Why I became a dog walker: I was the proud (and obvious to visitors) owner of a Labrador Retriever (13 years) and a German Shepherd (9 years). I threw a full tantrum with my day camp counselor who refused to let me out of summer day camp during a tornado. Never mind the danger! My Lab was still outside. The minute they opened the doors (an hour or so later), I turned into Flo-Jo during the two-block run to get home and hugged that Lab for hours.
I equally spoiled the second dog. Rain, hail, sleet, snow. I walked her every single time I saw her. (I'd moved out by that time.) Unfortunately, both dogs have passed on, and I couldn't convince my parents to get another dog. (Hey parents, it's never too late. Just sayin'.)
After spending three months trying to buy a condo that allowed dogs, and not succeeding, I looked for alternatives to being around dogs. On March 2019, my answer was Wag. I am having a blast. (As of the last week of October, dogs are now allowed. I am dog boarding, too.)
I equally spoiled the second dog. Rain, hail, sleet, snow. I walked her every single time I saw her. (I'd moved out by that time.) Unfortunately, both dogs have passed on, and I couldn't convince my parents to get another dog. (Hey parents, it's never too late. Just sayin'.)
After spending three months trying to buy a condo that allowed dogs, and not succeeding, I looked for alternatives to being around dogs. On March 2019, my answer was Wag. I am having a blast. (As of the last week of October, dogs are now allowed. I am dog boarding, too.)
Wag! and Rover profiles
Use my Wag! discount code "Shamontiel62034" on Wag.
Reserve dogsitting/walking services on Rover. Get $20 off with my promo code: SHAMOV39720
Reserve dogsitting/walking services on Rover. Get $20 off with my promo code: SHAMOV39720
Dog chronicles: I have had the pleasure of walking ...
Note: I have completed a total of 440 Wag walks; eight dogsittings and four dog boardings. Some of the dogs below are ones I have the pleasure of walking, boarding and/or sitting regularly, which is is why my Wag profile walk total is higher than the number of dogs (75) below.
Selfie doggie time (and two cats!)
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26. When your fearful dog has an elephant memory ~ Helping your dog get over a scary experience
25. Sleeping with dogs and bed hogs ~ When you finally give up on sleeping alone
24. Always pet proof your home and fence ~ Don’t let Animal Control take your dog away because it’s not built for control
23. No, your dog cannot always say ‘hi’ ~ Learning basic manners for socializing your dogs with strangers
22. Michael Bloomberg’s weirdo way to greet a dog ~ Avoid the snout: Choose these seven tips for first greeting with dogs
21. Your dog is your best speech evaluator ~ Why Toastmasters need to practice speeches in front of dogs
20. When your dog gets a new roommate ~ Socializing your adult dog with a new puppy
19. People will fear your dog so deal with it ~ How Musophobia made me respond differently to Cynophobia
18. My heavy-hearted love for senior dogs ~ You can teach an old dog new tricks — when it depends on survival
17. The funniest trending topic on Twitter: Black dog parents ~ Black folks and their hilarious relationship with dogs
16. Hey lady, you do not have a ‘fur baby’ ~ Why I grudgingly denied the term ‘fur baby’ versus human babies
15. Should you let your dog donate blood? ~ As if veterinary visits aren’t hard enough as is
14. Is your dog racist, or is it really you? ~ What should a dog owner do when a dog expresses a racial preference?
13. Should homeowners treat dogsitters like guests or clients? ~ Five must-ask questions before dogsitting someone’s home
12. Dogs and dating: The no-dogs-on-bed rule ~ What do you do when your significant other doesn’t like dogs in your home?
11. When Wag! doesn’t pay dog walkers on time ~ Deciding whether to become a professional dog walker for Wag! or Rover
10. Your Airbnb host is not your maid ~ From dog housesitting to vacationing, treat their home like your own
9. Put your dog on a leash ~ Why dog owners should stop letting their dogs run loose outside
8. Dog poop bags in neighborhood cans: Yay or nay? ~ Should dog owners and walkers return home to throw away dog poop bags?
7. Dogsitting 101: Bonding with the dog and pet owner ~ How to carefully filter out the dogs you want to dogsit
6. 14 supplies for your dog-walking adventure ~ No matter what the owner already has, keep these in your bag
5. When a dog lover understands cat lovers ~ Cat ladies aren’t crazy, according to UCLA study
4. My dog chronicles: Becoming a professional dog walker ~ From Wag to Rover: Finding a way to make money with four-legged friends
3. Dating? Listen to your dog ~ How my dog, improv class and Portillo’s taught me all about dating in my 20s
2. Dog therapy: A writer’s break ~ Why writers should have an active, non-writing hobby
1. Wag! dog walkers, beware of scammers ~ What independent contractors need to be aware of with the Wag! app
25. Sleeping with dogs and bed hogs ~ When you finally give up on sleeping alone
24. Always pet proof your home and fence ~ Don’t let Animal Control take your dog away because it’s not built for control
23. No, your dog cannot always say ‘hi’ ~ Learning basic manners for socializing your dogs with strangers
22. Michael Bloomberg’s weirdo way to greet a dog ~ Avoid the snout: Choose these seven tips for first greeting with dogs
21. Your dog is your best speech evaluator ~ Why Toastmasters need to practice speeches in front of dogs
20. When your dog gets a new roommate ~ Socializing your adult dog with a new puppy
19. People will fear your dog so deal with it ~ How Musophobia made me respond differently to Cynophobia
18. My heavy-hearted love for senior dogs ~ You can teach an old dog new tricks — when it depends on survival
17. The funniest trending topic on Twitter: Black dog parents ~ Black folks and their hilarious relationship with dogs
16. Hey lady, you do not have a ‘fur baby’ ~ Why I grudgingly denied the term ‘fur baby’ versus human babies
15. Should you let your dog donate blood? ~ As if veterinary visits aren’t hard enough as is
14. Is your dog racist, or is it really you? ~ What should a dog owner do when a dog expresses a racial preference?
13. Should homeowners treat dogsitters like guests or clients? ~ Five must-ask questions before dogsitting someone’s home
12. Dogs and dating: The no-dogs-on-bed rule ~ What do you do when your significant other doesn’t like dogs in your home?
11. When Wag! doesn’t pay dog walkers on time ~ Deciding whether to become a professional dog walker for Wag! or Rover
10. Your Airbnb host is not your maid ~ From dog housesitting to vacationing, treat their home like your own
9. Put your dog on a leash ~ Why dog owners should stop letting their dogs run loose outside
8. Dog poop bags in neighborhood cans: Yay or nay? ~ Should dog owners and walkers return home to throw away dog poop bags?
7. Dogsitting 101: Bonding with the dog and pet owner ~ How to carefully filter out the dogs you want to dogsit
6. 14 supplies for your dog-walking adventure ~ No matter what the owner already has, keep these in your bag
5. When a dog lover understands cat lovers ~ Cat ladies aren’t crazy, according to UCLA study
4. My dog chronicles: Becoming a professional dog walker ~ From Wag to Rover: Finding a way to make money with four-legged friends
3. Dating? Listen to your dog ~ How my dog, improv class and Portillo’s taught me all about dating in my 20s
2. Dog therapy: A writer’s break ~ Why writers should have an active, non-writing hobby
1. Wag! dog walkers, beware of scammers ~ What independent contractors need to be aware of with the Wag! app
