Arlo & Company

09/06/2023

4 years ago we brought this nugget into our lives. My sweet, anxious, clever, and silly girl.

She turned me into the millennial dog mom whose entire personality is now her dog. Including her business branding. And I think I’m okay with that.

My love for this dog truly cannot be captured in a social media post.

Happy adoptiversary, Arlo!

04/11/2023

Sharing a little throw back for National Pet Day. Same same, but different.

This is one of my favourite photos of me as a kid with the dog who I grew up with. Literally. My mom brought this abandoned hound mix home a few days after I was born!

I see so many of Sparky’s qualities in Arlo. Her fierce front that hides a soft and nervous soul. Her desire to run wild, but come back home to her people for bedtime snuggles.

Her hatred of bath time.

It is amazing to share some of the same outdoor spaces with Arlo that I used to enjoy with Sparky.

This National Pet Day I am reflecting on all the pets (past and present) who have had a huge impact on my life.

How will you celebrate?!

03/21/2023

365 Days Later...

Happy 1 year-in-business to me!

The last 365 days have been… a ride. If I am being honest, I am still processing a lot of it.

This past year has brought me so many wins:

-my amazing clients supporting me in making the leap from “hobby” dog walker to business owner

-new clients sharing their homes and welcoming me into their pet care team

-spending my days learning from, playing with, and caring for some truly incredible animals

But I would be foolish to ignore the many challenges that came with starting a service-based small business, while still in the middle of a pandemic. While still dealing with life, and learning, and chaos. Maybe I’ll have some intelligent reflections on this some day… but today is for taking a really deep breath, and being thankful for my community’s support.

I look forward to continuing this work that I absolutely love - hopefully for years to come!

May Year 2 bring balance, sustainability, support, and even more puppy cuddles.

Thank you for an incredible 365 days.
-Emily

09/03/2022

When I have to be away from Arlo, I love a good photo update!

That is why I always provide quick but personal updates to my clients throughout the day, giving them photos and highlights of how their pet is doing.

At the end of each stay, whether a Drop-In Visit or my All Inclusive Overnight Care, the pet guardians also receive a full Summary Report by email! These outline the key activities and updates from their pet’s adventures with Arlo & Company (and some of my favourite photos from the service).

Here is a quick example of what your Summary Report might look like!

Let me know in the comments what you as a pet parent would love to see in a summary update from your pet sitter.

07/31/2022

Out of Office ☀️

I will be taking a break to spend some quality time with Arlo & my family starting on August 1st, and returning on August 8th.

I will not be responding to DMs, emails, or texts from clients during that time. I appreciate your patience and will get back to all messages as soon as I can after this short vacation.

Cheers to sleeping, snacking, and re-charging. Just as Arlo would want it.

07/29/2022

✨Client Appreciation ✨

This little model is Toby! At 13 years young, I joke with his mom that my wish for the world is that all senior dogs can have Toby’s level of pizazz! He is the sweetest little snuggle bug - but also keeps me on my toes for walks and playtime.

Toby is a rescue pup that came to his humans with some health concerns. It is my absolute pleasure to make sure that my stays with him are as comfy and safe as possible, tailoring his day to his unique needs!

07/25/2022

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: my job as your pet sitter is to ensure your fur family is safe and happy while you are away.

There are some simple ways that I prioritize your pet’s well-being while they are in my care:

Encouraging rest - sleep is critical to your pet’s positive mental health. Just like us humans, you may notice that without rest your pets become irritable or anxious. Between activities it is important that my presence in their home can still be peaceful and relaxing, giving them a chance to snooze when they need it!

Free to express themselves - our pets are fantastic communicators, we just need to learn to listen! While in my care, I do my best to learn about each pet as an individual in order to best support their needs, allowing them to be their goofy, authentic selves in the process!

Providing choices - we dictate nearly every aspect of our pets’ lives… Their overall well-being can be increased by providing choices in any (safe) way possible. That can look like following your dog’s lead on their walk, providing multiple toy options to pick from, and having different cozy spaces available for their naps (see my first point!).

What else do you do for your pets to prioritize their well-being? Let me know in the comments!

06/14/2022

✨I’ve got you covered ✨

It can be very intimidating to have someone care for your pets (and your home) while you are away.

Providing services directly from a client’s home (often for extended periods of time) involves A LOT OF TRUST. That is a core part of my job that I never have, and never will, take lightly.

I am covered and bonded by insurance to give myself & my clients peace of mind.

Prior to any service - I will always offer a FREE “Meet & Greet” session, an opportunity for new clients (human & animal) to meet me, ask all the questions, and ensure I am a good fit for their family.

If you want to know how else I build trust with my clients, or how I can support your pet care needs, reach out to me! I’d love to hear about your fur family.

06/05/2022

✨Client Appreciation ✨

This gorgeous girl is Kori! A client of mine since before Arlo & Company’s official existence.

Kori is a very sweet & loving girl who is working very hard with her people on her confidence out on walks and when being home alone. She’s got BIG FEELINGS and needs some love and reassurance to tell her that the world isn’t as scary as it may appear. Truthfully, she reminds me a lot of Arlo, so she’ll always have a soft spot in my heart ❤️

I am so proud of Kori and her humans for their progress in supporting this pup with her anxiety and leash reactivity.

I am very thankful for the trust that both Kori and her mom have in me to meet her unique care needs.

             

06/01/2022

✨ Certified ✨

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to learn from Lesley of Mended Mutts and their (very) talented demonstration dogs for the Walks ’N’ Wags Pet First Aid course!

My first priority as a pet sitter is to make sure that my clients are safe, comfortable, and happy. I am thankful for this opportunity to learn the concrete skills that all pet owners and care professionals hope to never need to use.

Thank you to for hosting the session!

             

05/12/2022

You do not need to apologize to me for:

🐶 Barking: it is how your dog communicates! I would rather them be vocal and tell me their big feelings as opposed to being suppressed (that’s when bites can happen!). Whether barking out of excitement, or as a warning from an anxious dog that they need some space - I want to know how they are feeling.

🐾 Jumping up: unless this is a behaviour you are actively working on for your dog to avoid doing, I am A-OK. If they are excited to see me, I take that as a compliment!

👑 Your pet being “high maintenance”: I am here to help you meet your dog’s needs. Full stop. No matter what their routine, care instructions, or special requirements. We often emphasize labels such as “spoiled” or “high maintenance” when it comes to our pets - but chances are, those dogs are simply having their unique needs met and are living their best life. I am here for it!

05/01/2022

Let’s talk about small business flexibility.

Do I try to be as accommodating as possible to all of my clients? Heck yes.

Can I be in two places at once? Sadly, that technology does not yet exist.

Because a core service philosophy of Arlo & Company is to meet your pet’s needs - I absolutely have to be flexible when it comes to my services. But I also understand that I cannot offer every pet care service under the sun, and that is also okay!

In time, this little business of mine may grow and change and adapt. And I think that is the exciting part about being a business owner!

Until then, if you ever have questions about what I can & cannot do for your pet, please ask. I am only an email, DM, or call away from working with you on your pet care needs.

04/27/2022

✨PSA: take your dog on adventures ✨

Sometimes called “decompression walks”, giving your dog the opportunity to get out of their busy neighbourhood streets is SO IMPORTANT.

A walk where the dog is allowed freedom of movement in nature (either off-leash or on a long-line) sounds simple enough, but the physical, emotional, and behavioral benefits of this practice can be profound.

For Arlo it has been an important step in reducing her anxiety, building confidence, and ultimately helping us with her reactivity. This video may seem boring and uneventful but that’s almost the point - it was guided by Arlo’s need to decompress and sniff to her heart’s content (thanks to my partner for getting this candid footage on one of our “usual” walks!).

So this is your reminder to take your dogs on THEIR definition of an adventure! Their mental health will thank you for it.

Don’t have time or access in your day-to-day? Book a Drop-In Visit with me! It allows for the perfect amount of time to get out there, explore some trails, and settle back in at home - all in one service!

Rain or shine, I’d love to be your pup’s adventure buddy!

04/24/2022

✨Client Appreciation ✨

I love getting to hang out with Percy, one of the most social cats I know! Now that his family has introduced a puppy into the mix, it’s important to make sure Percy still gets his one-on-one time with me when I go to visit.

His human parents are really incredible people that I am happy to have in my life and lucky to have supporting me in this new business journey.

To Paula and Chris: I appreciate you!

04/22/2022

Q: Why is the Drop-In Visit 3 hours?

✨Story Time✨

When I was a dog walker for a local company, then as a freelancer on Rover, services were restricted to either 30 minutes or 1 hour. I often felt rushed, cut short, and it became clear that the pet’s needs weren’t adequately being met by such a short interaction.

If I were to pay for someone to visit Arlo while we were away from home, I would expect them to FULLY meet her needs.

The 3 hour Drop-In Visit allows for flexibility for your animals to move at their own pace, and get everything they need from their service provider (ME!).

Do they need to play and get their silly out before a walk? Are they anxious and take more time to warm up to a new person in their space? How about a post-adventure cuddle? Do they simply like their walks to be leisurely and not on a strict time limit? Or do they have lots of energy and the walk itself is an hour or more?!

With Arlo & Company there are no missed opportunities, no rushed encounters, just happy pets.

For more information on these services, please visit the website: arloandcopets.com/services

03/30/2022

Q: Do you care for animals other than cats and dogs?
A: Yes! I have experience with pets of all shapes and sizes.

Growing up in the country, I was always around animals. Now, I am continuously learning how to best care for these animals while their people are away.

I also cannot wait to add a small furry friend to our family - like Bandit, our ferret from when I was young. He was such a fun, adventurous, and smart little dude.

If you’re looking for a personal approach to pet care for the animals in your life (beyond cats & dogs!) please get in touch with me for a FREE consultation to discuss your needs.

Head over to my website: arloandcopets.com/services

Or send me an email: [email protected]

I’d love to hear from you!

03/19/2022

Q: Does Arlo come with you during services?
A: No. Arlo stays at home with my partner (Josh). Arlo is very selective with the humans & animals that she is friends with - and that’s okay!

I bring all of my services to the client’s home! Keep your pets where they are comfortable and happy, while we keep Arlo where SHE is most comfortable, too!

It would not be fair to her, or my client pets, to try and mix these worlds. When I am with a client, my time is devoted to them and providing the best care possible while their humans are away.

To learn more about my services, head to my website: arloandcopets.com/services

I so look forward to spending quality time with your fur family!

03/12/2022

No pain. No fear. No intimidation. No force.

Can we be positive 100% of the time? Can we gauruntee that our pets will live 100% fear-free? Of course not. But can we do our absolute best to avoid being the direct CAUSE of our pets’ stress? You bet.

For many pets, their people leaving may be stressful. When I come into their home during any service, my job is to make sure they feel as comforted and as safe as possible.

Pain, suppression, and force will not help your pet feel better. But listening to their needs, providing comfort, and going at their own pace just might. Because creating a bond with the animal where they can trust that you have their back - that is the goal.

I won’t get there using aversive methods and punishment. May we all strive for a force-free future for the animals (and humans) in our lives.

03/05/2022

✅ Accepting new client FREE Meet & Greet sessions anytime!

🚫 March: fully booked for all services

⚠️ April: drop-in and daycare services still available, with limited availability for overnight services

🚫 May: fully booked for all services

Summer requests are rolling in, and I don’t want your pets to miss out! Contact me as soon as possible with your summer travel plans, to ensure your fur family can spend time with their favourite babysitter while you’re away!

Please never hesitate to reach out with availability questions - I will always mark my calendar with your desired dates in the case of cancellations.

Send me an email to get started: [email protected]

02/28/2022

What does relationship-based care mean to us at Arlo & Company?

At the end of the day, whether with my own animals or with client pets, what I want is a positive relationship.

I want our walks together, adventures, cuddles, playtime and learning to be rooted in mutual respect and genuine enjoyment of the other’s company.

And to make that happen, I need to make sure that my care philosophy will help those positive relationships form.

To learn more about my relationship-based care philosophy, head over to: arloandcopets.com/care

02/27/2022

Meet your pet’s new favourite babysitter!

Every pet (and pet guardian) is unique. I love getting to know each and every client in order to enhance the lives of their pets - whether they need a walk around the block, or a babysitter for a week. You can always rest easy knowing that your pet will get personalized service!

Serving clients in Waterloo Region and the surrounding communities, I have experience with pets of all shapes and sizes.

Find out more and book your free “Meet & Greet” session on our website: arloandcopets.com

Beautiful logo crafted by: By the Bay Branding

02/27/2022

02/26/2022

This is Arlo.

My muse. My whole heart. My perfectly imperfect girl.

When Josh and I adopted Arlo, we had no idea what the world had in store for us. We immediately knew that she belonged in our family. What we didn’t know was that the first year of our lives together would be a whirlwind.

You see, Arlo is reactive.

New situations make her anxious, new people are not always friends, and don’t get me started on unknown dogs.

It hasn’t been easy. And it isn’t the life that Josh and I imagined for our first pet together. But I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Arlo has taught me empathy. Resilience. Kindness. And how to listen.

She continues to show me how important (and effective) patience and positive reinforcement can be. How important it is to have trusted, caring, and understanding pet care providers in her corner.

That is what Arlo & Company is about! Relationship-based care where each animal is given the personalized service that they need to thrive.

Arlo deserves that much.

And so do your pets.

📸 Laura Wombwell Photography

02/25/2022

Hey there - let’s get to know one another!

🙋‍♀️ I’m Emily West (she/her pronouns).
🐶Dog mama to Arlo (aka Arlo-Bean, aka Peanut, aka The Stink).
❤️Partner to Josh (aka the best Dog Dad a pup could ask for).

Currently based in Kitchener, I came to Waterloo Region for university and haven’t left since! While missing my family pets back home, I started dog walking for a local company in 2018 and haven’t looked back.

If I am not out adventuring with Arlo or a client pet, you can usually find me sipping a coffee (okay, gulping?!), volunteering for organizations that I love, and finding ways to connect with my community.

I love getting to know each client and their pets, to cater my services to their needs. Every animal is unique! I look forward to meeting you and your fur family.

📸 Laura Wombwell Photography