New Website for Paws & Kisses

We finally took the time over the holidays to redesign and update the Paws & Kisses website.  We think it looks good, even if we do say so ourselves!  New features include a 'Resources' page, which provides information and links to various pet care and pet adoption sites that we have found useful.  Also, there is now a Smilebox slideshow of some of the Paws & Kisses clients and our own PAK spokesdogs.  Check it out and let us know what you think.

The domain name remains the same:  http://www.pawsandkissessitting.com/

Dog of the Month for January 2012

While we were visiting a local animal shelter to drop off some Presents 4 Pets donations, we ran into this adorable senior pug.  She was sitting in a cage looking lost and lonely.  Poor Winnie found herself at the shelter for the second time in her life.  She was found as a stray when she was about 3 years old.  Then she was adopted by a nice man who gave her a good home for 7 years, until he lost his home.  Then Winnie found herself at the shelter for a second time.  Now 10 years old, poor Winnie did not stand much of a chance of adoption, as it is difficult to place senior dogs.  Well, we fell in love with her at first sight and just could not bear to leave her there for one minute longer, so she came home with us that evening!  She is now enjoying her golden years in a loving home with her three other furry siblings.  She has already commandered the most comfortable spot on the couch - and says she has no plans to give it up!

Check out the slideshow of Winnie the Rescue Dog!

Create your own free digital slideshow

Presents 4 Pets Campaign Slideshow

Check out the slideshow of our 2011 Presents 4 Pets campaign! 

Click here to learn how to support the 2012 P4P campaign.

This free slideshow design made with Smilebox

Presents 4 Pets Campaign Success!

A big thank you to all PAK clients and the local community for helping us to collect over $ 4,500.00 worth of pet care products for donation to local animal shelters and rescue groups during the 2011  Presents 4 Pets campaign !

Items collected include over 500 lbs of dry dog food, 200 lbs of cat litter, over 250 dog toys, over 50 boxes of treats, more than 100 cans of dog and cat food and dozens and dozens of collars, leashes, grooming products, beds, towels, blankets and more. 

With pet populations at local shelters at an all time high, and funding falling, it is harder and harder for shelters to meet the needs of all the pets that need new homes.  That is where we (and you) help out.  Each year, our donations are gladly received and used to help homeless animals have a more comfortable life. 

I received a letter from a small municipal shelter after last year's campaign thanking me for providing over 150 lbs of dry dog food in November.  The shelter manager said that they had run out of funding in September and wouldn't get any additional money from the city until January.  The shelter staff had been buying food to feed the dogs from their own pockets!  Needless to say, they were also very grateful for the treats, toys, bedding, collars and leashes that we provided, as well, as they were having enough trouble just feeding the animals, let alone having any left over for 'extras'!

We have disbursed about 40 % of the donated items and plan to distribute the rest in the coming weeks.  Thanks again to all who so generously contributed, helping make life a little brighter at the holiday season for homeless animals and their dedicated care givers working at local shelters and with animal rescue groups.

Pet of the Month - November

The Pet of the Month for November is Olivia.  Olivia is a little firebrand who is the 'spoiled little sister' of her family.  She gets her way - always.  She loves to tease the other dogs, who are older than her.  Much of the time, they give her weary looks as if to say, "Please leave me alone and find something to do to amuse yourself - I am not going to play with you all the time!"  She loves to lay on the arms or backs of the furniture, which is OK most of the time.  Once in a while, if she moves while deep asleep and forgets she is on such a narrow perch, she slides off!  Then she looks around as if to say, "I meant to do that!"  She loves to share a Chai with her mom in the morning.  In fact, if mom is a little slow in putting some in a bowl for her, she will give a little growl to remind her not to forget and drink it all before giving her some.  Such a sweetie!

Professional Pet Photography

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Rick DelVecchio, an avid animal lover and professional pet photographer.  I was impressed with his dedication to animals and the quality of his work, so I asked him if he would be interested in a plug on this blog, so here goes . . .

Rick DelVecchio Photography specializes in on-location pet photography and dog show photography in Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts. For most of my professional career, pets have been my ONLY business. That unique dedication to one photographic subject has helped me develop a unique style and bond with animals. As a lifelong animal lover, professional photographer since 1999, and the current owner of two crazy Golden Retrievers, I understand the special love all owners have for their "furry family members". I will work with you and your pet to capture an image you can treasure. For your pet portrait sessions you can choose natural light, candid, indoor or outdoor portraits or in-home studio style portraits designed to best capture your pet's personality. I bring the studio to you in CT, NY or MA! I am also available for special breeder sessions (at your location or during competitions) and pet product commercial photography, to create powerful advertising and promotional images.

To reach Rick call (203) 583-1440 or email him at rick@delvecchiophotography.com

To check out more samples of his work, visit his website http://www.delvecchiophotography.com/

Mention you were referred by Paws & Kisses Pet Sitting and receive a discount!

Local Dog Parks - Shelton & Stratford

I recently attended the very first meeting of the Friends of Stratford Dog Park as a guest speaker to talk about the success of the Shelton Dog Park.  As a committee member on the Shelton city dog park planning committee and current chairperson of The Friends of Shelton Dog Park, I was asked by the Stratford Friends to provide a perspective concerning the planning and implementation of a successful dog park project.

I was impressed with this enthusiastic group, which is actively working to gain approval for a dog park in Stratford.  I wish them the best of luck!

For more information about the Shelton Dog Park, please visit the Friends website at http://www.fosdogpark.org/.

For more information about the efforts regarding obtaining a dog park in Stratford, contact Carissa at 203-685-6756 or email her at carissa.mason@yahoo.com.