Four months ago, I said goodbye to my sidekick of 11 years. Fletch was the inspiration behind Heidi’s Hounds after I spent decades in a corporate career traveling the globe and unable to find peace of mind pet care for Fletch (and others before him). Like everyone else who has made the decision to euthanize a sick pet, I agonized over making this decision for my little buddy. Fletch was very sick with failing kidneys and early stages of dementia. But as sick as he

People tend to think all you need is a love of animals to run a pet sitting business. I’m here to tell you it’s simply not enough. The team at Heidi’s Hounds work together as a well oiled machine 👍 Our pet sitters are employees not independent contractors or some random stranger at the end of an app. This is an important distinction for you as a pet owner. Of course you can hire someone who walks dogs and pet sits as a side hustle

- Did you know some dogs have BLUE tongues? - Contrary to popular belief, dog tongues are not cleaner than human tongues. - Dogs use their tongues to help cool themselves. - Some dogs are born with tongues too big for their mouths ~ huh??? - A dog's tongue influences the way his bark sounds. - Dog tongues have fewer taste buds than humans. - Dogs use their tongues to express emotions.

Even during Covid, there’s something about the bright lights and decorations throughout our beautiful community that makes the holidays feel like the most wonderful time of the year even in 2020. However, the merriment can quickly turn into a trip to your local veterinary emergency room if you’re not careful with seasonal décor.  Here are some common pet hazards to be aware of this season: Holiday Plants Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias and Christmas cactus only pose a mild threat to our pets. If they

Still thinking of jumping on the pandemic puppy bandwagon? A puppy under the tree for the kids this holiday season? Puppies are adorable! Everyone loves a squishy bundle of love! Before making the decision to get a puppy, take time to really think about what it means to bring a puppy into your household. Puppies require a lot of work. You will need time and energy to deal with house training and boundless puppy energy. Effective house training requires the puppy on a regular schedule

1. Affection Studies show that snuggling with and petting your dog raises endorphins, dopamine and oxytocin levels. These feel good hormones are good for your health. Research also confirms that looking into your dog’s eyes can give you a positive emotional boost. 2. Free Help Cleaning Up Food Messes If you don’t mind your pup hanging out under the kitchen table, you won’t have to worry about the kids dropping food on the floor! 3. Dogs Keep You Moving No matter the weather, your dog

With all the crazy in the country, it’s a great time to remind you that November is not only election season, it is Adopt A Senior Dog Month. If you’re considering a new companion, give some thought to picking an older dog from your local rescue or shelter. Mature pets make great additions to the family for a lot of reasons. Most come house trained and understand basic commands. Adopting an already-trained dog will save you a lot of time, energy and your carpets! They

Halloween is right around the corner and while this year will be quite different than prior years, chances are costumes and candy will still be involved. Most pets are happiest wearing nothing but their birthday suits for Halloween festivities. However, the National Retail Federation states that pumpkins and hot dogs are the top two pet Halloween costume picks. If you choose a costume for your pet, introduce it slowly with plenty of treats and positive reinforcement. Cut off any chewable parts or objects that could

Pandemic puppy has become the new moniker of 2020. For all of us who’ve added a fur friend to our homes this year, we already know that caring for a companion animal provides a sense of purpose and contentment and lessens the feelings of isolation. Our pets are not only our good friends; they are also good for our souls. When you adopt a pet, you are literally saving a life. Every single year, millions (yes millions) of adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized in

There is nothing quite like the smell of a new puppy :)  It’s tempting to spend every waking moment with your new friend, but you won’t be doing your puppy any favors if you do because sooner or later you’ll have to leave them on their own. Because dogs are such incredibly social creatures, training them to spend time alone will relieve a lot of future stress for both of you. Start by teaching your pup to be alone while you are in the house.