Dawn's Golden Paw Pet Sitting Services

10/12/2021

10/16/2019

Hello all. Sorry I haven’t posted in awhile. It’s been difficult to make posts recently. I’ve been feeling torn ever since that temporary shutdown a couple months ago. As I’m sure everyone is aware, that was a huge financial hit for my family; but, it was also a devastating blow to my emotional status. The entirety of the situation just really upset me. And, it’s made me realize how truly unstable this type of business can be; whether it be my own mistakes, or someone else’s.

I was already at the tipping point of needing to move the business into a separate, more permanent location. The needs of my family, and the cost to my home, was beginning to be a bit much with it being in my home. And, as I contemplated the separation, I was struggling to justify having to crate or kennel dogs in the evenings if I did move it to an off-site location since being in a homelike free range environment was the whole premise of my business. But, with the obvious instability with possibilities of contagious illnesses, misdiagnoses, etc; I don’t even feel like that is still a viable option.

During the temporary shutdown, I did pick up a job working one day per week, just to help us get through the month. Fortunately or unfortunately (depending on how you look at it), that has developed into something more. So. Even though it is breaking my heart to say this, I believe it’s time for me to close down my business. I will be fulfilling my already arranged commitments with situational conditions; but I will not be able to accept any new bookings. I am really so sorry.

I can’t thank my friends, family and clients enough for all of the support through these last few years!! It was my honor to be allowed to care for your little ones while you were away. Thank you for entrusting them to me. They have been some of the best years of my life, and I’ll treasure each and every one these memories. I will truly miss my clients and their precious little ones.

Thank you again for the wonderful, joy-filled years!! Should I ever develop a plan and come up with the money to run an actual center, I will reach out at that time.

With all of my love and sincerity,

Dawn

07/24/2019

Soooo nice to have a full house again!! Thank you to all of my friends and clients who have been so supportive and stood by me over the past month.

06/20/2019

UPDATE: The sick pup continues to be ill, but with differing symptoms from kennel cough. The clinic now believes it was all just an allergic reaction to a medication they had put her on previous to coming to my house. (Which would explain why no one else became ill.). But, there is no way to know for sure there was not kennel cough in there, as well. I will continue with the shut down since I have already canceled everyone just to be safe, and be back up and running by the end of next month. Thank you to everyone for all of the support and kind words this past week!!

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It’s with an extremely heavy heart today that I am letting everyone know that I need to close my business for at least a month. I was up all night with a client last night who was pretty sick. I took her to her vet first thing this morning. This vet is pretty sure it’s kennel cough, although not 100% positive. (Apparently, they don’t want to do X-rays unless it gets worse.)

The clinic made it very clear they were pointing their finger right at me for being the cause. This is always a possibility in this business. I know it’s a taboo subject. But, honestly, I can’t say for sure it’s not. I am not ignorant enough to say with certainty that the dog did not get it from my business. I have a lot of clients in and out of here who go to events where these things tend to spread like wildfire.

The thing I find interesting is that the dog had been to their clinic just last week and the incubation period can be ten days. They even told me they’ve had a ton of people in with kennel cough, lately. From my experience at that very clinic, I know that people will walk in the front door with a sick dog not knowing it’s kennel cough. All it takes is a little spittle from a cough being missed.

I also find it interesting that my 4 month old, 7 pound, unvaccinated (for Bordetella yet) pup wasn’t the first to fall ill if someone else had brought it in to my house previously. Call me naive, but I would think she would be the most susceptible.

I do want everyone to know that I keep tabs on everyone having vaccinations. (This client even had her Bordetella vaccination just five months ago.) But, I will be asking for updated vaccinations from all of my clients just to be sure we are all up to date.

At any rate, I wanted to let everyone know that I will need to let the bacteria die off completely before I read-open my doors. I apologize for any inconvenience. But, I prefer to acknowledge the problem and do all I can to make sure I don’t help spread this highly contagious respiratory disease. Some prefer not to step up and admit these things, perhaps because a thirty day shutdown would bankrupt them. I’ll take my chances and hope we make it through the month.

Stay safe my friends. Apparently, there is an outbreak of kennel cough in the area. And, if nothing else, hopefully this will shine light on the importance of keeping dogs who you even suspect have been exposed at home for the incubation period to ensure it is not continually spread. And, remember, a dog can seem fine and still be a carrier, and places that claim to be sterile might just not be. (I hope I don’t offend anyone, I’m just incredibly hurt, tired, worried about my clients who are being inconvenienced and, honestly, my future at this point.)

*I should note that I am in no way blaming my clients. As I said, this very well could have originated in my care. And, even if it didn’t, the likelihood of my clients knowing their dog was even exposed is extremely minuscule.

06/08/2019

So many new faces!! So much fun to be had!! 😊💖

05/27/2019

💖💖💖

05/24/2019

Heeey! It’s my brother from another mother!! Long time no see, dog. 😁😉😂

05/23/2019

Everyone is being so great with my new addition to my family! Miss Emma looooves to play!! And making so many new friends. 💖💖💖

05/12/2019

💖🐾 Happy Mother’s Day!!

04/25/2019

A great big WELCOME to Max and Adele! They’re fitting right in with their smiling faces and playfulness. We’ve been busy all day making the most of the beautiful weather ... even if that just means sunning ourselves on the porch from time to time. ☀️💖

04/24/2019

💖☀️Soooo happy to have some nice weather again ☀️💖 Pretty sure the pups are happy, as well! And, look! Odie the flying dog is back for a visit! 😂😍

04/24/2019

When you’re big enough to sit “with” me in my chair 😂😂😂 Lancelot is such a big lover boy!!

04/18/2019

Grace and Oliver have both been so sweet to my new addition Emma 💖💖💖

04/05/2019

Such a great, busy week! 💖 Hope everyone else’s week was joyful, too.

03/29/2019

Bahahaha! Odie, you so crazy!! (He looks like he’s got a toupee!!) 😂😂😂😂 I think he might be a little worn out this evening! 💖

03/28/2019

What a beautiful day to play!!! 💖🐾🌞

03/27/2019

🌞🐾Outside enjoying a beautiful sunny day!!

03/09/2019

What is ... “personal space”? Is it a treat?! If I get even closer, will you give me some?! 😂🥰😂

03/08/2019

One of my favorite things about winter! A pristine snow on a beautifully sunny, crisp day perfect for a walk. 💖

03/04/2019

... needless to say, it’s been a little crazy around here lately 😂💖😂

02/14/2019

💖💖💖HAPPY VALENTINES DAY💖💖💖

02/09/2019

Full House = Full Heart!

01/30/2019

Brrrrrr! It’s too cold outside to even think of going out there. Good thing we have lots of friends to run around inside with and have fun!!

01/25/2019

My ❤️ is happy and full!! I love that Odie, Snuggles and Duke are having so much fun together inside on such a cold day outside.

01/11/2019

For those who knew my Jackson, he has passed away. He’s had a lot of health issues, but last night he crashed on us and we had to let him go. Our hearts are broken, but it helps knowing he has no more discomfort. Til we meet again my sweet boy!!

01/09/2019

Odie!! Oh how we’ve missed you, buddy!! 💖

01/07/2019

So so so much fun to be had ... doesn’t matter what the weather is outside as long as we have friends to play with inside!! 😂💖

01/01/2019

To all of my amazing friends, family and clients! Best wishes for a wonderfully blessed 2019!! 🎉

12/25/2018

Merry Christmas everyone!! 🎄🎁

12/21/2018

Good morning world! 💖 Both my Riley and my Islay are back!! I love waking up to this level of happiness.

12/18/2018

What a fun week we’ve had!! Some new faces and lots of smiles. 💖

12/18/2018

I have the BEST clients!! Now I can hug Oliver any time I want. Thank you Amy and Bill ... for everything!! 💖

12/10/2018

This is Mr. Oliver’s arrival routine (he’s actually going a little slower than normal ... but still has his “Gotta get in there ASAP “ feeling going on) 😂❤️ I just looove my Ollie boy!! Thank you Amy and Bill for sharing him with me every week. He always makes me smile and laugh!!

12/08/2018

What a beautiful day!! 💖

12/08/2018

Welcome Auggie, our very first Bouvier at Dawn’s Golden Paw. 😊 He is a super sweet boy, and Odie and him are having a blast! ❤️

12/03/2018

❤️😍❤️

Gatsby and Snuggles have become fast friends!!

11/19/2018

Apparently, I didn’t get any good candids of my Mr. Oliver today! But, I did capture his gentle play with our newest member, Gatsby. 😍❤️

11/19/2018

What a fun, but sad day today. We had a full and active house. But! My very last day with my precious lil Sid Vicious.

11/15/2018

I am SOOOOO gonna miss this sweet lil guy as he begins his new adventures with his family!!!

11/14/2018

Finally, a crisp yet sunny day to play!!