Tag Archives for 2012

The Weekly Walk: Petrospective

The Weekly WalkFor the final Weekly Walk of the year, we are revisiting some of our favorite articles and photos from previous walks. This is repeat material if you have taken every walk with us, but like traipsing a familiar route through the woods, you might notice something you missed before.

Article of the Week: Families Reunited (November 16)

Whether we call our pets children, buddies, pals, or simply pets, if we care for them they become our family. This means we love and enjoy them when times are good, and we love them even more and worry about them when times are difficult. After Hurricane Sandy struck, many pets were separated from their families, but great strides have been taken to reunite them. Donations of money, food, and shelter have helped create happy endings for pets and owners, but more aid is always welcome to help counter the tragic endings. Click the photo to watch a TODAY video about pets and owners affected by the hurricane.

Obie Weight-loss Update: A Dachshund Diet (September 21 and so on.)

Obie the dachshund weighs over seventy pounds [editor’s note: he’s below fifty-five pounds now!]. His previous owners were elderly and loved him with food, and eventually had to give him up. His new owner and he are on a mission to get him into proper wiener-dog shape. They’re calling the mission, “Biggest Loser, Doxie Edition.” Several online sites have posted about Obie, such as BuzzFeed, ABC News, and The Huffington Post, and you can watch a video of him on MSN’s TODAY. They would appreciate cheers and woofs on Facebook or support through donations.

Quote of the Week (September 4)

“Properly trained, a man can be dog’s best friend.” -Corey Ford

Command of the Week (September 28)

Monster: Use this command to teach your dog to check under the bed for creepy crawlies.

Treat of the Week (December 21)

We were dreaming of warm weather and beaches with chilled dog treats this week.

Animal Sound of the Week (October 5)

Tickle Me Terrier

Photo of the Week (October 19)

Found a ball. In the leaves. Best. Day. Ever.

Friday Fun: Doggie Double (October 12)

Way back in April, we posted about Pedigree’s free software,Doggelgänger. The program uses your portrait to match you with a dog of your likeness. It also tells you where the dog is located for adoption. An automated voice guides you through the process, but you can silence it by clicking the barking dog icon in the upper right corner. The software can be a little buggy, so take your time. If you take a photo using the webcam, you need to hold still until the mapping outline turns green. If it worked, an option to begin finding your match will appear. This might help narrow your search for the perfect companion during National Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month.

Enjoy the end of your year, and we hope to see you in 2013 for more Weekly Walks. Let us know your favorite posts from our blog on Twitter, Facebook, or here. Happy New Year and Woof!

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Vote for Chicago Dog Walkers!

Summer is here and, with it, warm weather, added hours of sunlight, and your chance to vote for us in Chicago Reader’s “Best of Chicago 2012” poll. Not a member of the Chicago Reader? No worries. You can sign in as a guest and vote for over two hundred best-of categories, such as “Best chef,” “Best Bears bar,” “Best view of the city,” and, most importantly to your pup, “Best dog walkers.” You can find “Best dog walkers” in the “Goods & Services” section after logging in. Be sure to click “Save and Exit” at the bottom of the webpage when you’re finished! You can only vote once, but you may review and adjust your answers until the poll closes May 25 at 12:00 a.m.

Woof!

New Year’s Resolutions and Petsolutions

Happy New Year!

As we walk away from 2011, we want to partake in the tradition of making resolutions but with the twist of a pug’s tail. We asked several staff members what they would like their pets to change in 2012, and, to be fair, what they believe their pets want them to change. Below are a few of our favorite answers. And if you’re in need of a resolution or two, read on after our petsolutions for a handful of worthwhile ideas.

Chicago Dog Walkers 2012 Petsolutions

Meryl would like her Lab mix, Shadow, to not “steal mom’s blankets.” Especially in this frigid season. Shadow and Meryl’s other dogs have higher expectations for her, however, as Meryl says they want more toys and treats, of course.

Her three cats meowing out of sync has Alicia asking that her trio of felines resist the urge to insistently vocalize, whenever someone brings out food. Her cats request that 2012 bring them more brushing. They have appearances to maintain.

Rosa wants her Chihuahua Poodle mix, Oso, to exercise more. For Oso to do that, he asks that Rosa spend more time with him at home, rather than leaving to walk other pooches during the day.

Our next employee might be asking a bit much, but Matt would like Nori the black cat to stop pawing the wall by his head at 4:00 a.m. Despite staying up late, he’s really not nocturnal. Nori would like Matt to leave more open boxes around the apartment. She is running low on hiding places.

Michelle says her five dogs (two pugs, Chihuahua, Lhasa apso, Miniature Eskimo) should kiss her more this year. Doggy smooches are wonderful stress relievers. And Michelle echoes Meryl that her dogs want more and more playthings.

Additional 2012 Resolutions

Chicago reaches the goal of a No Kill City. The following resolutions can slide in 2012 if this happens.

All adoptions are rescues. Taking home a rescue pet helps achieve the aforementioned goal.

Chicago becomes a No #2s Left On the Ground City. No one enjoys stepping in it. Let’s get this one under our belt already and never fear stepping in grassy areas, again.

All dog bags reach the appropriate trash receptacles. Even biodegradable bags, since they take time to degrade, as do their contents.

Vampires and zombies are so 2011. Let’s make 2012 the doggone year of the pooch. More dogs on television! “Lasso, second cousin of Lassie!”

A dog walker for every doggie!

If you have other resolutions or petsolutions you wish to share, let us know in the comments section below and/or tweet us @Chicdogwalkers with the hashtag #Petsolutions.