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. 

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.

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

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Considering Pet Insurance.

Should you carry pet insurance?  Well, do you carry human insurance?  How important are your four-legged children to you and your family?  You could rationalize that we only have these loved-ones for a dozen years or so, but do we want to say good-bye too soon because we can’t afford to treat an affliction or injury?

Here are some reasons to have pet insurance –

1.  It allows you to pick your veterinarian.

2.  It does not discriminate by breed or age…nearly any dog or cat can be insured.

3.  Prevents dipping into emergency funds that were earmarked for something else.

4.  Peace of mind.  Need we say more?

If you believe in pet sitting services, it would also seem that you would be a strong proponent of pet insurance.  We at Critter Sitters have “no dog in the fight”.  We just want you to have your beloved family member for as long as you can.  Please visit www.alltopcrittersitters.com to discover who we are and what we believe in.  Give us a call at (630) 844-9554.

What are you Planning for 2018?

I’ll bet you that you did not plan on having a house fire!  Jill of Critter Sitters did not either.  She was entreated to watch over a family’s four-legged children while the humans traveled during the Christmas season to visit their human friends.  Along the way, potential disaster struck.  The Christmas lights started a house fire.

Now, understand Jill’s job as a representative of Critter Sitters was to watch the pets.  However, when the outside lights started a fire Jill acted quickly.  She contacted the fire department and, of course, made sure that the cats were okay.  The fire fighters did their job and Jill rose to the occasion because that is her call of duty!

When you hire Critter Sitters, serving Elburn, Sugar Grove and many adjacent Western Suburban Chicagoland communities, you are hiring responsible people who will care for your home as well as your pets.  Why would you call anyone else?  Sandy at Critter Sitters is the boss of this amazing team.  Give her a call at (630) 844-9554.

Vetting your Sitter.

We could say…vet your vet…you should do that too, but here we are talking about the humans that you trust to watch, walk, and generally baby-sit your four-legged children.  Who are they exactly?  Will they care as much about my pet as I do?  These are critical questions that need comforting answers.  So, make a New Year’s resolution!

For example, what vets do they use and trust?  What adoption services do they “adopt” and endorse?  Do they have the expertise to care for your loved one in case of an emergency?  Are they “friends” of the ASPCA and the American Kennel Club.  And, above all, who are the pet-sitters that are a part of their team.

All of these answers and more can be found at this website…alltopcrittersitters.com.  For decades Sandy has been caring for pets in the Elburn, Sugar Grove, and surrounding areas of Western Suburban Chicago.  She has built a team of caring, loving individuals who have been thoroughly vetted.  Call Sandy to arrange an in-home visit at (630) 844-9554.

Happy Holidays from Critter Sitters.

It is a joyous time of year in far west suburban Chicago.  Friends and relatives are gathering together with their four-legged children to celebrate the holiday season.  Isn’t it great to have a pet?  That is especially true this time of year when many may suffer a case of holiday blahs.  A warm hug and a wagging tail will perk you right up!

At Critter Sitters we hope that this season is the best ever for your family and wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  We have spent 2017 adding to our staff of professional animal care-givers so that you can rest assured that when you leave your loved-ones in our care we will treat them like our own.

Could you take an extra five minutes during this busy time of year and visit our website?  It is www.alltopcrittersitters.com.  Here, you can read all about us and meet our loving pet-sitters who hope to serve you in the Sugar Grove, Elburn, and surrounding area this busy season and throughout the upcoming year.  Once again, happy holidays to you and your critters from us!

Dogs are Not Bears.

Well no duh!  Your four-legged canine best friend is not going into hibernation for the next several months.  They need fresh air and exercise now more than ever as the seasons change and the snow begins to fly.  They need potty breaks, walks, and exercise in the winter instead of being confined in your home all day.

Do you want to go out in the Suburban Chicago winter weather to walk your dog every day?  For many of us it is just not practical to do so.  You should be looking into hiring a professional dog walking service.  Hire someone who is hearty and more than willing to walk your pooch on some of our winter days.

The answer to your dilemma is found at Critter Sitters.  Visit the website www.alltopcrittersitters.com and see the gallery of beautiful creatures that Sandy Hafenbrack and her loving staff take care of year around.  They serve the entire Sugar Grove and Elburn area with special dog walking services.  Call for an in-home visit today at (630) 844-9554. 

Elizabeth…The Queen of Pet Sitters.

Liz, as she is known, is one of the amazing pet care professionals employed by Sandy Hafenbrack of Critter Sitters Pet Sitting Service.  If you hear her mention the names Izzy and Bailey Jane she is just talking about her kids.  They are two marvelous felines who share her home and her life.

When it comes to pedigrees Liz has quite an impressive one herself.  At one time, she managed the Chicago Marathon for PAWS.  If you have not heard of it we are referring to Chicago’s largest no kill animal shelter!  She has spent her life loving all creatures great and small.  She will share her love of animals anytime you ask.

Liz is one of the truly caring pet sitters whom Sandy trusts implicitly to treat your beloved four-legged child with the same care and attention you do.  When you go to work each day or perhaps on vacation turn to Critter Sitters Pet Sitting Service attending to pets throughout Sugar Grove, Elburn, and the surrounding area.  Just call Sandy anytime at (630) 844-9554.

Jack (the dog) and Jill Went up the Hill.

I don’t know if they ended up fetching a pail of water, but I DO know that Jack got a good workout and stayed fit and happy.  How?  Because Jill is one of the trained professional pet sitters who works for Sandy Hafenbrack at Critter Sitters Pet Sitting Service caring for your pet in the far west suburbs of Chicagoland.

Jill has cared for furry creatures both great and small throughout her entire life.  Her pet sitting expertise includes dogs, cats, birds, fish, and yes…even pet pigs!  Oh yeah, a Vietnamese pig needs plenty of TLC when its mom and dad are away from home.  Jill lives in Sugar Grove and you can trust her implicitly with your four-legged child.

Most people think of pet sitting service as a once in a while need.  How about every single day when the household is empty while everyone works and is in school?  Critter Sitters Pet Sitting Service covers Sugar Grove, Elburn, and the surrounding area every day with their caring and loving attention to your pets.  Call Sandy today at (630) 844-9554.