There are many of us who consider our pets as part of the family, and this is evidenced by a recent statistic that states 65% of all U.S. homes own at least one pet. Along with this increase in pet ownership comes the need for services tailored for our pet’s comfort. And, because of this trend, pet services have grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry that encompasses a wide range of services from pet supplies to recovery services aimed at returning our lost pets.

The largest industry leader is still pet supply, and companies like PetCo and PetSmart are the leading forces, providing everything from pet foods to grooming. Companies like these have evolved because their services are based on the growth of the pet population, and our need to make our pets feel like a family member. This focus has driven the industry from a single section in discount and grocery stores into a wide range of businesses that are tailored at pampering our pets.

One of the services that have grown out of this industry are pet sitting services that will, as the title implies sit for your pet like a baby sitter sits for you children. These services can range from kennels with all the amenities that will pamper your pet while your on extended absences, to small home services that sit for your pets while your at work. The cost for the services can range from a few dollars per hour for basic sitting services to a few thousand dollars for the more posh kennel services that cater to your pets’ every need.

Then there are the specialty service that have become popular by their use in movies and television commercials, and the most recognized of these is the pet walking services. Pet walking services became popular in movies of cosmopolitan life in the inner city, and this service has grown ever since. Another popular service, but not as glamorous is the poopey scooper service, that effectively keeps our streets clean. And, with the recent laws that have been enacted regarding this issue, this service is becoming ever popular.

And finally there are services that have become popular with the growth of the internet; one type of service that is growing is the pet recovery field. This service helps pet owners recover their pets by providing a place to list their pet in advance, so when the lost pet is found, the owners contact information can be retrieved. One company that also includes a free pet identification tag with registration is RecoveryPets.Com and their website is located at http://www.recoverypets.com, and this enables the finder to quickly find the lost pets’ owner by knowing exactly what site visit.

Because of these specialty services our pets are more pampered and secure, and if the pet ownership population continues to grow, we will see an increase in the number of services dedicated to our pets, and the continued growth of this multi-billion dollar industry.

Thaddeus Collins is the owner of RecoveryPets.Com a company that specializes in the global recovery of lost pets using a unique tracking number that is registered on the companies website, and can be searched if the pet becomes lost. For more information visit http://www.recoverypets.com

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Do you have to rely on friends or family when you travel or work long hours? Senior dogs often need special attention. Routines are very important as your dog gets older. If you are working late, your dog won’t understand why they weren’t let out or fed. If your schedule is less than routine, your older dog could become stressed and confused.

Likewise, your travel can upset your senior canine. Putting an older dog in a kennel is stressful because it is not their routine. Leaving at a family members home will work but ask the caregiver how well the dog really adjust to your absence and their new surroundings. We did and found that our dog did not eat at all during the weekend we were gone. Bringing a favorite blanket or toy when boarding might have worked well in the past but it does little to relieve the stress of your older friend. It may be time to consider all the benefits that a professional pet sitter with at home care can provide you and your dog.

Benefits for your dog

Reduced Stress - Keeping the daily routine as consistent as possible will help reduce the stress dogs normally experiences when they know you are leaving. With a pet sitter your dog can eat, sleep, and exercise in the areas that are the most familiar to him.

Prevent Illness - Health concerns are always a worry when you have to leave your dog with someone else. At home with a pet sitter your pet is not exposed to other animals that may be ill or carriers of parasites.

Tender Loving Care - All dogs love individual attention. A pet sitter will provide this and more. Dogs can become spoiled with all the personal attention and will attempt to keep this going when the owner’s return.

Transportation - For senior dogs being crated up and moved to the relatives or a kennel can be traumatic. Since a pet sitter either stays at your home or visits your dog periodically, this stress can be eliminated.

Benefits to your family

Security - A pet sitter can provide many benefits as a house sitter such as picking up the mail, watering the plants, and turning lights on and off at various times.

Peace of Mind - A professional pet sitter cares about your senior dog when you can’t. Your pet receives individual attention, with walks and playtime so you can travel without worries.

Not just for vacations

A pet sitting service can be invaluable for the busy family with a senior dog even when you are not traveling.

Scheduled Walks - During the day senior dogs need a break. Many people can’t get free from work so a pet sitter can be arranged to get your dog out for his afternoon walk.

Appointments - Some pet sitters may provide a “doggie taxi” service to help keep your dog’s appointment with the groomer or Vet without you losing a day’s pay.

Unexpected Events - What if you’re injured or sick? A pet sitter can check on your dog or provide a daily walk until you are back on your feet.

Check our nationwide directory at www.olddogpaws.com for a pet sitter in your area!

Copyright 2006 Dave Eckholm

Dave Eckholm is the owner and creator of http://www.olddogpaws.com, a site dedicated to the care and comfort of our old friends. As our dog Tikki began to lose his eyesight and became grey around his muzzle, we were concerned for his quality of life. As a senior dog, he started to have special needs. We searched for new ideas, resources and products to enhance his life. Old Dog Paws shares this information, including a national pet sitter directory, with all dog lovers so your friend can enjoy wonderful senior years too!

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Anyone that has a beautiful pet, has had a beautiful pet or knows of someone who cherishes their pet could be very interested in a range of products that have hit the market. If you have access to a camera both standard or digital (or photographs) and you have access to a computer and the internet and you love or know of someone that loves pets,

YOU MUST TAKE A LOOK AT THIS

There is a wonderful variety of products that can be purchased via the Internet with simple download (and standard posting) and ordering steps to take your favourite photo’s and turn them into a selection of personalised products, at very affordable prices.

For people who love their pets, this is a great way to take advantage of all those great pet photos you have taken over the years. Sadly for some, a pet that has passed away can be so badly missed that something like a cushion for instance, with the pet printed on it can really be of comfort.

The type of products available range from things like cushions, bags to canvas box framed prints. Another product that’s available is a technique that can change a photo into what looks just like a painting, (Each photo is transformed individually with different processes used depending on the style of the photo). These paintings are then printed onto canvas, presenting just as if you had commissioned an artist to paint a still life of your pet but at a fraction of the price.(Don’t tell and who would know?)They really do look that good.

For those of you that love animals, love to be surrounded by pictures, furnishings and products of animals. Why have someone else’s pet on display when you can have your own beloved pet/pets, captured for life with the memory of how much they really mean or meant to you. So if you are looking for yourself or for a gift, try something new and use your own pet memories to create that special product that will have true meaning to you or a friend/family member for years to come.

For a great selection of Pet products or Pet Gifts visit:
http://www.photoart.net.au

Corrina Moffitt is a property developer, freelance writer, pet owner and a professional gift giver (with a lifetime of experience).

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Origin of Thought

In 1975, Gary Dahl, an advertising executive, launched the sale of a fad that would make him a millionaire. This great profit is even more impressive when one takes into account the short time in which the rocks were sold, only six months, and also the low cost of the product, about four dollars. Dahl’s ingenious marketing involved commonplace gray pebbles, bought from a construction supplier, which were then sold as live pets. The idea was inspired by the hassle, mess, and money that pets such as cats or dogs or fish required. And so, Dahl began the production and sale of the Pet Rock, which did not need to be walked, wouldn’t cost hundreds in vet bills, and would not poop on the floor.

Specifics of Production

Dahl named the company “Rock Bottom Productions,” and sold the rocks for $3.95 a piece. The pebbles were imported from Rosarito Beach in Baja California, Mexico, and then packaged in a small cardboard box, designed like a pet carrier. Dahl also created a “Pet Rock Training Manual,” containing instructions on how to properly care for one’s pet, including how to house train one’s pet: “Place it on some old newspapers. The rock will never know what the paper is for and will require no further instruction.” The instruction manual included such commands as sit, stay, roll over, play dead, and come.

Why would anyone ever buy a pet rock?

“If there were more fads, there would probably be a lot fewer psychiatrists.” Ben Hakuta, creator of Wacky Wall Walkers

Indeed, pet rocks give us more pleasure than we know. These pets support this argument through their very existence, showing us that it is not an actual item that brings joy to the child in the human mind, but merely the idea of the item. The pet sits in a niche in the mind, created by the power of the owners’ imaginations. It is in the actual exercise of the mind that such pleasure is found. It is quite a valid point that finding such productive and effective uses of recreation time can be more preventative and beneficial to the health of our minds that even the most advanced psychological treatments.

People who purchased these unusual “pets” often gave them names, talked to them, petted them, and taught them to perform simple “tricks”.

Pet rocks still live on

Like most fads, it never totally died out. There are memorial pages, spin-offs, and one can still purchase such a pet, though new manufacturers have given their rocks new features and looks. For instance, not many plain gray pebbles are sold any more. One can buy rocks that are inscribed, painted, and decorated in many a manner, lending the rock much more personality than afforded Dahl’s creation. One can purchase a rock with an agenda, or one can buy a rock that is individually painted in memory of any dearly loved pet, or one can still purchase that rock that is completely void of previous perception, and let its idea grow in the mind.

Virtual Pets

Virtual Pets follow the same formula as Dahl’s product. Operating more in the mind of the owner than anywhere else, Virtual pets can be an electronic toy, a computer program, or even a video game. However, though perhaps securing more time from an owner, virtual pets do not leave as much room for imagination as the pet rock.

John Bateman’s favorite pet rocks are the “Albino Apes” found at ZobyRocks.com. Buy one for your friend’s birthday today.

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