Scottsdale Pet Expert

Pet Sitting according to the nationally known Bella!

Archive for March, 2010

Why be bitter?

It is said that it takes more energy to be angry than to be happy. Being in the pet industry, how could one ever be angry? Personally, I am greeted by wagging tails, sloppy kisses, and purring kitties most of the day. It is great!

As some of you may (or may not know) I am also a business coach. I coach people all over the United States and Canada on how to perfect their small home based, service providing business. (www.jumpconsulting.n et) A few weeks ago I was helping a person with a billiard company and we “shopped” his competition by calling his biggest competitor. The first five minutes of the conversation was this other business owner trash talking his “competition.” I was appalled and honestly turned off listening to him. This person spent so much energy on being negative, and not highlighting the positives about his business that he actually came off as insecure. Next, we explored the advertising mediums. As suspected, this same person’s “cheery” disposition was also reflected in the print media they were utilizing (NOT).

Most recently, I was searching through pet sitting websites. I am sad to say that I found a similar incident. It surprises me how some want to focus on (what they perceive to be) the negative’s of other businesses, while ignoring the fact that they should be spending their time, energy, and advertising opportunity to positively highlight the caliber of their business. How about highlighting the good things about your business and why you are different rather than bashing other companies? Take the high road. Be confident. Set yourself apart from the rest by being unique. Slinging mud is for the playground. Slinging mud shows immaturity in oneself, their business, and their integrity.

I am not sure how you all feel, and would love to know, but wouldn’t you feel a little put off if you were trying to research or buy from a company and all they were doing was bashing the other businesses in the industry? I don’t even want to call it competition, because clearly, the the two are on different levels. My impression was that this other billiard company (and pet sitting company) was highly insecure, and perhaps even bitter about something?

In any case I would not want either one working for me if I was looking for a company to hire. I would wonder how credible their business is if they are making the decision to invest their time into slinging mud on other companies instead of improving their own. Lets face it, in the world we live in…who needs more negative energy?

More energy spent on being angry = less energy spent on the business?

One reader commented on this blog as soon as I posted it to my Facebook page saying,

“When I am talking to a business owner and all they want to do is slam their competition I get annoyed. There is a level of defensiveness that goes on in that situation that makes wonder if said business owner is doing that just to cover his own shortcomings JUST to make the sale. I am almost always 100% less likely to do business with someone who acts like this.”

Hmmmmm?

What do you think?

This information has been provided to you from Bella Vasta, the Pack Leader for Bella’s House and Pet Sitting in Scottsdale AZ. For more information please call 480.330.4552 or go to http://www.bellashouseandpets.com

Day in the life of a pet sitter

Ok, so this was actually just a MORNING during Spring Break (March 10th) week when we were REALLY busy. I had tweeted most of the morning and shared pictures. Here is what transpired:
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Today, (esp this morning) I will have one of the most busiest days of pet sitting> Folow my adventures on Twitter… http://bit.ly/9iC7p4 5:21 AM Mar 10th via Facebook

THIS IS SHASTA EATING BREAKFAST….

Sidney and sharta CHECK! Picked up the newspapers, potty and fed.
Checkt the picture 5:58 AM Mar 10th via web

Now walking bailey. Does ur dog pull? Try a gentle leader and leash it is like night and day.
See pic of bailey. 6:02 AM Mar 10th via web

Its cold! Like 45? Can wait for the 80s next wk! 6:04 AM Mar 10th via web

Look at the pics! Kitty and the birds are talking a lot. Had to pick up #1 again this morning for marco n polo
6:40 AM Mar 10th via web

CAN YOU SEE THE FROGS?

Feeding the birds! 6:41 AM Mar 10th via web

Kitty was really talkative so I meowed back…. 6:49 AM Mar 10th via web

Letting little ms sophie the maltise walk ME. This is nothing like two visits ago power walking w bailey the boarder collie! 6:59 AM Mar 10th via web

Starbucks line took ten min in the grocery store! ugh…. Next up the handsome golden…jack for a walk! En rt now! 7:28 AM Mar 10th via web

I think this is the busiest day of my pet sitting career!!! 7:32 AM Mar 10th via web

SO JACK WAS TOO FULL OF ENERGY FOR A WALK SO I THOUGHT THROWING THE BALL AND PLAYING SOCCER WITH HIM WOULD KEEP HIM BUSY. SEE THAT TONGUE HANGING OUT? MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

I hope I just tired jack out w the ball and soccer bc he tired me out! Starbucks coffee in the car!
8:25 AM Mar 10th via web

Walking two collies sadie and murf. They have been clients for yrs. We love them!!!
8:52 AM Mar 10th via web

50′ now…. Keep warming up please! I want my top down in the mini!
8:58 AM Mar 10th via web

Thank god for the ranger rover in front setting the pace. Cop w radar detector didn’t get me
9:01 AM Mar 10th via web

With jack the cat now…time to feed and scoop litter and sweep up around the area!
9:17 AM Mar 10th via web

Walking max n rosie now. Max just lunged at another dog and almost ripped my arm out! I held on.
9:30 AM Mar 10th via web

3 cats two dogs… Furballs everywhere. Went potty ot lots of love and treas! Got out the vaccume to clean! next stop potty break! 10:27 AM Mar 10th via web

Potty break for sammi went well and jake and maggie the goldens had fun too!
11:41 AM Mar 10th via web

Sidney and shasta are great! They went potty and got their treats. Off to see rosie and max to walk and feed them THEN I can eat and go hm! 12:08 PM Mar 10th via web

BOY am I tried just re–living all that! Please know that the times are close but not accurate. I had some issues at some points when “upload failed” when i was trying to tweet from my Blackberry to Twitter. My Twitter handle is @Bellas_Pets

Did you enjoy this blog entry? I tried hard to make it fun and let you see into what it is like being a professional pet sitter during one of our most busiest days. What do you think?

Educate yourself on pet oral health!

A majority of veterinarians recommend brushing pets’ teeth —they know it’s important. Most will also recommend dental pastes and gels for teeth brushing of their patients. However, when a large number of veterinarians at a national veterinary conference were asked if they brush their own pets’ teeth, only four out of 400 said they performed the task daily. If even the experts don’t know everything, it’s important for you to collect all the information you can.

Top 5 Pet Oral Health Care Myths

1. My veterinarian is not concerned about my pet’s dental health

Dental care of dogs and cats is one of the most commonly overlooked areas of pet health care. In fact, a recent veterinary study showed that approximately two-thirds of pet owners do not provide the dental care that is recommended as essential by veterinarians. What’s more, the American Veterinary Dental Society reports that 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age three.

2. Oral disease is not a serious problem for pets

Dental disease doesn’t affect just the mouth. It can lead to more serious health problems. Periodontal bacteria can enter the bloodstream and travel to major organs and begin new infections. Research is suggesting this may contribute to the development of heart disease, increase the risk of vascular diseases and pose a serious threat to animals with other disease conditions like diabetes.

3. Doggie breath is likely caused by pet food

Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissue surrounding the teeth that takes hold in progressive stages and can cause bad breath. It starts out as a bacterial film called plaque. The bacteria attach to the teeth. When the bacteria die they can be calcified by calcium in saliva. This forms a hard, rough substance called tartar or calculus, which allows more plaque to accumulate. If left to spread, plaque can lead to gingivitis — an inflammation of the gums — causing it to become red and swollen and to bleed easily. Volatile sulfur gases produced by this process and are very irritating to the gums and have the characteristic smell of doggie breath. As plaque and calculus develop below the gum line, professional cleaning will be needed to help manage it. If the plaque and tartar buildup continues unchecked, infection can form around the root of the tooth.

4. Dental cleaning is enough for my pet’s oral care

Even if you commit your pet to dental cleaning every 6 months, ultimate dental care requires good home care. This may include an oral rinse, a dental gel and dental diets and treats. Unfortunately, the average pet visiting a veterinary practice will likely not have their teeth scaled and polished more than two or three times in their lifetime even though they need dental cleaning every 6 to 12 months. There are a number of factors that contribute to the lack of dental compliance, including expensive procedures, fear of the general anesthetic, wrong recommendations for procedures, and owners not knowing the importance of dental cleaning.

5. Occasional brushing is good enough for my dog’s teeth

Veterinary dental specialists recommend that you brush your pet’s teeth daily in order to maintain their oral hygiene. Most pet owners are not very good about this and try to brush their pet’s teeth infrequently. Unfortunately, although any oral care is better than no oral care, brushing once in a while is not as effective. The combination of brushing, oral rinses, oral care diets and professional veterinary dental cleaning will give your pet the best chance of maintaining optimum oral health.

Closing Thoughts
Obviously, having knowledge about what is best for your dog does not mean you have the time and the commitment to perform this difficult task daily. So, as a pet owner, how committed can you be to providing ultimate oral care for your dog and cat? We all have busy lives and we want to do the right thing whenever possible. Consider using some of Oxyfresh’s great pet oral health care products to help you take proper care of your pet.

This article has been taken from: http://pets.azwsn.com/2010/03/10/educate-yourself-about-pet-oral-health-care/