With the recent news of Ray Rice being cut from his team and being suspended by the NFL indefinitely, it seemed like a good time to re-post my blog from January. 

I’m exhausted.  Being a loving and caring dog sitter is exhausting.  I care so much for my doggie guests it always seems a bit lonely when one of them leaves (even if there is 6 more laying at my feet at the time).  It is always interesting to me which doggie parents show appreciation for the care I’ve taken with their pups and which just walk off into the sunset after picking  up their dog.  This job has certainly given me more appreciation for those folks that work to make our lives easier (aka “the help”).  If I still could afford my cleaning lady I’d smother her in hugs and kisses … as I know now what I put her through.  In today’s world with YELP reviews and social media “word of mouth” I think it is more important than ever to not just report negative experiences but positive as well.  I’m always over the moon when I see a positive review that a doggie mom/dad has left me and sob silently inside when someone takes their pup home without taking the time to write a review.  I realize that they have more important things in their busy lives to think about.  I get that heading back to their email to write a review is the last thing on their mind BUT I have taken care of their baby.  I did everything I could to keep their precious fluffy cargo safe and happy during their folks vacation just so they could soak in the sun without having to worry.  Just as a reminder here are the things I have done while others have been swimming, relaxing, taking in culture, enjoying the view, and whatever else you do while you are away from home:

* Gotten bruised and scratched.  SO MANY BRUISES AND SCRATCHES.  I’ve held onto a collar with a Hulk-like grip and had my arm twisted around just to keep a dog from escaping.  I’ve fallen so many times while hiking with the pups I can’t keep track.  I’ve broken up dog fights with my own body (I don’t suggest you do this).  I’ve been a chew toy for puppies and something for dogs to jump up on over and over and over again.

* I’ve given up my bed.  I’ve slept sideways, diagonal and at the foot of my own bed so the pups can be comfy.  I’ve slept on the sofa and on the floor.  I’ve not slept because a dog was sick or I’ve slept with a dog head in a cone on my chest.  I’ve curled up in a dog bed next to an uneasy pup.  I’ve slept with dogs pushing me off the bed, dogs sharing my pillow, dogs on my head, dogs on my legs, dogs on my stomach … To be fair Lousy actually did share his bed with me once when I was sick and he was sleeping in the bathroom.  His bed was perfectly placed next to the toilet.  I suggest it the next time you get the flu … much comfier than the cold tile floor.

* I take the dogs out on an adventure every day.  That usually means hiking … everyday.  Sure you may think this sounds like a blast and … it is … but it is also exhausting.  Try climbing or being pulled up a hill or down a path EVERY DAY for approx 2 hours a day.  No weekend breaks … 7 days a week.  I have horrible tan lines.

* Dogs have taken over my phone memory.  The constant pictures to show dog folks their babies are a-ok.  I’ve taken the time and effort to download the pictures and get them to their folks so that they can enjoy.  That means before going to sleep I set up my phone to download a bunch of photos from the day.  I do this EVERY night.

* Everything I own is dirty.  You think your house is dirty with one active dog?  Try 4-7 active dogs.  I am CONSTANTLY cleaning.  CONSTANTLY.  I guarantee I’ve cleaned my carpet, floor boards (how do the floor boards get so filthy), walls (dog height), and linens more than anyone else you know.  My car is covered in dirt and smears from dog noses.  My backyard may never not smell like pee.

* I do zillions of loads of laundry.  Rags are on a constant rotation from pee clean up to washer to dryer to pee clean up again.  My sweaty smelly daily hiking clothes pile up and up and up.

*  If your dog is hurt or not feeling well I do everything I can to fix her/him.  I stay up to make sure everything is okay.  I’ve picked up dogs form ERs in the middle of the night.  I’ve woken up every x many hours to administer pills.  

*  I’ve purchased enough hydrogen peroxide and food scented candles (I don’t like floral scents) to make Target’s checkers curious about what is happening in my house.  My hydrogen peroxide has a spray bottle top so I can easily saturate myself and pups in it … daily.  Scented candles cover the smell of wet dog and pee (and wet pee when I clean my carpet).

*  When a dog ran away I didn’t sleep (I couldn’t sleep) until he was found.  I walked for hours in the middle of the night screaming out his name.  I forced my strong will on friends and wouldn’t let them give up our search.  I (we) printed out 50+ flyers and hung them up around town.  When found I carried the pup to the car.  When he was at the vet I stayed up waiting for him to be ready for pick up.  When I got home I had him lie next to me and I constantly woke up to check on how he was doing.  I did everything in my power to make sure he was okay.

My job is 24/7 and sadly it isn’t my only job.  There are no breaks.  There are no weekends … and did I mention the bruises?  I love the pups (almost all of the pups) and I’m happy to do so much for them.  I just want doggie folks to understand all that is being done to keep their baby happy and healthy.  

If you think someone has gone above and beyond in their job don’t keep it to yourself.  Let them know.  Let their boss know.  Write a good review.  Drop them a note.  And if it’s me … I do accept wine as a tip!

A number of my doggie vacay regulars come see me fairly often.  Often enough that sometimes you wonder how it is these dog parents are able to travel so much!  Others I only see once in awhile.  Ike is a good example of that.  He came today for a short stay and I was so excited to see him.  It’s been almost a year since he first stayed with Riggins and me.  I thought this would be a good time to re-post my original blog about this sweet boy and the Potcake breed.  Enjoy!

I’ve been dog sitting for a year and 1/2 now.  I thought it was time to share some of the wisdom I’ve collected during this time.  I’m sure it will come in handy at some point in your life.

• It doesn’t matter how long you are out and about on a hike or long walk sometimes a dog will hold it just so he can pee in your living room.
• The littlest one is always in charge.
• No matter how nice a dog is there is one person out there that he doesn’t like.  This hatred will make itself known at the exact same time you have his leash wrapped tightly around two fingers.
• If an otherwise nice dog doesn’t like someone it’s probably because that person has children tied up in his basement.  Or the dude just smells really bad.
• It’s not your bed anymore.
• Barking is like yawning.  It’s contagious.
• Dogs can get sunburned.
• There are two types of dogs.  Those who want to swim in any water they can find and those who will pull your arm out of your socket running away from a puddle.
• A water sprayer won’t work on a dog who likes to drink water from a hose.  The “deterrent” just becomes their personal water fountain.
• Dog hair sticks really well to yoga pants.
• Dog hair sticks really well to sheets.
• Dog hair is a pain in the ass.
• Horse poop is delicious.
• Coyote poop isn’t bad either.
• Many dogs like the taste of lotion.
• Dog slobber is not an effective moisturizer.
• Dog poop smells … bad.
• Exercise does indeed calm the wildest dog down.  Unfortunately you have to exercise with them and it poops you out more.
• Dogs who want to cuddle are the best!
• Unless you have had multiple dogs in your bed nonstop for a week or two and then those who want their own space at night are the best!
• The crappy crinkle toys at the 99 cent store are by far the best investment ever.
• Your mailman will learn your schedule and make sure he stops by the house of hell while you have all the pups out and about.
• Vacuums can be scary.
• You can get use to the smell of wet dog.  
• Dogs can get out of almost any leash or harness if they really want to.
• Thorns and stickers love fluffy dogs and your carpet.
• Humping isn’t just for boy dogs.
• If you have a dog that likes to grab your scarf don’t wrap it around your head multiple times and secure it with multiple knots.
• No matter what, the other guys food is always better.
• According to every master their dog is house trained and well behaved.  75% of those people have lied to you.
• Dogs like to sleep on a pillow.  Especially if it is yours.  
• Starring at a ball and barking at it nonstop will not make the ball throw itself across the yard.
• It’s a real pisser when you are the one dog that has to sleep in a crate and everyone else is free to flop down on each others beds.
• Sometimes it’s just simpler to watch TV standing up.
• Sometimes it’s just simpler to eat your dinner in your car … in the garage … in peace and quite.
• Whatever room you are in is THE BEST ROOM EVER AND EVERYONE MUST BE IN THERE WITH YOU.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg.  There is so much more I could share with you but I need to go take the gang out in the back to pee.

Riggins’ collar was getting all frayed and sad looking so I ordered him another one.  Guess what came in the mail today?!?  He is sporting his pretty (red) collar right now.  Actually he is sleeping in the hall since he is pooped form our morning hike.  There are a ridiculous number of dog collar options out there.  Which should you choose?   Recently I’ve seen more of my dogs coming to me for their vacay with slip chain control collars or prong collars.  I’m not sure where this trend is coming from but wanted to share my thoughts on the matter.  I know you are all just itching to hear more of what I think about dog safety products!  Wait no more!

First of all what are these slip and prong things you speak of?  A slip chain control collar is essential a metal chain with two big-ish circles on each end.  You slip the one end of the collar down one circle to make a big loop that, when pulled, gets tighter.  A slip

collar, when used correctly, allows you to make corrections to a dog by tugging on the collar, making it tighter against the dog’s throat.  Then when they come back in-line with you the collar automatically becomes slack again.

A prong collar is what it sounds like.  It’s a metal collar with prongs sticking out that go into the dog’s neck.  Much like a slip chain collar the prong collar is designed to close more and “tug” when a dog is being corrected and lay slack-ish when he/she is not.  

Both prong and slip chain collars can be used very effectively IF used correctly and IF they fit correctly.  I’ve seen a number of these type collars that are either too loose or too tight.  A misfitting collar can cause damage to your dog.  If you choose to use this type of collar please have it fitted by an expert and get training on how to use it properly.  I’m talking training above and beyond a one day at Petco.

As you know I don’t even like walking a dog on a normal collar but instead prefer a walking harness so it is no surprise that the first thing I do when I dog comes to me with a slip of prong collar is to take it off.  No easy task if the collar is fitted too tight.  I also think if the dog is a breed that is already stereotyped as “dangerous” these types of collars add to the unfounded fear someone may have.  After all if a dog needs something jabbing it in his neck to behave I don’t want anywhere near that animal.   It is also VERY difficult (close to impossible) for me to walk a dog with this type of collar safely when he/she is being walked with 2, 3, 4 or 5 other dogs.  I fully admit I’m not the best at walking a crowd on leash (off leash is a

Gracie ditched her prong collar when she got here and is sporting Riggins’ Non-Pull Mesh Harness by Sporn.

different story).  It’s all I can do to keep them all from sweeping me off my feet in a tangle of leashes.  It’s best for me to swap out the correction collars for one of Riggins walking harness’!

Now to really get picky.  I believe a dog *should* be wearing a safety collar.  A safety collar allows the dog to get out of the collar on his/her own if it becomes snagged on something (or someone).  More than once I’ve had to remove a collar from a dog when he/she is playing in the dog park because another dog is hanging on to it and causing the pup to choke.  Riggins’ new collar is a breakaway.  The brand I purchased is easy to put back together if it is taken apart and includes metal loops on both ends of the “break-away” area so that if you do put a leash on the collar it will stay put.  It would be a bit useless if you hooked up your dog only to have him/her take off and leave collar and leash behind comically hanging from your hand!  

A martingale style collar also allows for a dog to get it off his/her neck if needed … most of the time.  This type of collar has a loop holding the two ends together where you hook the leash. When you or the dog pulls the collar gets tighter but then immediately releases.  It’s a much much less harsh version of the metal slip collar … but made with material … and no chains.  Lousy wears this type of collar (and Riggins wore one in his last picture shoot with his photographer).  The one thing to be aware of for both the breakaway and martingale style is that if a dog is about to take off to eat a squirrel, lizard, cat or mailman and you grab the collar there is a very good chance you will be left holding that while a nudie (aka no collar) dog takes off toward it’s prey! (Note that collars that Lousy and Riggins wear aren’t actually “greyhound” martingale collars.  They are in the style of these greyhound safe collars.  A true greyhound collar will be made of fabric and be very thick to fit better and more safely on a long necked sight-hound.)

There you go!  My suggestion (because I know you really really care) is to have a safety collar on and a walking harness (I suggest looking at Sporn.  The “halter” is my favorite while Riggins prefers the Mesh Non-Pull Harness) ready for whenever the dog leaves the house.  AKA spend as much money on your dog as possible.  You know you have to … he/she is your baby after all!

You know how sometimes your life blows monkey chunks?  No matter what you do the universe has decided to throw up it’s middle finger to you.  You feel like you are on a constant pace of two step forwards one step back.  Yah … me too.  In fact, I dare say, that is something everyone feels now and then.  If life was all rainbows, unicorns, and puppy dog tails how would we know to enjoy the good times when we have them?  Still … getting kicked in the bum by life isn’t fun and sometimes it feels like no one cares (when in fact everyone cares but that would really throw a wrench your pity party that you are rightfully throwing yourself).

As you may remember when I turned 39 I did 39 acts of kindness in my neighborhood.  It was a great experience.  I thought it was time to whip out a couple of my favorites to share with you again.  They are two that you can do too.  It’s a great way of throwing out happiness to random strangers that feel like they are being sucker punched by life.  When you feel that way wouldn’t it be nice to receive a moral boost from a stranger?  I think so!

1 – (The following is copy and pasted from my original post.  I had to remake the flyer – see picture below.  Please feel free to print it out – print as full page picture – cut the tab lines, and start posting it around your hood. You can also find my original on my Studio account – wendylnewell.  If you want to change any of the messages you can just hit “remix” on the app.)

Pinch to grow an inch – Free Happiness.  After the Make a Wish Wendy Bomb of Kindness I made my way home to take Riggins for his morning walk.  I had decided that my neighborhood could use a little happiness and compassion.  I’m not saying it is a bad neighborhood but it did take me YEARS to get my neighbor to smile back at me when I waved as I passed him in my car.  And there was that one time when I was running with Riggins and misjudged the height of the curb causing me to fall flat on the ground.  We are talking straight down, pants torn, knees bloody, hands scrapped fall.  Their were plenty of people around, there usually are.  They all stopped and stared at me.  Not ONE came to see if I was okay.  The only person at my side was Riggins.  Now it is possible they are afraid of Riggins.  Scratch that, they are afraid of Riggins.  If you want to scare the crap out of someone in my neighborhood tell them you are friends with the big black dog that blonde girl walks.  It will have them shaking in their boots.  Still, no one even called from a distance, “Are you okay?  I’d come help you but your dog scares the crap out of me.”  Sigh.

On our walk today Riggins and I put up free happiness flyers.  Each had tabs that a person could take for him/herself or pass on to a friend including “happiness,” “love,” “a hug,” “confidence,” “patience,” “humor,” “strength,” and “peace.”  I hope they bring a smile to someone’s face.

BTW while looking for Scatter Kindness pictures I came upon a few that are part of really great Etsy stores so I wanted to share them with you:

• http://www.etsy.com/listing/87510175/scatter-kindness-vinyl-wall-decal
• http://www.etsy.com/listing/58341632/dandelion-wall-decal-scatter-kindness
• http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_type=all&includes%5B0%5D=tags&search_query=dandelion+wall+decor+decals&ref=related&page=1

2. (Also taken from my original post) 

Now, as promised, more on Operation Beautiful (http://www.operationbeautiful.com/). Per the web site – “The goal of the OperationBeautiful website is to end negative self-talk or “Fat Talk.” If this little blog only does one productive thing, I hope it helps readers realize how truly toxic negative self-talk is — it hurts you emotionally, spiritually, and physically.” To participate you grab a sticky note pad and a pen and write out positive messages to strangers then leave them in places they will be found. The woman who started this movement, Caitlin Boyle, is adorable. Truthfully I don’t follow her Operation Beautiful blog but I do read her personal blog (http://www.healthytippingpoint.com/). Caitlin also goes around the US conducting inspirational discussions with teenagers within high schools spreading her message that everyone is beautiful. Although aimed toward teens, who are often at the age where you struggle with your self-identity and care deeply about what others think, I’m all for getting the message out to adults as well. Seriously, if I was on a date and, feeling self-conscious, popped into the restroom to “freshen up” (aka try to slather on more make up in an attempt to look alluring) and came across a post-it staring at me telling me I was already beautiful it would be a game changer. I’d drop my make-up bag back into my purse, stand up a little straighter, smile at myself in the mirror and pronounce, “That’s right! F*** it. Let’s go do this thing Post-It” and then proudly head back to my date with more self-esteem than before. I’d love it if more people around the world became a part of Operation Beautiful. It’s so easy and can lead to such happiness.