Update April 13, 2020: Until the coronavirus outbreak is under control, I have opted out of new dog boarding and dog walking assignments on Rover and Wag. I am no longer housesitting (as of January 1, 2020). (All prior dog boarding and walking 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:
- Girl Scouts, earn a badge for making homemade pet supplies ~ Obtain the Senior Textile Artist Badge while in social isolation
- Ditching the dog groomer during COVID-19 outbreak, yay or nay? ~ Pet groomers and dog owners are putting themselves at risk — unnecessarily
- Dogs get major TLC and toys during social isolation ~ Don't be offended if your dog wants a bit of space from you
- Walking dogs during the coronavirus scare ~ Be wary of instant Internet coronavirus experts, opt for proven results
- Adopting a dog during the coronavirus scare ~ How to socialize your pet during social isolation
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 471 Wag walks; eight dogsittings and five 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 (77) below.
Selfie doggie time (and two cats!)
Medium blog: Click banner above or headline of each blog post below.
56. Unconventional ways to distract dogs from fireworks ~ The fireworks show is fun to hear and see — unless you own a dog
55. Dating apps: Cat men not welcome ~ Man’s best friend may be helping men get more dating action
54. COVID-19 is screwing pet owners out of bonding time ~ Why dog owners may need to find a relative or caregiver if infected
53. ‘Dogfather of Harlem’ is grooming pets for free Harlem ~ Doggie Day Spa takes its grooming on a 12-day tour
52. My dog brought a baby possum in our home — lucky us! ~ When hunting dogs love the chase and wreak havoc in your home
51. Making your dog’s crate feel like home ~ If your dog looks uncomfortable inside, she probably is
50. At least if you’re going to racially profile, don’t choke your dog! ~ Yet another dishonest 911 call risking the life of a black man
49. Amazon’s dog food Wag and curious marketing ~ Obviously Amazon has its own dog food, along with everything else
48. When your dog hates his new home ~ The four-legged roommate with moving worries
47. The dog is digging up the plants again ~ Tips to stop your dog from destroying your yard
46. Before you use your dog as a wingman … ~ Five tips to help read a woman’s body language around dogs
45. Strange dogs and strangers: Keeping dogs safe ~ When your dog has admirers, and you don’t know who to trust
44. I was Today Years Old when I learned of dog braces ~ Yes, Julia from ‘Desus & Mero,’ dog braces may be a ‘white woman thing’
43. Girl Scouts, earn a badge for making homemade pet supplies ~ Obtain the Senior Textile Artist Badge while in social isolation
42. Ditching the dog groomer during COVID-19 outbreak, yay or nay? ~ Pet groomers and dog owners are putting themselves at risk — unnecessarily
41. Dogs get major TLC and toys during social isolation ~ Don't be offended if your dog wants a bit of space from you
40. Michael Vick did it, overcame it, now get over it ~ From a dog lover who is tired of people reminding us of his dogfighting days
39. A natural disaster vs my dog: I chose my dog ~ When a Chicago tornado made me fully understand dog lovers
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 ~ Five tips to help 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
55. Dating apps: Cat men not welcome ~ Man’s best friend may be helping men get more dating action
54. COVID-19 is screwing pet owners out of bonding time ~ Why dog owners may need to find a relative or caregiver if infected
53. ‘Dogfather of Harlem’ is grooming pets for free Harlem ~ Doggie Day Spa takes its grooming on a 12-day tour
52. My dog brought a baby possum in our home — lucky us! ~ When hunting dogs love the chase and wreak havoc in your home
51. Making your dog’s crate feel like home ~ If your dog looks uncomfortable inside, she probably is
50. At least if you’re going to racially profile, don’t choke your dog! ~ Yet another dishonest 911 call risking the life of a black man
49. Amazon’s dog food Wag and curious marketing ~ Obviously Amazon has its own dog food, along with everything else
48. When your dog hates his new home ~ The four-legged roommate with moving worries
47. The dog is digging up the plants again ~ Tips to stop your dog from destroying your yard
46. Before you use your dog as a wingman … ~ Five tips to help read a woman’s body language around dogs
45. Strange dogs and strangers: Keeping dogs safe ~ When your dog has admirers, and you don’t know who to trust
44. I was Today Years Old when I learned of dog braces ~ Yes, Julia from ‘Desus & Mero,’ dog braces may be a ‘white woman thing’
43. Girl Scouts, earn a badge for making homemade pet supplies ~ Obtain the Senior Textile Artist Badge while in social isolation
42. Ditching the dog groomer during COVID-19 outbreak, yay or nay? ~ Pet groomers and dog owners are putting themselves at risk — unnecessarily
41. Dogs get major TLC and toys during social isolation ~ Don't be offended if your dog wants a bit of space from you
40. Michael Vick did it, overcame it, now get over it ~ From a dog lover who is tired of people reminding us of his dogfighting days
39. A natural disaster vs my dog: I chose my dog ~ When a Chicago tornado made me fully understand dog lovers
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 ~ Five tips to help 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
