Embrace Pet Community blog

Disney Resort for Pets

We've been talking about travel with pets, while over at BlogPaws they just linked to a NY Times Article about the new Disney resort suites for pets: 

"Starting Aug. 27, while you and your family are cheering on Mickey and friends in the morning parade, your dog or cat can watch television on a raised bed in one of the V.I.P. suites ($69 to $76 a night) and your dog can attend day camp in one of the two 1,100-square-foot “camp rooms” that open onto a yard or frolic in the 1,300-square-foot water park." read on...

Sounds like Goofy and Pluto won't be the only dogs in the Magic Kingdom for much longer.  What do you think?  Would you be more inclined to travel to Disney if you could keep your pet nearby?

Checklist for Boarding Your Pet

Have you ever boarded a pet?  Were you surprised by the amount of effort it took?  Or did you think it was surprisingly simple to leave your pet with strangers?

Here are some helpful tips for things to remember when boarding your pet:

• Plan early if possible.  The best facilities can book up way in advance on holidays.  It may be wise to get signed on with a boarding facility before you actually need it, in the event that you need to leave town in an emergency.
• Make sure that your pet meets their vaccination requirements.  If they do not have requirements, it would be wise to talk with your vet about their recommendations before your pet's stay.
• Consider cage-free versus kennels.  Kennels may be best for dogs that are easily overwhelmed or elderly, but cage-free might be better for more energetic or socially motivated dogs.
• How many pets stay at the facility?  Do you feel that the staff can give adequate care to the number of pets staying there?
• Talk to the staff about their policies.  Do they walk dogs outside, or do they go to the bathroom indoors?  What sort of training do caretakers have?  Do pets have any playtime with people or animals?  It might help you have a better understanding of the experience your pet might have.
• Be sure to take your pet's food and medications, along with your contact info and vet info.
• Talk to the staff about bringing bedding or toys, but remember to leave anything that your pet might chew up and swallow at home.
• It's ok to call and check up on your pet.  Kennels expect it.  Many places also offer routine photo updates or webcams so you can peek in on them when you want.

Part 2: Traveling Without Your Fourlegged companion

One of the biggest obstacles for me to book a vacation is what to do with the dogs.  My neighbors are gracious enough to check in on them. (Though I can't bear to ask the neighbor that got stuck cleaning up 5 days of UTI pee puddles while we were in Florida last year.) I feel reluctant to take them up on it all the time, for fear of taking them for granted.  Making plans to pay them a stipend or arrange trade always works better though.

Leaving your pets is a bit more complicated when they are sick or elderly, since you need to worry about medications or careful monitoring.  In those cases, you may want to consider boarding at the vet or a facility with trained staff.  But then, do you go for kennels or cage free? 

More often than ever before, people are hiring pet sitters.  The services vary, and some sitters come to your home for visits, stay overnight, or board your pet in their home.  Carrie posted another great Examiner piece about how to find a good pet sitter, and what you should expect while you're away.

The upsides to in-home care include your pet staying in their own home, while other folks might prefer the pet to go into the sitters home where they might get more time and attention.

What do you think?  Have you ever had a pet sitter?  Did you enjoy the service?

Check back next week, when I post the story of Lyger and Tahlula's recent stay at the Doggie Spa!

Part 1: Traveling with Pets

It wasn't until BlogPaws East in April that I really thought about what it takes to travel with a pet in tow.  I met Ronnie and Rex from Bella's Pain Relief, and realized that Rex had made the trip all the way from New Jersey to Ohio, and then camped out in the hotel while Rhona worked the conference.  Fortunately, Ronnie had the foresight to hire a dog sitter to visit with Rex in the hotel room while she was out and about, so Rex wouldn't feel anxious in a strange room.

Embracer Carrie posted an article at Examiner last month, with 5 helpful points that you might not have considered before you travel with your cat or dog in tow:

1.  Book a pet friendly hotel.  Dogfriendly.com has a terrific list of pet friendly hotels, complete with a list of any additional charges or stipulations that may be required for bringing your fuzzy family member along for each hotel. Dogfriendly.com also lists campgrounds and RV parks that welcome pets.

2. Plan pet-friendly activities for your family and your pet.  Many beaches and parks allow dogs, but you will need to check ahead of time to be sure your four-legged companion is welcome.  Dogfriendly.com has a list of beaches, parks, stores, even outdoor restaurants that welcome your pets. 

(Read the rest here.)

I was recently pondering a roadtrip with Lyger- about 8 hours from Cleveland to Philly to attend a conference.  I thought it seemed like it might be an American adventure, a bonding experience for a girl and her dog.  But, It would have been long days for me, and longer days for an anxious dog, so I opted against it.

What sorts of tips do you have for people that might be planning to travel with their pets?

Adopt-A-Cat Month: Meet Flower

Lovely as a summer day, here's Flower.  She's a beautiful adult cat, and one of many adoptable through Humane Society for Hamilton County.  Flower and her friends, Tasha (shown left) Jasmine and Zita are just a few of the lovely ladies patiently waiting for their forever homes.

Find your new feline friends at your local shelter or rescue group, and you'll be glad you did!

Meet June Bug, Firefly, Spring and Summer!

Official Take Your Dog to work Day

Start packing a lunch for your dog, because tomorrow is Take Your Dog to Work day!  Pet Sitters International is hosting a fun photo contest, and offering an action pack for people and businesses setting up a dog friendly workplace.

Embrace has a pet friendly policy for dogs and cats.  It's fairly informal, we just coordinate who is coming a day before, so that we don't mix cats and dogs, or have too many furry friends at once. 

In honor of the day, upload your pet at work photo to our Facebook!  We want to see them enjoying all the perks of a pet friendly workplace!

Adopt-A-Cat Month: Meet Spring and Summer

Spring and summer months are notoriously known as "kitten season", as most litters are born in the warmer weather.  Mid-summer is an especially crowded time in cat shelters, like Willow Creek Sanctuary.

These beautiful Tortoiseshell sisters, Spring and Summer, are looking for their new home.  The only two kittens in their litter, they've bonded, and would love to go home together.  They're spayed, microchipped, and ready for summer adventure!  

Meet June and Firefly.

Happy Father's Day

Sunday is Father's day, and we like to celebrate all of you Father's with two-legged and four-legged kids.

I'd like to send a happy father's day greeting to my Dad, from all of his kids, human and feline.  (Shouldn't it also come from his canine grandchildren?)  Thanks Dad, for all the smiles and support you give us all year round! 

P.S.Your cat Daisy would also like to thank you for maintaining her swimming pool-the one you call a fish tank.

We'd like you to post your pet dad stories, greetings and Father's Day wishes to the special dad in your life.  Whether he's your doggie's daddy or feline's father, give him a shout out in out comments section.  On Monday we'll randomly draw one of the comments to win a free food sample from Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul! 

For more info on our contest sponsor, visit them on Facebook and Twitter.

One entry per person.  U.S. Entrants only.  Contest ends at 12:AM June 21, 2010.  Winner will be contacted by e-mail for their mailing address.

Related posts:
Mystery Mixed Breed Heritage Maker giveaway
Waterdog Photo Contest

Pet Photography-a Life Saver

Today's guest post comes from Holly Hospel, Pet Photographer.  Check out Holly's AMAZING work at Lupine Lens.

Many people don't realize until it is too late that they don't have a quality picture of their beloved companion.  Pictures serve as a way to celebrate our furry family members, but also can be a real life saver if a pet goes missing.  It is much easier to ask people if they have seen Fluffy, if they have a picture that accompanies that request.  Shelters and other rescue organizations also appreciate a photo as way to identify a lost animal and facilitate a happy reunion.

One such photo helped an owner claim their pet in the face of someone else who said the pet was theirs!  The person who had the photo could prove prior ownership and the other person was forced to return the pet.  While this is an unusual circumstance, it does highlight how a good photo of your furry family member can help reunite the two of you. 

  Of course, the best part of having your pet photographed is the joy of celebrating your pet. They are precious in all phases of their life. From puppy to adult to dignified elder, photos preserve the moment and the memories.  Our pet pass on far too quickly. Capturing your pet in photos in all stages of their lives is one way to make their memories last forever. 

A few tips for finding a good pet photographer:

1) Some animals are afraid of strangers and a big black eye (the camera) staring at them.  Does the photographer have experience setting the dog at ease?  It is one thing to like dogs and cats, it is another thing entirely to work with them and make them comfortable.  Think of your own photo experiences.  Don't you generally like the images of yourself where you look relaxed, natural and at ease, rather than a forced pose?

2) Outdoor photo shoots are often where the animal is going to be happiest and therefore lend themselves to the best animal photography.  Studios can feel foreign and scary to a dog; like the Vet's office.  Does the photographer have experience taking outdoor fast action shoots?

3) Know what you want;  Action shots?  Tight in portraits? Family shots?  and communicate what you like.  Better yet, bring examples.

4) My clients sometimes are very worried about how "untrained" their dog is and therefore are afraid of how their dog will "behave" during the photo shoot.  The dog will pick up on this tension in the owner,  so one of the best things to do, is to relax yourself.  Have Fun!  A good pet photographer will welcome your enthusiasm and the pet's.  They will direct it, like a film director and you will get great shots!

Holly is an Indianapolis based photographer that specializes in candid, outdoor, action photography of your four-legged family members. In addition to being good with a lens, she has a natural affinity for animals and understands how to put them at ease in front of a camera.

Contact her at 317 823 7051 or email her at Holly (at) LupineLens.com

Adopt-A-Cat Month: Meet Firefly

Firefly looks like he's got a lot of spark!  From his PetFinder profile:

Firefly is the bravest of the bunch and always the first to explore new surroundings.  He is extremely social and loves to be where the action is.

Firefly and his litter mates are just a few of the dozens of cats in need of homes at the Dane County Friends of Ferals in Madison, Wisconsin. 

Consider adding a little light in your life! 

Meet last week's featured cat, June Bug!