• 2012 Pet Blogger Challenge

I’m participating in the Pet Blogger Challenge, an annual event hosted by Will My Dog Hate Me and GoPetFriendly. Edie Jarolim (Will My Dog) and Amy Burkhert (GoPet) compiled a list of questions to help pet bloggers examine their practices and goals, then invited the entire pet blogging community to participate. It’s a way for us to gauge our progress, vow to do better, and thank our readers.

Q) What was your original purpose for starting a blog?
A) I started this blog in May 2011. I was getting serious about my business, Emmy the Pet Sitter, and I saw a blog as a subtle way to advertise. In the guise of informing or amusing people, I planned to mention my business. I also saw the blog as a way for current and potential customers to get to know me. Over the past nine months I’ve blogged on a wide variety of subjects. Because I don’t pet sit as often as I’d like to, I didn’t post many blogs about pet sitting.

Q) Is your current purpose the same? If not, what’s different? If so, how do you feel you’ve met your goals?
A) It is said that to be a successful blogger, one must become an expert in one subject. I ought to address topics of interest to pet sitters or to people who need pet sitters. I think that my blog could start dialogs with sitters and owners. I’d like to learn from them and pass along tips. Ultimately, it’s all about everyone improving our services to pets.

Q) Do you blog on a schedule or as the spirit moves you?
A) As the spirit moves me, and spirit is capricious. By using this method, I worry I won’t get new traffic.

Q) Are you generating income from your blog?
A) No. I like a clean web page with just my text and photos.

Q) What do you like most about blogging in general and your blog in particular?
A) I can write about what I want to! I worked for a publisher for more than 30 years and wrote copy, but always something that someone else wanted. Now I can blog about my hamster, Maggie, racing in the Petco annual hamster races. My favorite blogs were those I wrote for BlogPaws participants coming to the 2011 BlogPaws social media conference in Tysons Corner, Virginia. I knew that what I was covering was useful. My post on dog-friendly dining has 146 page views, the highest number of my 33 posts.

Q) What do you like least?
A) The pressure to write. Brainstorming topics for seems like a lot of work—and I didn’t want my blog to be work! (Obviously, it’s work. And I need to work at it.) And . . . Hello! Who are you, reader? Do you read me? Am I helpful? Blog stats don't give me a feel for readers.

Q) How do you see your blog changing/growing in 2012?
A) Online, I see the “big picture” addressed: What should a pet owner look for in a pet sitter? Should a pet sitter be insured? But I haven’t seen basic, practical tips for making the pet sitting experience a success. For example, pet owners should prepare a packet for sitters in case their pet escapes when they're not home. Pet sitters should prepare for the jarring emotional reality if a pet under their care is injured.

The Bottom Line
I love combining my writing and photography into updates for pet owners: daily blogs, journals, or videos. My primary focus is there. And I'll try to focus my blog on the topic of pet sitting. Four paws up to Edie Jarolim and Amy Burkhert for the inspiration!!

• January is Train Your Dog Month

Guess who wouldn't come to me?

The Association of Pet Dog Trainers has declared January National Train Your Dog Month. I don't own a dog, so I hesitated to say anything on the topic. But as a pet sitter, there's one thing I wish every dog owner would do:

Train your dog to "Come."

If your dog escapes I want him to come when I call. I don't want him to run into the street or scare a child. If we go to the dog park I want him to come even when he's distracted. If I let him out in your back yard and he grabs something suspicious in his mouth, I want him to drop it and come to me.

I want to keep your dog safe.

Training an adult dog or an independent breed may not be easy. Daily practice and consistency are key. It's best to involve the entire family in the training. Coming on command is one of Four Behaviors That Take Forever to Train, according to Eryka Kahunanui, owner of Kahuna's K9s, in Prince Frederick, Maryland.

"Any dog, young or old, can be taught to come on cue," says Eryka. "But if you've been using a cue such as 'come,' and it hasn't worked 100 percent of the time, you need a new cue."

She suggests using an interim command. When a dog is in the process of coming toward her, Eryka loudly calls out—three times—a shortened version of its name. (For example, for Rudy, "Roo! Roo! Roo!") When the dog arrives at Eryka's side, the payoff is huge: chicken, ham, something it loves but rarely gets. Once a dog responds to the shortened version of its name, Eryka expands the command: "Roo! Roo! Roo! By me."

"Chances are, because the dog has been successful a million times before with the interim cue, he will succeed with the new 'By me' cue," says Eryka.

So, if you want to teach your dog one thing, this pet sitter votes you teach him to come. Mmm, do I smell chicken?

Many thanks to dog trainer Eryka Kahunania for her invaluable input.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Washington Humane Society: Photo with Santa

Sunday, December 4, 2011

7:00 p.m.–Midnight

The Big Bad Woof (Old Takoma), 117 Carroll St., NW, Washington, DC

$20 donation

• Washington Humane Society: Photo with Santa

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.