Shout Against the Whisper!

Heather is a published author and long-time Peak City Puppy client. Recently, we learned that she is battling Ovarian Cancer and asked if she would like to write about her experience to help increase awareness of this disease.

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Hello Peak City Puppy readers! My name is Heather and my golden retriever Sophie just loves Lesley and her gang. Lately they have helped us out so much more. I had just turned 40 and was in the peak of my health (running my dog, playing soccer, chasing my three young kids) when I noticed that I was bloated a bit (skinny jeans didn’t zip easily) and I had a twinge of pain on my right side. It took me a few weeks to go into my general practitioner who sent me for an ultrasound, which sent me to my GYN, who sent me to a gyn oncologist at Duke the very next day.

I was diagnosed with Stage IIc Ovarian Cancer a week later after the talented surgeon spent 4.5 hours searching my pelvic cavity and removing my uterus, ovaries, lymph node samples, and various other suspicious spots. I have now started a clinical trial and chemo which will run for 15 months. If I had waited a few more weeks, my prognosis could have easily slipped to 20% survival. My odds are at 75% now and my positive spirit and my army of supporters are raising those odds greatly : )

The symptoms of OC are ridiculously quiet: bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency). Possibly fatigue, indigestion, back pain, pain with intercourse, constipation, and menstrual irregularities. The OC National Alliance suggests you see your gyn if you experience these symptoms for more than a few weeks. Okay – who hasn’t experienced at least some of these symptoms? It is scary. But what was scarier was hearing my wonderful husband (whose own mom died of breast cancer when he was 9) tell me as I woke from surgery that I had cancer.

It is now my mission, as a writer, as a survivor, as a woman to reach as many people as I can to warn them about this silent killer of women. I will “Shout against the Whisper!” of Ovarian Cancer until everyone I come in contact with knows its quiet, deadly sound.

For more information you can go to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance or www.tealtoes.org . Or you can always contact me at Heather@HeatherMcCollum.com

Otto the Old Soul...

Just yesterday, while training a new team member, I shared how caring for Senior dogs is actually one of my most unexpected, favorite parts to this job. While many team members fawn over the new puppy assignments, I personally find it more rewarding to care for the sometimes very special needs of an older pet. As I've had more experience with the cruelty of old age among dogs: lame back legs; incontinence; difficulty walking or standing; I've become far less fearful of caring for them. I realize that some days, you may walk into a home worried your friend won't wake up, but that's all the more reason to be there when their family can't. I find myself spending extra time and taking extra special care to just make the guy more comfortable and give him exactly what he wants; whether it's a short stroll down the street, or an extra cookie or two.

Today I learned that we lost one of our personal favorite Senior dogs and my heart is admittedly, very sad. Otto was a bright-eyed, tenacious yellow lab belonging to our good friends and happen-to-be neighbors. Otto was a product of the modern American couple: the "His" contribution to a blended family of Sara & Neil and their two dogs, Otto and Abbey. As the family grew to also include a baby this year, Otto remained his patient, gentle and loving self. We helped walk him and his sister and though most days he could only muster a short trot down to the corner and back, Otto wouldn't think of letting you leave him behind.

As older age continued to strip Otto of some of his basic abilities in the past months and years, the thing he never lost was the brightness in his eyes and excitement to see people. Jet black marbles with thick black eyelids, giving him an unforgettably flirtatious and youthful puppy face. We grieve for our friends today but remain hopeful that Otto is now comfortable and happy waiting for his family at the Rainbow Bridge. We love you, buddy.

Pet First Aid - Are you Prepared?

April is National Pet First Aid Awareness Month and a great time for all pet owners to learn how best to handle pet accidents and emergencies. Peak City Puppy encourages all pet owners to learn what to do if their pet becomes injured.

Just like people, most pet accidents happen in or nearby the home. Examples of the most common pet accidents include toxic ingestion, dog bites, high rise syndrome, ripped toenails, foreign body ingestions with gastrointestinal problems, eye emergencies, broken bones, trouble giving birth and being hit by a car.

According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), 25 percent more pets would survive if just one pet first aid technique were applied prior to getting emergency veterinary care. Source: Pet Sitters International, 2010.

As part of our commitment to providing the highest quality of care to our clients, all Peak City Puppy Team Members are required to be certified in American Red Cross Pet First Aid & CPR within 90 days of joining us. Part of the value in hiring us as professional pet sitters is that we have experience with hundreds of pets which will help during an emergency situation. In fact, much of our initial Team Member training is spent on techniques to avoid the most common pet emergencies.

To date, our team has an impressive track record or handling minor pet emergencies. In one case, a team member identified a cat in diabetic shock and properly alerted both the client and the Veterinarian listed on file to administer emergency treatment and save the cat's life. On several occasions, we have been called to care for very elderly pets who can not withstand the stress of a boarding kennel. Whenever we care for senior pets, special attention is given to ensure their health condition has not changed significantly between visits and alert the client if we suspect ill-health.

One more benefit to establishing service with Peak City Puppy is that we can serve as an "Emergency Contact" in the event of a fire or other emergency in your home. If we have your most up-to-date contact information, we can make attempts to contact you and/or care for your pets until you return home safely. Please contact us if you have not received your FREE Pet Emergency Window cling. We are happy to provide this service to our existing clients as one more way we help keep you happy and your pets safe.

dogs dig us...but Cats do too!

by Cait Hawley, CARY TEAM Member

Cats make great pets, and no one knows that better than the team at Peak City Puppy. They’re independent, graceful, quiet and are quite content to spend their time on the back of your couch or curled up in a cat tree in your absence. When you’re out of town, you want the very best for your furry friends at home. Leaving Fluffy in a kennel or pet boarding center may be detrimental to your pet emotionally, as well as medically.

Cats love things that smell like them, their people, and their home. Being taken somewhere in carrier may as well be an alien abduction; your pet is contained in a small space, only to be moved to unfamiliar surroundings without having any idea how they got there. Then, faced with a vast array of new scents, other cats and, potentially, barking dogs in the next room, your cat may become needlessly stressed out.

Your cat may also be have to deal with upper respiratory infections and other medical issues after leaving a kennel situation, particularly if they are allowed to roam free with other boarded cats and share food/water sources. Typically, cats in shelters or other areas with multiple felines are prone to highly-contagious bouts of sneezing, nasal discharge, runny eyes and even coughing.

Bringing home an anxious, sick cat can be upsetting. Your cat may start hiding or become aloof, and while an upper respiratory infection will run its course in about a week, why should you spend large amounts of money per day to bring home a sick animal?

When you utilize Peak City Puppy’s services, you get more than just a happy cat. Your pet will be able to enjoy all the safety and comfort of home and the daily routine that all cats rely on. Whether your pal has a specific feeding time, certain medical requirements or a favorite feather toy, our dedicated team will ensure that your cat is content while you’re gone.

No cat likes a dirty litter box. We’ll take care of the mess, and refresh the box, so that your pet will never feel the need to eliminate elsewhere, and you can come back to a clean-smelling home. We take the energy level and personality of your cat into consideration before entering your home to provide service. Indoor playing and activity is initiated on every visit, even if your cat stretches and rolls over before returning to naptime.

Peak City Puppy delivers peace of mind to every client through daily texts, emails or phone calls. If kitty needs a treat, a belly-rub or a lap to curl up on, we’ll be there.
They may not be in our name, but Peak City Puppy loves all pets: big and small, cat or canine!


To inquire about cat-only services, please call us at 919-367-7387 or go on-line: www.PeakCityPuppy.com

A Sad Goodbye to Bella-Bear

Watching a beloved pet grow older is never easy. But for a very good friend of ours this week, the pain of watching her once spry dog get OLD within a matter of days, was extremely hard. And finally, as the test results came back with dim news and a prolonged, ugly fight if there was one to be had....Sonya made the brave and ultimately selfless decision to let her girl go. We take a moment to say a very sad good-bye to one of the best; our bear-cub pup, Bella Brown.

Bella embodied her mom's spirit in every sense of the world. Sassy, independent and full of life and love. Bella never stopped moving and loved her power walks; so in her final days when the dreaded hip dysplasia took its toll, Sonya knew her baby girl was telling her it was 'time'. We can only hope that with the peace and comfort provided in those last hours at home, Bella knew only that she was very well-loved and that soon, the pain would go away.

Bella was our third client; as in #3 ever! We nicknamed her 'little bear cub' because, well...just look at her picture! As a puppy, Bella was a ball of fluff with a freckled nose and deep, jet black marble eyes. She grew into a fluffy, energetic girl except when sporting her 'skinny jeans' as Sonya coined the annual summer haircut. We cared for her lovingly and given she was our close friend's pet, allowed her to come ride around in the Peak City Puppy truck for extended visits; just to keep her company. Bella loved car rides of any sort and jumped into the back of her mom's truck with the gleeful expression as if to say, "SWEET! Where we headed?".

As many pet owners can full-well appreciate, Sonya has lost her best friend. Bella was there before, during and after boyfriends and took up residence long before her feline companion Binx joined the house. Fiercely loyal, Bella brought a sense of security to Sonya, in so many more ways than the obvious. Our hearts are deeply sad for our friend and hope as the next few days unfold, she can remember all the good and special times with her girl. With very heavy hearts, we say our final good-bye to you, Bella Brown. We will miss you, sweet girl.

YIKES! We are FULL for Thanksgiving Week

We've had another busy ramp-up to one of the biggest weeks of the year in pet sitting. We are officially booked up in all territories for the 2010 Thanksgiving Week. Please Contact Us about availability for Christmas Week and New Year's before space fills up!

Lighten Up! - Weight Control for your Pets

By: Thor Wendland of THE PET PANTRY, Apex, NC

Is your 4-legged companion at a healthy weight? Before I go on I must confess, I have an overweight dog. I am working on Piper’s weight but it is a challenge as anyone who has tried to lose weight or has tried to trim down an overweight dog knows. But I am not alone. Today in the USA about 17 million+ dogs or 40% of the dog population is overweight. Right now cats are facing an epidemic of obesity as well. So don’t forget to look at your cats with a discerning eye too.

One of the reasons for the ever increasing waist lines of our 4 legged friends is their owners’ perception of their dog’s proper weight. When dog owners are asked if they think their dog is overweight only 17% of dog owners believed their dog had a weight issue vs. approximately 40% who do have an overweight dog. It is important that you talk with your Veterinarian to determine your dog’s ideal body weight and then weigh your dog(s) frequently to make sure it is maintaining a healthy weight. As with people, weight gain in dogs can occur slowly and go unnoticed until you have a real health issue. Do not compare your dog to other dogs you see because 40% of them are overweight!

Why is our pet population experiencing such a rise in obesity? It boils down to calories in versus calories out. We are over feeding our pets with food and treats and not exercising them enough. Did you know that one pig ear is the equivalent to six 12 oz. sodas for a 40 lb. dog? That little piece of pizza crust that you fed to your Chihuahua could be the equivalent to 3 slices of pizza for you! We need to make smart treat choices for our pets. For many dogs a piece of carrot is a very welcomed treat.

We all know the effects of excess weight on people. Many of these health problems will also occur in dogs. Heart Disease, Diabetes, Respiratory Disease, Back & ACL problems, Premature Arthritis and Cancer are just a few of the more common problems. Unfortunately, they are with us for far too short a time. We should do all we can to help them live a long, healthy life.

Exercise is also important. To start burning fat a dog needs to have an elevated heart rate, from activity, for a minimum of 20 minutes. Just think about how much he/she enjoys taking a long walk or chasing a ball. I know I would be a lot healthier if I enjoyed exercise as much as they do. The next time you feel the urge to feed them a treat, take them for a walk instead. (PEAK CITY PUPPY offers Mid-Day Dog Walking Service to help get your dog out several times a week).


How do you determine how many calories your dog needs in a day? Again, your Veterinarian can help you with this. As a very general guide I tell people that most adult dogs with moderate activity need about 17 calories per day per lb. of ideal body weight. This varies by age, breed, activity level, not being spayed or neutered and many other factors. So with this general guide in mind if your dog currently weighs 50 lbs. and should weigh 40 lbs. , you would multiply 40 lbs. x 17 calories = 680 calories per day. You would then divide the 680 calories by how many calories are in each cup of dog food you are feeding to determine how much to feed each day. You must also make sure to subtract food to compensate for any treats that you are giving throughout the day.

Unfortunately dogs that are overweight are becoming the norm in this country. Do your best to make sure that yours is not one of them.

For more information about Holistic and Natural food products delivered right to your home: Contact THE PET PANTRY @ 919.303.1990 or On-line at: http://www.feedyourpets.com

2 years and 10,000 visits!

It seems impossible, but on November 24th, 2010 we will celebrate our 2nd full year in business! Since that time, we have completed nearly 10,000 in-home pet visits or dog walks and met the needs of over 250 Happy Clients!

We've celebrated the promotions of Elka and Julie to Team Managers in Holly Springs and Morrisiville/Cary respectively, and spent over 120 combined hours training our team (which now stands at 14!). We remain open and available to our clients 365 days a year, 15 hours a day (7AM to 10PM) and carefully manage taking on New Clients to ensure we're there when our Existing Clients need us most.

This month brings the influx of reservations for the busy Holiday season. With over 300 visits for the team over Thanksgiving, we are nearly full in most areas and are quickly booking up for Christmas and New Year's; so don't wait! BOOK NOW!

As we enter our third year of business we want to say a sincere THANK YOU to the hundreds of you who have welcomed us into your homes and allowed us to care for your pet family members. In creating this company, we wanted to offer a level of service that is simply not found anywhere else and based on your feedback, we have done it!

We never take it for granted however and that's why this month, we're inviting FRANK VERNI of Best Paw Forward back to the office for some advanced Dog Walking Training with our team. While every new team member at PEAK CITY PUPPY completes a ten-hour training course with Lesley before taking new client assignments, we strongly believe that continued training for us all is what sets us apart from friends, neighbors and even other pet sitting companies caring for your pets. Each team member is certified in American Red Cross CPR & First Aid to easily and quickly identify a health condition needing veterinary attention. We all own our own pets as well and frequently talk about the importance of "doing what you'd want done for your own pets".

The past two years have brought a lot of changes for us personally; a sign of the times for many families right now. PEAK CITY PUPPY was born shortly after we encountered a job lay-off and quickly had to re-set some priorities. Having both worked in the corporate world, we set this company up to grow right from the start by investing most of our own savings in its start-up. Watching it grow over the past two years has been a tremendous source of pride along with the occasional exhaustion of owning a round-the-clock business.

We are excited to experience the joys and challenges of 2011 and hope you'll be there, right along with us!

Blackey - Fence Build Sponsored by Friends of PEAK CITY PUPPY

PEAK CITY PUPPY is proud to announce that we gathered a group of friends here at the main office on October 16th for a Chili Cook-Off and Charity Poker Tournament, to raise funds for the Coalition to Unchain Dogs. We have been friends of this organization for two years because they literally CHANGE dogs lives by building fences so the dogs can be UNCHAINED. This year with the generosity of our event participants and a few 'Angel donors', PEAK CITY PUPPY sponsored a fence-build project for a pit bull in Durham named Blackey. We later found out that Blackey had been waiting the longest of all the dogs on the fence-build wait-list. Here's Blackey's video (Warning: You may be brought to tears!):

OUCH! Pets Feel Pain, Too!

By: Dr. Jodi Reed, DVM of Harmony Animal Hospital, Apex, NC

It is not hard to imagine that animals feel pain. What is difficult, is to agree on is how much pain a pet is feeling. Like people, pets' tolerance for pain varies. The biggest difference between the human and animal experience of pain is in the way we communicate. Humans are fortunate to have the power of speech, so we can communicate when, and more importantly, where something hurts. With animals, we strictly rely on body language and non-verbal cues to determine if, where, and to what extent they are experiencing pain.

It is really only in the last 20-25 years that veterinary medicine, as a profession, has acknowledged and accepted that animals truly feel pain; likely to the extent that we do. This is unacceptable, as pain should be treated swiftly and aggressively as it is for humans. Where the challenge lies for owners and veterinarians is in recognizing the signs of pain; understanding the cues our pets give that suggest pain is occuring and where it is hurting.

Obvious Signs of a Painful Pet:
Limping
Protective behavior (such as nipping or vocalizing when touched in a painful area)
Not moving or remaining unwilling to get up
Hesitating to jump up or climb up stairs

Less Obvious Signs of Pain in Pets:
Not eating as much or as fast as usual
Panting
Hiding
Sleeping more
Not greeting you at the door
Restlessness or Inability to Lay Down

Essentially, your pet may be painful if she stops doing the normal routines that she has done for a long time, or even exhibits strange behaviors such as becoming more grumpy, aggressive, or having inappropriate potty habits. In these cases, my advice is that when changes such as these occur, it is extremely important to seek a professional opinion from your veterinarian.

Like many veterinarians, I believe that treating pain in animals is humane and cannot be ignored. No living being should ever have to suffer with pain. There are many tools that we have to treat, and more importantly, prevent pain in your pet. The most common treatments include neutraceuticls (ie Glucosamine Chondrotin), pain medications (injections, oral, topical), physical rehabilitation, massage therapy, acupuncture, and combinations of the above. While these are all very important tools and each has its place in treating different types of pain, there is now an even newer modality to use in the arsenal against pain.

One of the newest pain treatments, for both people and animals, is a Therapy Laser. This is a type of treatment that can be used to lessen and eliminate many types of pain. The best use is to help reduce inflammation and swelling, which are two of the leading causes of pain. Laser therapy helps treat pain such as chronic arthritis, tendonitis, hot spots, ear infections, burns, wounds, post surgical sites, trauma and so much more. The benefits of the Therapy Laser are often profound and reliable, while the actual treatment is painless, quick, and has no negative side effects.

For me, having an older, very arthritic dog and cat, learning about the Therapy Laser and all the wonderful things it can do to lessen and possibly eliminate pain for pets was a profound experience. I finally felt that I had an alternative to the treatments that had been tried but failed. At Harmony Animal Hospital, we believe strongly in this treatment and are one of only two veterinary hospitals in the area that have invested in the equipment to be able to provide this service to our clients’, painful pets.

For more information about Laser Therapy or to speak to Dr. Jodi directly, stop by Harmony Animal Hospital located at 2141 Ten-Ten Road in Apex; Call 919.303-3456 or Visit on-line at: www.HarmonyAnimalHospital.net

Peak City 'Puppies' of ALL Ages!

This November will mark the beginning of our third year of business. Since that time, we've completed over 10,000 in-home pet visits and dog walking visits for over 250 different clients in Western Wake County. Many times when we meet with a new pet sitting client, we hear stories of bad experiences with kennel boarding; dogs or cats that return home taking a couple days to 'get back to normal'. We hear this frequently from clients with Senior pets, so we've decided to dedicate this entire edition of 'dogs dig us.' to the care of Senior dogs and cats.

When we decided on the name Peak City Puppy it was will full intention that the word "Puppy" is exactly how we view ALL dogs, regardless of age, health condition or mobility. In our experience, no matter how many miles a pup has on him, the minute you rattle the leash or grab the ratty old tennis ball, an unmistakeable spark is lit! Suddenly, arthritic hips give way to a walk around the block (albeit slower or shorter).

In terms of care, our team remains fiercely protective of Senior pets and all team members are certified in American Red Cross Pet First Aid & CPR during their initial training period. We take a full health history prior to our first visit and have experience administering medications from pills to feline insulin shots to IV infusions (with no additional costs...ever.) In partnering with Dr. Jodi Reed of Harmony Animal Hospital, we have the option of calling her 24/7 in the event of a medical Emergency where our clients' own vet is unavailable. This is an amazing service that we value greatly rather than having to transport an aged pet to an expensive After-Hours Hospital.

This issue we're proud to feature an article from Dr. Jodi about a new treatment for pain in older pets as well as provide links to resources like The Grey Muzzle Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to finding forever homes for older pets. Enjoy and be on the look-out next month for a special Anniversary edition of 'dogs dig us.' with some exciting announcements!

And now, a word from our Happy Clients

Lots of updates and changes since our last posting. The 2010 Summer kept us quite busy here at Peak City Puppy. We completed two new groups of training classes for team members, bringing our bench up to 12 total. To view our newest team members, check out our new TEAM PAGES on the recently updated website.

As we approach the fall months and before gearing up for the 2010 Holiday season, Peak City Puppy decided to take a moment to connect with our clients to ask their opinions on our service. A short, 4-question anonymous survey was sent to our over 250 clients asking for their candid opinions on everything from the quality of our service to the value or convenience it offers as an alternative to kennel boarding.

We'd like to share some of the results with a side-note that our goal in polling our clients wasn't just to publish all the good things they say about our service. We really are a company committed to continual improvement, so if there are things that need attention or changing; well, now we know. We are very happy with the results of our survey and will continue to ask to hear from our clients directly. After all, without clients, we wouldn't have this little business at all...

Here's what our Happy Clients have to say:

Almost 40% of the clients who responded say they use us "all the time", though we got a nice cross-section of responses with almost 20% of respondents only having used us "once or twice".

As far as pet sitters in Western Wake County, our clients resoundingly said that for "Convenience", "Availability" and "Professionalism", we are top-notch with over 95% of clients giving us the top score of 5 = "Extremely Satisfied".

Our team provides mid-day dog walking in Apex, Cary, Morrisville and now Holly Springs and among these clients, 90% said that we are a great "Value" or fair price for the benefits derived.

Beyond the stats, we wanted to share right from the horses mouth, what some of our clients are saying about Peak City Puppy - Professional Pet Care:

"I have been immensely pleased each time I've used your service. I especially love the text message updates that include pictures! I wish I could take more vacations just so I could use you more - your service is such a comfort for me, and my dog!" - Rhonda from Cary

"Your service is wonderful. You are always available for our hectic schedules and you give us such peace of mind when we're working long hours that our pups are getting exercise, fresh water, and TLC. I like your service soooo much better than my previous service!" - Anonymous

"I am sure if it were not for your service, my husband would refuse to travel and leave the dogs at all!" - Kathy of Apex

We appreciate our client's supportive words but will continue to have our ear out to learn what more we can do to improve. Until then, we'll take a moment to celebrate our little successes!

Summer Travel: Keeping your Pet Safe at Home

As the school year draws to a close and summer vacation planning begins, many pet owners find it challenging to secure reliable and affordable care for their pets. Boarding kennels may be an option for healthy, adult dogs who are well-socialized. For young puppies, senior dogs and most dogs prone to anxiety or easily affected by environmental stressors, kennel boarding may be out. That’s where we come in...literally.

Peak City Puppy - Professional Pet Care offers pet sitting and dog walking services so you can head out of town for a day or the entire week with peace of mind that your pet is safe and comfortable in her own home. But what exactly is professional pet sitting and how does it work? If you’ve ever asked a neighbor or family member to ‘check-in’ on the dog....we promise, that’s not it.

As with most home services, there is a wide range of options in pet sitting and you will want to do some homework before selecting a provider:

Trust: Seek out small teams or individuals with a long list of Happy Clients and testimonials. Look for BBB accreditation and positive reviews from reliable independent consumer sites like Angie’s List. An initial “Meet & Greet” should be complimentary and ideally occur well before you need service to begin.

Availability: A pet sitter / pet sitting service may be great with your pets, but if he is unavailable when you need him most (i.e. summer vacation); what good is that to you? Choose a small team that has adequate staffing for busy months and back-up measures in place.

Training: Professional pet sitters should have experience with hundreds of pets, including their own. Accident and emergencies can be avoided by ensuring your pet sitter has been well-trained in dog handling and proper dog walking skills. If you have a mischievous puppy, an older dog or one with health issues; ensure the pet sitter / company is certified in pet First Aid & CPR.

Communication: Perhaps the greatest benefit of a pet sitter is the opportunity to receive daily text, email or picture updates of your pet while you’re away. A professional service should maintain communication with you at every step: from emailing you a reminder before you leave, to writing out a final pet report detailing your pet’s health, behavior, feeding and activity during the visits.

Summer vacation and travel should be a carefree, relaxing time to enjoy with your family. If taking your dog or cat along with you is not an option, contact us to discuss the many benefits of securing reliable in-home pet care for one of the most important ‘members’ of the family.

Peak City Puppy - Professional Pet Care may be reached by calling 919-367-7387 (FOR-PETS) or at www.PeakCityPuppy.com