Purple Dog Pet Sitting

03/30/2023

Hi everyone,

We hope you are enjoying the start of spring as much as we are. We are writing with a bit of news - we welcomed another little one to our family in January and she has been keeping all of us on our toes (and paws!).

We have decided it’s best for Purple Dog Pet Sitting to take an indefinite hiatus from in-home pet sitting. This was a tough decision for us because we have truly come to love your pets and our oldest daughter has been able to learn so much about building positive relationships with pets and how to care for them. She routinely asks by name when your dog will be coming back and where they are now (we assure her they are with their families but she is convinced they are all hers!)

Nevertheless, as our home becomes busier and our weekends become more on-the-go, we will be stepping back from our duties as pet sitters.

Any dates that have already been booked with us will be kept and we will cherish our last visits with your furry loves!

Thank you all for entrusting us to care for your pets over the years, we wish you all the best.

Warmly,
Maureen & Mike (and Clay, Kiki, and the girls)

07/01/2022

04/17/2022

We are falling in love again!!

04/10/2022

03/21/2022

Purple Dog meets Purple Dinosaur 🦕

03/06/2022

We haven’t posted as much recently since we are often with a little one in one hand & leash in the other, but today said little one was put to work 😂 🐾

01/27/2022

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard”

Goodbye to dear Maizy, who was a part of our family in every way. We will miss her so very much 💜

12/18/2021

Golden love ❤️

10/04/2021

As much as my dogs learn and know how to live with the kids, the kids learn and know how to live with the dogs. What do I mean by that?

The kids know that their own activities have to be paused sometimes to take care of the dogs needs first. Feeding, exercise, enrichment, training, it’s part of their life and not a choice, but an obligation.

The kids know that the dogs are not pieces of furniture to lay on or move, they give them space when they need it and vice versa.

The kids know that management of their possessions- like toys and shoes - prevents them from being destroyed, and that no blame will be placed on the dog if they forget this.

The kids know that being invasive, pushy or physically inappropriate with the dogs (laying on them, climbing on them etc) will be treated the same way as if they were seen playing with matches in the house. The dogs are not toys nor are they there to be their entertainment.

The kids know that their mannerisms affect the dog. Running and screaming, dragging a toy behind them or throwing things are interpreted differently by dogs and they understand this. They know that they need to modify their behavior if they want the dog to modify theirs. It is a two way street.

The kids know that if the dog is eating, chewing or busy, you leave him alone. And if he has something in his mouth you’d like back, you get an adult, always. No exceptions.

The kids know that the dogs can say no. They can ask for space and have bad days and it’s okay.

The kids know the dogs are a privilege not a right. They are family members with their own needs and personalities.

And in return? The dogs know the kids are safe. They are trustworthy and fun. They want to be around them and seek them out.

No matter what the breed - a working Belgian shepherd dog, a senior hospice pit bull or a Japanese chin. It is not about being the boss, or the alpha, it is about respecting an animal and it’s needs and learning to live together in harmony. These are the boundaries that create bonds that last a lifetime.

- Helen St. Pierre

10/01/2021

Any guess where we are headed? Hint: zoom in!