honey, i'm home: communicating your arrival to your pet sitter

Call me overbearing. Call me neurotic. 

As a professional pet sitter, my motto is "expect the best, but prepare for the worst," so I ask my clients to let me know when they are home safely. 

Why do I care?

Imagine they don't return home safely, and I don't know it. Though it's never happened in my entire pet sitting career, imagine it did....I made my last visit for the "Smith Family Pets" at noon on Saturday because they are scheduled to return at 4:00 p.m. But they don't. Could they be...

• held up camping and out of cell phone range

• at the airport with drained cell phones, no charger, and a cancelled flight

• something worse, which I won't mention

What would happen to the pets who'd been in my care if their family hadn't arrived home as scheduled and could not communicate that information to me? Who cares about pooping on the floor at this point? What about dehydration or starvation?

So how do I solve this problem? I ask my clients to give me a call or text or email when they have arrived home safely. Even if it's 2:00 a.m....just let me know. I'll see the text and go right back to sleep, and I'll probably sleep easier knowing the animals are taken care of.

Most of the time, if my clients are delayed, they let me know. I'm able to extend their visits, and all is well. 

In order to ensure they let me know about their arrival home, I let them know during our initial consult that I expect a "safe arrival" message upon their return, and it's all spelled out in my terms and conditions. I also leave my clients treats and a note letting them know how things went. That note always includes a little reminder: "please let me know when you arrive home safely." If I don't hear from them when expected, they will get a call from me, and if I don't hear back from them in a reasonable amount of time, I will then make a visit to the pets to make sure all is well. I've done this a couple of times, only to find out that all was well and the clients had simply forgotten to call. Thank goodness. 

I find that my clients really appreciate this feature of our service. It may seem silly and unnecessary at first, but once they think of what might happen if this precaution was not set in place, they immediately get on board and thank me for my insightful ways. 

Insightful and caring? Thanks! Those closest to me call me a worry wart. I'll take insightful and caring any day. 

is your pet overweight? let's get real #HillsPet #giveaway #sponsored

I hate to admit it, but when it comes to evaluating pets based on their looks, I usually go for the kooky ones. Missing an eye? Come to mama. Scraggly fur? That's my girl! A little plump? Nah, you're extra cuddly! That plump you got goin' on just adds character. Nothin' to worry about. 

The problem with my philosophy? When it comes to pets being plump, there is a problem. Overweight dogs and overweight cats are surely cute and cuddly and a little bit funny, but the reality of the situation is that they aren't healthy. An overweight pet can have a whole host of health problems that can cause discomfort and a shortened life span. As pet parents, it is our responsibility to do whatever we can to keep our pets healthy. Helping your pet maintain a healthy weight is vital to his overall health. 

It's difficult! I understand. We hear all the stories about how Americans are overweight. We try, don't we? (How is that new year's resolution holding up, buy the way?) Did you know that America's pets are also dealing with weight issues? Over half of the population of dogs and cats in the U.S. are considered overweight, in fact. Dog weight loss and cat weight loss are becoming increasingly important to pet parents.

We often use food (usually the unhealthy kind) as an emotional crutch. We eat in times of celebration and in times of sorrow. We have "comfort food." We reward ourselves for a job well done with an indulgent treat. And we do the same for our pets. We reward them for a trick with a tasty treat or slip them a bit of food under the table at dinner time. Heck, we can't help ourselves...we even reward them with food just for being cute. I know I've had my struggles with that. We don't want to deprive our pets. Food equals love. And we love to love our pets.

So what do we do? Sometimes we try to reduce the amount of food we give our dogs and cats, but then they just start begging for more. Sometimes we try to impose a new exercise routine, but that only works if the canine or feline party is willing and able. Exercise is important to the whole family, but if we're not putting healthy food into our bodies, or if we're rewarding ourselves and our pets with food a little too often, our efforts to work those calories off can't keep up with our intake.

Hill's® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution just might be the answer. It puts the focus on WHAT we feed our pets rather than HOW we feed our pets. Hill's® seems to "get" us and our struggles to maintain our pets' health. It can be frustrating to try to help our pets loose weight and fail. Check out this hilarious video, "One Big Kitty:"

I want to snuggle him, too! But I think his owner is doing the right thing. He'll still be cute and cuddly in a couple of months after dining on Hills® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution. The most important thing is that he'll be healthy and comfortable, all set to maximize his time with his loving pet parent. Maybe he'll even master that obstacle course!

Our pets aren't as critical of themselves as we are when they look in the mirror (I'm a bit envious of that), so now is the time for us to look critically for them. They are cute and lovable no matter what, but are they maintaining a healthy weight? Let's help them. Hills® is working to help us help them. They report "Hills® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution food works by activating metabolism to regulate appetite and burn fat. In real life, normal conditions, 88% of dogs and cats that participated in our feeding trial lost weight without having to greatly change their life style."

Hill's® is generously supporting well minded readers in their pet weight loss efforts by allowing you the opportunity to try this program!

For your pet's opportunity to try Hill's® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution for free, we're giving away 10 Hill's® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution trial kits with your veterinarian's authorization. It's a $70 value!

Check out what the kits include:

CANINE METABOLIC STARTER KIT                         FELINE METABOLIC STARTER KIT

• One Weight Loss Success Tote Bag                       • One Weight Loss Success Tote Bag

• One Weight Loss Success Guide                            • One Weight Loss Success Guide

• One 6lb bag of Metabolic dry dog food                     • One 4lb bag of Metabolic dry cat food

• Two 13oz Metabolic cans                                       • Two 5.5oz Metabolic cans

• One 16oz Metabolic treats                                      •  One 2.5oz Metabolic treats 

• Two $25 coupons                                                   • Two $25 coupons

To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment and tell us about your pet who can benefit from Hills® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution. Be sure to include all of the required information below: 

• What is your pet: dog or cat

• Pet's age

• Pet's current weight or close guess

• Your name

• Your email address

Just like us, before starting a weight loss program, a doctor should be consulted. Your veterinarian's authorization is required before starting Hills® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution food.

This giveaway is limited to one winner per household and is for U.S. residents only. Be sure to use a valid email when leaving your comment so we can contact you if you are chosen as a winner.

Please share this opportunity with others by posting on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, or email a link to this article directly to a pet parent who may benefit from this information. We're all in this together!

MORE INFORMATION:

Hills® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution Website

Hills® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution for Dogs

Hills® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution for Cats

Hills® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution Ratings and Reviews

8 Common Snacks That Will Prompt a Portly Pet

Big Pet Gets Bigger: Latest Survey Shows Dog and Cat Obesity Epidemic Expanding

Banfield Pet Hospital State of Pet Health 2012

This post is sponsored by Hill's. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Hill's® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Food, but well minded only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc., is not responsible for the content of this article. 

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS TO ALL WHO ENTERED, AND CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS!

naming your pet in your will

Making a will is a necessary part of life, however unpleasant. Especially if one has children, expressing your wishes for them once you've kicked the bucket is extremely important. But what about our pets? Many of us consider them to be our children, and some of us have them in lieu of children. What can you do to ensure your pets are provided for in the event of your death?

This question was raised in my mind recently when a long-standing client called me before heading into the hospital for risky brain surgery. She asked me "if something happens, will you take my dogs?" She even set up a trust, of sorts, so they wouldn't be a financial burden to me. Of course, I said yes. (She came out of surgery just fine, incidentally, so she is still happily with her fur babies.)

What would happen to your pets, should you pass unexpectedly? How can you make sure they are provided for?

The first step is to ask a trusted animal-lover if they would be willing to adopt your animals. Although your pets may not last as long as human children, taking them on is a huge commitment, so make sure the person you choose understands and is willing to accept that. Also make sure they are aware of any special medical needs or issues your pet has and that they can handle them. Someone with a fear of needles may not be able to provide insulin injections for your diabetic cat. Know whether the person you have chosen is willing to take the animals in, himself, or if he intends to foster them until he can find an appropriate home. Express your wishes to have your animals kept together if that is important. Regardless of your specific circumstances, you'll want to be sure your expectations are clear and that you understand the intentions of the caretaker you choose.

In your will, you should indicate the person you choose, as well as a couple of alternate caretakers, should your primary caretaker be unable or unwilling to adopt your animals if the time comes.

In the U.S., a pet owner may not leave money to a pet. Instead, any funds you would like to leave for your pet may be left for the caretaker who adopts your pet. You can leave a sum of money or a percentage of your estate to that person with a request that they use the funds for the care of your animal. The caretaker has no legal obligation to use the money as requested, and you may not provide a directive, so it is important that you trust the person you choose to care for your pet. In order to avoid a potential challenge of the provisions of the will by other family members or otherwise involved parties, only a reasonable amount of money to care for the animal should be left to the caretaker. These funds may cover the cost of veterinary care, medications, food, grooming, boarding, etc.

If your trusted family members and friends aren't the animal-loving types, you can name a shelter or charity to care for your pet in the event of your death. Obviously, this isn't ideal, as shelters are already overcrowded, but it is a preferable alternative to doing nothing.

Some pet owners would rather their pets be euthanized than meet the fate of a bad home. This desire can be expressed in your will and to your pet's intended caregiver, but the caregiver is under no legal obligation to euthanize the animal.

The person your designate as your pet's caregiver will become the owner and will have all rights and decision-making power as any other pet owner, so choose wisely.

I hate thinking about what might happen to my animals (let's not even mention the human kids, here), should something happen to my husband and I. It's one of the most unpleasant things I can think of. But it's important.

I need to get on that.

Is your pet named in your will? How have you made decisions about what should happen to your pet in the event of your death? 

dog photo courtesy of