You can Teach An Old Cat New Tricks

I so know a few cats who would love a Roomba to beat up on their kin!

Sleeping Bags For Dogs!

What a great idea for those out-doorsey types of dogs who go into the wilderness with their owners.

Most of my part time pets are definitely only up to sleeping by the heater, on the end of the bed or under the covers, but I thought this was excellent, even if they never go hiking.

Barker Bags are named after little "Barker" who gave his owner the idea for the bed while they were having an adventure. Now Barker is almost famous!


Check it out here: http://barkerbag.com/

Pets That Pack

Virgin Australia have recently released frequent flyer points for pets.

The program even has a pet ambassador, but I think my part time pets would have given Pepper a run for the top job - if only they hadn't snoozed through the nomination phase!

It made me smile as I imagine the next stage being a Virgin debit card that allows pets to get extra points when they login online and buy their fav chicken treats, chew bones and greenies.

I daresay with enough points they will be able to have their treats delivered inflight, on demand.  Sophie, one of my part time pets in San Fran knew exactly when it was 9PM and her greenie got dished out - 9:01 was never an appropriate time!

Perhaps their own private lounge if they're flying business class, where only the most discerning butts get sniffed pre flight.

Then how about the inflight meals provided by chef Luke Mangan served in crystal bowls when they get to platinum status.

I know many of my discerning part time pets prefer to stay at home and have me come by and sit with them so they get their every need met in the comfort of their own home.   But if my four legged friends gotta fly, well then I trust the flight attendants will store their cuddly rug, chew bone and favourite toys in the over head locker, just the way they like it and that their seat back and tray table will be moved for them into the upright position when they have to awake from their snooze.

By the time they get all their special stuff packed, I suspect flying a pet would require more excess luggage fees than travelling with kids!

You can check out the program here:
http://www.velocityrewards.com.au/content/ProgramBenefits/pets/index.htm

Your Pet Gets A Treat While You're Away

I saw this wonderful new invention today and just loved it!

Gadgets and machines should never take the place of human contact, but I know many of the owners I sit for would love to check in with the pet while they are away.

This clever contraption fits into a wall socket and connects to the wifi in the house.

Then the owner can log in from any remote device like an iPhone, tablet, laptop or android device and talk to the pet and even deliver a treat.

For a nervous dog this would give comfort that their folks weren't too far away AND they get an extra treat.

My furry friends would figure out how to get me to give them a treat and then tell the owners I'd been starving them and get another treat off their folks!

Take a peak at the video, it just gorgeous.

Indiegogo Introduction from Petzila on Vimeo.

I'm pretty sure it would work well for cats too - but you'd need to make an appointment :-)

Bed Time Stories for Dogs

I can't help thinking I've seen it all now.

I also can't help thinking that a few of my part time pets would just love this!

I still think the "in person" bed time story would be even better, but this could be a nice way to calm an anxious pet, especially in the first few days of a sit when they are getting used to their new sitter and coming to terms with the fact that their family might be away a little longer than they anticipated.

Playing Ball

A large part of a housesitters life is spent playing ball.  You become an expert!



One of the greatest ball players I've known is a gorgeous little Lhasa Apso gal named Shanti.

Shanti McGanti came to stay with me over Christmas one year and I swear I threw that ball a thousand times.

She would run down the hall, as she flew through the fly screen door, it would be open long enough for me to throw the ball through from the top step in the hall before the fly screen door closed.  She would race down the stairs and be ready to chase the ball as it hit the concrete below.

It always made me laugh that she took so long to get back up the steps because they were open, but she flew down them (technically way more dangerous) at speed without worrying.

Yes, you guessed right, I got sick of the game first :-)