Archive for March, 2009

Nudge is a doll… this is her and I hanging out today at a pet sit

 

 

Bernie has been a four leged client of Bella’s for about 3 years. Berie is one of the smartest dogs we care for and probably with the largest vocabulary. She is just adorable and loves to eat and play. Right now she is smiling at me and trying to get me to throw her toy… hahaha. We went for our walk, she did her #1 and #2 demanded her treat when we returned (she has me trained!) and now is running laps smiling…. Just adorable. See the pictures I just took on my phone. Not too bad for a camera phone
Bernie eating!!!

Bernie all smiles!

Bernie playing tug of war!

 

 This information has been provided to you by Danielle Vasta, Pack Leader for Bella’s House & Pet Sitting. For more information please view our webiste at: www.BellasHouseAndPets.com

I have been taking care of Buster, a McDowell Ranch four legged resident for the past week. He is just adorable to walk with and really remindes me of my old Beagle, Max. Just like Max used to do…Buster leads us on our walks using the compass of his nose. One day we ended up on a HOT trail that ended with the post man eating his lunch out of the side of his truck! Another day we were following the scent of the landscapers trimming all the fragrent bushes. Sometimes, we are tracking animals that have walked there before us… but nonetheless – the nose leads!

Buster can be a real slow walker when he is sniffing, but if he wants to get somewhere, you better get a move on or he will make it known that he wants to go! He is just adorable and I am enjoying each afternoon with him!!!

This information has been provided to you by the Scottsdale Pet Expert, Danielle Vasta. For more information about Bella’s House & Pet SItting services, please view: www.BellasHouseAndPets.com

by Danielle Vasta

 

1. Dogs need to be exercised at least 30 minutes a day. Unless you do this before or after work everyday, your pet is not as healthy as they can be.

 

2. Save your investment! Your home is your biggest asset, right? Then why leave it unattended when you are on vacation? Professional pet sitters provide crime deterrent services and check the inside and outside of your home to make sure everything is secure, working properly, and not damaged.

 

3. Eliminate having to borrow favors from friends and family. How many times have you been sitting in the gift shop thinking, what do I get Susie Q for pet sitting Fido? OR How many times have you had to pay up at the most inconvent time to repay Susie Q for helping you out? With a professional pet sitter they take all the worry off your hands and give you peace of mind while you are away. When you return, you don’t have to repay the favor.

 

4. Pets that stay in their own environment are much happier. Their routine can stay the same and there is no disruption to their schedules. Also, YOU don’t have to transport them anywhere or bother making an extra step on the way home from the airport!

 

This information has been provided to you by Danielle Vasta, the Scottsdale Pet Expert and Pack Leader for Bella’s House & Pet Sitting located in Scottsdale AZ  For more information please visit: www.BellasHouseAndPets.com

“From time to time, people tell me, “lighten up, it’s just a dog,” or, “that’s a lot of money for just a dog.” They don’t understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for “just a dog.”

Some of my proudest moments have come about with “just a dog.”

Many hours have passed and my only company was “just a dog,” but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by “just a dog,” and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of “just a dog” gave me comfort and reason to over come the day.

If you, too, think it’s “just a dog,” then you will probably understand phrases like “just a friend,” “just a sunrise,” or “just a promise.”

“Just a dog” brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure
unbridled joy.

“Just a dog” brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. Because of “just a dog” I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

So for me and folks like me, it’s not “just a dog” but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

“Just a dog” brings out what’s good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it’s not “just a dog” but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being “just a Woman/Man.”

So the next time you hear the phrase “just a dog” just smile, because they “just don’t understand.”

Note: I did not create this – it was emailed to me. I do not know who did write it but I thought it was beautiful and I wanted to share it with everybody. This has been provided by Bella’s House & Pet Sitting located in Scottsdale, AZ I can not tell you how many times being in the pet sitting industry, this is true. Not ALL pets are created equal. Not EVERYONE thinks they are apart of the family. That is too bad, because they are. Maybe one day some will realize this!  www.BellasHouseAndPets.com

 

Start with a grade of 100:

• For every listing of “by-product”, subtract 10 points
• For every non-specific animal source (“meat” or “poultry”, meat, meal or fat) reference, subtract 10 points
• If the food contains BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin, subtract 10 points
• For every grain “mill run” or non-specific grain source, subtract 5 points
• If the same grain ingredient is used 2 or more times in the first five ingredients (I.e. “ground brown rice”, “brewers rice”, “rice flour” are all the same grain), subtract 5 points
• If the protein sources are not meat meal and there are less than 2 meats in the top 3 ingredients, subtract 3 points
• If it contains any artificial colorants, subtract 3 points
• If it contains ground corn or whole grain corn, subtract 3points
• If corn is listed in the top 5 ingredients, subtract 2 more points
• If the food contains any animal fat other than fish oil, subtract 2 points
• If lamb is the only animal protein source (unless your dog is allergic to other protein sources), subtract 2 points
• If it contains soy or soybeans, subtract 2 points
• If it contains wheat (unless you know that your dog is not allergic to wheat), subtract 2 points
• If it contains beef (unless you know that your dog is not allergic to beef), subtract 1 point
• If it contains salt, subtract 1 point

Extra Credit:

• If any of the meat sources are organic, add 5 points
• If the food is endorsed by any major breed group or nutritionist, add 5 points
• If the food is baked not extruded, add 5 points
• If the food contains probiotics, add 3 points
• If the food contains fruit, add 3 points
• If the food contains vegetables (NOT corn or other grains), add 3 points
• If the animal sources are hormone-free and antibiotic-free, add 2 points
• If the food contains barley, add 2 points
• If the food contains flax seed oil (not just the seeds), add 2 points
• If the food contains oats or oatmeal, add 1 point
• If the food contains sunflower oil, add 1 point
• For every different specific animal protein source (other than the first one; count “chicken” and “chicken meal” as only one protein source, but “chicken” and “beef meal” as 2 different sources), add 1 point
• If it contains glucosamine and chondroitin, add 1 point
• If the vegetables have been tested for pesticides and are pesticide-free, add 1 point

Score:
94-100+ = A
86-93 = B
78-85 = C
70-77 = D
69 and below = F

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some foods that have already been scored.Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Ultra Premium – 122 A+
Authority Harvest Baked – 116 A+
Chicken Soup Senior – 115 A+
Innova Dog – 114 A+
Innova Evo – 114 A+
Canidae – 112 A+
Wellness Super5 Mix Chicken – 110 A+
Kirkland Signature Chicken, Rice, and Vegetables – 110 A+
Dick Van Patten’s Duck and Potato – 106 A+
Royal Canin Natural Blend Adult – 106 A+
Foundations – 106 A+
ProPlan Natural Turkey & Barley – 103 A+
Royal Canin Bulldog – 100 A+
Diamond Large Breed 60+ Formula – 99 A
Sensible Choice Chicken and Rice – 97 A
Wolfking Adult Dog (bison) by Solid Gold – 97 A
Hund-n-Flocken Adult Dog (lamb) by Solid Gold – 93 B
Diamond Lamb Meal & Rice – 92 B
Nutrisource Lamb and Rice – 87 B
Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy – 87 B
Iams Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Premium – 73 D
Science Diet for Large Breed Puppies – 69 F
Bil-Jac Select – 68 F
Diamond Maintenance – 64 F
Science Diet Advanced Protein Senior 7+ – 63 F
Purina Dog – 62 F
Pet Gold Adult with Lamb & Rice – 23 F
Purina Beneful – 17 F
Purina Come-n-Get It – 16 F

 

 

Source is unknown. If you are the author, please let me know. I received this from a collegue. I have seen it before and know it is accurate. THis information has been passed onto you by Bella’s House & Pet Sitting (www.bellashouseandpets.com ) in Scottsdale, AZ

 

Another good source for infomation on dog food can be found at: www.DogFoodProject.com

Doing day visits for our four legged clients is so much fun! Here is a clip of a recent visit with Charlie (Brown) and his obsession with his red ball….

This information has been provided to you by Bella’s House & Pet Sitting. To see what other services we offer, please go to: www.BellasHouseAndpets.com/services

Since we deal so much with traveling people….our clients, I thought I would pass along a local deal that Daphne Monroe, ABC15’s The Smart Shopper is passing along… It can be found here:

http://www.abc15.com/content/news/smartshopper/story/Get-50-off-of-a-massage-dinner-hotel-in-Scottsdale/1iimHaWS3EmEjIkJSFImDg.cspx?rss=1730

Get 50% off of a massage, dinner & hotel in Scottsdale

		Reported by: Daphne Munro Email: dmunro@abc15.com Last Update: 7:16 am
The Scottsdale Plaza Resort is offering Smart Shopper’s an incredible deal… a 50% discount throughout the entire resort.Choose spa services at The Salon & Day Spa for 50% off the original price; or a weekend getaway at one of their rooms and pay only 50% of the final bill; dinner at Remingtons for half off the entire bill.  You can choose one service or all three but you must call on Friday, March 6th to book your reservation.   Reservations are based on availability and not good with any other offers.   You have to call Friday, March 6 between 6:30 am and midnight to cash in on this deal but you have a whole year to complete your reservation.  Make sure to mention you are a Smart Shopper. The Scottsdale Plaza Resort 7200 N Scottsdale Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85253 (480) 948-5000 7200 N Scottsdale Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85253 (480) 948-5000

 

 

 

 

Recently there was a terrible tragedy that all parents brining new born into the home can learn from. This story features Bella’s House & Pet Sitting’s preferred dog trainer, Mark Siebel of Doggy Steps Dog Training (www.doggiestepsdogtraining.com) as an expert that the news looks to for an answer. Mark’s services are the very best in the valley and we highly recommend his service.

Follow this link: http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/dog_behavior_030509

Follow this link: http://www.azfamily.com/video/localnews-index.html?nvid=338964

This information has been provided to you via Bella’s House & Pet Sitting www.BellasHouseAndPets.com