Wanderpups Dog Walking

01/27/2025

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01/16/2025

01/11/2025

12/16/2024

12/05/2024

11/19/2024

This month Wanderpups celebrates 11 years in business. Here’s a list of things I’ve learned, in no particular order.

I learned…
…that people really care about their dogs and just want someone reliable who cares too
…that showing up is EVERYTHING
…that almost all issues can be solved or avoided with proactive communication
…that most people are generous
…that dogs bring out the best in people
…that dog walking is really hard and that it is a “real” job
…that some people are CRAZY and you don’t have to keep crazy clients
…that sometimes when you have the keys to someone’s house, you will unlock the door to find naked people and it is very embarrassing for all involved
…that people in Capitol Hill work a lot
…that boundaries are everything when you own a business
…that keys and locks are a pain in the ass
…that every dog is so different and you have respect who they are as individuals
…that you should listen to your gut when it comes to hiring and firing
…that dogs don’t live long enough
…that a dog walking company is basically a logistics company
…that people who say all dogs love them are the worst dog walkers
…that dog friendly apartment buildings are not dog walker friendly so are really not dog friendly
…that red flags should never be ignored
…that no matter how well you know a dog, they can do something unpredictable and surprise the hell out of you, so grip that leash
….that most dogs do, in fact, hate the mailman
…that breed stereotypes are generally true
…that you get wildly attached to the dogs you walk and when they die it is completely devastating
…that a good dog walker is hard to find
…that puppies are impossible to walk, but its ok because they are puppies
…that all dogs lose their minds with treats
…that letting dogs sniff is often more important than making dogs walk
…that I’ve met more nice pit bulls than mean ones
…that you will never win over a chihuahua…they may tolerate you…but they will never like you

I’m sure I learned some other stuff too.

Cheers to this little venture that started out as just a “break” from the cubicle.

11/16/2024

Pushkin started walks with us in April of 2017 and she moved with her family to a new neighborhood last month. She spent almost eight years and 1500+ walks with us. I never actually met her because Supe was her primary dog walker that entire time and he almost never takes a day off but I felt I know her through the pictures and updates from each walk.

The first photo is of her last walk with us and the next two are from her first week of walks with us in 2017. The rest are a smattering of in-between.

Pushkin is Supe’s dog Brock’s best friend. You can see them together in the second photo. Pushkin went over to play all the time and they wrestled and played like puppies.

Pushkin is the friendliest and sweetest dog who truly loves her walks. She got mini zoomies each time Supe arrived to take her out - that’s eight years of zoomies. We never had to worry about Pushkin getting along with other dogs because she has a positive energy that put everyone at ease. She loves squirrels and her low center of gravity made her quite the force when she wanted to chase after them.

We will miss you Pushkin. Thanks for spending so much of your life with us and spreading joy in every walk.

11/01/2024

Happy Halloween!!! 🎃 👻

08/09/2024

😀😀😀

04/29/2024

Been slacking on posting lately because life. But we went up to Lewes Beach for a short weekend getaway and brought Jax with us. We have not been to a beach with him since 2019 because Covid plus two kids added to the family kept us busy for the last five years. But I couldn’t help but notice that Jax had slowed down a bit and it made me sad and I started flipping through the thousands of photos I have of him and that made me a little sadder. I hope the saying is true that small dogs live forever because the first ten years with Jax have flown by and I need many more beach trips with my OG.

With a dog walking business, you meet so many dogs. You meet them often the first week they come to live in their forever homes. You help potty train them as puppies, hold tight to their leashes as they lunge and bark through adolescence, and help them off the couch and down the stairs as their muzzles turn gray and their joints stiffen. We’ve been in business long enough to walk some dogs their entire lives. It’s a sober reminder to live life in the present and enjoy every minute because it really does fly by. It’s a cliche but it’s true. I’d say take your dog for an extra walk today but it’s hot as hell in DC so maybe just a treat and some extra pets instead.

Anyway, sorry for the sappy post.

03/12/2024

Check out the op Ed I wrote for the LA Times!

Bites are sending record numbers of Californians to the ER. Here's how to prevent that from happening to you.