animals that won't cost a dime.

5) Focus on "easy." Who has time? I'll suggest simple things that won't take longer than two shakes of a dead lamb's tail. (Uh oh. Childhood expression doesn't work here.)

6) Make you laugh.