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Dog Savvy LLC, Grand Rapids, MI (2024)

05/16/2024

Hello Dog Savvy Gang.

This week, my father has been experiencing some health complications and is stationed up at Butterworth. Typically, this does not impact my schedule. However, because of the nature of his aphasia, and the fact that my mother cannot make it down here until this weekend, I have been taking over his advocacy at the hospital to ensure he receives the proper care and everything is communicated to myself, him, and my family efficiently.

I'm doing my best to avoid canceling walks, but there may be things that come up that require me to do so last minute. This week, I'm prioritizing the client-dogs whose owners work away from home and rely on my services for potty breaks and midday enrichment.

Next week remains unknown. As soon as I have more info about my dad's continued care, I will update the affected clients on the cancelations if they're necessary.

Thank you so much for your flexibility during this time. My dad insisted on "focusing on what's important" (he meant work). I told him I was, and what's most important is him and his health.

Photo: My pops and his beloved pom-mixes, Maggie and Parker 💙🩷

05/08/2024

Tucker and Winnie soaked up this summery sunshine on their adventure today. Don't forget to drink water and take plenty of shade-... or, uh, play breaks!

Every break in the shade devolved into an adorable fit of play 🤦‍♀️😂 Winnie can't help herself. She knows Tucker can't refuse her bouncy play invitations.

04/14/2024

Piper and Teddy.
Ying and yang.
Order and chaos.

That is how I would describe the elegant, refined doodle that is Piper. And her wildcard little-big brother, Teddy. He is just shy of a year old and a whole lot of puppy! Each week, his sweet-spirited sister watches from the sidelines as he parades around with that days chosen toy. It used to be sticks, or more accurately, chunks of wood 😂 But lately, it's the poor garden hose he claimed as his own. Or one of my boots, if I take them off and forget to hide them in the stairwell...

With a dog that large, it's easy to forget Teddy's still a puppy. He is a delightful play partner (I KNOW he's going easy on me when we play tug! Ain't no way that's his full strength) and has really come around to his walks! Steadily, he's grown more confident in his neighborhood ventures. Now, we can walk down to the lake together without this massive puppy putting the breaks on at the sound of a far-off bark or the clamor of the neighbor's roofing company.

Piper's soulful eyes and gentle demeaner melt my heart on the regular. She's masterful at hopping out of the way when her amped up brother comes storming through the room or jets across the yard with his toy. When Teddy's distracted, I love to sneak in neck massages or ear-scratches for this delightful lady. Piper is more of a home-body and struggles walking in her highly stimulating neighborhood, so she hangs back at the house while Teddy and I hit the streets for his sniffari. Not to worry! She gets her share of enrichment afterward in the form of a frozen kong or treats hidden about the living room.

Over the months, I've cherished watching this boy grow and giving all the lovins to his sweet little-big sister. I thank their owner for allowing me to care for them each week!

03/30/2024

Drum roll, please...

For the criminally cute, charismatic, leaf-crazed Cavalier that is Grover!

First he draws you in with his sweet appearance, and the next thing you know, he's conning every treat from your pouch with his frequent check-ins, hypnotic loose leash walking stare, and mastery of the engage/disengage game.

One of his humans is a dog trainer, so it's no suprise that this boy's work ethic is through the roof. If walking on my right isn't getting him treats.. he'll switch over to my left. Or, simply run ahead and promptly slow back down, as if to say, "Look! I returned to my position! More treats, please!" He's still just a wee baby, so it's illegal not to reward his constant stream of "good" behavior.

He lives for the chase. And the object of his desire happens to be abundant and readily available... leaves! Grover LOVES to chase leaves. I have to be on my A-game when it's windy because he will dart from one side of the walkway to the other in a blink of the eye if a leaf starts moving. I imagine he occupies himself for some time in his big backyard on gusty days 😂

He's developed a good friendship with Miss Birdie. Occasionally, after walking, we'll head to Grover's backyard so these two can sprint and burn off the remaining fuel in their "zoomie" tanks. She's taken a hit or two when Grover chases a leaf without ensuring the path is clear.. but she's quick to forgive her clumsy puppy friend since he makes up for it as a great play partner and sniff-sharer!

Grover brings so much delight to my week, and I thank his mama's for giving me the opportunity to spend time with him and enrich his day through sniffaris and playtime. I can't wait to see the little man this bright-eyed puppy grows into!

03/27/2024

The newest additions to my weekly rounds include two small but mighty, magnificent mutts! They are a blend of breeds, resulting in cuteness overload.

Abby, the lighter one, has some American Pitbull Terrier in her blood. Her short legs support her corgi-like body, and a head two sizes too big for her little stature. I can't get enough of her uniquely beautiful little self! Her love of critters reminds me of my own pittie. No squirrel goes unseen in her neighborhood, and if it's close enough, she'll stand up and pray this is the day her leash breaks, and she can chase it with the speed of 1000 greyhounds. Keep dreaming, little lady! For now, you'll have to make do with the squirrels that are bold (or foolish) enough to enter your yard.

Roxy, the brown, black, and brindle pup, most definitely has some beagle! If her looks weren't a dead giveaway, you'd be certain of her genetics 10 minutes into the walk. That girl spends more time with her nose glued to the ground than she does looking where she's going. The few events that do divert her attention from the important task of sniffing include:

•Me reaching anywhere into or around my treat pouch.

And,

•Birds! 🐦‍⬛

Specifically, robins. Since the american robin's returned this month, Roxy has been very interested in their presence! She often spots them before I do and quickly changes direction to try and creep towards them.

Together, these two make a powerful Critter Control team in their neighborhood. Dutifully keeping watch of all feathered and furred activities. I cherish their bubbly personalities and have watched them settle into their walks seamlessly since they joined Dog Savvy.

Roxy was a new addition to the household. And while her and Abby hit it off without a hiccup, they didn't have much experience walking together in the neighborhood. Me and their lovely gaurdians were thrilled to see them walk together like they've been doing it for ages!

03/26/2024

After a week away in California, it's great to be back in Michigan, spending time with these familiar faces ❤️

A few of them got dumped on by rain today, but we made the most of it. Sometimes, your dog's walk comes with a complimentary bath from nature's finest showers! It's days like this that make my car smell like wet dog and muddy boots. A lesser-known aspect of this job is how your car looks and smells like you own an entire kennels worth of dogs. Zooey and Lou's fur (the aussies) is abundant in my car 😂

I have an array of adorable faces to introduce you to. There's several dogs who have joined the Dog Savvy Gang over the last few months, and because of my lacking social media skills, they've missed out on their well-deserved spotlight. Stay tuned, and get excited for some adorable additions to the feed!

02/23/2024

One bittersweet privilege of this industry is watching these beloved pets grow from vivacious puppies into full-fledged adults. Equipped with their individual personalities and interests. If you're lucky, you'll witness them fly through those years until their once spotless muzzle is adorned in various shades of grey and white, perhaps speckled with spots on their once pink nose.
Their gate may slow, or their legs may wobble, but their personality hardly dims.

Being a part of a dogs life for such a length of time is extraordinary.

Stewart has been in my life longer than any dog, besides my childhood dogs. I first met Stewart in 2017, when I walked for Nature of the Dog. His face was pure amber then. Besides the countless walks together, I've enjoyed many sleepovers when his owner was out of town and was his taxi to and from boarding. Stewart was one of those dogs that fell into the "friend" category rather than "client." He was a large presence in my life, and I was his.

He'd insist on walking in specific directions, depending on his mood that day. He never, ever, forgot where a friend lived, even if that house was 1.5 miles away. He'd walk me there repeatedly, and it wasn't until I put it in my journals that his owner would reveal in shock that one of his friends lived there. His memory recounted every spot he ever found a "sidewalk scrap".. and he'd lead me to and check that spot for weeks, just in case another donut or apple core materialized there.

He could befriend any dog. He wasn't picky about who he walked with, and was so gentle and polite. I could walk him with even my smallest clients. Unlike most dogs his age, he never slowed down. He was always a power-walker, up until the very end.

Today is a sad day. Stewart grew very ill last week, and his owner made the decision to let him go this morning. I'm grateful for the visits he provided me to say goodbye throughout his final week.

I love you, Stewart. You'll be missed greatly. By me, and the many dogs and humans you befriended along the way.

02/01/2024

Speaking of community cookie jars for the pups.. here's an "oops!" moment of mine last week. I thought I'd get a cute picture of Tucker sniffing the cookie container...

When he opened it himself!

He thought he hit the jackpot. I was able to stop him from getting any. I still got a cookie for him because it's illegal to visit the cookie jar and not provide a cookie.

02/01/2024

Does your neighborhood have a local Pup-Stop, complete with a cookie jar? Because Zooey and Lou's does. And you can bet Zooey checks it for treats every time we're near it!

02/01/2024

Nothing to see here. Just Stewart doing his Stewart things!

01/27/2024

Charlie is a teddy bear disguised as a dog, and no one can convince me otherwise.

That face is all the proof one needs. I rest my case.

01/26/2024

Say "hi" to ✨️Squarsh✨️!! He is the newest member of the Dog Savvy Gang!

I was blessed with a very snuggly sleepover with this dashing gentleman last weekend. It was still quite cold in our little city, so Squarshy Boy and I spent most of our time cuddled up inside under layers of blankets binging TV shows together.

We ventured outdoors for a few walks, but they were, inevitably, cut short by the weather. As you can see, he's not equipped with the longest fur, so Squarsh is often wearing his house coat to keep warm and cozy in these winter months. At night, his parents instructed me that The Boy likes to be tucked in for bed. He knew the drill and let out a big sigh as I adorned him in blankets and bid him sweet dreams.

I enjoyed my time with this adorable pitty and am so glad his mama's gave me the opportunity to care for him!

01/25/2024

The previous week's snowy weather may have been brutally cold, but it was a lot of fun for the dogs. I'll miss those quiet walks and snow shenanigans! I wasn't expecting to get my rain coat out this week, that's for sure.

Enjoy some highlights from Stewart and Tucker's visits last week ❤️

01/25/2024

Nothing can stop this little lady. Her size is disproportionate to her demeaner. She is the center of this universe, and we're all just living in it. A purse-sized dog with husky-sized energy.

She loved dashing amongst the snow last week. If her mama hadn't told me, I would've never known she was hospitalized just 5 days prior due to tummy issues and dehydration. Her passion for adventures is unstoppable.

I'm glad you're feeling better, Birdie! 🩷

01/25/2024

Say cheethh!

Mabel mid-zoomie shots will never. Ever. Get old.

12/20/2023

Tucker got his wishlist sent to Santa, and he's crossing his toes he gets everything on his list. Treats, toys, more treats, and to finally catch the squirrel that's always trespassing in his yard!

12/19/2023

Mabel says it's time to gear up for winter! A good coat can make all the difference. This girl rarely turns down a walk, but she was visibly hesitant to step foot outside yesterday. One fluffy coat later, and she was eager to get her sniff on.

11/13/2023

What a gorgeous Monday we're having!

It's days like this, I'm glad I work outdoors. I hope you're able to get out there and enjoy the sunshine like Stewart and Tucker did ☀️

11/05/2023

Have you ever gone years without seeing a specific dog? And when you cross paths again, it makes your whole week?! That's what happened with Nashville! The first 3 photos are from 3 years ago TO THE DAY. And the last 3 are from today's walk. It feels like catching up with an old, beloved friend.

Nash may be a little greyer in the face, but he's as peppy as he was 3 years ago. I am beyond happy to be exploring with him again!

11/01/2023

I hope your Halloween was a sweet one! The decorations over the last month definitely spiced up our walks. Some found them boring, while others, a bit unsettling! 🎃👻

10/31/2023

You can tell Tucker how handsome he is, but he already knows it. I mean, just look at that face.

The fall colors suit him so well! 🎃🍁🍂

10/19/2023

Rain or shine, the walks must go on!

Disclaimer: Zooey was compensated for her cooperation with this ridiculous photo. No aussies were harmed in the making of this content.

10/17/2023

"So, uh.. I know I just had one. But I, uh... I lost it. So, could I have another?
..Please?"

Tucker knows exactly where his neighborhood cookie jar is. And, despite only ever getting 1, he will always ask for a second 😂 I give him credit for being an optimist!

10/10/2023

This little pitty is Mabel ❤️ She landed in her home as a foster dog. As fate would have it, she quickly wormed her way into their hearts, and they couldn't fathom parting ways with her snuggly, silly self.

I'm always greeted with a wiggly butt and tail and, on particularly exciting days, hugs and a face full of kisses. To Mabel's dismay, I try to dodge those kisses, but I'm always happy to lean into those soul-warming hugs of hers. I can only imagine how many cuddles her parents get from Mabel on the daily. She is such an affectionate dog with everyone she comes to love.

She has the funniest zoomies! That butt is fully tucked when she starts hopping around. It seems to defy physics when Mabel runs that fast in such a scrunched up posture! These bouts of zooms seem to strike her at the most random times on our walks. What sets them off? I couldn't tell you. But, I'm certain the life she's living now is a joyful one. Perhaps that thought strikes her now and again, and she's so overwhelmed with love for the humans in her life that those zoomies come on full force. (The last 4 pics are zoomie action shots 😂)

I'm glad to be in Mabel's life and see her so full of love, confidence, and joy! When she knows you, she will love you fiercely. It may take a few treats for her to warm up to you, but once she does, you better watch out for those sneaky ninja kisses and cherish every hug.

If you're interested in fostering or adopting a pet, you should check out:
(where Mabel is from)

(for our feline friends!)
Or another shelter or rescue in your area.

Mabel has the best home because of organizations such as these! Please consider donating to a rescue, shelter, or humane society near you. Whether that's through toys, treats, your time, or a financial contribution, every bit helps the pets cared for by these establishments.

09/29/2023

What a fun way to start the morning! Thank you, , for the chance to find golden ticket #8. If you haven't checked out this local shop yet, get over there. I find myself stopping there frequently between walks!

08/04/2023

Just a couple of cuties enjoying the sunshine this week ☀️💛 Have a great weekend!

06/13/2023

During the intense heat the other week, Zooey and Lou got a break from their walk to do a quick photo shoot. Zooey made it too easy with these beautiful irises!

Lou was not as keen on participating. He enjoyed a little scatter of treats to search for instead.

06/13/2023

Miss Birdie was out of town last week, and I am so happy to have her back! She spent the whole walk catching up on the latest peemail and doing her diligent squirrel patrol.

05/31/2023

The other week, Birdie and I encountered this zen garden cat. I thought it was cool, but she found it rather suspicious. She took a few cautious sniffs before carrying on.

05/31/2023

April's showers sure brought some gorgeous flowers! We love seeing the beautiful colors come alive this time of year.

I've always loved photography and spending time with dogs. When I see a particularly pretty background, I can't help but stop and get that photo. These are the kinds of pictures you can expect in your journals after your pup's visit with Dog Savvy!

Dog Savvy LLC

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