Bird, Bird, Bird…Bird is the Word.

For many of us in the Fox Valley our exotic parrots are part of our family.  With proper care, some live for decades and bring joy to a household through generations.  Not only that, but they are not cheap!  Buying the right bird to suit your home is an important decision…properly caring for it is even more important.

If you are ready for an extended vacation, you may have some guilt about leaving your beloved parrot(s) for an extended period.  Maybe you’re afraid that your baby will be traumatized.  Perhaps you are convinced that you are the only person on earth who can properly care for them.  Or, just maybe you are worried that they won’t forgive you.

They are very much like humans with feathers and if you need to leave your Southern Fox Valley home for a few days or more someone who is trained in the care and feeding of exotic birds should be looking in on them.  The answer is Sandy and her amazing team of pet lovers at Critter Sitters.  Give her a call for a free in-home visit at (630) 844-9554.

A Proper Dog Walk.

Just what is the proper method and time as well as frequency to walk your dog?  There is a right way to walk your dog.  Your pooch should either walk beside you or behind you, never in front of you. You should walk your dog, not the other way around.  It means a great deal in your dog's world.  When you let a dog walk in front of you, you're communicating that he's the one who is in charge of the walk.

How long a walk does your dog need, anyway?  Twenty minutes is a good amount of time to aim for most dogs—even seniors, if they’re in good health.  If your dog is very active, he may need longer, more vigorous walks, maybe even two or more times a day.  Or try slow, short jogs to get your active senior moving.

Proper dog walking is an art.  It is one that has been mastered by the pet care professionals at Critter Sitters.  Twelve months a year a Critter Sitters loving pro is excited to walk your dog…puppy or senior or in between.  Call Sandy at Critter Sitters serving the Southern Fox Valley of Western Chicagoland for an in-home visit at (630) 844-9554.

I Just Can’t Give my Four-Legged Friend a Shot.

For some of us in the Fox Valley this is just too much to ask.  The good news is our pets are living longer.  The bad news (as with humans) they are subject to more of the illnesses associated with old age.  The best news is that there is a team of caring, loving pet sitters that know how to administer shots to your best friends.

Have you ever Googled “how to give your dog a shot”?  It is a bit of an eye-opener.  It tells you to lift the skin above the shoulder.  It then says to insert the needle beneath the skin and pull back slightly on the plunger.  If you see blood returning through the plunger then pull the needle out immediately.  All of this assumes that you have a willing patient!

One of the alternatives is to bring on Critter Sitters serving Aurora, Sugar Grove, Elburn and the surrounding area of Chicagoland’s Fox Valley.  You not only get the best pet sitters in the area, but you also are hiring some of the best pet care experts anywhere in Chicago.  Give Sandy a call at Critter Sitters.  That phone number is (630) 844-9554.

Spring Has Almost Sprung!

I know that we have a ways to go, and memories of this harsh bitter-cold winter will linger for a while.  When March begins, we have the right and privilege to look forward to a break from cabin fever.  When is spring break at your kid’s school?  Also, if you did not know, Easter is April 21st this year, so you have some time left to plan a getaway.

Wait a minute.  Are you planning on staying home this spring because of your pets?  We understand, except that we also understand that it is a long run between January 1st and summer.  Why not plan that perfect spring vacation and leave your four-legged children to us?  We want to get to know them and give you the freedom to leave home on YOUR schedule. 

Ah, there is the rub.  YOUR schedule.  If you are a busy, working professional who leaves behind an empty house for a week or more then you want to be fair to your dog.  How about trusting us to care for your pets while you’re gone?  We are Critter Sitters serving the Fox Valley Area in Western Suburban Chicagoland with pet sitting services.  Call us at (630) 844-9554.

Most Pet Owners Agree on This.

Pet lovers and pets themselves come in all shapes and sizes.  There are dog lovers and cat lovers, or people that embrace exotic animals.  There is one thing that most all of them would agree on (especially the dog and cat ones).  That is, adoption from a shelter is better than a pet from a puppy or kitty mill.

Purebred puppies, for example were not the product of evolution.  I mean, you did not think that cavemen homogenized their best friends to produce a bulldog, a corgi, or a golden retriever…did you?  It was just a couple of centuries ago that purebreds became all the rage and now, some of them suffer from a myriad of genetic diseases shortening their lives!

We would like you to visit our website at alltopcrittersitters.com.  Please click on the resources tab and visit petfinder.com.  You will see an array of future “best friends” that are looking for a forever home.  There are thousands of others in The Fox Valley.  When pet sitting becomes an important need in your life, please contact me…Sandy Hafenbrack at (630) 844-9554.

It’s Okay…I Have a Cat.

Do you think that because you are one of our area’s cat lovers you can leave your feline(s) alone for extended periods while you take a winter vacation?  How long should you leave your cat alone in your Far West Suburban Chicago apartment?  There are horror stories about leaving cats alone for too long of a period.

How do you ensure that they get the exact amount of nutrition each day while you are away?  Plus, what about boredom?  Not every kitty wants to just be left alone!  Cleaning a litter box, giving the proper food and water, and just “human time” are all missing while you are enjoying the sunshine on that cruise ship.

Why not choose the pet sitting professionals at Critter Sitters?  One of their caring, loving staff will come to your Southern Fox Valley home as often as you wish to care for your kitties.  If you live in the Elburn, Aurora, Sugar Grove area of Far West Suburban Chicagoland call Sandy at Critter Sitters (630) 844-9554.

Could your Dog get Sicker in the Winter?

But the reality is, just like us humans, your canine buddy is susceptible to a range of illnesses brought on by exposure to Chicagoland’s Winter weather. Among these are hypothermia, frostbite, a cold, and kennel cough.  The obvious answer is to make your sure that your four-legged kid is not exposed to the harsh elements any more than they need to be.

What are the symptoms of a canine cold?

1.  Coughing, but know the difference between a cold and kennel cough.

2.  A runny nose…not just a normal wet nose.

3.  Sneezing.

4.  Watery eyes.

At Critter Sitters we understand that the health of your dog is nearly the same as to the health of your two-legged children.  We take extra care when we walk your canine in winter.  Far western suburban Chicagoland can get bitter cold this time of year and we are always aware of that.  Please call me, Sandy Hafenbrack at Critter Sitters serving Aurora, Sugar Grove, Elburn and the surrounding area at (630) 844-9554.

Walking your Dog in the Winter.

So, how cold is TOO cold for your four-legged children?  Here is a general rule of thumb for winter in Chicagoland.  If your dog(s) are medium to large they should be able to handle a 30-minute walk if the temperature is above 20 degrees.  Smaller breeds should be limited to about 15 minutes…and nobody should be out there walking if it dips below zero!

There really is no pat answer.  Observe your canine (as we will).  See how they are handling it.  One thing we recommend, especially around here, is always factor in the wind chill.  That has as much to do with comfort as the surface temperature.  Also, consider snow cover.  And naturally, we recommend a sweater especially for short-hairs.

There is no dog-walking manual for winter weather.  What we bring to the table is experience and care.  We are Critter Sitters of Aurora, Sugar Grove, Elburn, and throughout the Southern Fox Valley.  Our loving staff of pet sitters always considers health and safety first and foremost.  Just give us a call for a free in-home visit at (630) 844-9554. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.