Lindsay, Lola and Max check out the birds from one of the boardwalks.
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge is just a quick 15 minute drive down 95 from Center City Philadelphia. Dogs must be kept on leash at all times, but it makes a wonderful spot for an afternoon stroll with dogs. Here is the park write-up from from their website: The refuge was established by an act of Congress in 1972 to protect the last 200 acres of freshwater tidal marsh in Pennsylvania. When acquisition is complete, it will consist of 1200 acres of varied habitats. Over the years, the refuge has become a resting and feeding area for more than 300 species of birds, 80 of which nest here. Fox, deer, muskrat, turtles, fish, frogs and a wide variety of wildflowers and plants call the refuge “home”.
Carrie plays photographer with her non-telephoto lens! Yay ducks!
We visited this past weekend with our two dogs, Max and Lola. We hiked all around the refuge. Along the way we saw countless people with amazing cameras and/or binoculars to spy on the birds. One passerby-er was even nice enough to let us peak through his binoculars at some turtles sunning themselves. We brought our SLR camera, but we felt way out numbered by the people with tripods and telephoto lenses. There were some serious photographers out there! The park was packed enough so that we passed another hiker just about every five minutes, which was nice. I’m not going to lie – there was a lot of noise pollution from 95 and the nearby airport, but there was also a lot of bird calls to drown it out. It’s also kinda nice to think about a refuge so close to human activity.
Max takes a break by the water!
It’s a very flat refuge, so there are no inclines to hike up – a very easy hike for all levels of fitness. Boardwalks intermingled with trails and there is even an handicapped accessible paved trail. There is an awesome visitors center that is more like a mini-nature-museum. (Clean bathrooms too!)
My only beef with it was that they had a display about feral cats and how detrimental they are. That’s not my beef – my beef is the way they said to deal with them was simply, “Don’t feed any feral cats.” Yes and no really. The way you combat feral cat populations is through aggressive Trap Neuter and Release programs, as well as educating the public on the importance of spaying/neutering indoor cats. Not feeding ferals also makes them look elsewhere for food – birds and rodents. So I understand WHY the refuge is worried about feral cats, but managing the population of them goes beyond simply “not feeding them.” So don’t feed them – they’ll eat birds instead. The best way to deal with feral cats is to manage their population by spaying/neutering them, so they stop producing countless litters of kittens. If you simply trap and euthanize them, you create a “vacuum” and more ferals will move in. Aggressive TNR efforts will reduce their numbers drastically. It’s a complex cycle – and I wish they explained it more!
Walking with my two main canines!
Other than that – I highly recommend this park as a nice afternoon hiking spot for Center City dog owners! Remember to bring bags to clean up after your pooch and keep them on leash at all times
Driving Directions from Center City:
-Traveling on I-95 Southbound, take Exit 14 (Bartram Ave.)
- At the 5th light turn right onto 84th Street
-At the second light make a left onto Lindbergh Blvd. Park entrance will be on your right. (You’ll see signs.)
If using GPS plug in:
8601 Lindbergh Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19153
Thanks go out to everyone who joined us in the mud and rain for the third annual PAWS Mutt Strut on Oct. 31. The event brought in over $105,000 for our favorite no-kill rescue organization. The funds are needed now more than ever as they are opening up a low-cost, high-volume spay and neuter facility in early 2010.
Thanks to all of our donors who made Team Monster Minders the #1 fund raising team for the second year in a row. We brought in over $6100 for PAWS. Most of the Minders and quite few clients joined our team. We are proud to be a part of this.
On behalf of the THOUSANDS of pets PAWS saves each and every year, thank you!
And remember – we’re active year-round with volunteering, fostering and fundraising for PAWS. We’re a proud PAWS Partner and if you have questions about getting involved, contact us!
Check out our full photo journal of the event.
Some people like the people they work with. Some people tolerate the people they work with. And then others – run off to Vegas and marry someone they work with. Yep – two Minders got hitched. (We all suspected it was going to happen, but we played it down like we had no idea.)
Chris and Steph’s story: Chris knew Stephanie’s roommate, but had never met Stephanie until she came to work for us. Chris and Steph would see each other each day in Naval Square as they walked dogs, and soon they found themselves spending time together, without our client’s monsters. All of us suspected it. They weren’t very good at hiding it at staff meetings. (Their eyes ALWAYS gave it away.) Finally we said, “Out with it! What’s up?” We were thrilled! They seemed like a match made in (Monster Minders) heaven.
In September they planned a grand cross-country trip (with their three dogs), and we all wondered, “I wonder if they’re going to stop in Vegas?” They texted us along the way with tales of car failures (they took Steph’s 1960’s mustang), crazy storms while camping, odd people they met, but we were always waiting for one particular text. Sure enough, about two weeks into the trip, I got the text that said, “We just got married!” (Not so much of a surprise, but I still almost choked on the coffee I was drinking down at Brew Ultimo – FYI – the best coffee in Philadelphia.) Apparently after two weeks of camping with three dogs, they checked into a swish dog-friendly resort and got married. Classic!
Some of their favorite memories of the trip included: camping in the desert, wandering through the woods for places to pitch a tent, feeding and walking the pooches at rest stops, and having the car overheat every hour. (Oh, and that marriage thing too.) They even managed to sneak the dogs into the pool in Vegas. Sssshhhhh!
From all of us at The Monster Minders, we wish Stephanie and Chris all of the luck and love in the world. It’s neat to be a part of something like this! Ah, young love! It’s refreshing!
So do you have the perfect Halloween costume for your monster? Prove it! Send us your pics either via email to: info@themonsterminders.com or upload them to our Monster Minders Facebook fan page. All contestants will have a chance to win a free visit from their favorite Monster Minder.
Contest Rules:
All pets welcome. Dogs, cats, rats – we love ‘em all.
Entries must be received by Monday, November 2nd
Costumes are welcome as are monsters in Phillies gear! (Max might dress up as Chase Utley!)
Winner to be announced the following week. (And all monsters will be showcased on Facebook and the blog!)
Dogs who will be strutting with us at the Mutt Strut will be automatically included if they’re in costume. (Because you bet we’re taking photos at the event!)
Judge: My grandmother, who loves all monsters great and small. (She’s probably the reason I’m in this business!)
Remember to follow these Halloween Pet Safety Tips.
(To upload a photo via Facebook, simply write on our “Wall” and use the “Attach” feature located right below the text box to attach your Howl-o-Ween photo!)
Apparently I have Phillies fever – and I’m sure our dogs are wondering why we’re glued to the boob-tube then end up yelling and screaming at it for four hours every few nights. While we were over at a friend’s house watching the last game, their dog started to bark with us every time we yelled and hooted. I’m going to get video of it tonight if I can. I have to admit, I’m a new fan, as of the past few months. Utley’s work with the PSPCA definitely fed into my support of them. And now, in the midst of all of this red, I found the best calendar at one of my client’s homes: The Phillies Save a Pet at the Park 16 month calendar.
No shame – I went home and ordered one the same day.
From their website: “This 16-month calendar which begins with September 2009 features players with their own pets plus dogs and cats from the Pennsylvania SPCA. Every calendar also includes one of five player posters. All proceeds benefit the Pennsylvania SPCA.” It makes me want to scream RAAAAAUUUUUUULLLLLL! Order one today to support the PSPCA!
Many of you know that we’re again sponsoring the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society’s annual Mutt Strut. We are the only pet sitting company in Philadelphia recognized as a PAWS Partner for the work we do with them. (And we’re honored.) Many of you have donated in the past (and some of you have adopted our kittens) so you are a part of that partnership too.
And it’s time for the annual ‘Strut, but walking is just part of the Strut (although it’s a very fun part of it!)… We need donors.
We are forming a fundraising team for the Mutt Strut – Team Monster Minders (naturally.) A few clients and Minders have already signed on to walk with us on October 31st. It’s always a fun day full of free give-aways, costume contests, mutts (naturally) and tons of animal loves in a lovely park! Last year we were the #1 fundraising team and we want to do it again. But this year, we want to go bigger. Last year we raised over $3000 for PAWS, this year we want to raise over $5000. We’re about 50% of the way there as a team, and we need your help. Donate or Join our Team now!
But why should you donate to PAWS? Consider these facts:
PAWS raised the save rate in the city shelters from a dismal 10% to over 60% in a three short years. We went from being one of the highest kill cities to one where it’s actually not insane to talk of becoming no-kill. (2005-2008) (And there really is talk of it!)
PAWS continues to save thousands of pets each year, but they now do so as a no-kill rescue organization. This means that your donation goes to life-saving efforts which will directly impact Philly’s most vulnerable pets. Their save rate is now 100%. PAWS goes into the shelters and pulls the pets must vulnerable for euthanasia. (And who doesn’t like an underdog? Or underkitty?)
So far, PAWS has saved over 2,000 pets in 2009 – which is amazing considering the fact that as an organization are operating out of a small storefront in Old City. The PAWS Adoption Center holds four dogs at a time, and about 30-40 cats, yet despise this seemingly small space, they were able to move over 2,000 pets into forever homes in the first eight months of 2009. It’s simply amazing.
And the need for donations has just been taken to the next level. Just today, PAWS publicly announced the opening of their new low-cost spay and neuter facility, which will be located in the Gray’s Ferry part of Philadelphia. This facility will perform 12,000-15,000 spay/neuters per year and will help PAWS save an additional 1,000 pets per year due to its increased space for holding pets while they wait for their forever home. This center is at the center of PAWS’ vision – a Philadelphia in which every adoptable pet is offered a home.
The 6200sq. ft. center is due to open in January of 2010. But they need your help!
PAWS’ extensive network of foster families (which we are a proud part of) & volunteers are some of the most dedicated pet lovers in Philadelphia. All of the kittens we have fostered this summer have been PAWS kittens. We know many of our clients share their life with PAWS pets, and a few of your foster – so you’re a part of the PAWS network too.
How does PAWS save so many pets? It’s simple – they’re proactive. PAWS is everywhere. From dog washes at Whole Foods to pet stores throughout the city, PAWS is at the forefront of animal welfare. They get the word out. They get the job done. (And they have big things in the works for 2010.) They network and fundraise. And we need you!
PAWS has a vision of a no-kill Philadelphia. They don’t want to be just a no-kill rescue organization. They want to see our entire city become no-kill. Their vision, along with our support, will help to achieve this goal. The 30,000 pets that enter the shelters in Philadelphia each year cannot wait.
Will you help us get there?
For each client who donates more than $100 you’ll get a free visit from your favorite Monster Minder. Or – join our team by going to our fundraising page (link below) and clicking on our “Team Name” up at the top right corner. Most of the Minders will be struttin’ along with a group of our clients. It’s a fun day to celebrate! We’ll have a table at the event and we’ll be giving away free treats and hosting our annual “Bubble Trouble” drive.
Join us on October 31st and get more information about PAWS by going to our fundraising page. We have a big goal this year – $5000. Will you help us get there? Every little bit helps! If you can donate $5 or $500 – you are a part of this wonderful organization!
Donate or join our team today!
From all of us at Team Monster Minders, and the thousands of pets that PAWS rescues each year, we thank you in advance for your support! To see photos from the past two Mutt Strut events check out our Mutt Strut page.
Also – We’ve set a date for our second Upward Dog Yoga Benefit for PAWS. It will be held in the gorgeous sanctuary at Fleisher Art Memorial on November 13th. All levels are welcome, $25 suggested donation to PAWS. Ellen, owner of Practice Studio (Fabric Row) will lead a full two hours of yoga to benefit PAWS. Join us! RSVP here.
Donate to Team Monster Minders or Join us!
Thanks Again,
Carrie, Lindsay and all of The Monster Minders Crew
To celebrate our Best of Philly® 2009 win we took the Minders bowling! We were supposed to head up to North Bowl, but found out at the last minute that there was a charity event going on and we’d be lucky to get a lane, let alone three. So we headed to PEPBowl on South Broad – an awesome vintage non-profit bowling alley for an awesome organization. We had a blast – here are photos from the evening. Check out our form! (For more photos – check out our FACEBOOK album!)
As reported on Wysong’s website, they have issued a pet food recall.
The following batches of Wysong Canine Diets Maintenance™ and Senior™ have shown above acceptable moisture levels and may contain mold.
Wysong Maintenance™: lot #: 090617
Wysong Maintenance™: lot #: 090624
Wysong Maintenance™: lot #: 090706
Wysong Maintenance™: lot #: 090720
Wysong Senior™: lot #: 090623
We ask that if you have received any of these Wysong products to please not feed them, and contact Wysong for product replacement.
Email: Wysong@Wysong.net
Subject: Product Replacement
Alternatively, please return or exchange at the store from which you purchased the product. Credit will be issued via our Distributors to the Retailer.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
A few weeks ago one of our clients traveled to Turks and Caicos and ended up coming back to Philadelphia with two “Potcake” dogs. First you’re going to say, “What’s a Potcake?” For that, I refer you to the PotCake Place who informs us:
‘Potcake’ is the name given to the dogs of The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands. It came about because the locals fed the caked remains of the cooking pot to the dogs.
Potcakes are rescued from around the islands of the Turks and Caicos. The spay/neuter programs are not keeping up. The feral dog population of the islands is growing, and more and more litters of puppies are being found as well as individual pups at a loss without their littermates. They may be found by tourists whilst they are out exploring, or locals in their back yard, whilst they are working on construction sites, or driving around the island.”
Now, our client went away on holiday to the islands and FELL in love with the dogs. He thought about adopting before they left the islands, but the trip got the best of them. After they have arrived back stateside, they ended up meeting a woman in JFK airport who was TRANSPORTING Potcakes for a foster situation. She told them, “You want them? They’re yours!” The adoption was completed there on the spot at the airport.
Colt and Major relocated from sunny Turks and Caicos to sunny Philadelphia and are now walked each weekday while their dad is working by Minder Cait. Now that’s a nice story right? But it doesn’t stop there.
I feel in love with this story, so I posted a link to Potcake Place on our Facebook page (which ya’ll should be fans of, ya hear?) It was a quick link: “One of our clients recently took a trip to Turks and Caicos and ended up coming home with two Potcake puppies. Learn more!”
Now since I’m social network savy (not really, I just pretend to be…) I have our Facebook linked to our Twitter page. We have Twitter followers from all over the country. Another pet sitter, whom I have never met, saw my “tweet,” and retweeted it. (For you non-Twitter folk out there, basically she saw my link to Potcake Place and forwarded it on to her followers.) Next I get this:
JoggingDogs @Monster_Minders thanks to your post about Potcake Pups, I sent to a friend & she now has one enroute! Way to spread the word & save a dog!
How awesome is that?
A happy story, made even happier.
Check out Potcakes – planning a trip? Volunteer or transport potcakes back to the USA! But remember – tons of dogs in Philly need a hand two. Join us every Friday to volunteer at PAWS (2nd and Arch.)
Update 10/12 from my Twitter friend: JoggingDogs @Monster_Minders I love blog post, btw I got an email from my friend today & her potcake pup is arriving 10/14, I will be sure to post pics!
(And we’ll be sure to update with pics!)
Ok, time to be honest. I really LOVE the way my pets SMELL. And I can’t figure out if it’s a psychological conditioning thing. I associate them with happiness, warmth and snuggles – so my head associates their smell with goodness. I mean I wouldn’t want to bottle it and spay it on myself or jar it in a candle or something, but to me, my pets just smell…. safe.
Then I ask myself: What if my pets smell awful, and no one tells us?
Would someone else like the smell of my dogs? (In all fairness, my mom and my Grammy BOTH take big wiffs of Max when they see him… Maybe our whole family is just crazy. My grandmother – and I say this without a hint of sarcasm – one of the most wondeful women to ever walk the earth – always said, “I love the smell of a good dog.”)
If it’s easy to associate dog smells with good things, what other odd mental connections have I made in life?
So there it is folks – do you like the way your pets smell? Please tell me you do.
