PSI - Pet Sitters International

Do you need a professional, trustworthy, qualified pet sitter in your town? Go to
http://www.petsit.com/
click the button called (locate a pet sitter)
It will ask for your zip code then voila!  You will have a list of professionals to choose from.  You will then click on each contact for their information and may need to call and set up interviews and pick who seems best for your needs.

I am a member of PSI since 1999 and service the Huntington, NY area. My web site is
www.mypetpal.biz

My dog - a heart beat at my feet
Cathy Kreger

Jillidog World's Only Poker Playing Dog

No! Jilli Dog doesn't bite! She'll just steal your heart!

Meet Rick and Jilli Dog

Rick Caran is the lucky guy who lives with Jilli Dog—

an exceptionally smart little 5 pound Yorkie. She is more than a trained little dog who can play poker...she can act too!

Rick and Jilli's story started about 9 years ago when he found Jilli lost and abandoned on the street— no collar, no tags, dirty and hungry. Since then, he and Jilli have been inseparable. Rick started working with her, training her with little bits of cheese. They started with the basics— sit, stay, give me your paw. It didn't take long for Rick to realize that Jilli was an exceptionally smart little dog.

Jilli's fame has spread world wide. She has made television appearances as far away as Japan and Australia and was recently featured on an episode of Disney's "Johnny and the Sprites".

Jilli is also proud to be the Goodwill Ambassador for the Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue.

Rick and Jilli Dog are involved with many animal rescue orginazitions including the ASPCA, Yorkie Rescue (YTNR), North Shore Animal League America, Little Shelter, Animal Heaven, Save A Pet, and more throughout the country. They ask that people thinking about a new pet to please consider adopting from a reputable rescue organization. There are many lovely pets waiting for a forever home. Take a little time and visit a waiting doggie

http://www.jillidog.com/index.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaiKETm5-UQ&feature=related

Did you know?

If you have a dog and it bites someone for the first time, you are not liable in NY State.

New York has a limited dog bite statute, which makes a dog owner or keeper strictly liable for medical and veterinary costs. Aside from that, New York is a "one-bite state" and does not recognize the cause of action for negligence.

• If you are an attorney who is researching the law in this state, click here.

When a dog bites

Hi Cathy,
How have you been? How's the pet sitting business going? Hope all is well with you. I wanted to ask you a pet question if you wouldn't mind. Do you ever run into a problem where an animal you've sat for has bitten you? I was at my in-laws house on Sunday and was bitten by their extra large Yorkie. We were all getting along great but my husband's parent's neglected to tell me, until it was too late, that when their dog is throwing toilet paper all over the house he doesn't like anyone near him. Not even in the same room! He jumped up at me and was biting my knees and scarf and when I went to pull up my scarf to get myself loose, he lunged at my hand and took hold. No blood was drawn but it was still very swollen (I applied ice immediately) and now a few days later it's turning black and blue (as expected from the trauma). I'm watching it and making sure it doesn't get any worse. While I was nursing the bite, his Mom told me that he bites them and that his father has HIT the dog on another occasion because of the biting. I find that appauling and told her (in a nice way-after all it's in-law's and I'm sure you know it can be a delicate situation) that she could have that behavior turned around with a good trainer. Do you have any experience with this and could you give me some advice both on the injury and dealing with the dog owners(especially being in-laws)?
Thanks for any help you can give. 

Cathy Kreger 

HI...thanks for the boost on creating a blog on my website. Guess what here it is!
Regarding your story. Hopefully, you are feeling better where you were bitten. You said it did not break the skin or bleed. So you should be fine. Just pain of bruise to deal with. But, If you did bleed the possibility of infection is great. Which means you should get it tended to at the emergency room or a clinic. You would need antibiotics and a tetanous shot. As it turns out this past year in OCT I was bitten in the face by one of the Greyhounds I care for. I never expected it...but it happened. The next thing I knew I was scrambling to get to the emergency room for treatment. I am healing now and the scar is my main concern at this point. It is substantial and on my face. Not something I ever thought I would be dealing with. So that's my story.
When it comes to dogs, they are ALL capable of biting. They are animals and see things in the world differently than we do. We as humans cannot predict when a bite will happen, but can take some precautions. For example: Older dogs do get cranky and can lash out at children and usually don't like quick movement around them. It sounds as if the dog you are referring to bites often and the owners know it. They should warn guests of this behavior and take responsibility to prevent possible biting situations. Maybe they should remove the dog from the room when company is around...things like that. Training is a good possibility...but can be an expensive investment. Sadly, If the dog has bitten many, badly drawing blood, then it is suggested that the dog be put down.
Hopefully the owners will take responsibility to limit the potential of this happening again.
;o)
Thanks for asking