Happy Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving there are so many things that I am thankful for.... I am so thankful to be in this business; the past 4 1/2 years have been fantastic. I love our clients (human and canine/feline), you so kindly open your homes to us and often treat us like we are apart of the family. We really love doing this and couldn't imagine ever going back to our "desk jobs".

Thank you to all our clients who make this possible for us. We are so thankful and happy to be apart of your furry ones daily lives. We wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving!

PV dog beach

I snapped a few pictures from our adventure last Saturday at the beach and couldn't resist sharing. This is Maggie, Skipper & Rocky....

The view from the top... Amazing!

After they ran around like kids hyped-up on halloween candy they mellowed out enough to pose for a picture...

I wish there were more off-leash dog beaches closer to us... But this one will certainly do for now. If you want to get involved in helping the South Bay's "dog beach" efforts, check out these sites: www.dogbeachnow.org

and

www.fidonow.com

Exciting News!

page 20 of The Beach Reporter...

Many of you know Penny... She has been a part of the Walk the Dog team since 2008 and I couldn't function on a daily basis without her!

I am so excited for her and Jon. As you can see, they are engaged!

Jon proposed at the Hometown Fair this past weekend

(where they met 13 years ago).

Congratulations Penny & Jon!!!

time for some online shopping?!

Just in case your looking for adorable dog/cat related gifts.... You should check out Splendid Paws. Sadly they are closing shop and blowing out their remaining inventory.

My favorite items are the Giraffe pet bed and the puplight.

Prices are marked down 65% so have a look ASAP.

Look who's turning 10!

This sweetie pie is turning 10 soon!

Can you believe it? I can't!

We started walking him 2 years ago and have loved every minute since.

Kind words make us smile

I received a very sweet email today from Riley's mom.... They were daily dog walking clients of ours for the past 2 years and just recently moved to Colorado. The email was very kind & I just have to share part of it! It said:

"Hi Suzanne, I hope all is well. We miss you so much, you have no idea! Riley is actually doing pretty well at the new house. I am on the search for a new dog walker and so far, no luck. They just don't give me the same vide as you and Penny did that first time I met you."

Thank you for the kind words Maggie! We miss you guys too!

Since no blog post is complete without pictures...

Here are some sweeties that we walked today:

VCA Coast Animal Hospital

I am often asked for veterinarian referrals and I figured it was a LONG overdue posting topic...

Back in 2006 (when I started Walk the Dog), I was working part time at the front desk of the VCA Coast Animal Hospital. It was such a great experience for me. I learned so many valuable medical tidbits about vaccinations and countless other lovely bits that come along with being an animal caregiver (like how to avoid parasites: don't let your dog drink from puddles on the ground)...

This is where I met Dr. Jennifer Kitchen. She is just an amazing person and veterinarian. She cares so much for animals and their well being. She's honest and takes the time to explain those crazy medical terms. I highly recommend her! (p.s. they have a new client promo where your first doctors exam is free.)

Dr. Kitchen recently sent me an email about a dangerous cocoa mulch that is sold at Target... Let me know if you'd like the details and I"ll forward her email to you. I know some of you have pets that will eat anything (see photo above, Maggie ate a hole in the stairs back in 2008- no joke), so this might be helpful info!

Riley...

Look who was staying at my house this past weekend....

As you might be able to tell, Photography is a hobby of mine...

It's so fun to have willing subjects pose for me. Thanks Riley!

Summer Referral Program

Refer a friend to our services (dog walking or pet sitting) and receive a free walk! We really appreciate you always saying kind things about us to your friends and family and want to say THANKS! So when your friend books services with us we will notify you & be sure to credit you with a free visit.

Thanks!

Suzanne & the Walk the Dog Team

a tired dog is a good dog

I must admit, one of the perks of this job is seeing our sweet furry friends happy yet completely exhausted. Occasionally, I'm able to snap a quick shot with my cell phone to document the moment... These are a few of my all time favorites.

Sweet Thurston... Done for the day.

Spike (check out his legs!) too funny....

I couldn't find Dallie & then realized she found a cool place to nap (in the bushes)!

Meet Bently! Tired and happy....

It has been awhile....

I've not blogged very much lately, oops! I just come across these funny pictures and had to share them. This is Rocky & Skipper (in case you don't know already).... They stayed here at my house a while ago and I snapped these in about 30 seconds - here in my office.

Just at the sight of my camera this is what they do. Tails wagging (well, Rocky's tail) - begging poses and funny whimper whines. I just adore these dogs! Looking forward to having them over to my house again in a few weeks!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!

I couldn't resist posting a picture of my beautiful mom...

"All that I am or ever hope to be I owe to my Mother"

-Abraham Lincoln

Mom, thank you for being such an inspiration. Thank you for encouraging & supporting me throughout the years (especially when I wanted to quit my corporate job four years ago to start this business). I've never been happier! I am so thankful that you allowed me to have so many pets so early in life... I know that all of my childhood experiences with Skippy, Strawberry, Chelsea, Sparky, and all my hamsters & fish helped to mold me into the animal lover that I am today....

I am so truly blessed and appreciative that I have been able to have a full time career solely based on my love for animals and their well being.

I love you Mom!

photos taken at my wedding 9.27.08

by my friend & amazing photographer Jen S. Rau

Happy Easter

Happy Easter!

I'm hoping you had a fantastic Easter. Riley was kind enough to pose for me - isn't he hilarious with his crossed paws?!?

a friday funny....

On occasion, really funny things happen during our walks...

This photo was certainly one of them... Ginger grabbed this newspaper and attempted to carry it home. Unfortunately, she didn't get very far....

I'm so glad I could snap a quick pic with my cell phone.

Sweet Beverly

Beverly has been such a joy to walk this week. She is always happy to see us and eager to walk. She reminds me of tigger when she bounces/jumps in the air (silly girl). This dog is a complete joy to be around. It's been lovely taking care of her this week.

Lucy

Gosh, I've been meaning to blog these images for a week now! oops. Over the past couple of weeks my house has been a complete "doggie hotel". We have loved every minute! Lucy stayed with us last weekend, she is such a kind soul and I just adore her...

Happy Birthday Simon

Wish I had a picture to post...

Today is Simon's birthday! Happy Birthday!

Manhattan Beach Dog Park

I'm very excited to pass along the good news....

I just received an email saying that the construction of the Polliwog Park dog run will begin this week! The projected opening date is the beginning of March 2010.

Happy Birthday Jeeves!

Happy Birthday Jeeves!

We love you little guy!

xoxo,

Suzanne & Penny

The randomness of dog walking...

One of the many things I love about this "job" is all the fantastic / crazy / funny things I see everyday. In my former career (visual buyer for a fashion company in downtown LA) my days completely lacked the following "bits of life"...

Most of these pictures are silly cell phone snap shots... But you'll get the idea.

#1 Sunsets! I love being able to see the sunset almost everyday...

#2 Unconditional Love. Riley here loves his belly rubbed and will do some crazy acrobatics to get himself on his back (while wiggling) to get some attention. It's such a highlight of my day to be able to make an animal happy by a simple walk, belly rub or being there for feeding time.

#3 Katie (pictured above - being toweled off after a walk in the rain). She has learned the sound of my car and will RUN to the gate the second she knows I'm there... How sweet is that?

#4 Dogs who appear to be pondering "life" or just checkin out the waves.. Not sure.

(Zero above - picture taken about 2 years ago)

Riley also checkin the surf....

#5 Spike is enjoying a bone that is almost bigger than he is! This picture reminds me how much love there is in the world... (I know I sound totally nuts)

But, my clients LOVE their pets so much! I am so blessed to be apart of their daily lives.

#6 Randomness. Sometimes I witness some crazy things. This day was one of them. This pup decided he wanted to carry his own poop bag. I certainly wouldn't refuse that, right?! I'm not kidding, he actually took it from me... Granted we were 3 steps from the trash (and really he just wanted a treat).. But wow, what a funny moment.