Archive for the ‘Articles’ Category

How many of you have a security system that is monitored? Have you ever thought about what would happen if God forbid there was a fire in your home and either you didn’t have a security system, or it was unmonitored? We care about your pets. If this tragedy ever struck your home, who would know to save your pets? If it was just a noisy alarm and wasn’t connected to the local fire department, the results could be fatal.  Just something for you to think about. We care about your pets best interest.

If you are interested in helping to protect your pets, we have a great contact with a local alarm company that has been around for a long time. Just email me at: info@bellashouseandpets.com and we would be happy to provide you with this reference as they are a part of Bella’s Concierge Program.

Also on Bella’s Concierge Program is Furry Friend Alert. These aren’t just any stickers. These are stickers with your pets picture on them that are placed in the window near your entry way to help emergency crews know who to look for. http://www.furryfriendalert.com

This is something that everyone should consider.

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 cal 480.330.4552 or go to: http://www.bellashouseandpets.com

Car wraps, magnets, vinyl letters on a car. For pet sitting? Some may think that this is a great form of advertising. Bella’s House & Pet Sitting does not.

One of the top benefits that we provide our clients with is security. We feel that it is a big breach of security when our cars are sitting in clients drive ways that say HOUSE AND PET SITTING. “Oh geesh… guess the owners are not home” = potential target to anyone looking to break in or steal anything. We will not sacrifice the safety of your home and pets to try to get more clients by signage on our vehicles.

What about doggie doors? – It has been said in the East Valley Tribune 4/19/08 that, “The pair gained entry to the house through a doggie door after entering the home’s backyard through an unlocked gate.” Being a professional pet sitter and going into many homes, I can’t tell you how many people this actually applies to. Some even ask us to leave their backdoor open for their pets to come and go from. We explain that we can not do this and explain that we care about their home and pets and it is too much liability for us. Clients always understand and thank us for bringing them back to reality.

What about the rebuttal of, “Oh come on, we live in Scottsdale. It is safe.” Think again. The same article mentioned above goes onto say that the break ins in Scottsdale exceed that of Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, and Tempe and that the rate of break ins are slightly higher than the states average.

Luckily this has never happened to any of our Bella’s House & Pet Sitting clients when they have been away from their home or pets. We intend to keep it this way and do everything possible to discourage this sort of thing from happening. That includes not advertising that our clients are not home when we go to care for their pets.

This information has been provided to you by Danielle Vasta, Owner of Bella’s House & Pet Sitting. Please contact her at: (480)330-4552 or www.BellasHouseAndPets.com for any of your pet sitting needs.

Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting Kat from Kosmo’s Dog House that will soon be opening in the Mercado shopping center at Via Linda and Shea in Scottsdale. For those of you who have been around for a while, it is actually the old space that Scottsdale Ranch Hospital used to be in.

When you meet Kat, you will see that she is a very cheery, welcoming, and pet loving person. While we were getting to know each other over coffee, I learned that the namesake of the business was her old rescue who recently passed on from cancer. Since then she has a new fur kid (picture) named Morey who is also a rescue.

Bella, Morey, & Kat

We toured the new facility as the contractors were still working away. I was able to picture her vision as we strolled around the place. Upon entering and passing through the boutique section, customers will walk into an area where there are four rooms for them to book with tubs and all the fixings to was their dog. She described the picket fences that would be in the doorways thus creating some privacy, yet still maintaining the openness.

One of the most exciting parts (to me lol) is the hydrotherapy room, which is the last room. She is only resource for this type of therapy for those dogs who have their aches and ailments.

Kat continued on to show me where her groomers would be located, for those who do not want to get down and dirty with their pets. She finished up showing me where she was going to have her puppy training and socialization classes.  Kat is certified through the Animal Behavioral College and will also be conducting training classes for all ages of pets.

Bella’s House & Pet Sitting is very excited to be working with Kosmo’s Doghouse. Kat told me in our meeting that she began this venture because she loves dogs so much. She said she knew that she would be working lots of hours and if that was the case, she wanted it to be her passion. She also has a passion for rescues and plans on helping them out as much as she can once she opens.

Kosmo’s Doghouse should be opened by the 1^st of the year. Stay tuned…as I am sure in the near future you will hear about some dog washing parties that we will be hosting at her facility.

Kosmo’s Doghouse
10105 E Via Linda #9A
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
www.kosmosdoghouse.com

This information has been provided to you by Bella, Pack Leader for Bella’s House & Pet Sitting. Please contact her at: (480)330-4552 or http://www.BellasHouseAndPets.com for any of your pet sitting needs.

In honor of Thanksgiving just right around the corner, I have heard this question come up a few times. The answer?

NO! NO! NO! Feeding your pet chicken or turkey bones could break off into splinters in their mouth or stomach causing internal bleeding and lead to serious problems! Please do NOT do this.

This information has been provided to you by Bella, Pack Leader for Bella’s House & Pet Sitting. Please contact her at: (480)330-4552 or http://www.BellasHouseAndPets.com for any of your pet sitting needs.

Quality. On the front page of our website I show every visitor that Bella’s is the Best. We provide a QUALITY service (vs quantity) and we can prove it.
Webster’s defines QUALITY as follows:
1.    An essential or distinctive characteristic, property, or attribute
2.    Character or nature, as belonging to or distinguishing a thing
3.    Character with respect to fineness, or grade of excellence
4.    High grade; superiority; excellence.

Buyer beware that not all pet sitters are created equal.  How is Bella’s the Best? Simply put, we have top notch QUALITY. The following will take a deeper look showing you some things that not many other pet sitters can claim:

1. 2007 National Pet Sitting Business of the Year – This award was given out by the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. They are the country’s largest non profit pet sitting Association that has 1,000s of members all over the country. They determine the winner based on outstanding business practices and vision in maintaining and growing their business. No other pet sitter in AZ has achieved this high honor.
2. Angie’s List Super Service Award – Angie’s list is of the people, by the people. We have achieved a perfect A+ for customer service and because of that also earned their Super Service Award. Fewer than 5% of companies on their list meet this standard.
3. Pet CPR/First Aid Certified – I took the extra education in attending the Red Cross’ class in order to ensure our clients that I can handle emergencies and have been trained by a well known and national organization.
4. Bella’s Concierge Program – Simply put, you need something I will help you find it. I am constantly out at networking events all around Scottsdale. I have known the integrity of other business owners and their work and can 100% vouch for their services (as they can with ours). Anything house or pet related, just ask. We are the only pet sitting service in Scottsdale that offers this COMPLIMENTARY service to our clients!
5. Founder of The Business of Pet Sitting, LLC –BHPS is run by a nationally leading pet sitting coach and expert. This is an online community unique of its kind to inspire, motivate, and challenge pet sitters in the USA and Canada to take it to the next level. I am the Founder and the Coach in this community complete with weekly challenges, webinars, teleconferences and more. Bella’s House & Pet Sitting is lead by a national expert in the pet sitting industry.
6. Ready Key Program – We have a amazing system that secures and codes your key. Going away on a last min trip? We have your key already. Convenience is key!
7. Personalized Service – During the consultation we create a customizable program for our fur kid clients. No two programs are the same. Clients are paired up with their personal sitter who they are able to build a relationship with. If appointment is booked with enough advanced notice, clients will always have the same pet sitter.
8. Bonded and Insured & Workman’s Compensation! This is HUGE! And we show you proof during our consultation. This is for our two and four legged clients protection. What would happen if an independent sitter hurt themselves in your home? Flooded your downstairs because a toilet was left running? You would be unprotected and responsible for their mistakes.
9. Disaster Preparedness Plan – What happens if there is a fire on McDowell Mountain? What happens if there was some sort of natural disaster in our area? We have a plan (as outlined by the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters) to combat anything. We also have the resources to put the plans in motion. Not all pet sitters have given serious consideration to this. It could mean life or death for your fur kid.
10. Member of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS)
    Being a member means that I had to sign the Pledge of Professional Conduct.  The Pledge guides them in conducting their businesses by the highest standards of ethical behavior.  It also promotes humane interaction with animals and fellow human beings. Details can be found here: http://www.petsitters.org/index.cfm?section=BecomeMem&content=Indvmembers#ethics
11. Philanthropy – We care about giving back and do so on a regular basis. We are supporters of the United States Humane Society (USHS), Gabriel’s Angels, Arizona Rescue a Golden and Paw Placement. In fact, in addition to donating money we have created events for their benefit.One can that can be found here: http://www.bellashouseandpets.com/P4P.html http://www.scottsdalepetexpert.com/announcments/what-is-20-really-worth-to-you-a-life/
12. Highly trained employees (not independent contractors!) Bella’s is the best…. All of Bella’s House & Pet Sitting employees (not independent contractors!) not only go through an extensive background check, but are personally hand picked, screened, and trained by Danielle Vasta, the Owner. As Danielle states, “Each of my employee’s are a direct extension of me. They are like my left and right arm. I trust them, I have trained them, and tested them, therefore vouch for them.” Bella’s only hires the best!” In addition, because we have a team – our clients will never be left high and dry. We are almost always available and have back up if GOD FORBID something happened to one of us. Most independent pet sitters can’t say the same thing.
13. Easy to use on line scheduling system! No more playing phone tag or wondering if your booking was received. We have eliminated any scheduling mistakes making it virtually impossible to “forget” a pet sit because of this technology. Not all pet sitters have this. Almost no independent pet sitters have this.

And if you still don’t believe us check out these sites to see what clients are saying about us:
http://local.yahoo.com/info-33875475-bella-s-house-pet-sitting-scottsdale?tab=reviews
http://www.bellashouseandpets.com/rants

So that folks is how we show QUALITY. Is it really enough to leave your home and your fur kid in the possession of someone who only loves the pets…but doesn’t provide a quality service with a plan B or plan C?

While I may be involved in the pet sitting on a daily basis, I often forget that what is common knowledge to me isn’t always to others. When I was recently at a client’s home in Scottsdale I remembered being shocked that they didn’t know about Valley Fever and how prevalent it is in dogs here in the southwest. As a result, I decided to put together this information. Please pass it on and help spread the word. Also, if you are a person of authority on this subject…I would love to read your comments below and encourage you to elaborate.

According to the University of Arizona, “Valley Fever is caused by a fungus that lives in the desert soil in the areas described above.  As part of its life cycle, the fungus grows in the soil (saprophytic cycle) and matures, drying into fragile strands of cells.  The strands are very delicate, and when the soil is disturbed – by digging, walking, construction, high winds – the strands break apart into tiny individual spores called arthroconidia or arthrospores.  Dogs and people acquire Valley Fever by inhaling these fungal spores in the dust raised by the disturbance.  The dog may inhale only a few spores or many hundreds.”

What it looks like

It continues to say that, “Once inhaled, the spores grow into spherules (parasitic cycle) which continue to enlarge until they burst, releasing hundreds of endospores.  Each endospore can grow into a new spherule, spreading the infection in the lungs until the dog’s immune system surrounds and destroys it.  The sickness Valley Fever occurs when the immune system does not kill the spherules and endospores quickly and they continue to spread in the lungs and sometimes throughout the animal’s body.” (http://www.vfce.arizona.edu/VFID-dodogs.htm)

According to valley-faver.org,
“Most animals that inhale the spores do not become infected, and many become resistant to infection. There are two main forms of the disease; a primary form which generally involves the lungs and manifests as fever, cough, and loss of appetite. The other form, known as the disseminated form, can involve bone, joints, skin and other organ systems. This form is much more difficult to treat.

CLINICAL SIGNS include;

• Fever
• Joint swelling
• Weight loss
• Cough
• Skin abscesses
• Lameness
• Pain
• Seizures
• Incoordination.

Diagnosis is made through blood tests, X-rays, biopsy, or other tests depending on areas affected.”
http://www.valley-fever.org/valleyfeverdogs.html

If you suspect that your pet may have been a victium of valley fever, please consult with your veterinarian immediately. If you do not have one, may we recommend Dr. Casey of McDowell Mountain Animal Hospital (www.mcdowellmtnvet.com)

We encourage you to pass and share this blog with your friends to help spread the education.

Being a pet sitting in Scottsdale, AZ you wouldn’t believe the number of calls and emails I get a week from random strangers, “Oh, I can’t keep my pet. Can you take it or know anyone who can?” Grrrr.  So that you never have to be this person, please consider the following when thinking about adopting your next fur kid!

Time – It is recommended that dogs get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. Some pets are okay being left for longer periods of time (like cats) as opposed to dogs, who should have the ability to go potty every 8-10hrs depending on the breed.

Types of dogs – Larger breeds vs smaller breeds require a whole different amount of time and attention. Be sure to do research on the type of breed that you are looking at getting. Maltese’s are a lot different than bulldogs or labs.

Cats – Are great for individuals who work long hours or want a more low maintenance pet. Cats are much easier to care for and require less of a time commitment than a dog.

Commitment – 12 yrs is the average life span of a dog, while the average life span of a cat is 15-17 years. When choosing to bring a pet into your life consider where you will be in the next decade and understand that it is more than a commitment for now, and rather much later down the road.

Did you know?

~Between 9-11million pets are euthanized last year?
~Arizona has the second largest pet overpopulation?
~Black cats and dogs are adopted last?
~There is a rescue group for every breed out there!
~Pets only last avg. of 3 days before they are destroyed in the Maricopa shelters because overpopulation is such a problem! (This includes pets who are lost! ID your pet!)
~Mix breeds are less likely to have health problems.

Help save a life and RESCUE your next pet.

For more tips or resources in helping you to find a new fur kid, feel free to contact Bella @480.330.4552 or at: info@bellashouseandpets.com  This information has been provided to you by Bella’s House & Pet Sitting. MMRs most popular pet sitting service!

DOGGIE STEP Dog Training is the prefered trainer of Bella’s House & Pet Sitting.

Need a change in your personal relationships? Take some advice from your dog.
by Mark Siebel – Owner – DOGGIE STEPS Dog Training

As a dog trainer in the Valley for over four years, I have yet to meet a customer who doesn’t display an overpowering connection, passion, and love for their dog. Sure, they say that a real man doesn’t cry, but the love that he displays for his dog is worldly. The closest thing to unconditional love from a dog, is the love a mother has for her child. We joke that “dysfunctional” families have disputes that often seem as if they CANNOT be resolved. The love from a dog lasts forever and is truly unconditional. To ensure your wife doesn’t pick the dog over YOU for movie night, follow the below simple tips:

Listening is the KEY to communication. A dog’s best sense is scent. What is a human’s best sense? Who really knows? Dogs act on instinct where human beings act on feelings and emotions. 80% of my job as a dog trainer is listening, and the remainder is problem-solving and reassurance. Having two ears and only ONE mouth should give us a hint!

Forgiveness and flexibility. Have you ever known a dog to hold a grudge? If so, for how long? I have NEVER seen a dog at a dog park go home with ANOTHER owner! Dogs are loyal and will remain with their original owner unless separated at the owner’s choice. Don’t be so rigid with your loved ones. It takes years to make acquaintances and only MINUTES to lose them! Joy takes less energy than anger. Forgive more and judge less.Are humans designed for unconditional love? Observe your dog’s behaviors and begin your path to find the answer to this question.

Mark Siebel has trained over 500 Arizona Valley dogs, has dog training tips published monthly in various AZ magazines, appears on NBC Arizona Midday & ABC Sonoran Living, speaks regularly with local schools youth groups about the importance of dog safety and ownership, and donates time to kids who want to learn more about dogs. He is a member of APPSA (Arizona Professional Pet Sitters Association) and ASC of Arizona (Australian Shepherd Club of Arizona). Mark owns (2) Australian Shepherds named Leinie and Kugel. Voted 2008 runner-up “Best Dog Trainer in Phoenix” by SonoranTails Pet Magazine. For more information or general dog questions, go to: www.DoggieStepsDogTraining.com or call Mark @602.318.0122.

This can be a scary time for your pets please take these suggestions into mind.

#1 – If you are leaving, be sure to keep your pets indoors, and preferably towards the middle of the house to help eliminate the boom sounds against windows.

#2 – Leave the TV or radio on medium level to drown out the noise.

#3 – If you pet is destructive, quarantine them to a certain part of your home.

#4 – Leave them with a task to do. Kongs work great for this!

#5 – DO NOT make a big deal of leaving. This will add to their anxiety.

#6 – Close the doggy door. Do you know that shelters see and influx of pets after the 4th of July bc so many pets try to “escape” bc they are scared?

Additional info can be found here: http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/summer_care_tips_for_you_and_your_pets/keep_your_pet_safe_on_july_4th.html

This information has been provided to you by Danielle Vasta, Owner of Bella’s House & Pet Sitting. Please contact her at: (480)330-4552 or www.BellasHouseAndPets.com for any of your pet sitting needs.

By Tracie Hotchner, The Dog Bible

Dogs can suffer from heatstroke easily: conditions that may not even be uncomfortable for you may be life threatening to your pooch. Jogging with an owner on a hot day is defiantly dangerous: even going for a walk with him when it’s very hot can cause heatstroke. There are times when exposing a dog to direct sun through the window of a moving car even an air-conditioned one can be risky. There have been cases of small dogs actually dying in a car being driven by their owners in very hot, sunny conditions.

Dogs are susceptible to the effects of heat because their skin works differently than ours. We have many sweat glands and tiny capillaries in our skin, and the sweat we produce when we get overheated evaporates, which cools the blood in those capillaries. Dog skin has neither sweat glands nor blood-cooling capillaries.

Dogs cool themselves by panting, which allows cooler air into their lungs to dissipate their body heat. Blood vessels in the tough and mouth are cooled as the saliva evaporates. Panting is not an efficient cooling system, and a dog can easily enter the danger zone: the point at which he cannot cool himself down.

Ways to keep your dog cool in the heat:

1. Walk your dog in the cool of the day, preferably early in the morning. Even by the end of the day when the sun has gone down, the pavement is still very hot.
2. Stand on grass or shaded surfaces when outdoors with your dog: asphalt and concrete absorb heat and can burn footpads.
3. Always take along water and a bowl anytime you’re out and about with your dog, but especially in hot weather.
4. Don’t shave off all your dogs hair. You may think that fur is hotter, but a pets fur actually helps insulate him from the heat (and can help prevent sunburn). Try a puppy cut instead.
5. Fill a hard-sided plastic kiddie-pool with water: your dog(s) can use it to drink from and to walk or lie down to cool off, especially after walking or playing.
6. Leave your dog home when you run errands-your car turns into an oven in minutes. (Even when it is 70 out!!!)

 Did you know???  Dogs body temperature should be 104F

This information has been provided to you by Danielle Vasta, Owner of Bella’s House & Pet Sitting. Please contact her at: (480)330-4552 or www.BellasHouseAndPets.com for any of your pet sitting needs!