I'm excited to announce that The Mutt Puddle is now open for service in Allen TX!! It's located at the Village at Allen right next to the Canine Commons dog park. They offer a self-service dog wash as well as professional grooming services. I haven't personally tried out The Mutt Puddle yet, but I've tried others like it and really liked my experience. It made it much easier for me to bathe Ginger without the mess in my own bathroom or stress of the water hose in the backyard.  My favorite part is the dryers! They work great on my lab's thick coat. When I bathe her at home, it takes hours for her to dry and she's constantly licking her fur and she smells like wet dog. I also like the ease of bathing her without bending over.

The price of self-service dog washing starts at $13, and they provide everything you'll need to clean your dog. If you don't want to do the washing yourself, they will do it for you for an additional charge.  Come check it out!!

With the recent hire of a new employee, Select Pet Care has more availability for daily dog walking services in the Allen, Plano, & McKinney TX areas!!

What is involved in a daily dog walk?

We come to your home around mid-day or whatever time you are needing us exactly, take your dog or dogs (up to 3) on a 30 minute walk around your neighborhood or local park. During this walk, we help rid of any leash issues, rid excess energy, and give them plenty of exercise as well as a fun time outside sniffing stuff. We also give them fresh water, play in the backyard, give treats, etc. This important time gets your dogs out of their crates for some much needed exercise, teaches them how to behave on and off a leash, and just overall a good break in the middle of their day while you are away at work.

Our dog walking service costs $17 per walk, up to 3 dogs. We bill you on a monthly basis, regardless how often you use our services through the week. And that service is billed after you have received your month's worth of dog walking services.

Select Pet Care is Bonded & Insured for your protection and have reliable and experience dog walkers available to you anytime! Call us now to set up your free consultation! (469) 233-7335

Along with the human population, we are beginning to face an overweight problem in our pets as well as more allergies. One of the solutions to these issues is trying a grain-free diet for your dog. Some people go this route because grain-free means free of wheat and soy, which can cause allergies in your pet. If your pet is experiencing allergies, a grain-free diet might be the best option for you. People are also beginning to be more concerned about the amount of corn in our pet's food. Corn is not necessarily a bad ingredient for your dog, but beware that it's not the main source in your pet's food. Check the first 3 ingredients in the food to ensure a healthy amount of protein.

If you are considering a grain-free diet, be sure to talk it over with your vet first. Here are a few brands that are supposedly great grain-free diets for your dog:

• Natural Balance
• Nutram
• Wellness Core
• Taste of the Wild
• Canidae
• Merrick B.G.

Also, if you do decide to switch your pet's diet, do it very gradually so it doesn't upset their digestive system.

For more information:

http://dog-care.suite101.com/article.cfm/the-best-grain-free-diets-for-dogs

http://dog-care.suite101.com/article.cfm/is_a_no_grain_diet_right_for_your_dog

Most people know a few types of human foods that are extremely dangerous to animals, but I wanted to make sure everyone was aware of them and which ones are the most poisonous.

1. Chocolate/Caffeine/Coffee – These products contain methylxanthines – causing increased heart rate, tremors, seizures, vomiting, possible death. Don't panic if you dog finds a Hershey kiss and ingests it so much as finding a bar of baker's chocolate.

2. Onions/Garlic/Chives – especially raw. More dangerous for cats, but can cause red blood cell damage in either cat or dog if enough is ingested.

3. Grapes/Raisins – No one is real sure what in these products cause the problem, but they do. They can cause kidney failure.

4. Avocados – Contains Persin, which causes vomiting/diarrhea.

5. Macadamia Nuts – Causes all kinds of stomach upset and even hyperthermia in dogs.

6. Alcohol – This one is obvious…

7. Xylitol – this is sometimes found in your toothpaste, used as a sweetener. It causes insulin release which leads to kidney failure.

8. Yeast Dough – Causes gas to accumulate and may cause intestinal rupture.

9. Salt – too much can cause sodium ion poisoning. Salty foods just aren't good for them anyway, just like for us.

10. Milk – A lot of people don't know, but most cats are lactose intolerant and cow's milk is no bueno for them.

If your pet has ingested something questionable, watch for signs of distress (vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, etc.). You may have to call your vet and get it taken care of, but a lot of times your pet is going to try to get out whatever is upsetting their stomach as soon as possible. For more info, click here.

Select Pet Care is so happy that the business is continuing to grow, and with that growth, we are in need of more staff! I'm looking to hire at least one more person in the very near future. It is possible that we'll need more staff this Summer as well, but will keep you posted on that. If you or someone you know is interested in working in the pet industry while having flexible hours and enjoying spending time with animals, I'd love to hear from you! You can go to the Employment Opportunities tab on my site and fill out the application, or contact me directly by phone or email. (469) 233-7335 or mary@selectpetcare.com.

Yay! A dog meet up event has been scheduled for the first Sunday in March! We will be meeting at the Allen TX dog park (Canine Commons) at the Village at Allen at 2pm. This will be a great opportunity for you and your dog to socialize with others. Select Pet Care and their pets will be there and hope to see you too! For more details, click here: McKinney Dog Pack. You can sign up and RSVP online. It's no cost to you as well.

Also, the Doggy Day Out Event in Allen, TX is just around the corner as well. The event is scheduled for March 28th, 2-4 pm at the Joe Farmer Recreation Center. Select Pet Care will have a booth set up with lots of fun for kids and dogs alike. Stop by, get your picture with the Easter Bunny, and bring your dogs out for a fun-filled afternoon. Again, no cost to you, unless you want to participate in the scheduled events.

I finally have all the photos ready to show you all how the Bow Wow Bash went! It was a great turnout despite the windy weather! There were tons of fun events for both kids and dogs including contests, demonstrations, face painting, balloon art, and more. Select Pet Care had lots of visitors at our booth and is very grateful for all of you who came out to support us and the new dog park in Allen TX.  Can't wait until next year's event!

The unveiling of the Canine Commons

Everyone entering the park

The ribbon cutting ceremony

The dogs love the park!

There is even a section for the smaller pups

Dallas Disc did a demonstration

These dogs are talented!

They love frisbees

going for the frisbee

catching it in the air

coming in for a landing

Great catch!

Select Pet Care booth at start of event

People visiting Select Pet Care booth

More folks at the Select Pet Care booth

The beginning of the parade

There were a lot of parade people!

More parade folks!

Winner of the parade, so cute!!

Another parade contestant

The parade contestants

Winner of the longest tail contest

Winner of the shortest tail contest

Winner of the look alike contest, too funny!

Another Look Alike Contestant

Another look alike contestant, so adorable!

The Golden Retriever Rescue Mascot

Great news!!

Select Pet Care now has a second location in Plano TX!

This makes it easier for our Plano customers to find us and serve you better.  Select Pet Care will still be serving the Allen, Plano, Frisco, and McKinney TX areas and offering pet sitting, dog walking, pet taxi service and more. The Plano location has its own contact phone number (469) 441-7193, yet you can reach Select Pet Care by calling either number or by email, mary@selectpetcare.com.

Call us to receive your first pet sitting visit free! (469) 233-7335 or (469) 441-7193.