Lydia's Journal

Do you celebrate your pets birthday?

2012-01-20T18:22:37Z

So today is Blogging Bob's birthday and Sunday is baby Smudge's 1st birthday. I just spent an hour at the pet store deciding what to buy them for their special days.

Funny how I found myself asking the same questions I ask when I buy for my human kids. How long will this toy last, did I get them enough things, and my favorite question....do I need to buy their siblings something (the other pets in the house) so nobody is jealous.

So after I picked out a few toys and bones for each, I went and picked up some fresh baked doggie muffins (http://www.doggiepantry.com/). Another question...am I a bad mom because I bought "the cake" instead of making it from scratch.

This whole scenario made me start thinking about how I have always celebrated my pets birthdays as much as I do our 2 legged children, but does everyone else do that? I think I know the answer, but still curious.

So if u celebrate your pets birthday, I'd love to hear how you celebrate. So make a comment and tell me how.

Thanksgiving Giving

2011-11-27T14:55:07Z

I was at PetSmart the other day buying food and treats for my crew and as I was checking out the cashier asked me if I wanted to give a donation. Now I say yes from time to time, but a lot of times I say no too because, well let's be honest it gets expensive if we gave every time somebody asked us for a donation. But on this particular occasion I said yes (it is Thanksgiving after all and animals need help at the holidays too). The cashier was very excited and said he had been asking people all day and I was the first to say yes. I was actually kind of surprised by that considering the time of year, but times are tough every where so I am certainly not judging. He then asked me how much I would like to give and handed me this little tented post card that had dollar amounts and what that dollar amount would go for. I liked that! Usually they just ask you how much, but this sign help me really understand what my money could buy.

I ended up giving $20 because that amount paid for medical procedures that normally couldn't happen. Honestly, I probably would have given less but the way that sign was worded really struck a cord in me. Good for you PetSmart for taking the extra time to make up those placards.

So on to the moral of the story. This holiday season give a little something to the animals. Any amount will do. Or how about some old blankets, toys or collars. Lots of rescues are desperate for anything and everything.

Oh and that cashier at PetSmart, he was so excited I gave $20, he announced it loud and clear. You know what the lady behind me in line gave something too.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Dog Swims

2011-09-10T03:57:54Z

I'm originally from CA so the pools there are open all year round, but as you know here in VA and all over the East Coast most outdoor pools shut down and are drained after Labor Day every year.

Whereas it is a bummer that we don't have the beautiful weather to allow our pools to be open all year round, closing the pools allows for fabulous events to happen at pools all around the area prior to being drained....Dog Swims!

You heard me, Dog Swims! The pools go to the dogs for one day after they are closed to the public but prior to draining. One of these swims will be happening tomorrow, Saturday September 10th from 9am-2pm at the AV Symington Aquatic Center at Ida Lee Park in Leesburg. Last year this event attracted about 400 dogs and was a whole lot of fun.

This Dog Swim has an admission fee (some don't), but all the proceeds go to Leesburg Dogs, a 501c3 that supports the Leesburg Dog Park. Admission is $5 a dog and only 2 dogs allowed per person.

So if you and your pup are looking for something to do tomorrow come out and say hello.

Beautiful Day

2011-07-09T15:32:05Z

Today is going to be a beautiful day, a great day to enjoy the great outdoors with your dog. How about taking your pup for a nice walk or hike, how about a dip in a pond or even a quiet picnic with a round of fetch. Even just a ride in the car or a trip to the pet store will make for a happy dog and owner. Whatever your plans are don't forget to do something wonderful with your pet!

Viva Vienna

2011-05-29T11:21:38Z

Today and tomorrow we will have a booth at Viva Vienna. If you have never been to this festival, it is a must go too. Basically, the town of Vienna (or all of Church Street) shuts down to over 300 vendors, food trucks, and activities/rides for the kids.

This is our 3rd year with a booth at Viva Vienna and we always have a great time. There is always a lot of dogs to see and pet. Every breed from the popular Golden Retrievers and Labs to the more obscure Great Danes are represented.

This year we are particularly excited because we will be unveiling our new logo and booth. We will also be having a drawing for $100 in free services, so come out and visit our booth and say hi.

What does a dog walker wear?

2011-05-22T15:21:32Z

So this being the week before Memorial Day weekend, things are always a little crazy and busy in the dog walking business. We all are getting up very early so we can get to all the animals by a reasonable hour.

This morning I had three visits I needed to do before 8am and of course they were all at opposite ends of the world. I always laugh because when Pat and I interview dog walkers we half joking say to them, "in the mornings you'll probably do your walks in your PJ's". This morning that comment was no joke. I had to chuckle to myself as I drove around Loudoun County this morning taking dogs out while still in my pajamas. Sometimes those extra few minutes of sleep before a busy morning makes all the difference. Thank goodness the dogs don't care.

Daisy and Bob's Blog

2011-05-20T21:21:01Z

We are so excited around here. Everything And The Dog's blog also known a Daisy and Bob's Blog was just voted by the readers of Northern Virginia Magazine as Best Blog.

If you haven't read the blog go to blog.everythingandthedog.com or follow the link on this page. You won't be disappointed.

Thank you to all of our wonderful clients, staff, friends an followers for helping us achieve this honor.

Scooby Wrap Up

2011-05-18T16:37:34Z

Since I got back from Scooby I have been meaning to write a wrap up about my trip, but of course I haven't had much time because I have been back to the day to day operations of Everything and The Dog.

I will tell you I have been in contact with all the new owners of the four Galgos we brought back. I was even lucky enough to get to see Evelyn(now Amy Pond) at a Greyhound event this past weekend.

Here is some pics of me with them all at Scooby then Amy on her new chair and Lady and Copito in my backyard before meeting their new owners.

Is that a bull?

2011-05-05T18:37:12Z

So I decided to go out and spend some more time with the farm animals. The volunteers from England left today so I thought I'd take some left over veggies they left behind out to the pigs.

I took a different way out to the pasture today and as I rounded the corner I came across a pen I hadn't seen the other day. Holy crud there was 2 bulls and a goat with a broken leg in there (I know, huh?). I had heard about the bulls and this special goat so I was excited to see them. Of course I took photos, but left quickly because one of the bulls started towards me and I have to tell you the fences at Scooby just don't give me confidence that a bull can be contained by them.

I did get out to the pigs and fed them some veggies. They loved the cucumbers and lettuce and tomatoes, but weren't big fans of the red bell peppers. I guess pigs don't eat everything even the rescue pigs at Scooby Medina.

The Cats

2011-05-03T17:03:09Z

So I have talked a lot about the dogs here at Scooby, but there is also about 100 cats here as well that need homes. Some of them are out in the cat houses including 8 week old kittens that one of the workers hand raised. There are also lots of cats just hanging around the property.

My favorite is Tony, pictured here sitting in a box while I make dog food. Gorda is also very sweet, but Fermin who started Scooby now owns her.

So many of these cats are sweet and social, it is so hard not to want to bring them all home.

The good news about the cats is that Scooby has plenty of cat food.