Say hello to Dempsey – our March Pet of the Month! Dempsey is an absolutely adorable Australian Cattle Dog who always seems to have a great, big smile on his face. Born and raised in Alaska, this pup is a PLG transplant whose favorite pastimes are his daily walks, occasional play dates, and nice, long naps!

Sam, Dempsey’s walker, thinks he’s just fabulous: “The thing that I love most about Dempsey is his sweet and gentle nature. On certain days he will look up at me and give me this look that makes me positively melt.  The first time he ever gave me his ‘look’ I was so in awe that I remember writing in my note to Molly that I had to go back and pick up my ‘pile of melt’ in the park.  That is how sweet Dempsey is.  He has a very wise soul and always brightens my day.  I love Dempsey-Doo and cannot get enough of him!  I feel truly lucky to be his walker.”

Dempsey gets a treat-filled Doggy Bag, a surprise gift, and his mom, Molly, receives a free 8 x 10 color print of him! Congratulations!

Name: Dempsey, aka Dempsey-Doo, Dempsey-Doodle, Mr. D.

Gender: Male

DOB: Unknown, but he’s about 10 years old

Breed: Australian Cattle Dog

About me: My mom adopted me in Alaska in 2008. Before that, I had a bunch of homes and was in and out of the shelter more times than I can count. Mom and I lived in Alaska together for a year before moving to New York. We drove and drove and drove, and I was super nervous, but I actually found that I really like New York. There are lots of REALLY interesting things to smell on our block, and we live right by Prospect Park, so sometimes I get to climb over snowbanks and pretend we’re still in Alaska. AND, I now have the coolest, nicest dog-walker EVER. She comes and sees me every day!

My Walker: Sam.

Favorite Toy: My squeaky sheep.

My Best Friend: My best friend still lives in Alaska. Her name is Trance. She’s a shelter dog like me, and her mom was my foster-mom while I waited for someone to adopt me.

Favorite place to nap: Anywhere soft. I have my own bed, but I also like napping on Mom’s bed and on the couch.

The Perfect Day for me would be: breakfast, followed by a walk in Prospect Park, a nice long nap (on the couch), snacks followed by a nap, then a quick walk around the block, a nap (preferably near Mom), then play-time with friends, dinner-time followed by a walk, then maybe some time to chew my chewies. Then bed time!

This month, we’re launching a new feature on our blog, the TeamBArk MVP! It’s where I’ll give some recognition to the Walker whose dedication and passion go ABOVE and BEYOND the call of duty — and this month, that person is Gina Vasoli of Park Slope.

Here are some things Gina had to say about her job as a pB dog walker:

pB: Gina, what’s your favorite part about walking dogs for a living, and how did you get started in this crazy business?

Gina: Working with dogs is so much easier and more pleasurable than dealing with humans all day long. A dog’s life is so uncomplicated. All they ever want is love and exercise and treats. I too, enjoy love, working out, and near-constant snacking. My favorite part about walking dogs is that I get to help give them the best life they can possibly have AND do all the things I like to do at the same time. True, they don’t have much to say when it comes to our deep philosophical debates (i.e. Pascal, are you aware of yourself as a dog?) or heated political discussions (i.e. Owan, what are your views on the Obamas’ decision to accept a pure breed Portugese Water Dog from the Kennedys instead of adopting from a shelter?), but they are excellent listeners and they don’t talk back.

I got started by approaching Steve Debono, the former owner of Petato, a few years back while he was walking dogs. I had just moved to Brooklyn after graduating from McGill University then spending the summer nature camp counseling in Pennsylvania and traveling around China with my bestie. I told him I wanted to start my own company, so he hired me to let me see how the business worked, and I never left.

pB: Has it been everything you hoped it would be? What is something that has been difficult for you? Ever get bit by a dog or slipped on the ice in a hailstorm?

Gina: Right now I am just so grateful to have a jam packed schedule again, and that my bike is back in one piece and rideable. That’s all I could ask for really. The toughest thing I’ve had to deal with is repeatedly having parts of my bike stolen or vandalized. I have yet to fall down (knock on wood) and believe it or not, hadn’t stepped in dog poop once in over 2 years of dog walking until the day I had both bike wheels stolen. That’s the day I went ahead and stepped in it.

pB: What’s the funniest thing that has happened when you were on the job?

Gina: Putting my aviators on the dogs never gets old.

pB: Got an all-time favorite cat sit or dog walking tale?

Gina: I know it has nothing to do with dogs, but I found a $20 bill on the street one day then a $10 and two $1s wadded up together two days later!

pB: What’s one thing you would say to someone thinking of becoming a dog-walker?

Gina: If you like physical labor, getting licked in the face and ears a lot, and can handle being alone with your thoughts all day, then this is the job for you! And make sure to always stretch before and after your route.

pB: What else do you do, when you’re not walkin’ those dogs? Who IS Gina Vasoli?

Gina:  I am back in school to get my license in Massage Therapy. I want to specialize in prenatal and pediatric massage. I enjoy BRAVO’s reality TV line-up, crocheting and sewing, cooking really healthy vegetable dishes then pairing them with things like frozen pizza or entire bags of stuffing, reading books, and friendship. Yellowstone is my favorite place on earth. I like reptiles, and if I could only eat one type of food for the rest of my life, it would be Mexican, hands down.

Norman - 2009's Grand Prize Winner!

If you think your pet has what it takes to be famous, upload a picture of him or her to Bissell’s MVP Pet Photo Contest!  We know that, at pB, our clients all have beautiful pets – so why not share them with the world?  To enter, upload a great shot of your cat or dog here.  Then, just gather votes from fellow pet lovers, family, and friends.

The top five pets each week move on to the semi-finals.  The grand prize includes your pet’s picture on a Bissell box, a $500 “perfect for you and your pet” shopping spree, and $10,000 to the pet charity of your choice.  But there are weekly winners as well (who get free Bissell Pet Vacuums)!  If you have any questions (“Can owners be in the picture?”, “Can I vote for my own pet?”) –  visit the FAQ page and start submitting!

Don’t think you have that perfect photo?  We’d be glad to help.  Just give us a call and we’ll see if we have one on file or you can schedule your very own pet photo shoot with Chun-Soon!

Last Wednesday, as we got buried in snow, the Walkers sent photos of their doggies live “from the field”. Most of our pups were dressed in their finest winter outfits. Sam sent this one of Bella, in Prospect Heights, sporting the latest booties!  ——>

<——  Some dogs, like Milo in Park Slope, love the snow! Milo could run and play in the white stuff all day if Natasha let him.

Little Kingston of PLG and Bunky in Greenpoint are not so sure about this “snow” thing.  Are we home yet? says Bunky. Matt just loves Bunky. Look at that face!

Our February Pet of the Month is Winston, a gorgeous pit mix from the South Slope. What a stunner. When Winston isn’t gazing at you intently with his beautiful eyes, he is bounding around you in circles, ready to play! A rescue from humble origins, Winston has come a long way, and if his mom and dad have any say in the matter, he has a long, wonderful life ahead of him!

Winston gets a treat-filled Doggy Bag, a surprise gift, and his parents receive a free 8 x 10 color print of him! Go Winston!

Name:  Sir Winston Chesterfield, aka Winston, Winstee, Winstums

Gender: male

DOB: possibly Oct 2008?

Breed: pit bull mix

About me: I am a large and rambunctious young male, who loves endless games of toss/retrieve the (insert noun here… any noun…. sock, ball, toy, paper towel, pillow, leash, piece of trash, etc ). I am also a power snuggler, and love to be held like a baby- by anyone strong enough to lift my 70 lb frame.

My Walkers: are Max and Sam

Favorite Toy: squeaky Cuz ball, any plush toy

My Best Friend: Daddy (Cory)

Favorite place to nap: Either in the sun, or on a lap

The Perfect Day for me would be: Morning walk to the park,  then breakfast, play session, nap, walk, play session, nap, play, dinner, play, walk, cuddle on couch, walk, bed.

It’s a new year, baby! …and we’ve started it out with a BIG HUGE BANG. At the beginning of this month, we merged with Petato Dog Walking and Pet Sitting, a local pet care company that has one of the best, longest-standing reputations in the biz. Started over five years ago by Steve DeBono, Petato’s roster has grown from one happy dog in Fort Greene to over fifty throughout Park Slope, Prospect Heights and Fort Greene. Garnering 5 stars on Brooklyn’s Citysearch, Petato brings us their extremely solid work ethic, expertise, and…most of all…some of the most dedicated dog walkers and cat lovers in Brooklyn!

Now, I’m pretty lucky with TeamBArk… Who else but Amy, Matt, Natasha, Max, Sam and Nancy could take such great care of all our pets? I scour Brooklyn looking for pet professionals, folks who don’t just “love animals”, but are also reliable, ethical, punctual and communicative. Petato’s walkers and sitters are of the same high caliber, and you’ll be hearing more about Gina, Rachel B, Jenna, Rachel L, and David as I add their profiles to our TeamBArk page. And the best part? I’ve been working closely over the past month with Heidi Ryti, Petato’s manager and in-house trainer, who is not only a great gal but one of the hardest workers I know. Who else is fielding emails and calls on Christmas Day? Working on her birthday? (well, besides me

Stay tuned for the wonderful changes and improvements this will bring to ProspectBArk. I envision a community of happy, spoiled dogs, borough-wide. I envision the most capable and conscientious pet care Team hitting the streets every day to pamper your pets. And I envision doggie biscuits…lots of doggie biscuits!

]]> http://prospectbark.com/2010/01/big-huge-news/feed/ 0 http://prospectbark.com/2010/01/january-pet-of-the-month-timba/ http://prospectbark.com/2010/01/january-pet-of-the-month-timba/#comments Mon, 11 Jan 2010 02:24:48 +0000 Chun-Soon Li http://prospectbark.com/?p=1136

2010’s first Pet of the Month is our very special Timba, of Prospect Heights. Not only is this pretty lady the sweetest dog on the block, but she is a Healer and a wise old soul. Even though she can’t move around like she used to, her spirit moves everyone around her.

Timba gets a treat-filled Doggy Bag, a surprise gift, and her mom receives a free 8 x 10 color print of her!

Name: Timba
Gender: Female
DOB: 12/23/1998
Breed: Belgian Shepherd

About me:  For the first 6 years of my life I had to live outside either tied to a tree or tied up to another dog, I was very thin weighing in about 55 pounds, a rescue group found out about me and was able to convince my then owner to give me up. I was placed in a shelter until my new mommy came along and rescued me. We just celebrated our 6 year anniversary together! My life has changed in so many ways since I was adopted by Jennifer; I gained 25 pounds, I was able to be inside and sleep anywhere I wanted and I became a Certified Therapy Dog and went to visit sick children in the hospital. I am also a Shaman dog. Just recently I discovered I have degenerative spinal myelopathy, it is a neurological Disease and there is no cure even with everything that I went through and am going through now, I am the happiest dog in the world!

My Sitter: Natasha is my sitter and I love her very much, she has so much compassion and patience with me since I don’t have much use of my back legs anymore, Since I can’t walk that much after I do my business we get to sit on the park bench and enjoy the sites of the people walking by. Thank you Natasha for everything!

Favorite Toy: Anything that squeaks.

My Best Friend: My best friend is my mommy but in the animal world I would have to say it is my brother and sister; Bogey & Sydney both of which are cats.

Favorite place to nap: On my dog bed which looks like a couch.

The Perfect Day for me would be: To be able to walk with my Mommy & Victoria to Grand Army Plaza and sit by the fountain.

It’s a new day, a New Year, and I for one am glad the holidays are over. This was our first Thanksgiving-Christmas-New Years Season, and it was pretty crazy for a while there…though we did pull through amazingly (IMHO). For the ProspectBArk folks who stayed home for the holidays to care for your kitties and pups, I extend a warm and whole-hearted THANK YOU! And by far, the busiest, hardest-working one of the season was Sam. I asked Sam to write a little ditty about her experiences this past month, and here’s what she wrote:

“When Chun-Soon asked me to write an article for the ProspectBArk blog, I was quite literally in the middle of running around visiting Bootsie, Ramses, Shiraz, No-No, Howl, Greenwich, Lupe, Carmalita, Brooklyn, Jean Genie, Fellini, Bella, Kingston, Mochi, Owan, Oscar Meyer, and Sadie.  PHEW!  Eleven cats to visit and eight dogs to walk, multiple times  a day, all pretty much over a five day period and Chun-Soon wants me to write something for the blog, is she nuts?!?    Although I have been incredibly busy this holiday season caring for many adorable pets, I thought it was a great idea to take a minute to clue everyone in on what life is like as a ProspectBArk Sitter and dog Walker.

As the first day of my hectic schedule rolled around, so did the big snowstorm and of course my winter boots were nowhere to be found.  Chun-Soon and I have had many conversations over the past few months about how important it is to bundle up when I’m running around from dog to dog to cat.  The snow was coming down fast and my Chuck Taylor’s were certainly not going to get me through the fourteen jobs I had that day.  Luckily, my first stop of the day was a visit to Ramses the cat.  Ramses lives in Park Slope right off Fifth Avenue where there are many boutiques and shops.  After Ramses was fed, played with, had a good snuggle, and I had written a note about my visit with him for his owners, Sid and Miranda, I hurried myself down to Soula, a shoestore right on Fifth Avenue.  I really didn’t have time to browse since I had so many other animals to get to that day, but luckily I spotted a good pair of lined wellies that looked like they would keep my feet warm and immune system happy.  Within five minutes money was exchanged, my chucks were in a plastic bag, wellies slipped on and I was back out the door on my way to walk Bella on Vanderbilt.

I can honestly say those silly wellies were probably one of the smartest purchases I have made over the past ten years.  They kept me going this entire crazy week, getting me from one job to the next, warm, happy, and dry.  I know all the dogs that I walked and cats that I visited were that much happier too, having me arrive with an extra bounce in my step and a bit of a wider grin on my face, all due to my toasty feet.  That old adage really is true; a happy pet sitter makes a happy pet!  Ok, I lied, that isn’t an old adage at all, but I’m sure with stories like this one, in due time it will become one.

In any case, it was truly a pleasure and SO much fun to care for your little (and big) ones over the holiday.  I hope that I get to meet many more of your pets as the seasons (and my footwear) continue to change.  Have a Happy New Year!”

-Sam Rudolph

Hello ProspectBArk Family!

My name is Jeanette and I am the Marketing and Operations/Office Manager here at ProspectBArk! This is a busy time of year for us (it’s our first Christmas, after all) — coordinating all of the holiday petsits, extra dog walks, cancelled dog walks, cat visits, and so on! It’s a lot of behind the scenes work that goes into making sure everyone gets the attention they need. This is also my first Christmas in NYC.

I am originally from a farm in Miami, Florida. Well, not really, but with the amount of animals that we have had throughout the years you would think that I was raised on a farm. My mom could not turn away in injured animal if her life depended on it. We’ve had everything from ferrets, to chinchillas, to maltee-poos to German shepherds! Naturally I have become quite an animal lover myself. I decided to come to New York to pursue my passion for marketing and strategic planning. I saw an ad for a job that said “you must love animals” and I thought it would be the perfect fit – and it has been. I have bonded with the people here at ProspectBArk! who all have a genuine love for animals.

I wanted to take a moment and wish everyone a peaceful, beautiful holiday season. I look forward to meeting those of you who I have not had the chance to meet yet, but most important I look forward to bringing you the best possible pet care Brooklyn has ever seen!

Merry Christmas,

~ Jeanette Espinosa, pB  Marketing and Operations Manager