PBF Blog

Thank You!

12/15/2020

Thank You!

Two words that we use so often, automatically, with little thought - a short expression of gratefulness - have taken on a much deeper meaning for me this year and probably for many of you, as well.

I appreciate you!

A little deeper and more personal, "I appreciate you" indicates that you truly see the nature, worth, quality and significance of the person and you recognize him/her with gratitude.

To all of my PBF customers...

Yes...I thank you and I appreciate each one of you!!!

We are all weary with the common jargon of 2020 - pandemic, unprecedented, sickness, death, closings, riots, school closings, hatred, false news, and the list goes on and on. COVID-19 has affected ALL of us in some way.

I recently had COVID - it struck me quickly without warning, and it struck fiercely sending me straight to bed! I closed PBF immediately for a week and a day. All staff had to be tested and we did not reopen until everyone tested negative. No one was allowed in the building which made it difficult to notify all of you. For this, I apologize. A staff member printed a notice at her home and posted it on the front and back gates. I did not get COVID from PBF and praise the Lord, none of my staff got it from me. I have tested negative and I'm now back at work. Thank you for all of your prayers and kind words!

As most of you know, we had to close for a month at the end of March through the end of April, since we were considered a non-essential business. I requested and received permission from Gov. Roy Cooper's office to reopen. We reopened with an entirely new protocol for doing business. Every one of you have followed our new system with no complaints. All went and continues to go very smoothly and I thank you for that!

Because of your loyalty, patience and support, we unlike many small businesses, survived and are prospering. In fact, because of your patronage, PBF is now in its 28th year. Thank you! I appreciate all of you!!

We miss seeing all of you and pray that God blesses each of you during this Holy holiday season and always. Please stay safe. We look forward to servicing you in 2021.

With my deepest gratitude,
Susan

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What Makes a PAWSOME Groomer?

4/9/2020

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You want nothing but the best for your pet, right? You want him/her to be treated with the utmost love and care during the grooming process.

Did you know that the grooming industry isn't regulated? Anyone can pick up a pair of clippers or shears and call themselves a groomer. North Carolina does not require someone to be licensed or properly trained to groom your baby.

Aside from knowing how to properly execute a particular breed trim, groomers should be skilled in pet handling safety, be able to assess your pet and refer to a veterinarian for any issues that don't appear normal, be able to recognize warning signs of aggression, and have pet first aid and CPR training. The best groomers are highly skilled at reading a pet's body language and possess great patience, making them specialists at dealing with anxious pets. Grooming, just like any profession, requires continuous training in order to keep up with the industry standards and latest trends.

Before you trust just anyone who calls themself a "groomer", please ask for credentials. Ask about experience. Ask if they have been to and graduated from a certified grooming school. Ask if they are licensed. Look up customer reviews. Ask for references. Ask if they require vaccines. Ask if they have a vet that keeps them current on all health concerns and outbreaks of disease. Ask to tour their facility.

The lowest price should not be a concern when it comes to finding the right person to trust with your best friend. Groomers should be in this industry because they love what they do. Trust me, it isn't always easy or pretty. It isn't just playing with puppies all day!!

When you leave your pet in the care of Pet's Best Friend, please know that they are in the hands of a professional groomer who is also pet CPR and First Aid trained. We attend continuing education seminars on a regular basis and all of our equipment is state of the art. We consider our career a "calling" rather than a job. Our love for animals exceeds that of the average person giving us the passion to do our work with excellence.

At Pet's Best Friend, we love what we do! And we love your babies as if they were our own!!

To your pet's good health,
~ Susan Baker, Owner

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Poison Proof Your Home for Your Pets

3/27/2017

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Last week was the 55th anniversary of Poison Prevention Week.

While this national event is directed at raising awareness for the parents of small children, veterinarians at the Pet Poison Helpline remind us that our pets are also susceptible and vulnerable to accidental ingestion of potentially life threatening common household items.

We all know how curious our pets are - they can't resist smelling, tasting, and sometimes swallowing items that interest them. Poison proofing your home is a must! Simple steps such as checking your houseplants for toxicity and making sure all medications are secure will reduce the chances of your dog or cat coming into contact with a toxic substance.

In conjunction with Poison Prevention Week, the Pet Poison Helpline categorized potentially poisonous situations by room in your house to make it easier to eliminate substances that could result in a very sick pet.

Living Room

Houseplants - Autumn Crocus, Azalea, Cyclamen, Kalanchoe, Lilies, Oleander, Dieffenbachia, Daffodils, Lily of the Valley, Sago Palm, Tulips, Hyacinths.
Liquid potpourri can cause chemical burns if ingested.
Aerosols or heavily fragranced products - dangerous to birds.
Ashtrays, smoking cessation products - nicotine can cause poisoning.
Batteries - dogs love to chew them - can cause serious chemical burns.
Purses - may contain medications, cigarettes, sugar free gum with xylitol which can cause death. No artificial sweeteners for dogs!!

Kitchen

Human Foods - avocados, chocolate, xylitol, grapes, raisins, currants, caffeine, fatty scraps, onions, garlic, chives, macadamia nuts, raw yeast bread dough, alcohol, table salt.
Keep garbage cans out of reach - trash can contain many pet toxins.
Alcoholic beverages - cause low blood sugar in pets.

Bathroom

Keep all medications secure.
Never give human medications to your pets unless instructed by your veterinarian. Two common meds that are extremely poisonous to your pets are acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil)
Always check medication containers before giving any to your pet - make sure it is the correct med. Store your own medications away from your pet's to prevent mix-ups.
Cleaning products - keep pets out of the room when using these and keep the toilet lid closed to keep them from drinking the water, especially if you use any bowl treatment.

Utility Room

Rat and mouse poisons - keep far away from pets and remember that rodents can transfer these products to other areas that may be accessible by your pet.
Insecticides - read labels carefully. Never use flea and tick products made for your dog on your cat.
Glue - some glues expand greatly inside your pet and require surgical removal. One ounce of glue can expand to the size of a basketball.

Garage

Antifreeze - has a sweet taste appealing to pets, but is extremely toxic.
All automotive products - many contain methanol, a toxic alcohol.

Yard and Garden

Fertilizers - dogs like the taste. Keep bags tightly sealed and out of reach.
Grub and snail killers - avoid using them.
Yard insecticides - dangerous if ingested in high concentrations.
Herbicides - keep pets off the lawn until sprays are thoroughly dry.

This list is not all inclusive. If you think your pet has ingested something harmful, take action immediately!! Contact your veterinarian, the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-800-213-6680, or the ASPCA Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435. Keep these numbers, your vet's number and your after hours vet's number in an easily visible place. Make sure all family members know where these numbers are located. You can also add the Pet Poison Helpline website to your home screen on your smart phone for easy access anywhere you go.

It can happen to any of us. We turn our backs for just a second and the dog is eating the chocolate we left on the counter, or the cat is eating the Easter lily we just purchased. Our babies are inquisitive and innocent beings. Protect them by poison proofing your house today.

To your pet's good health!
Susan

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PBF Enters the Blogosphere!

3/14/2017

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Did you know that almost 80 million households in the US have pets?

That's over 65% of all US homes! 42% of us own more than one pet and 65% of us consider our pets as family.

I consider it an honor to be a part of each category of this statistical data. I am proudly owned by 7 dogs and 1 cat. They are my children. They are all rescues. They are all spoiled beyond belief. They are my inspiration. They are my heart. You get the picture...
I love pets!!! So much that over 23 years ago, I made pets my career with Pet's Best Friend. We offer in-home pet sitting, dog and cat grooming, doggie daycare, pet taxi service, training, and retail including holistic food.

My clients pose pet questions and ask for my advice daily. I love to share my knowledge with them and help with problem solving. Often of course, I tell them to seek advice from an expert such as a veterinarian or trainer. But, for all the other areas in which I can interject a tidbit of info, I always jump at the chance to educate. For this reason, I have decided to start a blog. I want to teach, enlighten, inform, reveal, explain, enrich, instruct. My first series of blogs will be about the services we offer at Pet's Best Friend.

Later topics will include:

Vaccinations for Dogs and Cats
Grooming Tips
Obedience Training
Food
Obesity
Dental Care
Designer Dogs
New Products
Upcoming Dog Events

I also welcome YOUR suggestions for topics - if I am not familiar with one, I will gladly research it!

I'm looking forward to this new adventure with you! Thanks for joining me!

Have a pawsome day,

Susan

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Thank You!

What Makes a PAWSOME Groomer?

Poison Proof Your Home for Your Pets

PBF Enters the Blogosphere!

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