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Scottsdale, AZ
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Encouraging Update On The Sampson The Missing Golden Retriever
You might have remembered that Sampson has been missing for almost a month now. I just received a new update from the head of the rescue and it is very promising. They have brought in professional trackers, night cameras, volunteers have been searching every day, signs are posted everywhere and now this:
Hi, Bella
We got another photo…from a distance and behind but there is no doubt that it is the tail of a golden. About 5 PM last night near a spot where we suspect he has a water source. We are again repositioning cameras and consulting with our tracker. It is important that people avoid walking through the area around 60th and E. Indian Bend. All that will do is add more human scents to the area which is the exact opposite of what the professionals have told us to do. Even we have restricted ourselves to just the one volunteer who is going to tend to the cameras and the tracker.
He seems to be moving fine… the little brat!
I attached the blow up I made from the photo.
Bob
SEE SAMPSONS FULL STORY HERE:
http://bellashouseandpets.com/lost-golden-retriever-in-paradise-valley-scottsdale/
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7 Things I Bet You Didn’t Know About Your Scottsdale Pet Sitter!
1 – We Really Do Care. It isn’t just a front. We care so much about your pets that we really do worry about them when you are away. When we have those crazy wind storms, the first thing I am thinking about is “Who has a doggy door and is the gate secure?” Or if they have the slightest limp “Oh no! Is this new? Does Mom or Dad know about this? Should I call them on their trip?”
2 – We Really Do This 24/7 Appreciation of your pet sitter goes a long way. While many get to go into work at 9am and home at 6pm Bella’s House & Pet Sitting staff is working 24/7. They are bopping in and out of clients homes all day and then sleeping with pets, sometimes on their heads, and then back up in the morning to do it again. Your appreciation never goes unnoticed and even if there is no “thank you” “You did a great job” a tip for your sitter, or review written; it is water off our backs as we do it again and again for our clients because those wagging tails mean the world to us!
Cow Dreamz Photography
3 – Sometimes We Smell. No seriously. We do sometimes. After you are crawling under a bed to get a cat, followed by getting splashed pool water on by two soaking wet labs who are too happy from jumping in the water, grabbing the ball, then shaking their fur on you… then to walking the poodle in 88 degrees and slightly sweating… sometimes we smell. To the human nose it is gross. To our four legged client – they love it. So next if you get a whiff at a consultation that seems a little “off” know that it is spot on to your pets! 
4 – We Actually Like to Relax at Night! So the last thing we enjoy is getting drunk texts from clients having a good time in Vegas on Memorial Day weekend when it is 1:30 am and we have to get up at 5:30. Be respectful of our time This also goes for all those last minute “Hey don’t forget about this or that” and (two days before your trip) “Will you be our pet sitter again?” Call Bella! She is alllllways there and by the phone waiting for YOU! 
Also… we take so much pride in the service we provide you, and are big people pleasers, that if we let a text or voice mail go longer than 5 minutes we feel horrible! But hey, our hands were most likely full of leashes and litter boxes at the time and as pet sitters, we are focusing on the pets not the phone!
5 – We Really Do Make A Living Off Of This! Why is this important to you? Well…. we certainty are not going to do anything to jip you or your pet. So having the guards at the gate time us, having us text you at the beginning and end of visits, and/or checking the exact minute we turn off and on your house alarm are all great ways to really add stress to our days. Understand that your pets are our #1 priority and we seriously love them as our own. Sometimes Bella has had to talk us OUT of stealing pets because we fall in love so hard. So if you don’t trust us, we might not be the company for you because Bella tries to keep our stress level at a minimum. Good thing there is pet therapy at each stop! Ha!
6 – Your House Is Not A Resort To Us. So as lovely as your house is, we probably will not be swimming in your pool, using your amenities or sunning ourselves in your back yard. We bring all our own food, sometimes our own sheets and by the time we get there for an overnight we are ready to collapse, after taking care of your pet of course So although we appreciate the offer, it isn’t a vacation for us to stay at your home and there is no discount no matter how beautiful your home is. We are still away from our own family, pets, and bed. …. but trust me – we love every minute that your pet cuddles with us, gives us kisses, or that look in his eye when we know he is saying “thank you for not letting me sleep alone at night” That is why we do what we do.
7 - Scheduling Online Is a Big Deal! Remember I said that we get paid to worry for you? Yeah, well, imagine if you had 20 calls a day all asking to schedule services. You were in the car, you were walking dogs, you were scooping litter, making dinner, etc. And then after you entered it and sent a confirmation, they ask to modify it? It would be a nightmare AND we are always so scared of missing visits. Leaving it on our voice mail doesn’t work either. Remember what I said about wanting to get back to you asap and being people pleasers? If you do your part by booking online, we will do our part by approving your booking and sending you a detailed invoice in your box that is sure to be accurate because it came straight from the horses mouth! LOL, ok so you are not a horse and it came from your fingers typing it
So were those 7 things that you didn’t already know? We love love love you guys! Working with us as a partner or “co-parenting” (if you will) of your baby is really important to us! What are your observations? What would you tell people about us that isn’t easily noticed?
Easy Dog Treat Recipe You Can Make At Home:
Here is Jessica, one of our awesome pet sitters. She is doing this for her pets and thought she would share!
Jessica
I’m busy making cookie, for my dogs.
Have you ever faced the excruciating decision of picking dog treats? It seems like there are millions. But which would your doggie like the best? Organic, crunchy, soft, healthy, peanut butter, so many choices! Have no fear, there is an easy solution to this issue; homemade doggie cookies. This recipe is a base and can be altered based off your (aka your dog’s) preferences.
- 1 ½ cups of flour ( can be whole wheat, white or any gluten free flour your vet has approved)
- 1 cup of water
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons of peanut butter
Mix this in a bowl. Place on a parchment paper covered cookie sheet and bake at 350 until an inserted fork comes out clean.
Here are the variations
- Milk can be used rather than water, but the cookies will spoil within 3 days rather than 1 week with water
- Use any brand peanut butter you would like. I prefer natural peanut butter.
- I like to bake these cookies in a thin sheet then cut them into 1 inch squares for training treats, they can also be baked in molds or as drop cookies
Now the fun part! Cookie add-ins:
- I add some torn up broccoli florets to mine so my babies eat their veggies, any veggie( cut into tiny pieces will work) however run this by your vet and get a list of pet friendly veggies
- Shredded Cheese can also be added for your cheese-head dog
- For some breath freshening, add in some mint
- This is a basic dog treat recipe so any food approved by your vet can easily be baked in
Feel free to add icing to your cookies for a special holiday(or everyday) treat
I combine 2 tablespoons of softened peanut butter to 2 tablespoons of cream cheese and whip until it gets to the consistency you would like
Just remember that any baked good will spoil. Any cookie with dairy in it will spoil faster than one without dairy. Keep an eye on your cookies to make sure there is no mold or funny smell in order to keep your pets safe!
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The Fall Out When Pet Sitters Miss A Pet Sit…
The paragraph below is an actual statement from a pet sitter in another state.
I am so beyond upset right now. I made the biggest mistake I’ve ever made in my entire career and I feel sick. I had an old client schedule visits with me but didn’t do it through the system (my fault because I didn’t make her) and I was supposed to take care of her cat Thursday through yesterday and I completely forgot. I didn’t show up once! I feel so embarrassed and sick to my stomach that I could have let this happen. I have no idea what to do. Obviously she kept her check and I apologized, asked her how I can make it up to her and offered to give her her key back as I totally understand if her faith in my services is gone. Thank GOD it wasn’t too long of a trip but it doesn’t matter. I really just don’t know what to do with myself right now
How can this happen and how can pet sitters everywhere prevent this from happening to them?
- If the staff member is not by a computer or within reach of a pen and paper they might not be able to jot down the request and then fail to remember to do so at a later time.
- They may jot down the information and then lose it before they can assign the request to another pet sitter.
- The staff members may not properly relay the appointment information to other staff members so that the clients’ service times get assigned to a sitter and on their daily calendar. Clients may want to schedule an appointment but they can’t reach a staff member on the phone at that time.
- The system allows clients to enter dates and times of services requested and then stores them for review for Bella who approves each request and assigns the appointments to a particular pet sitter.
- Each pet sitter uses the online scheduler to review their daily sitting appointments and can also access client notes and specific information on each pet.
- Schedules are emailed nightly to all pet sitters for the next day AND two days after. There is no reason why staff doesn’t know their schedules.
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Why Do Our Office & Bosses Make Being A Pet Sitter Is The Best Job Ever?
Timmy
My office begins at home with my desk and computer and stretches out to neighborhoods, homes, and parks. I may spend a portion of my work day typing away at a keyboard and making work related phone calls but most of my time on the clock is spent driving to and from clients and spending time in other people’s homes. I enjoy magnificent views, particularly walking dogs through parks and along nature trails with my four-legged, tail-wagging bosses urging me along.
My work uniform is a far cry from a dress with pumps.
The best part about my office is my bosses.
They come in all shapes, sized and breeds.
My bosses are usually waiting by the door when I arrive and they are always happy to see me.
They treat every task like it is a game and they insist we have fun at all times. They require that I make all meals and snacks but thank me for my culinary efforts with tail wags and kisses. They make every day interesting and never fail to cause laughter and joy.
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