AUG 2013

We must be having fun, because time is really flying! August already, and another month closer to the big launch of our new business! You know, Pet Sitting is a very local business. You can't drive 10 miles each way to a client's home, three times a day, and expect to make a living as a pet sitter. That's why we've targeted 20 very specific neighborhoods throughout Volusia and Seminole counties, and we'll hire employees who actually live in those neighborhoods, to service those neighbothoods.

Once we've selected someone we think would make a great pet sitter, we'll screen them, bond them, insure them, and put them through a background check. Then we'll train them in Pet First Aid, Pet CPR, Emergency Response, Professional Standards and so much more. The training program is a huge undertaking, and it's still under development, which is why we haven't launched Bewaggle yet. But we expect to have it ready by November so we canservice our first neighborhood in December, just in time for the holidays.

Then in January, we'll add four more neighborhoods in Volusia County, and in February we'll begin the expansion into Seminole County. By April, we plan to have 60 employees, serving 20 neighborhoods. These are very exciting times for us, I can tell you!

In the mean time, Paula is available on a limited basis, to serve our pre-launch clients who live in DeLand.

As always, I'm excited to share our news and some valuable information with you. Read on and share in the excitement!

At your service,

Marianne Carlson, Co-Founder
Bewaggle, LLC

386-956-0256

Treating a Pet's Wounds

While many over-the-counter remedies are safe to use on cats and dogs, it's always best to check with your vet first. That being said, here are a few tips for dealing with a pet's wounds at home, until you can get him to a vet.

Neosporin is safe to use on the skin of dogs and cats, but they often just will lick it off. Fortunately, it's not toxic if it's ingested in small amounts.
Hydrogen peroxide is safe to use to clean a would of an animal, but it can cause a burning sensation. Instead, we recommend using a warm soapy solution, with an antibacterial soap if it's available.
Adhesive bandages will probably get chewed off, and possibly ingested, unless you fit your pet with an Elizabethan Collar (aka, a Cone of Shame).
Hydrogen peroxide should never be used in a pet's ears.

Summertime Tips

(Every Pet Owner Should Know)

Here are a few tips for keeping your best friends safe and healthy during the summer months. Please read and heed!

1. A dog's feet are more sensitive than many people think, and can be burned by walking on hot pavement. Walk your dog early in the day to avoid skin damage.

2. After exercise, dogs will often drink more water than their systems can tolerate. Give them ice cubes to start, then small amounts of water every few minutes to avoid bloat, which can be deadly.

3. Heat stroke is a serious and potentially life-threatening situation that can affect both dogs and cats. If it's very hot or humid, they shouldn't be left outside. Exercise them early in the day, and be especially careful with older and overweight animals.

4. A single bite from an infected mosquito can give your dog or cat Heartworm Disease. Make sure all of your pets - even the indoor ones - are protected. Talk to your vet about the medications that can keep them safe from Heartworm.

5. Hurricanes in Florida (and tornadoes anywhere in the country) can displace your family, and you need a plan for evacuating your pets as well as yourselves. Click here to download the FEMA brochure, "Preparing Your Pets for Emergencies Makes Sense. Get Ready Now".

6. We all know the dangers of leaving a pet in a car on a hot day, but did you know heat stroke can occur even if the outside temperature is as low as 70 degrees? If you have to leave your car, get your pets out of the car. In many cities and states, it's the law.