Celeste Glassman

Floofy Photos

November 23, 2016 by Celeste Glassman Leave a Comment

Pet Photos. We All Have Them!

Be honest, how many photos do you have on your cell phone? Hundreds? Thousands? Ok, how many of those photos are of your pets? Our pets are our family and it’s no surprise pet photography is on the rise. As pet sitters and dog walkers we are always trying to capture the silly, happy, and relaxed moments to share with our clients. Check out these tips from professional photographers for snapping the perfect shot of your floofin.

Relax

As pet parents it’s easy to get excited when we see our pets doing something cute or laying in the perfect position. They always seem to stop what they’re doing when we scramble for our camera. This is especially true when we try to force the cuteness. “Sit, Sit, Look Here! Sit.” Sometimes our pets feed off excited behavior and their body language doesn’t always translate well when photographed in this state. Take a deep breath and go with the flow! [Read more…] about Floofy Photos

What is Breed-Specific Legislation?

October 14, 2016 by Celeste Glassman Leave a Comment

Food For Thought On Breed-specific Legislation

Breed-specific legislation (BSL), as defined by the ASPCA, “is the blanket term for laws that either regulate or ban certain dog breeds in an effort to decrease dog attacks on humans and other animals”. The term BSL has been in the news recently due to the proposed ban on pit bulls in Montreal, Canada. Surprisingly, over 700 cities right here in the United States have incorporated breed regulations or bans on certain dog breeds. The theory behind breed-specific legislation is to prevent dog attacks before they occur – that some breeds cause more damage than others. Does banning or regulating specific dog breeds make for a safer community for people and animals? [Read more…] about What is Breed-Specific Legislation?

So, What is Catnip, Anyway?

September 14, 2016 by Celeste Glassman Leave a Comment

Catnip AKA “Kitty Crack”

Catnip is a plant that is part of the mint family, alternatively called “catmint”. Nepetalactone (nep·e·ta·lac·tone) is the essential oil in catnip that often brings out the inner goofy in some cats. A whiff of some catnip and kitty may exhibit some of the following behaviors:

Sniffing
Licking
Head shaking
Eating the herb
Body rolling
Head and cheek rubbing

Garter Snakes…Friend or Foe?

August 17, 2016 by Celeste Glassman Leave a Comment

Garter Snakes May Be A Benefit To Our Gardens

Garter snakes, often referred to as garden snakes or gardener snakes, can be found in a wide variety of habitats which may include our own backyards. Garter snakes tend to prefer wet, grassy environments but are highly adaptable and can survive the ever-changing weather conditions we experience in Chicagoland. Some may refer to these creatures as pests, while others enjoy having them slither through their gardens. There are many benefits to sharing our neighborhood with these reptiles, but are there any dangers to us or our floofins? [Read more…] about Garter Snakes…Friend or Foe?

Yellow Spots On My Lawn?

May 18, 2016 by Celeste Glassman Leave a Comment

What Exactly Causes Yellow Spots?

Many dog owners have experienced the seemingly inevitable brown or yellow spots on their lawn. These spots often seem to be the result of urine. So, what causes the browning in your pup’s favorite piddle spot, and what can you do about it?

The “acid” from our dogs’ urine may seem like the reason for the yellow spots, but nitrogen is actually the culprit. Our dogs’ urine has a high nitrogen content as a result of their diets. Canine diets typically contain high levels of protein. According to this article in the popular magazine, The Bark, “nitrogen is ‘the waste’ in the urine and is the result of protein breakdown through normal body processes.” If your pooch is using the yard for potty, you will likely always have urine scalding in the grass. If you fertilize, you may already have a high level of nitrogen in your lawn and small amounts of urine may be all that is needed to scald the lawn. [Read more…] about Yellow Spots On My Lawn?