Doggy daycare, play dates & overnight snuggles while you're at work or away. No contact drop-off and pick-up available upon request.
29/11/2025
21/11/2025
21/11/2025
21/11/2025
đAUTUMNAL TOXIC PLANTS FOR DOGSđ
A particular concern for dog owners is whether their autumn garden is harbouring plants that could be poisonous to their pets. Most people are unaware of the plants that could be dangerous and even potentially fatal to our dogs.
Here are the 6 of the most harmful autumn plants:
đ¸Hydrangeas â The bulbs of these plants are highly toxic to pets, as they contain cyanide. Although serious cases of poisoning are rare they can cause stomach problems, vomiting and intestinal blockages.Â
đ¸Yew Trees â The needles and seeds of a yew tree are extremely poisonous to most animals. Eating just the leaves can lead to dangerous consequences (even leading to death in severe cases). The leaves are easily identifiable, so you should be able to spot them. If you have a pet that likes to run free around your garden, itâs best to avoid planting this.Â
đ¸Horse Chestnut Trees â Be cautious around Horse Chestnut trees from September onwards. The tree bark, leaves, flowers and conkers can all be fatal to animals if consumed. It can cause gastrointestinal distress, disorientation, spasms and even death.
đ¸Autumn Crocuses â These flowers might be outwardly beautiful, but they can be toxic if dogs get too close. If ingested they can cause general gastrointestinal upset including drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea. These flowers also bloom in Spring.
đ¸Amaryllis (Hippeastrum spp): All parts are toxic to cats and dogs, but especially the bulbs. Also present in winter.
đ¸Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum): All parts of the plant are toxic, although the smell is likely to deter dogs and cats.
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FAQS
Hello! Iâm Aunt Sona and Iâve been keeping my friendsâ doggos played out, safe and sound for over 10 years. Aunt Sonaâs Love & Tummy Scratches is not a kennel. When your pup is left in my care, your pup becomes a member of my family while youâre away. As with many good things, Aunt Sona started watching fur babies completely by accident.
It all started when I suggested to my recently married friends that they should get a puppy. They said they couldnât because their jobs required frequent travel. I told them I would be glad to watch their pup anytime they needed to go away. A couple of weeks later they informed me that they went to a rescue and had become the proud parents of a beautiful little fur baby girl that they named Mylee! Soon after, they began referring to me as âAunt Sona.â
Little Mylee quickly became a part of our family too! She stayed at our home so often that my boysâ friends thought she was ours. The next thing you know, I began getting calls from my sonsâ friendâs parents asking if I could watch their pups while their families attended sports tournaments and competitions. Through mostly word of mouth, I officially became known as Aunt Sonaâs Love & Tummy Scratches.
Iâve had dogs all of my life. Although I have 4 wonderful sons, I would be completely lost without my beautiful Matilda. Matilda is the âdaughterâ I never had and an a beloved member of our family. I truly understand how important your fur baby is to you.
For the benefit of myself, my pups and yours, I have attended several behavioral and training classes and I am certified in animal first aid and CPR.
Please try to make reservations as far in advance as possible. I try to limit the number of dogs I have at a time (again, this is our home, not a kennel). I require all new owners and pups come for a âmeet & greetâ for both of our benefits. Meeting my family and me and seeing my home will give you a piece of mind. It is also important that I meet your dog and get a feel of his/her personality.
For obvious reasons, ALL DOGS **MUST**BE TOLERANT AND PLAY WELL WITH OTHER DOGS AND CHILDREN! Often, there are several dogs staying with me at once. IT IS VITAL THAT YOU ADVISE ME OF ANY BEHAVIORAL ISSUE THAT COULD BE A SAFETY CONCERN TO OTHER DOGS OR PEOPLE!!! For example, if your dog plays great with larger dogs but needs to be kept away from smaller dogs, that doesnât mean that I will immediately turn your dog away. It does mean that if I commit to watching your dog, I need to be sure to not commit to watching smaller dogs when your dog is staying with us! Being forthright and honest works best for everyone! If your pup does present a serious safety issue to humans or other pups while staying with Aunt Sona, I will have no choice but to ask you to either pick up your pup or have a friend or family member come and get him/her.
All pups over a year old must be spayed or neutered.
All pups, with the exception of young puppies up to 6 months need to be completely housebroken.
Owners must submit to me proof of your pupâs up to date license and vaccines, including bortadella. This can be emailed to me at [email protected].
Pups must be recently bathed within 2 days of coming to Aunt Sonaâs. Your pooch MUST be flea and tick free upon arrival!
Please provide me with A WRITTEN LIST of your contact information, an emergency contact, and your veterinarianâs contact information. Also list any special instructions, allergies or dietary restrictions. Please also list anything miscellaneous that I should be aware of.
This written list should also include feeding instructions for your pooch, including normal feeding times, number of feedings per day and how much food per meal. Also include directions for medications, vitamins/supplements. I am happy to give your pup any necessary medications, with the exception of injections.
Be sure to pack enough food and treats for your pup for the length of the stay. The best way to pack your pupâs food is in a plastic container generally used for cereal, large zipper Baggies, or both! Unless your pup is here for an extended stay, please avoid sending your pup with large bags of dog food or large containers. (Please & thank you!)
Include any necessary measuring cups and the food bowl your pooch normally uses. You do not need to pack a water bowl. NOTE: Itâs better to pack a little more food than not enough. Your fur baby will certainly not go without food here at Aunt Sonaâs, but changing your pupâs normal food brand might cause a wiggly tummy!
LABEL! LABEL! LABEL! Be sure to label all food, treats, medications, bowls, leashes, beds, blankets, toys and miscellaneous items with your poochâs name so that Aunt Sona doesnât need to add to her Lost & Found closet!
Do not pack any toy that you do not want your pup to share - and by âshareâ I mean have another dog rip to shreds!
DO NOT PACK BONES! If I am well acquainted with your pupâs temperament and I have only your pup and Matilda, I do on occasion give them boiled beef leg bones, diet permitting. But no outside bones, PLEASE!
If your pup likes to play ball, all balls that you and your pup are willing to âshareâ (see above) are always welcome!
Most dogs have a lot in common with toddlers. Similarly, being dropped off somewhere unfamiliar without mom or dad can be very scary to our fur babies. Pups, like toddlers, each handle this differently. Some immediately make a new friend and donât give two wags when Mom or Dad leaves. Others are more anxious of the new smells, unfamiliar faces and surroundings. If the latter is your pup, rest assured that based on my years of experience, by the next morning your pup will realize (s)he is safe and will begin to settle in, relax and play. I try to send as many pictures and videos as I can to ease your mind. I had a bad experience once with Matilda in a kennel - another reason I watch pups. I NEVER want you or your fur baby to go through what we did. Know that your little fur ball really is being loved and cared for as one of our own. More often than not, the next time you drive up my street to drop off your pooch, (s)he will be wiggling with excitement!
If you have a question that I didnât address, or if you would like information about availability, please feel free to call, text or message me (724) 331-9235. I hope to see you and your pooch soon!
