Jackson Pet Sitter wants you to play with your dog!

Have you ever read studies about animals and wondered, "Where do they get all those statistics? They have never seen MY pet!"  Well, now you can be included. We just heard about a citizen science survey where you can be involved.  Here are the details from the Horowitz Dog Cognition Lab in New York.

“Our latest study investigates all the different ways people and dogs play together, and we need your help — well, you and your dog’s help! For the first time, we are crowdsourcing, asking dog owners to submit short videos of themselves playing with their dog.
Here’s a brief summary of what the study entails (the full details are at www.DogHumanPlay.com):

• Find or make a 30-60 second video of you and your dog playing in whatever way you like, and then upload the video to our website and complete a short survey. The video must capture both you and your dog playing together onscreen.
• You are also invited to add a picture of you and your dog to our growing Wall of Contributors.
• Submit your video by March 31, 2013.

Project: Play with Your Dog is entirely online and is open to anyone, in any country. If you live with a dog, we want to see you play!

Do you know other people (and their dogs) who would want to participate? Please spread the word! 

Want to know more? Here are some links to previous media coverage of the study:

• Scientific American: How Do You Play With Your Dog?

• Citizen Science: Call to Participate

• The Bark: Playing with Our Pups

Thank you for playing!

Cheers,  Julie,  Lab Manager, Horowitz Dog Cognition Lab”

Wow! How cool is that?!! And while you are uploading your video, feel free to post it on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/PriorityPets   We would LOVE to see how you play with your dog!

Pet Sitting vs. Dog Boarding | Pet Sitter Madison MS

Pet sitting or dog boarding? Which is better for my pets when I am out of town? Not every pet owner has the same needs.  This article is written to help you decide which is best for you.

Dog boarding or kenneling may be the best choice for you if ...

1) Your dog chews up furniture when you are out of the house.  If you've seen Marley in the movie, Marley and Me, then you know what I'm talking about.
2) Your dog's separation anxiety causes him or her to howl incessantly when you are away.
3) Your dog may enjoy the company of lots of other dogs.  If the boarding facility you choose offers doggy daycare, this may be an option for you.
4) You have only one dog and it is ok that he is kept in a cage most of the time with potty breaks outside several times a day.  The barking of other dogs doesn't bother him.

Pet sitting may be the best fit for you if...

1) You have multiple pets in your home.  Kennels have a fee per each pet.  Pet sitters, on the other hand, have a fee per each visit to your home.  A pet sitter in your home may actually SAVE you money if you have multiple pets.
2) You enjoy the convenience of having someone visit your pets in your own home. You don't have to load them up, drive to drop them off, and pick them up during kennel hours.
3)  You want to avoid your animals being exposed to other viruses that are going around.
4)  You know your pets would be happier sleeping at home in their own beds.
5)  You believe your home would be more secure with someone coming and going or staying overnight with your pets.
6) Your dog does not play well with other dogs that are not part of his family.

Call us with any questions you may have about pet sitting versus dog boarding in Madison, MS.

How Often does my Cat need to be Visited | Cat Sitter Madison MS

People tell me all the time, "My cats will be ok if you come by every other day."

Really?!!

Cats can get into all kinds of precarious situations. My grand-cat, Sebastian, is famous for climbing on top of open doors.  I don't know how he gets up there! But this is where he was sitting when his mom came home.

And then there is Jackson, a beautiful Ragdoll kitten who is very loving.  His litter box is in a little storage closet.  One night after I left his home, he closed the door to his "bathroom." The next morning he was so glad that I was there to open it!  His owner has us coming by twice a day to take care of Jackson.  Good thing, otherwise he would have had a lot of cleanup and deodorizing to do.  I propped the door open to prevent this from  happening again during this trip.  

Cats can contract urinary tract infections that can make them very ill very fast.  If there is a urinary tract blockage, this can become life threatening for your cat very quickly.

I recommend that your cat be visited at least once every 24 hours while you are away.  What could be more important than your peace of mind about the health of your cat?