Update March 23, 2020: Until the coronavirus outbreak is under control, I have opted out of individual dog walks and drop-ins on Rover and Wag. I am no longer housesitting (as of January 1, 2020). I will dog board on a case-by-case basis. (All prior dog boarding clients are a definite "yes.") Please contact me through Rover for pricing and availability. In the meantime, please be safe and practice social isolation. Check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for helpful tips in "Steps to prevent illness," "What to do if you are sick" (and symptoms), and more.
Coronavirus-related pet posts:
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 465 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 (76) below.
Selfie doggie time (and two cats!)
Medium blog: Click banner above or headline of each blog post below.
38. In the event of an emergency, my dog goes to … ~ Have you planned a foster parent for your pet?
37. What happened to the Dogs of Amazon? ~ When working from home means your dogs get to see you more
36. Stop giving your dog liquor ~ Why is Jessica’s dog on ‘Love Is Blind’ drinking from her wine glass?
35. Non-crazy ways to remember your deceased dog ~ What should stay and what should go when your dog dies
34. Adopting a dog during the coronavirus scare ~ How to socialize your pet during social isolation
33. Keeping track of your dog walking, boarding expenses for tax season ~ Get a handle on your 2021 tax filings in 2020
32. Puppy protests and know-it-all dog walkers ~ How to diffuse conflict when your puppy throws a tantrum in public
31. Walking dogs during the coronavirus scare ~ Be wary of instant Internet coronavirus experts, opt for proven results
30. Elizabeth Warren’s dog Bailey earned that burrito ~ Tips for dog owners to keep their kangaroo-hopping dogs from stealing food
29. Please stop lying about owning dogs in your dating app profile ~ Where I went wrong on dating sites: Not looking for men who own dogs
28. Before you buy a dog antler, know the risks ~ How a freelancing assignment made me concerned about dog toys
27. Safe walks on Wag, the fake home scam ~ Eight dog walking tips to feel secure while walking new dogs
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
37. What happened to the Dogs of Amazon? ~ When working from home means your dogs get to see you more
36. Stop giving your dog liquor ~ Why is Jessica’s dog on ‘Love Is Blind’ drinking from her wine glass?
35. Non-crazy ways to remember your deceased dog ~ What should stay and what should go when your dog dies
34. Adopting a dog during the coronavirus scare ~ How to socialize your pet during social isolation
33. Keeping track of your dog walking, boarding expenses for tax season ~ Get a handle on your 2021 tax filings in 2020
32. Puppy protests and know-it-all dog walkers ~ How to diffuse conflict when your puppy throws a tantrum in public
31. Walking dogs during the coronavirus scare ~ Be wary of instant Internet coronavirus experts, opt for proven results
30. Elizabeth Warren’s dog Bailey earned that burrito ~ Tips for dog owners to keep their kangaroo-hopping dogs from stealing food
29. Please stop lying about owning dogs in your dating app profile ~ Where I went wrong on dating sites: Not looking for men who own dogs
28. Before you buy a dog antler, know the risks ~ How a freelancing assignment made me concerned about dog toys
27. Safe walks on Wag, the fake home scam ~ Eight dog walking tips to feel secure while walking new dogs
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
