Pet Sitter and Dog Walker in Lakeville, Burnsville, Prior Lake MN

Jack – A Cocker Spaniel with a great spirit

Mobert — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:23:34 +0000

I had the pleasure of taking care of Jack this past year, a wonderful Cocker Spaniel, who had an indomitable spirit. Jack was 16 years old (that’s 80 years old in human years) but so young at heart. He had to have surgery to remove a “bad” eye, but the thing about Jack is – he kept right on going. Jack inspired me with his ability to get up and get excited about going for a walk. He took me on many walks and especially loved to go behind his house – down the winding woodland paths.

Jack on his way to the woodland path.

Jack looked out and listened to the sounds of nature.

The path led to a pond and wildlife. He knew his yard like the back of his “paw”. He often started out a little slow but then all of a sudden he would start to trot as though he was a young man again. The sun would shine on his face, the Spring scents were in the air, the geese were honking – all was right with the world. Yes, Jack was very happy dog – a very special dog. I will miss him.

Happy Trails Jack.

Jack resting on his favorite bed after a long walk,
dreaming of his youth and running with wild abandon.

The new arrivals in the barn – a horse story

Mobert — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 14:28:35 +0000

I got word that there were some newborn horses over at Cross Creek Farm. I met my friend Holly over there, as she volunteered to help with the mothers and babies. It was quite a treat to see the mommas and babies bonding together. Each horse had their own unique personality and the babies were very curious and friendly. Some were skiddish as I’m sure it took time to get used to their new world on the Farm.

Momma and baby horse in their cozy stall at Cross Creek Farm. Lakeville MN

Holly and baby horse

Curious baby horse

What to do if your cat is lost.

Mobert — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:36:16 +0000

Teddy is a sweet tabby cat

These events are true. My customer’s cat, Teddy, ran out the door last week when she let the dog out in the evening, and they did not notice he was gone until the next morning. These tips on finding your pet are for Dakota County residents but could be applied in many places. Teddy was gone – now what?

Actual email to my customer:

Hi Heidi,

I just checked for where people might drop off a lost cat.

I called Lakeville Animal Control (which is the same as the police) 952-985-4800.

Long story short – I called them and they said if an animal is lost they recommend people bring it to Dakota Pet Hospital. So, I called Dakota Pet Hospital (952-469-1525) and they told me they only take in injured cats. Healthy cats are on their own and must depend on the kindness of strangers.

From what I can gather – if someone finds a cat – they will probably keep it or it could end up at a shelter.

I got the names and phone numbers of 3 possible shelters from the Pet Hospital.
Last Hope – 651–463-8747
Rainbow Rescue – 952–440-3824
Second Chance – 651–771-5662

So, our best course of action right now is to make a flyer and put around your neighborhood. I don’t know if there is an association there that could distribute a pdf but that might help. Is there a neighborhood email list?

I don’t want to overload you with info but wanted to get the options out there.

I’m going to go back over and check again shortly. I have to start my visits.

Talk to you soon. Let me know if you want me to make a flyer. If so, could you send me some copy for it?
Maureen

UPDATE:
Heidi made flyers and put them all over her development. I helped put flyers in people’s boxes and doors. One week to the day that Teddy left, a neighbor who had seen the flyer, called to say that he saw Teddy. Heidi met the neighbor at the location about 4 blocks from her house. Teddy came to her. He had lost weight and been living on his own for a week.

We never gave up on Teddy and the main thing I learned form this it to put a flyer out with your pet’s photo on it. Spread the word and people will help look. If it weren’t for the neighbor who had seen the flyer – Teddy would still be outside trying to survive as the weather was getting colder.

Fox Story

Mobert — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 13:18:22 +0000

A couple of weekends ago, I saw a fox out my front office window. I had seen this fox many times go by my window and consider him part of the neighborhood. This time was different though. The fox was convulsing and writhing in pain. When I went outside to investigate; the fox appeared unconscious but was still convulsing. Buzz and I put the fox in a box and rushed it to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Roseville. They responded to my inquiry a few days later. Although we can’t say for sure why the fox died – they suspected it could be some kind of toxin, like eating a poisoned mouse. I can’t help but think about people’s pets in the neighborhood and worry for their safety. Foxes eat lots of mice which is a great natural control method. If you know of anyone using poisons – please tell them about this sad story and the dangers it may cause.

Red Fox

Foxes like to eat mice and other rodents.

Hello Maureen,

We regret to inform you that the Gray fox you brought to us was unable to be rehabilitated. The vets administered emergency care giving drugs to help with the seizures and other issues. Despite this care the fox died shortly after admission. The vets cannot say for certain but do suspect some type of toxicity possibly poison from eating another animal that had been poisoned like a mouse or other small mammal. Thank you for rescuing the fox and bringing it to our center.

Sincerely,

Lynnette

Staff Wildlife Rehabilitator

Help support Minnesota’s wildlife by making a donation to the center at

http://www.wrcmn.org/ or by giving your time as a volunteer.

Volunteer information and application is available on our website.

Horse Story

Mobert — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 15:59:22 +0000

Here’s a little reprieve from the winter’s snow and ice. The photos were taken when Buzz and I were checking the nature preserve for invasive plants. We were near a horse pasture and they seemed to gravitate towards us – beckoning the others to come over and visit.

: Hey Ed – Check this out.

: Ed beckons the others.

: Oh Boy!

: What’s that thing you’re clicking?

The Frog in the Bluebird House

Mobert — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 15:58:08 +0000

Last year, a family of bluebirds nested right outside my office window. It was so much fun to watch them build their nest. The eggs hatched and mom and dad both helped feed the babies. The first clutch was successful and they all flew the coop. Typically, bluebirds will have 2 clutches a season. The nest needs to be cleaned out and they will build a new nest.

Soon after building their second nest, I observed the bluebird poking his head in and out but not going inside. He looked perplexed. I went out to investigate. When I opened the door to the house, to my surprise – I found a frog inside the house. I assisted in getting him to a nice safe place and figured it was just a fluke. The next day, I observed the bluebird doing the same thing – poking his head in and out over and over again. I opened the door to the house and who do you suppose was there? Mr. Frog was back in the exact same spot. I discovered it was a Gray treefrog who happens to be very fond of wood, trees and bark. I moved the frog even further away and the bluebirds had another successful clutch. Perhaps Mr. Frog turned into a handsome prince and lived happily ever after.

The

Pinky and Winky

Mobert — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 15:56:47 +0000

About 3 years ago, I started taking photos of the critters we have running around in the yard. It is fun to see how wild animals respond to people. Some are not phased at all and don’t flinch a feather or paw when humans are close by. It is as if we are all living in perfect harmony.

To start the new year off, here is an introduction to one of the regulars.

The Squirrels – Pinky and her baby Winky.
One day I saw Pinky moving her babies into the brand new woodpecker house. They really liked their new digs.

The squirrels in the yard are numerous and provide hours of amusement with their antics and gymnastic feats. We have had some incredible jumpers who we have dubbed Rocky and Waldo. My husband is constantly trying to outwit them by strategically moving bird feeders around and as he says, “The squirrel always gets the last laugh.”

The Bee Tree

Mobert — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 15:54:32 +0000

I was walking past my Peegee Hydrangia bush, which had grown to a very large size, and heard a distict buzzing noise. It was as though the entire bush was ready to ‘take off’. The humming was very loud. I looked at the flowers and noticed that upon each one were a variety of bees, hornets and wasps. I had never seen so many in one place. Every day I check back and there are hundreds of bees swarming the ‘bee tree’. We even saw the elusive honey bee. Oh, how happy that made me. The varieties were too numerous to count.

The Bee Tree (Peegee Hydrangia)
swarming with bees.

I don’t use pesticides in the yard so we have a lot of very interesting bugs, amphibians and birds. I also noticed a huge amount of toads and frogs in the yard this year. I love seeing the variety of critters that can thrive when the environment is inviting. Ours is a very friendly house for all the critters.

Monarch Butterfly Emerges

Mobert — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 15:52:41 +0000

I saw several monarch butterflies alight upon my swamp milkweek.

Monarch Butterfly on Swamp Milkweed

The Monarch Caterpillar

Mobert — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 15:50:39 +0000

I really like milkweed. It smells heavenly. It started coming up in the front garden a few years ago and I started to see monarch butterflies. The other day, as I was walking into the garage – I noticed one beautiful monarch caterpillar munching on the milkweed.

: Monarch caterpillar on milkweed

: Monarch Caterpillar munching on milkweed

Here is an interesting time-lapsed video (on YouTube) of a monarch caterpillar forming a chrysalis.