The Dogs Around Town pack lost a beloved member this week. Sidney’s owners had to put him down after old age and a number of health problems finally caught up to him. It’s not the first time one of my dogs has passed away, but it’s never easy…

Sidney was hilarious. He was a squatty little Corgi with the temperament of a grouchy (and hungry, haha) old man. He always made me laugh and I know he made his owners laugh everyday. He was also a great older brother to Simon, a young and energetic Shih Tzu.

Sidney’s owners emailed me a couple of nights ago to tell me that he wasn’t doing well. It was very sad because I could feel their pain. My parents had to put my childhood dog, Nugget, to sleep when I was in the 7th grade. I still remember that day…

When Nugget died, I remember feeling like a major part of my childhood was over. Nugget’s death forced me to deal with the fact that I, too, was getting older and that my life no longer revolved around Hamilton Little League, street kickball games, and penny candy from The Sefton Market. Nugget was a part of all those memories and represented a significant time in my life.

But, we remember Sidney and Nugget. We remember what they meant to us and what they represented. We pour out some dog bowl water for them.

Hello Wolfpack,

Now that my lengthy battle with college is finally over (I graduated in May!), I’m hoping to expand Dogs Around Town considerably. I’ve been in business for over 4 years, which is pretty impressive considering I haven’t really advertised for about 3.9 of those years. However, that all is changing now, so be on the lookout for everything Dogs Around Town in the coming weeks.

Feel free to refer Dogs Around Town to your co-workers, family, friend, or neighbors. Referrals are greatly appreciated and rewarded with your choice of either $1 off each subsequent walk, or one completely free walk. So, refer me to tons of friends and get free walks!

If you have anywhere specific in mind where I should leave some business cards (a coffee shop, your favorite hangout, your influential vet) leave me a little note in the comments section!

Thank you all for everything you do!

Jared

P.s. Like Dogs Around Town at facebook.com/dogsaroundtown for more information and updates! (Get your facebook friends to like it too!)

Thank you to everyone who came out to the Yappy Hour today! It was a great time. There were a lot of hilarious dogs (I’m thinking specifically of Yoshi and Lil Steve) and we got to meet tons of the great residents of Rodger’s Forge. Many thanks to Mandy Sroka Photography who documented the event and Lorrie from Best Friends Dog Obedience.

It was fun getting to hang out with the residents and their dogs and spend some time in the community. Rodger’s Forge Apartments seem like a great place to live!

Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks and hopefully we’ll do it again soon!

If you are human and you have been in Baltimore the past few days, you know that it has been pretty hot… Like record-setting hot. It’s tough being a dog walker in extreme heat, but it can be even harder on your dog. Here is a short list of tips and suggestions for keeping you and your dog healthy, even when it’s 150 degrees.

Humans:

Use common sense.

Don’t overwork yourself, especially from the hours of 11 AM – 3 PM. If you get really hot, go inside.

Drink water.

Water is the best, drink it. Don’t drink coffee, soda, juice, or even Gatorade. Go water. It’ll make you feel better.

Wear sunscreen and shades.

Listen to your mother and I… sunscreen is your friend. It fights premature aging, keeps you from looking like an old baseball glove, and helps prevent skin cancer. As for the shades, they prevent cataracts and keep you from squinting.

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

They’ll give you energy and nutrients. I’ve had McDonald’s for lunch on a hot day… The results can be catastrophic, haha.

Dogs:

Shorten walks.

- Instead of going for a 30 minute walk, cut it to 15 or 20 minutes. Prolonged exercise can be harmful to your dog’s health. If your dog needs some serious exercise, go out early in the morning or late at night.

Give them plenty of water.

- Always have water handy, even while out on a walk.

Don’t leave your dog alone by the pool!

They can easily drown. Also, don’t leave them alone in the car…

Monitor your dog’s feet.

Burnt paws can be extremely painful and can become infected.

Use common sense.

Remember that as the human you are in charge. If it seems to hot to go out, don’t go. Your dog is counting on you!

Dog walking/pet sitting is a demanding job. It’s fun, don’t get me wrong, but it’s also important to have the right gear. These are my 10 most essential items:

1. iPhone

A dog walker has to be able to read emails, text, listen to music, and make things happen. An iPhone is really the only way to go.

2. Salomon Hiking Shoes

8 miles? 10 miles? Snow? Mud? Pavement? You better have some good footwear. Salomon stands up to the insanity that is dog walking. When you pound the pavement all day, you better have Salomon’s. I have logged approximately 3,000 miles in mine.

3. Rain Jacket

That picture is not me, btw. But, the need for a rain jacket is all too real. The elements cannot slow you down…

4. Moleskine

Having a stylish notebook to take to meetings, jot down ideas, and to write random information in may not be essential, but it is cool.

5. Oakley Holbrook

I don’t have a pair, but I do want a pair. It gets sunny. I don’t want cataracts any more than you do.

6. Yamaha Zuma

For those short trips where taking a car is a pain, uneconomical, or just not as fun. I have so much fun on my Zuma. Plus, they’re bulletproof. I crashed mine going 35… It was in better shape than I was…

7. Vistaprint

Vistaprint is seriously awesome. Thousands of business cards and flyers cost mere pennies. NBD. Plus, I always get my stuff quicker than the 5-7 business days they say it will take.

8. Mattress

What’s the best way to recharge after a long day of walking and another long day on the horizon? Sleep. I catch at least 9 hours of Z’s every night. I need to.

9. Big Breakfast

Our elder generation always says breakfast is the most important meal. It is. I eat a huge breakfast because I need all those calories for energy later. I eat more than Gilbert Grape… Or his brother… Or his mom… Or whatever.

10. Poop Bags

I know you all have been waiting for this. It’s not the most enjoyable part of the job, but it is essential. Your bags should really be either recycled or biodegradable. You do not want to be the guy who leaves the poop. It’s embarrassing and your neighbors will hate you.

Oh, wait. Number 11 – Ping Pong

The perfect stress reliever. Chess on steroids. I’m pretty good.