My old web site needs a lot of work. I am still quite heartbroken at the loss of my Westleigh in 2007 so I need to figure out what to do with his old pages and photos. Thelmalou is also older and while Buckwheat is a bit grayer around the muzzle, he still enjoys being a profession petsitting canine companion. Lucky Pets Facebook is pretty fun and I keep some good photo albums of most of my new and old clients. Buckwheat and I are busy walking dogs every day and working on photos for the 2011 Buckwheat's & Friends calendar.

What sets me apart from most pet sitters is my rescue background. Ten years in dog rescue makes one a bit smarter about many common health issues many pet owners may not recognize in their pets. I didn't think my research and knowledge about Tick Borne Illnesses would affect my petsitting business until recently. This past spring, I found a suspicious bite wound under my Bulldog client Spike's arm pit. Spike lives 10 minutes from me in Wood Dale, IL but deer do frequent the yard. I've seen enough infected tick bite wounds the past few years with the dog rescue and let his owner know that we should think about testing him in a few months. As it turned out at about the two month mark after the bite, Spike started to act symptomatic, lethargic, and sleeping A LOT. He didn't greet me at the door anymore which was not typical for him. With my help, his owner was referred to the IBR vet and indeed he had a low starting titer for Lyme disease at 1:400. It was a struggle for a while, but he is doing so much better now that he got on antibiotics. He is so special and we are so relieved!!! Spike's owner had used a Frontline spray on him, but there are no guarantees any flea and tick preventative will work, and the bite was so hidden, it's possible the spray missed that section of his body.

Spike in 2009

Spike and Buckwheat at the IBR Garage Sale 2010, just before his Lyme diagnosis

I also have a great nutritional and behavioral background because when you work with extreme cases of abuse and neglected pets, you develop common sense tools to help the every day pet owner. Sandy the Beagle lost TEN pounds when her owner took my advise and got her on a raw based diet. Sometimes my exhuberance about some of my helpful ideas can be a bit overwhelming for the newbie petsitting client--but those with an open mind seem to be benefitting. I will let you know my opinions about poor quality pet food!

I have fostered over 100 dogs since IBR started saving dogs and have hospiced a few heart breakers including my sweet Wally.

With my Dog Agilty background, I do promote positive pet training methods. I only use food and praise for rewards and I use the Mendota leashes exclusively with my clients.

The Mendota Big Dog Walker is the ideal way to humanely take your pet for an outing. For years, Illinois Birddog Rescue has been providing the 6 foot leash with every adoption. Now we have them available in 10 foot lengths for even easier walking or running with your pet. In the modified half hitch position, your dog will not strain with anything around their neck. As a rescue and leader in dog training, we feel the Dog Walker is a kinder method of walking your dog rather than the cruel pinch or choker collar methods. Also because it is not attached to the collar, there is no danger of the collar slipping over your dog�s head.

Download the flyer for more details and ordering information. Quantities are limited.

Sandy-fit and trim!

Sandy, Cosmo and Gizmo on a walkie.