So you think you've got it under control.  You get your pet groomed all the time, use the strongest Frontline Plus and guess what?  Your animal still got FLEAS!!!

   It's true.  My neighbor is going through it now.  Her bichon was found covered in fleas. How does that happen?  If you haven't heard already, this is one of the worst seasons ever for those nasty itchy bugs.  And if your pet is allergic to fleas (is there any pet that isn't?)

   Couple of recommendations:  vacuum, vacuum, vacuum.  I have a dyson pet and animal hair machine.  I love it!  I'm sure I over vacuum but I do not want to go through what I did 2 summers ago!  It's a lot of work to de-flea a home.  You have to wash everything in hot water and spray and spray and vacuum.  Enlist the help of your vet.  Also, keep a watchful eye on your pet.  Brush often and check for those pepper - flake looking black specs.  Be diligent about your flea preventative.  And, call in the specialists if you need it. 

   12/17/09 - "Cats are easy."  Not a big deal to care for and if you have someone to come in and care for your cat, no real worries - right?  But cats crave their human's attention and need the assurance of a familiar person.  Not all but many.  So when introducing us a as sitter, they do best knowing and being comfortable with their sitters too. We hope that when engaging our services initially, please plan a bit ahead to have us come by a couple of times before you need to travel.

   And its important for you to know that we spend time with your baby each time we visit.  Giving a little human touch - whether scratching them or brushing with their brush of choice or plopping them on your lap for a while, we know that a few extra minutes spent with your cat adds to their security and contentment when you are away.   

   Many cats I sit for greet me at the door - as you'd expect a dog would!  Most come when you call them and play fetch with their toys.  Everyone needs a daily dose of love and who doesn't like to play! 

   Updated 11/15/09 - Writing about fleas.  Eck!  Is it a flea or is that a fruit fly?  (Please be a fruit fly!). If you have a pet and you take that pet anywhere but especially outside (even just out on a deck), you will be dealing with them at some point or other.  Your dog or cat has never had them?  Watch out - because if you are not diligent in protecting your pet and your home, they will come!!

   I dealt with them taking my pet to a new groomer.  After picking him up, I noticed he had dirt on his behind, right near his tail on his back.  What is that?  He just got a bath and was clean and shampooed?  I took him home and brushed his back and then started to freak out (I REALLY don't like bugs).  I took the little pepper looking flake and put a drop of water on it - it turned red!  Fecal matter of fleas!  Ahhh!! 

   I called that particular groomer and told them.  They offered to re-bathe but I declined and gave him a bath myself.  Then I bought spray and dust and all that other stuff and went crazy.

  Save yourself all kinds of trouble:  use a topical flea and tick preventative like Frontline or Frontline Plus.  Anything over-the-counter doesn't really work - trust me on this.  I know its probably cheaper but you do get what you pay for and its not worth it.  My next step is going to the combination pills - sentinel, program, revolution or capstar.  It's a flea and tick preventative AND a heart guard all in one.  And I'm going to combine with a topical too.  (ok - I'll double check with the vet first - alittle too pro-active you think?)

   The other thing I do in the summer and fall mostly, is spray my lawn with that stuff - liquid insecticide you hook up to the hose.?  Except how do you know when you are done?  It's always filled with liquid?  I try anyway.. once a month.

And, so why can't we humans have a pill we take once a month and not get mosquito bites (New Jersey state bird!)   As the target of many a mosquito or greenhead (right 'cause I'm so sweet!) I hope maybe one day I can be as well taken care of as my dog and cat! 

As expected, sitting several friends animals this past weekend.  One cat's owner had anticipated fleas and ran her cat to the vet.  Itching in one spot  - turns out just to be dry skin. Whew! It could have been a very long and sweat-filled weekend for her and for me!