Poopy Predicaments

The shame!  The embarrasment!  The looks of disgust!  There's nothing worse, as a "professional" dog walker, that those moments when you are inadequately prepared for poop disposal, or to put it more bluntly, when you didn't bring enough shit bags on your walk and you have to leave one or more doggie-defacations on the ground.  Gross.

Today prior to walking Heureux (one of my regulars) and my own dog, Dingo, I stuffed three plastic bags in my pocket, hypothesizing that I was abundantly prepared in the off-chance that one of my furry friends decided to go number two a total of two times (they are both usually solitary poopers).

Woe was me when both dogs emptied their bowels on two separate occasions in a total of four separate locations.  Oi!  I feel the need, in ill-prepared instances such as these, to glance around for contemptuous peepers pointed in my direction, followed by a disclaimer on my part, said aloud to anyone within ear shot, justifying my predicament lest these random passers-bye think  me anything less than a consummate professional.

After my soliloquey in Somerville I couldn't help but think that I'm not the only one who does this.  Admit it, you too have been there and done that, haven't you?  Actually, my friend and I had a conversation regarding this taboo topic just a week ago which inspired me to post this less than appetizing topic.  I take comfort in knowing that I'm not alone.  You should too.  Shit happens.  Literally.  I guess the lesson of the day is:  better to be over-prepared then under.  Even if that means jamming plastic bags in every orifice of clothing.  Or better yet - note to self: wear clothes with more pockets!

"I Love Balls!"

My dog is obsessed with balls.  Literally OBSESSED.  Balls are her crack-cocaine, her reality TV, her chocolate, her highly-addictive substance in any/all forms.  She sleeps with them and brings them wherever we go - like a little kid with his or her favorite toy.  I'm pretty sure she would risk life and limb to get a ball.  I wouldn't put it past her to, for example, jump out the window of a speeding car to get a ball (she has not done this yet, thank goodness).

Dingo's not a huge fan of swimming but if she spots a ball in any type of body of water - ocean, lake, stream, raging rapid - or better yet if you throw a ball out there for her to fetch, she's jumping in after it without hesitation.    

The other day I was joking with my friends that I want to make her a little doggie shirt that says, "I Love Balls!".  This idea started as a joke but then I got to thinking, I do have a few other doggie clients who are almost as obsessed with balls as Dingo (although the only dog I can think of that is truly in love with balls like Ding is a client named Leila, who is mentioned earlier in this blog :).  That said, these shirts could be a hit!

What do you think?  Would you buy your dog a shirt that said, "I Love Balls!".  I "reckon" it would make a great conversation starter.  If you are a single gal I would suggesting bringing your dog to "Yappy Hour" at the Liberty Hotel with one of my shirts and maybe a matching one of your own.  It may be a bit uncouth but I'll bet you, and your dog, will be quite a hit.

Coming soon, Dingo's Dogsitting shirts emblazoned with "I Love Balls!"....Get em' while they're hot.

Physical Therapy for Your Pet

Every Tuesday I take a Golden Retriever named Betsy to Physical Therapy at the Sterling Ipression Animal Rehab Facility in Walpole, Mass: http://sterlingimpressionanimalrehab.com/index.html.  Betsy tore the ACL in her left knee a few weeks ago, so prior to surgery the staff at Sterling Rehab are working to strengthen the muscles surrounding her knee, as well as ease the secondary pressure in her back.

Upon arrival Betsy always starts out with a heat pack applied to her injury followed by a firm rub down of the area and her back, which has tightened considerably since she is compensating for her injured knee. 

This “rub-down routine” is always followed by a five minute walk on a treadmill.  The difference between Sterling’s treadmill and most normal treadmills is that this particular treadmill is located at the base of a tank which can be filled with water.  Betsy walks in the water, about chest high, to limit the pressure on her knee as she walks. 

After her “walk on the wet side” Betsy gets a cold compress to her knee.  This is usually followed by a treatment of healing laser light applied to the injured area.  Sometimes after her laser treatment she will go on a wobble board, which is just exactly what it sounds like – a board she must stand up on and keep her balance to improve the muscle tone in her back.  Sometimes she will be seen by a chiropractor for an alignment after this and about every other week she finishes with a visit to the house acupuncturist, who might I add, is AMAZING in both demeanor and skill.  Betsy always seems most at ease after her visit the with acupuncturist, and truth be told, Anne has such a soothing presence that even I seem to be bewitched under her calming spell (and she doesn’t even poke me with anything). 

If you’re contemplating getting your pet physical therapy, either for an injury or to lose some weight, I highly recommend seeking out the assistance of Sterling Rehab.  Their staff, Kathy, the head therapist; Nina, her underling; Kevin the college intern, and Anne, the acupuncturist, is truly a delight.  They will put both you and your pet right at ease.  For more information check out there website or feel free to drop me a line.  I will answer any questions to the best of my ability.

Let the healing begin!

The Incredible Edible Egging

Back in February of this year I was dog/house-sitting for a woman who lives in the Savin Hill area of Dorchester; upon approaching her house for the first time this winter (I have, in fact, serviced her and her two beautiful Olde English Bulldogs in both the summer and fall months but never in any temperatures that would allow for snowfall) I noticed that her neighbors all along the (public) street had “reserved” their parking spots with trash bins, laundry baskets, cones, beach chairs, and the like.  Now, as anyone who has lived in Boston knows, this is pretty typical behavior among Bostonians shortly after a snow storm, after which one has shoveled out their parking spot and quite appropriately, wants to bask in or utilize the fruits of their labor for a couple more days.  But as of a couple weeks ago, we had not had any substantial snow fall for some time, and there was but a few paltry piles of snow left on this particular street in Dorchester.

I asked my client what the deal was with regards to the “reserved” spots and she being quite pleasant and reasonable (and with her own private off-street parking spot) acknowledged that it was a bit ridiculous but went on to caution that people get “really upset” if you take their spot.  This was an understatement.

For most of the week I stayed at her house the parking gods smiled upon me and I was able to find empty spots sans reservation markers.  Unfortunately for me, the last night of my stay I decided to go to the gym after work and upon returning to her apartment around 9pm there were but two empty spots left on the street – one was reserved with a trash barrel and the other with a laundry basket.  My strong opinions on social mores and propriety – “how dare you reserve a spot for yourself on a public street?!” – got the better of me and I moved the trash barrel and parked my car in that spot.  Bad idea.  The next morning I woke up to an egged car.  L 

When I reported my misfortune to my client she reasoned that I had been lucky – apparently a few weeks prior to my car’s assault, someone was so incensed that their spot had been taken that they through their trash barrel through the “offender’s” windshield.  Only in Dorchester, man.  Wickid pissah!