I am in the midst of watching 2 cats that I watch ALL THE TIME.  I know them as well as my own cats.  For the first 3 days Billy was not eating well.  This is a cat who eats like a starving dog.  He actually hisses at me if I don't get the canned food into his bowl fast enough, so when he didn't come running for breakfast I was concerned.  I found a big pile of vomit on the first floor and he was hiding on the 3rd floor.  The owner and I kept in close touch and she wanted me to take him in to the vet after the 3rd day if inappetence.  I made the appointment and went to the house an hour beforehand to ensure that I got him IN the carrier.  He can be quite grumpy!  First I get the carrier and this is what I find.

A giant Halloween spider attached to it.  I have to admit, it startled me.  I then had him cornered in the cat room with the cat door blocked off (so I thought).  He started with his growling and hissing and his behind the water heater.  I left to get a towel to make my life easier and when I got back from the bathroom he was in the kitchen!  Ugh!!!  So The chase began. He ended up under the bed (a king) and was a raving lunatic.  Hissing, swatting, spitting.... he was a nightmare.  Needless to say, I did not make the appointment.  I left the carrier in the kitchen and took off incredible frustrated.  With the appointment rescheduled for the next morning, my afternoon was spent trying to locate the gloves we used at the vet.  I should have them anyway, but now just seemed like prime time to get them.  I called Lowes and they said they had what I needed.  The "Tools Guy" described them exactly.  We went over there later that afternoon, they were the opposite of what I needed!  Ugh again!!  I ended up ordering them online, but they were not going to come in time.

My night was spent preparing for a battle in the morning.  I recruited Terry to come help as I couldn't do it alone the day before.  We walk into the house, Billy greets us at the door and is being super sweet!  We walk into the kitchen and he is rubbing against my ankles. In my head I think, "What the hell? " and I pick him up, put him  into the carrier, and shut the door in ten seconds.  Yeah....

He was good at the vet, nothing terribly wrong.  He got some fluids and a shot of pepcid and we were on our way.  Sigh.... and the $100 gloves are en route to my house.

I don't know if you remember my Shayne Memorial blog a little while ago.  He was the golden who died suddenly leaving me (and his family of course) heartbroken.  They were not ready for a while, but their house soon seemed empty without a dog.  They called me and told me to keep an ear out for a golden/lab type rescue.  Well.... one day on facebook I saw an 8 month old Golden Retriever puppy was at Morris Animal Refuge!  I called them immediately to see if he was still available.  Then I sent out emails, a pic, and called every number I had to get my clients over there ASAP.  Long story short, it worked out and they adopted this energetic kid.  His name is Bailey and he is WONDERFUL!  He loves people, animals, plants, chairs...dirt....   well, he's a puppy!  I'm so happy that they were able to adopt him.  He is a ball of energy and love that hugs (and humps...) and just makes you smile. :)

So I watch 2 cats - Amber and Zoe.  Zoe has some kidney problems and needs subcutaneous fluids.  She was getting them twice a week, then daily, now every other day.  Throughout this time she does her best to hide from me.  Sometimes she just tucks her head under things and she is easy to spot.  Other times... not so much.  Here are the some of the places that I have found her...

Zoe getting her fluids

In the bathroom closet (we still can't figure out how she managed to get up there....

Lower in the closet

Behind the toilet

Under the dresser

 

Today was interesting.  My first visit of the day ended up being tougher than I thought.  It is a house of 2 cats.  I have watched them many, many times.  The one cat takes 3 pills plus a liquid medication.  The other cat isn't on anything.  I went about my business as usual and noticed the "healthy" cat breathing funny.  This was at about 8:30 am, so I called the owners hoping that they were awake. We played a bit of phone tag, realize that this was new, and decided that she should be seen. Of course it is a Sunday and most vets aren't open.  Luckily her vet is her neighbor and she was nice enough to come over with a stethoscope and take a listen to her chest.  Her recommendation was to go to VSEC (thank god they opened another emergency facility right in the neighborhood) and get a chest x-ray.  We were both on the same page, not life or death, but very concerning.  I know this cat well, and she was not herself.  Terry picked us up, we went over to VSEC and they took her in for triage right away.  They brought us back to discuss diagnostics and history.  I started to tell them what I thought was going on, and the vet (who turned out to be a surgical resident) was a bit belittling.  He was trying to get a medical history from a pet sitter.  I told him that it wasn't my cat, and I could only tell him the age and what was going on this morning.  He then insinuated that she could be trying to get a hairball up.  Really??!!  After being in this business since 1998, do you think I would bring a cat to an ER on a Sunday morning if I thought she had a hairball??? Ugh!  He said she was hypersalivating (sign of nausea).  Um, how about the car ride causing that?  I get defensive, I know.  But come on!  So we left her to continue morning rounds so that they could do a work up. 

It turns out that she has severe asthma and that was the odd breathing I saw.  I have seen many asthma attacks, none looked like this.  Apparently her liver values were elevated, her lungs were scarred from said asthma, and she was underweight.  She is now home and stable with her family.  This morning was enough stress to tire me out for the whole day!  I'm so glad I listened to my instincts and took her in.  Much thanks to the vet (who may want to remain nameless) for helping out as well and coming to the house on her day off to listen to a cat chest.

17 days with these faces (three times a day)  Their dad comes home tonight.  I got so used to seeing them everyday!  So many walks, so much barking!  They tried to eat a dead rat, a can of sardines, peanut shells.... this kids are starving all the time!  I'll miss them!

Last week it was FREEZING.  Temperatures were under 20 degrees in the mornings, and I had to visit my love of a cat (and her grandmother) on Broad St. everyday.  Some days I walked, some days I took the bus.  The cat is doing great, one by one getting off  of all medications.  Her gradmother however needed assistance with ear drops.  One morning I came in and she said,  "You have TWO cats today in this building."  I have another client in the building that I am starting on February 1st, so at first I tried to figure out how she knew.  I told her, "No, that's not for over a week."  She replied, "No, me! " I love her so much, she is like my family at this point.  After the cat got her food and medication, her grandmother got her ear drops. :) I will not add treating people to my resume though.

On my way home that Thursday, I walked down Lombard and passed by Morris Animal Refuge.  They are closed on Thursdays, but I see a box out front.  People will leave donations of food, newspapers, litter, etc, so at first I didn't think much of it.  Then I see that there are holes in the box.  My first thought is that there is something alive in there, and I hope it is still alive because it is about 10 degrees out.  I knelt down to peer into the box slowly, repeating "please be alive, please be alive" and I see eyes.  Some asshole left 2 kittens in a cardboard box in the dead of winter!  And the shelter was closed that day!

I scooped them up, hailed a cab, and took them home. My cab driver asked about the box, I told him what happened, and in a thick accent he asked if I believed in a God.  I told him that I did.  He said that God make these cats for a reason and he loves them.  The fact that I saved them makes God smile and good things will come to me.  Then we discussed how horrible people are and questioned how anyone could do this.

When we got home, they were visibly shaken and traumatized, but very sweet.  Two boys, about 8-9 weeks old and freezing.  I kept them in my spare bathroom, took them to get checked out the next day, and an old co-worker at the vet fell in love with them and adopted them!  This story couldn't have had a better ending.

Boy are they bonded

Today we lost a wonderful dog unexpectedly to lymphoma :(   Shayne was a sweetheart, not a mean bone in his body.  He had a yorkie girlfriend down the street, loved to meet cats through windows, and would do anything for a belly rub. 

I feel so lucky to have gained him as a client.  Not only was he a pleasure, but his owners are amazing as well!!  I know they are grieving more than I am, as he was their child, but I will miss him terribly!  R.I.P Shayne, you were a woolly love.  I will miss you so much!

 He enjoyed dancing, biscuits, belly rubs, animals in windows, small dogs, cats, leading me home when he was done walking, slobbering, sleeping on the bathroom tile, keeping his dad company when he worked from home, visiting with his grandmother, and hugs.

My butt is purple.  I will explain why my butt is purple.  I was doing an overnight on Saturday and a regular house that I have been to MANY times.  I had to go to the bathroom, so I headed downstairs.  I somehow slipped or lost my footing and slid (thumped really) down the entire flight of hardwood steps.  I took down 2 picture frames with me.  Now, I am a self admitted klutz who has done this before, but not since December 2010.  (Yes I keep track)  Poor dog didn't understand what was happening and seemed truly empathetic. 

Although my bruise has made it tough to do my normal activities, it has been turning into a deeper and more beautiful purple every day.  I was advised not to post a pic of this, but I feel I have to.  It's reality and it is what can happen on the job.  The ironic part is that a houseguest at the same house fell down those stairs only 2 days after I did!  Coincidence? Ghost that likes to push?

This is Shayne.  He decides when he wants to go home and grabs his leash to take me there.  Sweetest dog - won't leave the house without a good belly scratch

In attempts to give poor Terry a rest, I tackled the day all alone.  It wasn't crazy, about 15 stops.  Nothing exciting happened really, so I figured I'd just share some cute videos that I have been taking lately :)

This is Henry.  He is a huge cat who loves to hug.  He also has a huge tongue that he laps up water with

This is Sully who has fallen in love with his new catnip pepper

Yesterday was a hell of a morning.  It was the second day of the new year... coming off of a full moon.... I should have expected chaos.  I was cat sitting at a house since the weekend.  I was hearing odd beeps after turning off the house alarm.  I got in touch with the owner and tried to figure out where it was coming from.  It look me a few days to narrow it down.  It was not the house alarm, nor was it the carbon monoxide detector. It was the smoke alarm.  When I figured that out, I told the owner and she asked if I could replace the battery.  The last visit I was making was yesterday morning.  I had my trusty assistant with me to help out with my morning stuff.  We found the smoke alarm in question and tried to remove it to open it up and at least take the battery out.  I had visions of that friends episode where Phoebe breaks her smoke detector....

Well, we couldn't remove it, but we hit the reset button.  Then the house alarm starts going off!  I fly down the stairs and see on the screen that it says FIRE on the alarm system! NO!!!  I hit the code a few times and it seems to clear.  Then I hear a phone ringing.  I can't find the phone and I figure it's the alarm company.  I finally realize it is coming from the basement so I fly down THOSE steps to find the fax machine and a fax coming through. I get a text from the owner saying the alarm company called her (it was 6am where she was) to ask her about this "fire" and could I deal with it.  I assumed it was dealt with, until Terry says, "Do I hear sirens?"  Fuuucckkkkk!!!!  I open the door and see a fire truck at the end of her tiny street (sirens and all) with 3-4 firemen fully suited, briskly walking down the street.  I take off running down the street telling them that there is no fire, it was just the alarm malfunctioning.  They told me that they still had to check, it was protocol.

I breathe a heavy sigh and with my head hung low I walk them back to their house all the while telling neighbors that everything is fine.  They come in, see that there is no fire, tell me that the alarm is hard-wired to the smoke alarm and there is no battery.  Then they start pointing out other things int eh house that need to be tightened and fixed.  I kept telling them it was not my house, I was only pet sitting, I was terribly sorry that they had to come out, and was she going to get charged for this???   Ugh...  Needless to say I went home and shut down for a bit.  Too much excitement for 9 am

What a LONG holiday!!!  I have to say that I have the best clients.  They really took care of me and I so appreciate it.  I had about a week straight with 20-30+ visits per day.  The business was great, the bad part was that I got sick the day before Christmas.  So I was working and sleeping, hopped up on Advil cold and sinus.  This was definitely a challenge this year, thank god it is winding down a bit.  I need a break, or a vacation.  Some time where I can sit quietly with no responsibilities. Ha!  I don't even know what that is like anymore. 

Perhaps the end of the world really is coming tomorrow, otherwise how can we explain what  crap day this was?!  Seems that everyone is having a hell of a day today. Mine started out at 7:45 am with a phone call from a client who's dogs (2 out of 3) ate Hershey's Kisses that were left on the couch.  I was up, but still in bed.  He was in a panic and I felt I had to go over there to induce vomiting.  I roll out of bed, throw clothes on, brush my teeth and head out.  My peroxide was expired, so I stopped at the corner store to grab a new bottle ($1.39, how reasonable!) In my zombie state I get to his house in record time, meet his boyfriend (the candy culprit) and head out back with the dogs to give them peroxide in hopes that they will vomit up the chocolate. No such luck.  It was a big waiting game with no end result. 

In the midst of awaiting regurgitation, I get a text from another client with a dog who has been vomiting on and off since yesterday.  She asked if I would take him to the vet today since the vomiting started again.  I told her yes, but I had to wait until these dogs threw up first.  I called the vet to reschedule her appointment and see if I should bring in the 2 chocolate mongers. Turns out that they did not eat enough for it to be toxic, but enough for there to be vomiting and/or diarrhea.  Fun times.  I wait with them until a little after 9 to see if anything came up or out.  It didn't, so I put them in the crate, met up with Terry, gave fluids to a cat and went to get the other dog to take him to the vet.  We were there for over an hour making sure he wasn't obstructed since he was supposed to be traveling to Florida today. After x-rays, fluids, and an anti-nausea shot, he was still lackluster.  Poor kid. 

By this time it's lunch and we have 8 more places to go, plus check on the chocolate dogs again.  The city was full of traffic, road closures, no turn signals, and bad drivers.  I still have round 3 to feed/give insulin to tonight.  If this was the last day on Earth, I'm thoroughly disappointed. 

So this was a story from a summer event that I never touched upon.  It was horrible, yet quite humorous at the same time.  I was watching animals near South St. They are in cages (thank god) so they were not in any harm.  Seemed that in the wee hours of the morning, a man attempted to break into the house from the 2nd floor.  He used the patio furniture to break the kitchen window, the alarm went off, and then he retreated.  When the police came, they found the guy passed out on the roof of the neighbors house.  He claimed that this was his hotel (so he thought) and he couldn't get in....  Apparently he was a well-to-do man with a nice haircut, however not the brightest guy in the world.  There was quite a bit of effort on his part with climbing and furniture moving, etc.  Then he was stupid enough to just fall asleep.  Luckily nothing was stolen, no one was harmed, and the damage was minimal.  Just crazy adult drunken fun...

It's funny that I am noticing how certain pets seem to have S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder)  One in particular (my Stan man) seems so down  in the dumps on gloomy, rainy days.  He flops, he grumbles to himself, growls a lot, and goes out to pee at the closest tree before dragging me home.  I don't know what to do for him except remain upbeat and give him treats to make him smile.  Post treat, I still get the exasperated face, heavy sigh, and a flop on his bed.

Ok, so this isn't really a pet sitting adventure, but more of a pet store adventure.  Last week we were at Petsmart in South Philly getting some fish.  While we were there, they announced the puppy school graduation over the loud speaker. Next thing we know, they are playing the commencement music throughout the store.  The one fish guy commented that once a lady started crying when she heard this.  I can understand that, this song evokes all kinds of emotion!

I was doing fine until I saw the 2 graduating puppies (1 tiny black poodle and a small pit puppy who was smiling from ear to ear)  Their owners walked them around the store to the commencement music while everyone else in the class stood around them cheering with their own puppies.  I was holding back tears it was so emotional!!!  You may laugh, but I dare you to go to one of these things and not get choked up. 

What a busy holiday season thus far!  Where to begin.....

First, I had to say goodbye to 2 awesome dogs (and awesome neighbors).  They are having a baby and moving to the burbs (I lose so many clients this way! :(  )  Their move kept getting pushed back, so I just kept saying goodbye to the dogs every week.  Sigh... they surely entertained me during the time that I had them twice a week.  Most recently the beagle had to have surgery on her leg and was in a crate during the day to restrict her activity.  90% of the time she was very good about it, but certain days she was very stubborn.

Wasn't it bad enough that her butt was shaved and she had to wear an e-collar?!  Then  I had to get her in the crate?! Such meanies we are :)  She would jump on the couch and look at me with defiance in her eyes.  I would tell her to go in the crate and she wouldn't budge.  I would nudge her and she would glare.  One day I sat down next to her on the couch and took my phone out.  I said to her, "Fine, I'm just going to call your mother and tell her that you won't go in your crate." As soon as I started to dial, she jumped off the couch and flew into her crate.  Too smart for her own good! :) 

So Saturday I had to go to Society Hill Towers.  The West Tower to get a key, and then the North Tower to feed cats.  I arrive at the North Tower and see this, a fire truck.  Awesome.

I go in, find out that they have not given the all clear yet, so the elevators are out.  My client lives on the 18th floor.  So I wait.  I wait with all of the older folks in the lobby for security to tell us we can go back upstairs.  First there was one older couple who were sitting and talking. They got a call on their cell from a friend in the building (Frank) who was watching them from his apartment on the monitor channel.  They were waiving at the camera getting a kick out of it.  Then another couple showed up, they were friends with the first ones.  Same phone call, waiving at Frank again, etc...

It was taking longer and longer, so I asked security of I could walk up.  He asked what floor.  I said, "Eighteen..."  He said, "Are you sure?"   I have no patience to wait, so I said I was.  I began my journey up to the 18th floor on foot.  It took less time than I thought, however I was panting, cursing, and out of breath by the time I got up there.  I sat down at the top, and no sooner heard the announcement over the loud speaker that it was a faulty smoke head and we have the all clear for the elevators. Fuuucckk!

Well, at least I know if I have to walk up for the 18th floor, I can. Good cardio, good sweat.  Those dace classes are playing off.

Bitch of Bella Vista struck again!  This woman infuriates me!  So we had a lovely dinner last night and post dinner I had a dog walk.  We also had to stop by 7-11, so we grabbed the dog and walked him all the way over to 11th and Washington.  It was a Sunday at about 8:30 ish... I'm shocked at what I saw while walking.  I thought I would show Mike the street where the bitch lived and where the dog pooped.  (Nothing like a walking tour of bathroom habits)  Mind you, I was walking a different dog last night.  We head down the street, I point out the poop spot (unanimously declared city property) and the house that she lived in.  I elaborately told the story. 

He is starting to believe me because the last time we walked this dog together, ANOTHER bitchy woman came out of her house with her husband and kids following giving me a hard time about the dog peeing on the tree in front of her house.  She claims that she is going to put a sign out there.  There were no plants, no shrubs, no gnomes... just a tree and dirt within the sidewalk.  Once again I had to explain that "It's a dog, they pee on trees..."  That never goes over well with animal haters.  I will pose this challenge to them.  Try to move a 90+ lb dog in mid stream/poop because the people who live across the street have a problem with it.  It is not only rude to the dog, but it cannot be done easily.  Next time I will use the human analogy.  If you finally found a toilet and REALLY had to go, even started going, and someone pulled you off of it saying, "No!  Not this toilet!  Find another one!" you would be quite upset and possibly get a bladder infection. 

I digress... so we go to our errand.  This dog and I are waiting on the corner for Mike to come out of the store.  He is sitting nicely, listening to my every word, and I look up to see a (hooker?) walking with a young kid.  She is wearing slip on sandals with socks, black capri tights that have sheer wavy parts all the way up to the hip, black lace bra, tiny tank top shredded in the back, and a big bag.  She is stumbling through the CVS parking lot laughing, holding on to this kids arm so as not to fall.  Oy. A mess. 

We start to head back to the dogs house, via The Bitch's street.  I wasn't thinking anything of it, until we passed her house and I heard a door open when we got about 10 ft away.  Instinctively I turned around and saw her hanging out her door watching us!  I assume it was to see if the dog would poop, which he didn't. (Damn!)  She hung out there, literally, and watched us the whole way down the street!  She did not go back inside until we turned the corner onto 10th st!  Really?? Nothing better to do at 8:30 on a Sunday night but protect your street from dog feces??? 

What a weird day!  Terry was helping me out with all of my animal duties.  3 visits were cancelled last minute today, so we had a little time to kill.  I got to pick up a package from the post office at 9th and Dickenson (so out of the way!) and then I suggested that we go to visit the aquarium store at 7th and Morris.  Terry had never been there, and it is worth a trip.  Amazing fish, well kept, healthy, and a sweet cat that guards the door. :)  We get our fill of fish, and then get in the car.  We get a few blocks north and I see a rottweiler wandering on 7th St. She stopped the car and we looked around for a human to go along with the dog.  I didn't see one.  They were doing construction right next to her, so I asked one of the workers if the dog lived there.  They said they never saw the dog before.  So here is what is strange.  We were at 7th and Reed, there are tons of people walking around seeing an adult Rottweiler walking around the neighborhood, and no one cares.  No one knew who the dog was or where it lived.  She was super friendly and seemed to have a UTI.  I called QVAH to see if anyone reported a missing Rott, they hadn't.  I called animal control and waited on hold forever.  While on hold we started following the dog to make sure she didn't get hit by a car or wander too far away. I tried to give her some treats I had and some water from a bottle.  She decided that it was better to lick up feces with whole corn in it.  Yeah.....

 Another guy walked by and I asked him if he knew the dog.  This was about the 6th or 7th person we asked.  He said, "Oh yeah, it lives down that street by the second pole.  Lives with the Mexicans." This neighborhood is ALL Asian and Mexican it seems.  So we follow the dog down the street and she stops at this dilapidated old house with a wood door that is falling apart.  She starts sniffing the door, so I knock.  I hear kids screaming, and then a lady yells, "What? Who is there?" I ask if she lost her dog.  She comes to the door looking like she is about to give birth, and says, "Oh yeah."  The dog goes inside and she is just staring at us.  We tell her that the dog was wandering around at 7th and Reed, no collar, and seems to have a UTI.  I advised her to take the dog to a vet. She just nodded and smiled, didn't seem thankful at all... didn't notice that her 90lb dog was not in her house!  Ugh, I"m happy the dog is home, I just wish it was a better home. What an ordeal!

Me on hold offering water

I'm a little behind with some of these, but I have been saving them up! Here we go.

As a rule, workmen and pets never work.  They always do something like let them out, leave doors open, leave chemicals out, etc.  There is a house that has been having a ton of work done lately and most recently the steps were supposed to be refinished.  As you may know, no one can walk on the stairs after they are stained.  This poses a problem when you have a cat.  I was told to put the cat in the upstairs bedroom with all of his stuff (food, litter, etc)   I did it, showed the contractors, and was on my way.  When I came back the next day (when they said it was safe to use the stairs), the door was open and there was no cat.  No note, no warning.  He is an indoor/outdoor cat, but everything was exactly where I put it the day before.  I look for the cat EVERYWHERE.  I can't find him.  I go out back and stand on chairs looking around for him, calling his name.  Still no response.  After about an hour and countless mosquito bites, I go back outside 1 more time.  I see him sleeping on the neighbors roof right behind the wall.  He is completely camouflaged!

 

He is also dead asleep. Given the fact that he is 16 years old, his hearing isn't so great either.  I didn't know how to wake him up and get him to eat.  I just started picking up handfuls of his dry food and tossing it on him hoping to get him to stir.  Nothing!!  What will it take to wake this cat up?!  I go down to the kitchen and stand at the door while opening a can of fancy feast.  He wakes right up, stretches, and comes over to eat breakfast like nothing was ever wrong.  Little did he know, he nearly gave me a heart attack.

What a busy weekend!  I was running around like a crazy person this morning because everyone had morning visits (including 2 diabetic cats)  In the midst of my first cat visit, I received a text from a dog neighbor that they were stuck out of state and they needed me to let the kids out.  I obliged because I love them (the guys and the dogs), but it added one more morning visit! Grr... I did however get showered with shih tzu kisses which made my morning from this face

So I continue on with all of my morning activities and I get another last minute dog walk text.  The instructions were to come whenever, so at least it was flexible.  It is a dog on Elfreths Alley.  The only downside of taking a dog out for a walk there is all of the tourists that watch you and ask, "So what's it like to live here?!"   So the rambunctious shepherd and I go for a walk, the destination being Bone Jour for a treat.  We make it over there and there is a handsome, big headed black and white dog in there already.  My dog is super jumpy as it is, and it's a small store.  I went in, and then tried to back up towards the door to give them room to sniff.  I stepped back with my left foot right into the water bowl, and then the dog did the same thing.  Nothing like a big fluffy tail in a water bowl wagging on your pants.  I decided we were being too destructive and that we should go back home.  While walking down the street I realized that the back of my pants are wet from the butt down due to her wet waggy tail.  Great, she is happy and I look like I peed all over myself in Old City on a Sunday afternoon.  Yeah... that was my day...