Q. What is your pet walking/visiting philosophy?
A. We love our pets and our clients' pets. We want to make our visit with your pet a joyful,
happy break in the day. We leave specific notes as to the apparent attitude of your pet,
as well as any physical outcomes of our visit.
Q. Are you bonded and insured?
A. Yes, through Business Insurers of the Carolinas. They handle NAPPS members'
bonding and liability insurance. We are also incorporated in the State of Illinois.
Q. Why do you call your human clients pet parents or "mom" and "dad" or refer to
your animal clients as "kids?" It's silly! I have real kids, so why do you do this?
A. I have always thought of my furry friends as my "kids." They look to me for food, shelter,
comfort, affection... it just seems a given that they are my furry kids! It doesn't take away
from human relationships at all, it's just another parental role! What's interesting is several
years ago I noticed it being used by several animal rescue and humane societies, i believe
the ASPCA is one of them. From what i understand of their beliefs, it's to foster the idea of
care taking vs owning property. If someone is a care taker they are more likely to treat their
pet with respect and dignity. If you treat a pet with respect and dignity, you are less likely
to abuse her.
Most of my human clients refer to themselves as "mom" or "dad," as well. Often when i get
a client call it starts with "Hi, this is SoandSo's Dad/Mom/Grammie!" :O)
Q. I need a pet sitter, but only once in a while. What is the process for getting on
your schedule?
A. Call us at 773.551.0907. We will set up an initial, free appointment with you and work
with you to determine the care your pet or pets need.
Q. Will you take my cat for a walk?
A. If your cat is harness-trained, of course!
Q. How often will you visit each day?
A. As often as needed. We charge per visit, and we have many types of services
available. Please see our Services page or call us to discuss your needs.
Q. What are your hours of operation?
A. In general, 9:00 am through 5:00 pm, however we extend our hours to 7:00 am to 9:00
pm as needed. If you call outside of these hours, please leave a message, and we will
return your call as soon as possible.
Q. What are your policies regarding payment, cancellations, etc?
A. Please see our Policies page!
Q. If i have a regular pet sitter, won't my pet bond with that person and not me?
A. Not at all! Your pet will most likely see his/her sitter as a playmate or pack member with
higher status than they, but not the alpha. They will bond with the sitter, and you want that,
but the mom/dad will remain the alpha. It's like when kids go to a regular babysitter. They
love that sitter, but nothing beats mom or dad! :O)
Q. What is the most common mistake you see people make with dogs?
A. Those who try to "stare down" aggressive dogs. For some reason there is a "wives" tale
out there that says that is the way to control a dog. Non aggressive dogs often are cowed
with staring. An aggressive dog is engaged and may attack and/or become more
aggressive. If you are afraid of a dog, or if you see a dog that is acting aggressively, do not
stare directly at him and walk the other way. Don't try to "master" the dog. It won't work, he
won't pay attention, and may take your attempts as aggression towards him or his human.
Q. How do you feel about walking dogs off leash?
A. First, it's against the law in the city of Chicago to take dogs off leash except at a
designated dog park. It's also against the law to run them off leash at the beach (unless it's
a specified dog beach).
Smarty Pets will not take your dog off leash, no matter how well trained he is. I (Tyra) have
very strong opinions about this. I feel that in an urban setting like Chicago, it is a very bad
idea.
I don't care how well trained your dog is. I don't care how devoted she is to you. There is
ALWAYS a point that your dog will break training. A squirrel, another dog, a human, a cat,
a rat. There are so many distractions, so many people, so much traffic and congestion, it's
just a really foolish thing to do.
Some people think they have absolute control, but it's an illusion. I've seen cats and other
small animals murdered by off leash, "well-trained and sweet" dogs. It's horrific and
disturbing. (This is why i have such strong feelings on this subject!)
Also, even if you have a good dog, there are lots of leashed dogs who become
leash-aggressive if approached by unleashed dogs. Do you really want to start a dog fight?
I have found that people have very strong feelings both ways, and just as my mind won't be
changed, there are lots of folks who feel just as strongly that THEIR dog can be off leash.
When considering the subject, i urge you to remember the well-publicized death of the
woman in San Francisco allegedly murdered by a neighbor's off-leash dog. Also, please
respect other persons' rights as well. As dog lovers we may not understand how anyone
could dislike and/or be afraid of a dog, but we must respect their feelings and rights.
A. We love our pets and our clients' pets. We want to make our visit with your pet a joyful,
happy break in the day. We leave specific notes as to the apparent attitude of your pet,
as well as any physical outcomes of our visit.
Q. Are you bonded and insured?
A. Yes, through Business Insurers of the Carolinas. They handle NAPPS members'
bonding and liability insurance. We are also incorporated in the State of Illinois.
Q. Why do you call your human clients pet parents or "mom" and "dad" or refer to
your animal clients as "kids?" It's silly! I have real kids, so why do you do this?
A. I have always thought of my furry friends as my "kids." They look to me for food, shelter,
comfort, affection... it just seems a given that they are my furry kids! It doesn't take away
from human relationships at all, it's just another parental role! What's interesting is several
years ago I noticed it being used by several animal rescue and humane societies, i believe
the ASPCA is one of them. From what i understand of their beliefs, it's to foster the idea of
care taking vs owning property. If someone is a care taker they are more likely to treat their
pet with respect and dignity. If you treat a pet with respect and dignity, you are less likely
to abuse her.
Most of my human clients refer to themselves as "mom" or "dad," as well. Often when i get
a client call it starts with "Hi, this is SoandSo's Dad/Mom/Grammie!" :O)
Q. I need a pet sitter, but only once in a while. What is the process for getting on
your schedule?
A. Call us at 773.551.0907. We will set up an initial, free appointment with you and work
with you to determine the care your pet or pets need.
Q. Will you take my cat for a walk?
A. If your cat is harness-trained, of course!
Q. How often will you visit each day?
A. As often as needed. We charge per visit, and we have many types of services
available. Please see our Services page or call us to discuss your needs.
Q. What are your hours of operation?
A. In general, 9:00 am through 5:00 pm, however we extend our hours to 7:00 am to 9:00
pm as needed. If you call outside of these hours, please leave a message, and we will
return your call as soon as possible.
Q. What are your policies regarding payment, cancellations, etc?
A. Please see our Policies page!
Q. If i have a regular pet sitter, won't my pet bond with that person and not me?
A. Not at all! Your pet will most likely see his/her sitter as a playmate or pack member with
higher status than they, but not the alpha. They will bond with the sitter, and you want that,
but the mom/dad will remain the alpha. It's like when kids go to a regular babysitter. They
love that sitter, but nothing beats mom or dad! :O)
Q. What is the most common mistake you see people make with dogs?
A. Those who try to "stare down" aggressive dogs. For some reason there is a "wives" tale
out there that says that is the way to control a dog. Non aggressive dogs often are cowed
with staring. An aggressive dog is engaged and may attack and/or become more
aggressive. If you are afraid of a dog, or if you see a dog that is acting aggressively, do not
stare directly at him and walk the other way. Don't try to "master" the dog. It won't work, he
won't pay attention, and may take your attempts as aggression towards him or his human.
Q. How do you feel about walking dogs off leash?
A. First, it's against the law in the city of Chicago to take dogs off leash except at a
designated dog park. It's also against the law to run them off leash at the beach (unless it's
a specified dog beach).
Smarty Pets will not take your dog off leash, no matter how well trained he is. I (Tyra) have
very strong opinions about this. I feel that in an urban setting like Chicago, it is a very bad
idea.
I don't care how well trained your dog is. I don't care how devoted she is to you. There is
ALWAYS a point that your dog will break training. A squirrel, another dog, a human, a cat,
a rat. There are so many distractions, so many people, so much traffic and congestion, it's
just a really foolish thing to do.
Some people think they have absolute control, but it's an illusion. I've seen cats and other
small animals murdered by off leash, "well-trained and sweet" dogs. It's horrific and
disturbing. (This is why i have such strong feelings on this subject!)
Also, even if you have a good dog, there are lots of leashed dogs who become
leash-aggressive if approached by unleashed dogs. Do you really want to start a dog fight?
I have found that people have very strong feelings both ways, and just as my mind won't be
changed, there are lots of folks who feel just as strongly that THEIR dog can be off leash.
When considering the subject, i urge you to remember the well-publicized death of the
woman in San Francisco allegedly murdered by a neighbor's off-leash dog. Also, please
respect other persons' rights as well. As dog lovers we may not understand how anyone
could dislike and/or be afraid of a dog, but we must respect their feelings and rights.
Life is life - whether in a cat, or dog or man. There is
no difference there between a cat or a man. The
idea of difference is a human conception for man's
own advantage.
~ Sri Aurobindo
no difference there between a cat or a man. The
idea of difference is a human conception for man's
own advantage.
~ Sri Aurobindo
Frequently Asked Questions
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