Keep it clean, Asheville

I never realized how big of a problem littering was in Asheville until I got a puppy. Taking her for a walk is a near-constant struggle to steer her away from broken glass, cigarette butts, fireworks, piles of dog crap and, most recently, a used diaper. I mean seriously, how lazy does one have to […]

A pet primer

As a professional dog walker, my pet-care motto is: “When in doubt, wear them out.” Exercise makes a difference for your pet. It helps keep Fido or Garfield at a healthy weight, which prevents such debilitating health problems as arthritis and diabetes — just a few problems that plague overweight pets. Exercise and mental stimulation […]

Searching for Junie

Despite having worked in the veterinary profession for over 15 years, I was surprised by some of the things I learned while trying to recover my lost dog Junebug recently. Returning from work to find 11-year-old Junie missing, I immediately walked the fenced perimeter calling and searching for her, thinking she might be in a […]

The Biz

The first visitor you’re liable to come into contact with at Blaze-n-Skyy Pet Boutique & Wellness Center is “Blitz,” a spunky Pomeranian in a designer sweater. Whether sporting sweaters and nonslip doggie socks, riding in a swanky Dooney & Bourke handbag, lounging on a $300 canine sofa bed, or munching on organic, gourmet treats that […]

A family farewell

When I was faced with the difficult prospect of putting down my beloved old dog last spring, I wrote the following entry in my journal: “My dog is dying, 15 years after I brought him home as a 5-pound ball of cuteness.  He was a character from the start, and I picked him out of […]