The LA Hotlist...we've been nominated!!

We need your help everybody!

The LA Hotlist over at Cityvoter.com is in full swing and your humble little dog walkers of PCWT have been nominated in two categories! Now that's pretty cool. I guess we're doing something right!

But wait a sec...what is the LA Hot List you ask? Why it's only the creme de la creme of the best businesses, eateries, museums and more that Los Angeles has to offer. Best of all, it's voted on by the people; the citizens of this great city that we live in, the tastemakers who move the needle. We're honored to even be included in the conversation, but hey let's be honest...we want to win!

So we turn to you, our faithful clients, to let Los Angeles know who the big dogs are around here!

Here's the deal, we've been nominated for the following categories: Best Dog Walker and Best Pet Sitting.

All we need now is for each and every one of you to vote for Paws, Claws, Wings, and Things in both categories. You'll need to sign up but it really only takes a few seconds (believe me, I know, anytime someone tells me that, the first thing I want to do is forget about it...but it really is quick!) Once you're in, just click in your vote and that's it! You can leave a comment afterwards which is called a "tip", telling them why and how we're the best in town. But you don't need to, it's all up to you!

Just click this link: http://la.cityvoter.com/paws-claws-wings-and-things/biz/646124 to get started. We think we're the best, we hope you will go to the link and tell all of L.A. what YOU think.

I voted. Now it's your turn!

Bogart and Meli Pea - Two Good Buddies

One look at them and you'd think you were looking at two characters in a Walt Disney film. The hound and the golden retriever. Two unlikely friends at first, but once they see each other...it's playtime!

They love to spend time together at the dog park. It doesn't matter how many other dogs are there, these two play together like they're the only ones in the park. They rarely ever play with anyone else. Even when other dogs try to get in on the action, they're largely ignored by Bogart and Meli.

Their favorite game involves pinning each other down, trying to grab an ear or a lip until the other cries uncle. It looks vicious but they're actually very gentle with one another. You can tell they really love one another.

But whichever one of them gets on top...it doesn't last long as the tables are soon turned.

These two could play like this for hours and hardly get tired. But when they finally do call it quits, it's usually not until they're both nice and dirty. Rolling around in all that dirt and mud until they decide that the game is over. They're both too evenly matched. And then like the two fierce competitors that they are, full of respect and admiration for one another...they congratulate each other on their performance in the day's game.

Good game out there today. 

You too. 

 Ready to do it all again soon. 

Wally and Bruley -- Your Friendly Neighborhood Squirrel Patrol

Walking with these two, you get a sense of the dedication they have to keeping their neighborhood safe from the criminal underworld of squirrels that exist in many different areas of Southern California. If you don't know what I'm talking about...well, that's just how this network of sinister fuzzy tailed menaces prefers it.

But these two valiant canines are on the case. It's tough out there on the street. The squirrel is a wily adversary, always on the move and hiding in places where you least expect. Wally and Bru know how squirrels think, how they act, where they hide. To an unsuspecting dog walker who isn't familiar with the constant struggle between these two foes, things can get a little hairy. This is no place for an amateur.

The patrol unit sniffing for clues. 

Word had gotten around that a particularly sinister squirrel had been spotted in the area, and so courageous Wally and Bruley began their investigation. Looking high and low, they sniffed around looking for a hot tip. But this squirrel was a clever one and he was determined to best our dynamic duo.

We walked the beat, asking the good citizens of West Hollywood if they had seen or heard anything. But no one was talking. Perhaps they were scared. Had they been intimidated? Did the squirrel get to them before Wally and Bru could? No one was forthcoming. But that didn't hinder these two.

They don't give up that easy. So we pounded the pavement some more. Checking for any evidence of the squirrel's whereabouts. Broken nutshells, tail fur that had been left behind. But squirrels are very careful not to leave behind a trail. The boys looked high and low for any indication there had been squirrel activity. 

But there was none. Frustration started to set in. Maybe the squirrel had already beat it out of here. 

Until...a sighting! The squirrel they were looking for had made one false move...and the CHASE WAS ON!

I could barely keep up as Wally and Bru rushed after that pesky squirrel! Alas, the little troublemaker proved too quick and crafty for our patrol unit. Finding solace in a tall tree, this day went to the squirrel. He sat there, smug, looking down at our brave soldiers. 

Wally and Bruley had no choice. They had to let him go. They had nothing incriminating on him anyway. The bust would have just been thrown out of court. No, these two had to wait and catch him red handed. 

Until next time. The boys walked off and the squirrel just laughed at him. His little squirrel laugh resonating in all of our ears as we left.

You win this round Mr. Sinister Squirrel. 

Emergency Preparedness is for everyone…including your pets!

There’s been a small rash of earthquakes here in Southern California, so that got us thinking about making an Emergency Supply Kit for your pets. You’ve got a kit and a plan for you and your family, but what about your furry loved ones? Some folks may not even think their pets would need a kit, much less know where to start to put one together or even how. Well, the good people at FEMA have some helpful guidelines to follow for getting your pet’s kit ready to go in case of an emergency.

First off, think about what you’ve put in your survival kit. It’s all about the basics – food, water, medications. The essentials needed to maintain routine daily life. It’s the same thing for your pets; store about three days worth of food in a sealed container. Don’t rely on the water you’ve set aside for yourself to keep your pet hydrated. Make sure you have three days worth of water exclusively for your pets, in addition to what you have stored for you and your family. Medications are pretty self-explanatory and make sure you keep them in a cool, dry place. Once you’ve got those squared away, be sure to include a leash, harness and ID tags as well. You’ll also want to have your pet’s crate or carrier ready on a moment’s notice in case evacuation is necessary. Also be sure to include a litter box and litter, as well as bags, newspapers and paper towels to clean up after your pet. Household bleach is a good idea to help keep things hygienic and it can also help purify water if such a need arises. FEMA also suggests you keep a photo of you and your pet together, for identification purposes in the event you become separated.  It’s the easiest way to describe your pet’s visual characteristics to help others assist you in finding your lost animal. Finally, just as children find comfort in a trusted toy or stuffed animal, your pet’s stress can be alleviated through the things that bring them solace. Toys, bedding, treats; any of the things that make your pet happy should be added to the kit to help them feel safe in times of turmoil.

Next, make a plan in the event something happens. You’ll need to know how to round up your pet or pets and have a destination in mind if you have to leave your home. Obviously, you want to bring your pet with you in the event of an evacuation, but keep in mind some shelters may not allow you to bring animals with you. So have a contingency in place, a friend or relative who would be willing to house your pets when they have nowhere else to go. Boarding kennels are also a good option. Wherever it may be, make sure you have the option in place ahead of time, before something catastrophic occurs instead of after. In case you have to leave your pets at your residence, arrange to have someone who can visit, care for, or possibly even evacuate them while you are gone. Establish meeting areas both in your local neighborhood and beyond for your appointed care-takers to meet you if trouble arises.

Finally, stay informed. Know what types of emergencies could affect your region and be aware of evacuation procedures designated by your state and local governments. Always be ready by going to www.ready.gov to learn more about emergency preparedness for both you and your pets.

And the Oscar goes to...Bogart!

Much like the actor who shares his namesake; Bogart knows when a good performance pays off and while Bogey only won a single Academy Award for his performance in The African Queen, this dog gets the accolades he seeks every time he goes for a walk.  

You see, Bogart is a master thespian in the art of playing dead. Not that he does it for your gratification mind you…it’s all about him. Usually when he has no interest in walking any further, this floppy-eared hound will simply fall over in the grass and refuse to budge. Dead weight. No further, thank you. I’m done. Like many a difficult actor before him, Bogart simply will not take any direction until his needs are met. This often means one good long scratch of his belly. Then he’s all yours…

Caution! Watch where you point that laser...

And now a lesson in the dangers of mixing one laser pointer, one cat and ESPN.

This is Lucy. She loves chasing her laser pointer.

She's the kind of kitty who will chase her laser pointer pretty much anywhere. If it goes up the wall, she'll leap to grab it. Run it along the ceiling and she'll jump up to the highest point in the room and chirp at the shiny red beam as it passes overhead, just waiting to pounce when it comes down to an easier vantage point within her reach.

So it's my fault really. I learned the hard way that using a laser pointer while distracted can be almost as dangerous as texting and driving. You see, I had turned on ESPN to get scores and catch some highlights from the day's baseball and preseason football games at the same time that I was making Lucy chase all over the room after her laser pointer.

What I didn't realize was that I had become too enthralled with the television and my focus wasn't on the task at hand -- Lucy's bloodlust for that pesky laser beam. I guess my hand had gotten lazy and I inadvertently run the laser pointer through my personal space more than once. The wake up call came courtesy of Lucy's paws and claws converging on my bare ankle. The sharp intrusion of pain took my eyes and everything else off the TV, I shuddered and yelped which made Lucy jump back. She turned to me, acknowledging what her actions had done to my warm, exposed flesh...and her expression had precisely zero sympathy in it. If anything, she was admonishing me for not paying enough attention to her and, frankly, judging by her fuzzy little cat face, she thought I deserved it.

Lesson learned. But now I was ready to challenge her. I was convinced she didn't have the guts to do it again, even if I was eyeballing her the entire time. So I pointed the laser at my leg again...

Does this cat look like she's about to hesitate to leap at me once more? Exactly. So I pointed it back across the room to save myself from another pouncing. Lucy went bounding after it...and I decided to check the scores on my phone when play time was over.

This Week in Cat-Speak

Ever wonder what cats are really thinking?

"It never fails, I finally get comfortable and then the dang phone rings"

"I don't always have glowing laser beams for eyes...but when I do, I vaporize anyone taking a picture of me"

"Beer then liquor...never sicker...ooooof"