Family New Years Eve Party!

Family New Years Eve Party!

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"Join us for a family friendly New Years party includes a “midnight” countdown at 7pm, Live DJ, Confetti Balloon Drop and Pizza Buffet"

 

How to Become a Pet Sitter.

Have you thought about this wonderfully rewarding profession?  Talk about warm and fuzzy feelings…this is the ultimate!  Would you like to make some extra money in 2019 and beyond doing what you already love to do?  Pet parents everywhere need your help with their pets when they can't spend as much time with them as they would like or when they are on vacation.

Here are some pointers before you embark on your first pet sitting job –

1.  Dogs will often mark their territory…don’t freak out.

2.  There is also likely to be a smell that you are not used to.

3.  For some breeds shedding is also a factor.

4.  You need to know about the pet’s behavior and feeding habits.

5.  What commands does it (or they) understand?

Great pet sitters are always in demand.  Do you have what it takes to sit with all creatures great and small in the Sugar Grove, Elburn, and Aurora Illinois area?  If you feel that this is your calling, then contact Sandy Hafenbrack of Critter Sitters.  She would love to meet you!  Call this phone number at (630) 844-9554 and visit the website at www.alltopcrittersitters.com.

Where to see Santa in the Western Suburbs 2018

Where to see Santa in the Western Suburbs 2018

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Make a date to give your wishes to Santa and take advantage of the photo op!

It’s More than Just Pet Sitting.

How many homes do you think will be burglarized in America this year…try one in every 35 or so!  When you consider those numbers, it could send chills up your spine.  When you hire a full-service pet sitter to take care of your four-legged kids you should also think about the peace of mind you could derive when someone is checking-up on your castle as well.

Here in Western Suburban Chicagoland and the Southern Fox Valley we are all vulnerable.  This is not to mention the fact that when the master leaves the house that next 10 hours can be very lonely and stressful for the best friend(s) that you leave behind.  Consider safety and the comfort of your pets.

When you hire Critter Sitters you get much more than a pet sitter.  They routinely pick up newspapers and packages that may arrive during the day.  Your home will have a lived-in look if anyone is outside “casing the joint”.  In Sugar Grove and the surrounding area dozens of pet and home owners count on Critter Sitters.  Call Sandy today at (630) 844-9554.

Day of the Dog: Run, Walk or Jog 5K & 10K - Chicago (Virtual Race)

Day of the Dog: Run, Walk or Jog 5K & 10K - Chicago

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"Third annual Day of the Dog: Run, Walk or Jog 5K & 10K!  You are invited to complete a 5K or 10K anytime before December 31st for, or with, your favorite four legged friend. 15% of every registration will be donated to Freedom Service Dogs of America."

Walk the Dog.

No, not a yo-yo trick, but rather a strategy for your four-legged best friend.  How often your dog needs to be walked mostly depends on what breed you have and its health condition and capability.  There are many factors that determine the number of times you should walk your dog every day.  There are some breeds for whom once a day walks are enough, but some others, especially high-energy ones, require more walks each day.

Walking is very important because it becomes a physical daily routine…just like us humans.  It keeps his bones stronger and keeps him from getting bored and chewing things or exhibiting other destructive behaviors (that might be true of humans as well!).  Plus, it is productive that they socialize with other people and dogs.

You know how important it is to make sure that your dog(s) has/have plenty of exercise.  Now, whom do you trust?  If you live in the Southern Fox Valley around Aurora, Sugar Grove, etc. you can count on the crew at Critter Sitters.  Meet them all by visiting www.alltopcrittersitters.com.  Then give Sandy a call for a visit at (630) 844-9554.

A List of 2018 Chicagoland Turkey Trots

A List of 2018 Chicagoland Turkey Trots

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"For many of us, the Turkey Trot was that first race we ever ran as a kid. Maybe it’s the only race you’ll do all year. Point is, if you’re not running this Thanksgiving, you’re missing out on a pretty spectacular running tradition."

Because We Think You Should Know.

How many times have you priced a service and you hear “well it depends”?  That is maddening isn’t it?  When it comes to pet sitting, prices can vary dramatically throughout the Fox Valley.  DO NOT get caught overpaying because you live in an upscale neighborhood.  Make no mistake, there are pet sitters who will try to take advantage of that!

That’s why it is extremely comforting to know the fees of Critter Sitters BEFORE you give Sandy a call.  Just go to their website www.alltopcrittersitters.com and click on the tab policies.  There you will find rates, scheduling, payments, etc.  You will know exactly what to expect before you pick up the phone.

Critter Sitters has nothing to hide.  They are even proud to give you the bio’s of their compassionate pet sitters.  Now the only question remaining is do you need a pet sitter?  Would you hire a professional baby sitter for your underage children or leave them next door?  Enough said!  Call Sandy for an in-home visit today in the Southern Fox Valley at (630) 844-9554.

Aurora Veterans Day Parade to Honor All Who Served

Aurora Veterans Day Parade to Honor All Who Served

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"The City of Aurora, with support from the Aurora Veterans Advisory Council, will host the annual Veterans Day Parade beginning at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, November 11, 2018."

Halloween Happenings in This Week’s Fall Events Guide

Halloween Happenings in This Week’s Fall Events Guide

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Round up the family and friends and enjoy Halloween Happenings around town!

Pet Poisoning.

It is a frightening fact, over 100,000 pets are accidentally poisoned in this country every year.  If and when it happens to your four-legged or feathered friend it is imperative that you do not panic and act quickly.  It starts with safety first by removing all of the potentially harmful products, plants, and foods from their wandering mouths.

Here are some helpful tips to remember –

1.  What did your pet digest and when?
2.  How much did they intake?
3.  Know the pet’s current weight.
4.  What is your pet’s medical history?

These are all important steps to insuring that your pet survives this scary incident.  When you cannot be around all day you want the peace of mind that comes with having the area’s best pet sitting service look in on your pet and your home.  In Aurora, Sugar Grove, Elburn and surrounding Chicagoland that answer is always Critter Sitters.  Call Sandy today at (630) 844-9554 for a visit to your home

Get to Know Us Before You Get to Know Us.

It may sound confusing, but it has a great deal to do with your busy schedule.  Choosing the right pet sitter in the Southern Fox Valley is as important to you as choosing the right family doctor or dentist.  You cannot afford to make a mistake just because someone on the internet proclaims that they are qualified pet sitters.

That is why we want you to visit www.alltopcrittersitters.com.  We want you to get to know who we are and what we do before we come into your home and baby-sit your four-legged kids.  On our website you will find a form.  It is called Sign Up.  Take your time and fill it out so we can discover your family’s needs.

My name is Sandy Hafenbrack.  Many years ago, I turned my love for all creatures great and small into a thriving pet sitting business in Aurora, Sugar Grove, Elburn and the surrounding area around the Fox Valley.  Your pets are your most important possessions and we know it.  Please fill out the form and I will give you a call or call me at (630) 844-9554.

Naper Settlement hosts Oktoberfest on Friday, Oct 5th & Oct 6th

Naper Settlement hosts Oktoberfest on Friday, Oct 5th & Oct 6th

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Be part of an annual autumn event that celebrates our community’s heritage.

She Talks to the Animals.

And the Queen of cats and dogs in the Western Suburbs of Chicagoland is…envelope please…Sandy Hafenbrack.  If you don’t already know the owner of Critter Sitters, located in Sugar Grove, and her amazing team of pet sitters, then GET to know them.  They are your pet’s second-best friends!

About three decades ago she started with one basic premise.  When you have to be away from your residence, your dogs, cats, rabbits, fish, rodents, birds, and reptiles would be better off if they were able to stay at home than being “shipped off” somewhere.  Why would anyone think otherwise?

Here is the bottom line, you never again should have to worry about asking family, friends or neighbors to care for your pets while you are away.  Sandy and her crew are caring, compassionate, thorough, knowledgeable, and reliable.  What else could you ever ask for?  Call Critter Sitters for a free in-home visit in the Sugar Grove, Elburn, and Aurora area.  That phone number is (630) 844-9554.  

4th Annual Oktoberfest, Sept 22nd

4th Annual Oktoberfest, Sept 22nd. 

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"Come to Bethany's 4th Annual Oktoberfest! There will be beer and brats for sale, games for children of all ages, bouncy houses, face painting, and live music!"

Saturday, Sept 22nd, 12pm - 10pm

Bethany Lutheran Church and School

Count on Jill for whatever your pet needs!

Jill loves all creatures great and small.  Whether it’s gerbils, hamsters, fish, birds, cats, dogs, even pot-bellied pigs…Jill loves them all like her own.

Jill, along with her husband and children have lived in Sugar Grove for years and has cared for four-legged loved ones for decades.  No one cares for your furry friends the way you do…or do they?  You may be pleasantly surprised when you hire Jill to pet-sit.  You may ask her to move in…check with her family first!

Jill is just one part of an amazing team of caring, loving, detail-oriented, pet-sitting professionals who work for Critter Sitters in the Sugar Grove, Elburn, Aurora Illinois area.  Call Sandy who is the president and visit www.alltopcrittersitters.com to see the team.  That phone number is (630) 844-9554.  You can call with confidence!

Don't Miss the Labor Day Parade, Sept 3rd.

Don't Miss the Labor Day Parade, Sept 3rd.

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Make your plans to attend the Naperville Labor Day Parade!

The Art of Pet Sitting.

It really IS an art.  Not every lover of creatures great and small is the right choice to babysit or walk your four-legged children.  I know one who just happens to be named Art!  How about that?  Art is a U.S. Marine veteran and a retired mechanical department employee of Metra.  He is a lover of all creatures and a person who takes pride in being true to his word.

He fought to protect we humans, now he plies that same passion in caring for your critters.  Be they dogs, cats, birds, etc. Art will treat them as if they were his own.  If anyone could be said to be “on a mission” it would be Art.  His mission is to make sure that the quality of life of your pets is extended as far as possible.

Now, how do you meet Art?  That’s very simple.  If you live in the far-Western suburbs of Chicagoland such as Sugar Grove, Elburn, etc. just visit www.alltopcrittersitters.com.  Art’s smiling face can be seen on the meet our sitters tab.  Call Sandy and arrange a meeting with Art anytime at (630) 844-9554.

Call on Beth for Your Pet Sitting Needs!

Beth is here to cater to your four-legged kids!  Beth is one of the major reasons why hundreds of people living in the far western suburbs of Chicagoland choose Critter Sitters to care for their creatures great and small.

For the last year and a half Beth has devoted her time to making sure that YOUR 4-legged children get the best care possible.  Sandy (the owner) did not just choose her on a whim.  Beth was carefully vetted.  It started with the fact that Beth had been caring for animals for 40 years!!

She knows that your dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, fish, and little furry friends are a part of the family.  When you can, or must travel, or are absent during the day they need the same care that you would provide them.  That’s where Beth and the team from Critter Sitters comes in.  If you live in Southern Kane County please call (630) 844-9554.

Longevity = Special Needs.

In recent years, Baby Boomers and the greatest generation has been living longer than their predecessors.  The same is true for our beloved four-legged kids.  Nowadays, we can anticipate a double-digit lifespan for our dogs (depending on the size and breed, of course).  With that, comes an increased need for geriatric critter care.

How do you administer vaccine to your best friend?  Here are some P’s to follow –

1.  Pre-visit your vet to determine if the dog may be administered vaccine at home.

2.  Possible reactions that they have to particular vaccines.

3.  Proper schedule.

4.  Proper Administration…temperature, transportation of the medicine, etc.

5.  Preparing your buddy for the shot by carefully checking the area first.

6.  Perfect insertion and removal of the syringe

Isn’t it great to know that the professional dog sitters at Critter Sitters of Southern Kane County, Illinois have all of the skills necessary to keep your best friend happy and healthier for a good many years.  When you call Sandy or one of her team to come into your home you are trusting someone who cares about your dog almost as much as you do.  Please call today for an in-home visit at (630) 844-9554.

Blackberry Farm Aurora

Blackberry Farm Aurora

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"Blackberry Farm is a living history museum where pioneer life is re-created through educational demonstrations and hands-on fun. Admission to Blackberry Farm includes unlimited rides on the train, hay wagon, pedal tractors, paddle boats, carousel and ponies."

Come out and enjoy!

You’re Going to be Gone for HOW Long?

Most of the year if you leave home it is for a day or perhaps a weekend.  In the summer, you may be absent from your castle for weeks.  Vacation should not be stressful worrying what’s going on back at home!  Small animals which can be left safely for a day or two are in danger if left alone for weeks.

Your gerbil, rabbit, guinea pig, macaw, even your expensive fish need care if you are going to be gone for a couple of weeks.  And what about your home itself?  Shouldn’t someone be looking in on the household periodically to insure safety and security?  You know the answer to that…of course they should!

If you live anywhere around southern Kane County in Chicagoland you can trust one of the best pet and house sitters in the land.  Sandy, or someone on her trusted team will look in on your home and your little critters while you relax worry-free hundreds of miles away.  Call Sandy today to arrange an initial visit at (630) 844-9554.

Fourth at RiverEdge Park

Fourth at RiverEdge Park

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"Enjoy music and fireworks on the Fourth at RiverEdge Park. The patriotic American Legion Band will fill you with pride as they bring American standards, marches and more. Next is the 60-plus member Fox Valley Orchestra that will play everything from top 40 hits to classics and your favorite movie scores. End the night with an impressive fireworks show that will make you realize Aurora isn’t called the City of Lights for nothing."

Walk the Dog.

Wait, wasn’t that an old yo-yo trick?  No tricks here, just common sense.  Your dog should be walked on an almost daily basis, and intellectually you know that.  The benefits of a canine walk not only benefits their physical well-being, but also staves off boredom which can lead to bad behavior such as chewing.  So…walk off that excess energy!

How often should a dog be walked?  Well, it depends on the breed somewhat.  As a general rule it would be nice if your dog could take a brisk walk twice a day for 15 minutes at a time.  You say, hey I have to work all day and come home to a household that needs looking after.  What do I do about my four-legged child’s welfare?

Voila…enter Critter Sitters!  We walk dogs and provide many other pet care services.  Find out what a difference that extra walk per day could mean for your best friend.  Please contact me…Sandy Hafenbrack to get all of the details.  We invite you to visit our website at www.alltopcrittersitters.com for more details.  That phone number is (630) 844-9554.

Father's Day Reservations 2018 at Topgolf Naperville

Father's Day Reservations 2018 at Topgolf Naperville

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"Go all out for Father's Day! Treat Dad to great eats & drinks and games the entire family will love without the wait on Saturday, June 16 or Sunday, June 17."

Home is Where the Heart is.

This is true for two-legged creatures and four-legged ones as well.  When your pet is removed from its natural environment for an extended period it can be traumatic.  Is he or she too fearful and socially unpredictable in a foreign environment and would be better off at home?  It is a very important question to ask!

So, why in-home pet sitting?  Because the pets are in their own comfortable space and have the amenities necessary for stress relief.  They can’t tell you that verbally, but many of us know how important familiarity is.  Another advantage is the protection of your home itself.  They can collect newspapers and mail to make your home look occupied.

When you add it all up doesn’t it just make sense to remove this from your “stress list” before you head out on summer vacation?  Call Critter Sitters serving Sugar Grove, Elburn, and the far Western Suburbs of Chicagoland.  Sandy and her team will make your pet feel right at home because that’s exactly where they are!  Give her a call today at (630) 844-9554.

The Chicago Kids Obstacle Challenge

The Chicago Kids Obstacle Challenge

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"Kids Obstacle Challenge is the ultimate family adventure and the only obstacle course designed for kids ages 5-16, where both kids and parents get to run together! If you are looking for a family-friendly kids event in the Chicago area - look no further!"

Here Kitty, Kitty.

If that is a familiar sound in your home, then you may be contemplating what to do with your beloved feline when you go on vacation this summer.  We know that cats are not dogs and you may actually be thinking about either boarding them or leaving them home alone for a week.  You won’t do THAT will you?

Please don’t believe the things you may have read that cats can do just fine by staying home alone as long as you’ve filled up a mountain of food and a big bowl of water.  Just imagine the things that can go wrong!  There are things like medical emergencies and household mishaps that can occur during that very long period of time.

As Monty Python once joked “you wouldn’t want to come home to a dead cat!”.  This is merely our wake-up call to all of you cat fanciers in Sugar Grove, Elburn, and the far Western Suburbs of Chicagoland.  Your vacation plans should start with a call to Critter Sitters…the area’s premier pet sitting service.  Call Sandy at (630) 844-9554.

Aurora Memorial Day Parade

Aurora Memorial Day Parade

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May 28, 2018-May 28, 2018 | Noon
David L. Pierce Art & History Center | 20 E. Downer Pl. | Aurora, IL 60506 |

The City of Aurora will honor the service men and women who gave their lives for our country during the annual Memorial Day ceremony and parade on Monday with a pre-parade ceremony - In Memory of Many, In Honor of All

 

 

Help Wanted…Loves all of God’s Miracles.

It is easy to say, “I’m a dog lover, or I’m a cat lover, or I really love exotic birds”.  Is that really, really in your DNA?  Do you think of God’s creatures as miracles who bring joy to the two-legged people in their lives?  How committed are you to caring for someone else’s canine, feline, or feathered friend?

Sandy Hafenbrack of Critter Sitters is looking for a few extraordinary people to represent her company in the art of pet care.  That entails so many different things such as walking, feeding, playing, etc.  But, above all, it means loving that beautiful creature (big or small, young or old) as if it were your own!

If you live in Sugar Grove, Elburn, and the immediate area of far Western Suburban Chicago you might have what it takes to be a pet sitting professional working with the crew of Critter Sitters.  Please visit the website first alltopcrittersitters.com, then call Sandy and discuss your future as a trusted pet sitter.  That phone number is (630) 844-9554.

Your Four-Legged Child Needs their Exercise as Well.

How far away from work do you live?  If you live in the far Western Suburbs of Chicagoland, chances are you have a long commute.  Our days are extended by many minutes (maybe even hours of driving).  When we are in the car or at work hours seem like days to our beloved pets…especially our dogs.

Here is a test.  You try holding it all day!  Exactly, so why would you expect your dog to do the same thing?  Human contact is what brought the wolves to the fire eons ago.  Human interaction is what your dog(s) crave.  If you are not there to provide it, why not someone who loves all creatures great and small?

The answer in Sugar Grove, Elburn, and Western Suburban Chicagoland is Critter Sitters.  Sandy or one of her amazing team members will come over every workday and walk as well as play with the “kids”.  Now that is peace of mind on which you cannot put a price!  Call Sandy and arrange an in-home meet and greet at (630) 844-9554.

Check out Fox River Arts Ramble, April 21st

Fox River Arts Ramble

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"Fox River Arts is a collaborative group seeking to promote arts and culture in the Fox River Valley to cultivate a visible arts destination from Aurora to Elgin."

Take Me Out To The Ball Game!

Take Me Out To The Ball Game! 

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Get out and enjoy a game or two this season and support our Chicago Cubs!

Pet Sitting for all Creatures Great and Small.

One thing about our beloved pets is that they develop habits which stem from YOUR daily routine.  They sleep in similar places, eat at somewhat regular times, and (hopefully) sleep when you expect them too.  The important thing for a four-legged child is routine.  Anything that upsets that upsets the household.

What are your plans for 2018?  Will your job take you out of the house more often?  Will you be going on vacation(s)?  Do you have a sick relative outside of Chicagoland that you wish to visit?  Better yet, are you a snowbird who wants to escape winter for a month or so?  Every decision you make impacts your pets.

That is where Sandy Hafenbrack and her amazing, loving team of care-givers comes in.  Sandy is the owner of Critter Sitters serving Elburn, Sugar Grove, and other areas of Western Suburban Chicago.  When we say that she and her staff treat your loved ones with the same care you would we may be underestimating their love for all creatures great and small.  Call Sandy today for an in-home visit at (630) 844-9554.

Bird, Bird, Bird…Bird is the Word!

Hey, we are known as a premier dog walker and pet sitting service, but a lot of you in the far Western Suburbs of Chicagoland have exotic birds.  They are every bit as beloved as four-legged creatures and usually darned valuable.  When you are about to embark on a trip away from home for days you need to feel confident that all is well with your feathered friends.

What are some ways to establish a good bird sitter?  You could –

1.  Ask an avian veterinarian.

2.  Inquire around at area bird clubs.

3.  Hire a relative or friend.

That last choice could be a regretful one.  The best choice may be us.  We are Critter Sitters of Sugar Grove, Elburn, and the far Western Suburbs of Chicagoland.  When we say critters, we take tender loving care of all creatures great and small.  If you want to come home to a healthy, happy macaw or other birdie please call us for an in-home visit at (630) 844-9554.

Pet Photos with the Easter Bunny!

PET PHOTOS WITH EASTER BUNNY

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Fox Valley Mall

Thursdays, March 15th, 22nd and 29th from 7pm - 9pm

Hop your family pets over to take photos with the Easter Bunny!

A Pet Sitter Must Love My Pet Like Her Own.

It is just simply mandatory.  What would you do for your beloved four-legged child to protect it from harm?  Whatever that entails you must expect nothing less than that from the people you entrust to watch over them while you are on vacation or at work.  You look for compassion and longevity in the pet sitting business.

For more than 25 years Sandy Hafenbrack has devoted her life to caring for the lives of your pets in the Fox Valley.  Now, she has employed an amazing team of people who are dedicated to the same thing.  They will not only treat your “kids” with compassion, but also check around your home while you are away for any security issues.

That is a combination that is hard to beat.  Add to it, their medical training to help treat animals in need of daily shots, pills, etc. and you simply cannot do any better in Sugar Grove, Elburn, and the far Western Suburbs of Chicagoland.  Please call Sandy for a complimentary in-home visit at (630) 844-9554.

Behind The Artist - Learn from the Pros

Behind The Artist - Learn from the Pros

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"Learn from celebrated and award-winning professionals about what it means to be an artist, how to discover your creative style, and inside tips on how to take your work to the next level."

Sitting for Critters is not Just for Dogs.

Oh no, there are dozens of beloved pets both great and small that need to be looked in on.  Cats certainly come to mind.  Just because your kitty seems like a loner does not mean he or she wants to be left alone for days.  To a cat, a clean litter box is like a clean bathroom to us, so why subject her to that?

Beyond that there are exotic birds that live for decades and should not be left to sit by themselves for days on end.  There are hamsters, guinea pigs, bearded dragons (cute as heck in their own way!), snakes, etc.  Any and all mammals and reptiles need looking after if you are gone for more than a day or two.

Enter Critter Sitters.  Sandy and her amazing staff really do care for all creatures great and small and know how important they are to your family structure.  Monty Python had a cute skit back in a day that said with tongue in cheek “you wouldn’t want to come home to a dead cat!”.  Let your pets enjoy the comforts of their home while you are gone.  Call Critter Sitters serving the far Western Suburbs of Chicagoland at (630) 844-9554.