Ashleys Pawsitive Petsitting

01/11/2026

I know this might be an unpopular post but I feel I need to express the subject of my overnight pet sitting prices ($80/per day)
After a cancerous brain tumor and a year of chemotherapy rendered me useless in a "typical" work environment, this is my only source of income.
You're not just paying for pet care, you are paying for a trusted, respectful, reliable partner to be a part of your pets' lives, AND make sure your home is secure and well cared for. 🏡
I go above and beyond and then some more with plant care, safety checks of the home, and bringing in mail and packages in a timely manner.
Most clients don't understand that I CLEAN the home before I leave (I am a clean freak and your home is as important as my own.)
Some nights I stay awake all night long to comfort a crying dog who misses you 😴
I keep in contact with you as often as possible, unless you get annoyed and tell me to stop and let you enjoy your vacation 😆
I also must pay for my own expenses which most of the time, leave me with almost no take-home pay 😬 This includes my gas, insurance, and bonding. As well as my own groceries, and toiletries.

But despite all of that... I continue to do this. Why? 🤔
Because I deeply care about pets and the people who love them, and this is the greatest job that I have ever had!! 🤩

So please, before you say "You're over-priced" to ANY pet sitter, think about how much your pets and your home means to you, and how we struggle everyday to maintain happy, healthy pets 😁❤️

Picture of my service dog for attention 🥰

01/03/2026

I'm not afraid of dying, I'm excited to reunite with all of my loved ones 🥰

Some love does not end, it just changes shape. It becomes the name that still gets said out loud, the photo that still gets touched gently, the habit of looking for them in all the usual places.

Grief is the price of a bond that was real. And if it hurts, it is only because they mattered so much. The quiet days can feel heavy, but the memories are still warm, still yours, still full of little moments that were pure.

If you are missing a pet today, please hear this: they took your love with them, and it made them feel safe every single day. And the love they gave you is still here, showing up as a smile when you least expect it. 🐾🤍

01/03/2026

Sandy Ingalls we have been cooking wrong all this time! 👍

01/03/2026

Sandy Ingalls

My heating bill should be lower because I basically don't need central heat anymore. Why? Because my 60-pound dog has decided that winter means he's a lap dog now, and I no longer have control over my own body temperature. It doesn't matter that he's clearly too big for my lap. It doesn't matter that I can barely breathe under his weight. It doesn't matter that my legs go numb after 20 minutes. He has decided that my lap is his winter residence and I am now a human heating pad. And here's the thing - I'm not even mad about it. Sure, I can't move. Sure, I'm trapped. Sure, I have to plan bathroom breaks around his nap schedule. But I'm SO WARM. He's like a living, breathing, 60-pound furnace pressed against me. My hands are warm for the first time since October. My core temperature is perfect. I'm in a cocoon of dog warmth and it's absolutely glorious. People spend hundreds on space heaters and heated blankets, but I've got the ultimate winter heating solution and it loves me unconditionally. Plus, there's something incredibly comforting about being pinned down by a creature who just wants to be close to you. It's like a weighted blanket that breathes and occasionally snores. Yes, my circulation is questionable. Yes, I'm essentially immobile. Yes, I've canceled plans because moving him seemed cruel. But I'm warm, I'm cozy, and I'm exactly where both of us want to be. Best heater I've ever had, and he came with the bonus feature of unconditional love.

12/26/2025

🤣

I am negotiating a hostage exchange involving a plastic sheep and a bag of high-value jerky.🐶🥰
Yesterday (Tuesday), my lovely neighbor, Mrs. Higgins, spent six hours setting up her prize-winning Nativity Scene in her front yard. It is elaborate. It has floodlights. It has a camel that looks suspiciously like a llama.
Moose watched the entire installation from the living room window. He was transfixed.
He wasn't looking at the kings. He wasn't looking at the star.
He was looking at the sheep.
To Mrs. Higgins, it is a religious symbol.
To Moose, it was a "White Dog." A White Dog that was frozen. A White Dog that was being forced to sleep outside in the cold without a blanket.
The Crime
I let Moose out for his evening p*e. I stood by the door, scrolling on my phone, enjoying the crisp December air.
I heard a noise.🐶🥰
CLUNK. DRAG. CLUNK.
I looked up.
Moose was trotting toward the back door. He looked proud. He looked like a provider.
In his mouth, held gently by the neck, was Mrs. Higgins’ plastic sheep.
He didn't damage it. He was carrying it like a puppy.
He walked past me, pushed the door open, and entered the kitchen.
He walked to his bed.
He dropped the plastic sheep onto his pillow.
Then, he sat down and licked its plastic forehead.
“I have saved you, Small White Brother. The Cold Times are over.”
The Interrogation
"Moose!" I gasped. "What did you do?"
He looked at me. He looked at the sheep. He thumped his tail.
“I performed a rescue, Mother. He was freezing. Also, he is very stiff. He needs yoga.”🐶🥰
I realized I had to return the sheep.
I reached for it.
Moose placed a giant paw over the sheep’s body.
He gave me The Look. The "Do Not Touch My Child" look.
He growled low in his throat. Not aggressive, just firm.
“The White Dog stays.”
The Heist Reverse
I couldn't just throw it back over the fence. It’s a Nativity sheep! It’s holy plastic!
I grabbed a bag of turkey jerky. The good stuff.
"Trade?" I offered.
Moose looked at the jerky. He looked at the sheep.
He wavered.
He licked the sheep one last time.
He gently picked up the sheep and dropped it in my hand.
Then he ate the entire bag of jerky in one bite, bag included (I had to fish it out).
The Return🐶🥰
Now, I had to return a stolen sheep to a neighbor’s yard at 10:00 PM on a Sunday.
I put on my coat. I snuck out the front door.
I looked like a burglar, but instead of stealing a TV, I was planting farm animals.
I crept into Mrs. Higgins’ yard.
I placed the sheep back near the shepherd.
But I placed it wrong. I put it facing the wrong way.
Now the sheep looks like it’s trying to leave the scene. It looks like it’s done with the shepherd’s drama.
I ran back to my house.
I got inside.
Moose was at the window. He was watching.
He saw the sheep back on the cold lawn.
He let out a long, heartbroken sigh.
“You monster,” his eyes said. “You put him back in the freeze.”
He is currently sleeping by the back door, keeping a vigil for his lost friend.
Mrs. Higgins has no idea.
But if she asks why her sheep smells like peanut butter and dog slobber... I’m blaming the local raccoons.🐶🥰

12/24/2025

Merry Christmas Eve and a happy new year from our mutts to yours! 🌲🥰🐶

12/23/2025

Elisa Davis 🤣

12/23/2025

Please never ever ever buy ANY pet on impulse!
Reptiles especially require VERY unique care and if your not prepared and educated before you bring home your new scale baby it could end in disaster and heartbreak for the whole family 💔
Many exotic pets can live up to 20 years, or more, but that's with proper care and knowledge. Make sure your child is prepared to care for this animal when they leave for college.

Pets As Presents: Thoughtful consideration of animals as gifts

Posted at https://usark.org/25blog1/.

The holiday season often brings thoughts of surprising a child or loved one with the pet of their dreams, but here is the truth: animal keeping is a commitment that can span decades. Instead of an impulse buy, we can ensure our pets thrive through careful planning and making informed choices about adopting or purchasing a pet that fits our unique family dynamics. A balance can be made that does not make light of keeping an exotic animal while respecting the choice of responsible pet owners. While this includes some specifics for reptiles and amphibians (collectively known as h**ps), the basics apply to all animals.

The Right Way to Add a Pet to Your Family

If you are serious about h**p ownership, here are some tips on how to do it right:
Wait Until After the Holidays: It is wise to wait until after the festive season when life is less hectic and routines are more stable.

Buy it All but the Pet: Be prepared by buying everything needed except the animal. You can give the setup as a present and then the pet can come home after the holidays. The enclosure can be prepared when the pet arrives. You could even include a picture, stuffie, 3-D printed, or other alternative pet representative.

Include the Whole Family: Make the selection process a family activity. Everyone should understand and agree to the responsibilities involved.

Start Simple: Consider species with care needs you can easily meet.
Remember the Reality of Responsibilities

Before bringing home a new pet, consider this: proper h**p care requires specific temperature, humidity, and lighting requirements. No animal is a simple pet that you can set and forget. Species needs may include:
Controlled environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, lighting, enclosure)
Specialized dietary requirements
Veterinary care
Proper handling and socialization
Appropriate substrate
Secure, escape-proof housing
Planning Makes Perfect

1. Research First: Take time to learn about different species and their needs. Each species has unique requirements for husbandry and handling. Some of the things to consider include:

Adult size/length;
Lifespan;
Typical temperament;
Space required;
Diet/food availability.

2. Family and other considerations:
Do you own a home or rent an apartment?
Where will the enclosure be kept?
How much time per day/week can you dedicate to pet care?
Which member of the family will be the primary caretaker?
What are your city and state animal laws?
Is it too cold to safely transport a pet?

3. Budget Wisely: Factor in not just the initial cost but ongoing expenses for:
Specialized lighting and heating equipment – replacement bulbs and heaters
Regular food supplies – feeders and supplements
Veterinary care
Habitat maintenance – substrate, hides, enrichment

4. Find a Mentor: Connect with experienced reptile keepers or h**petological societies before deciding. They can offer invaluable advice and help you navigate the complexities of animal ownership. If purchasing from a breeder, they are always happy to teach and give advice.

A Lifetime of Companionship

When done right, bringing h**ps into your home can lead to many years of companionship. These remarkable creatures become beloved family members – not through the surprise of a holiday reveal, but through careful planning and preparation.

Remember: The best gift is not the pet but the time, knowledge, and commitment you invest in providing a forever home for these extraordinary animals and passing along compassion for animals to future generations.

Photo: boy with leopard gecko Adobe Stock/Bronwyn Photo