The Pet Nanny would like you to know that if you are looking to get your pets up to date on their shots, in need of SpringTime Meds or just need some quick advice; PetMedMobile.com is headed your way.  Their mobile vet will be in the parking lot at Food Lion on April 18 from 4-5 pm.  Mark your calender or log onto www.petmedmobile.com for further details.

Pet Med Mobile upcoming visit to Tega Cay

What does “McKemey Strong” mean to you?  Here’s what it means to me:

I sit by and watch the McKemey family and close friends.  They are so visible.  They are so inspiring.  They are family to us.  They are us.  They are McKemey Strong!!! 

Every morning, I go to the YMCA, faithfully working hard to maintain physical fitness so I can live a long healthy life for my two small boys.  I used to see Karin there most every day.  I admire her faithfulness and dedication.  I never realized, watching her perusing her goals, like me, that she and her family would be the focal point of my family’s prayer time.  I am inspired by her strength.  We wish I were McKemey Strong!!!

I have watched as my sons have fallen off of their scooters, bikes, Healies, diving boards, water skis, dirt bikes, 4-wheelers, chairs, tables, countertops, and anything else they can manage to ride and crash.  All of which is expected with two very active boys.  As much as those bumps and bruises hurt our boys, you all know how the blood, bruises and black eyes and tears hurt Mom and Dad even more.  We’re learning to be McKemey Strong!!!

Along comes Connor McKemey…McKemey Strong as a Bear!!!

Who would ever think we’d have to help our little pumpkin fight for his life.  This doesn’t happen to us.  That’s the kind of thing that happens to someone else, somewhere else.  And yet, as a community, we watch this family, the McKemey’s.  They have been given a challenge the likes of which NONE of us could understand.  Everyday, they find a way to move forward.  They have altered their lifestyle, their schedules, and their living arraignments, everything they have come to know as a family.  THIS is McKemey Strong!!! 

I read the Caring Bridge pages, I watch the news, I look for a chance-sighting of one of the Mckemey family members, I talk to friends, I go to the blood drive, I pray with my wife and little boys, I donate anyway I can.  I realize how fragile our lives and families are and realize that no matter what, this is what really matters…Family…Friends…Faith…McKemey Strong!!!

This family and our own Connor have endured so much.  They are worthy of our support and love.  I am honored to have been touched and inspired by this family.  Dearest Connor, Karin, George, Tripp and Quinn, though I have never met any of you or your family, I am so inspired and encouraged by you and you are so close to all of us every minute of every day.  I suppose it must be hard to understand that we love you so.  You must know by now that if you as much as raise your hand, we will be there for you with whatever you need.  We wish we were McKemey Strong!!!

Thank you, McKemey Family, for the inspiration, lessons, love, faith and strength you have brought to our families.  God is using you all in a way you could never understand or we could explain.

I wish we all could be McKemey Strong as a Bear!!!

With much love,

Your friends and neighbors,

The Shirley Family;

Scott, Michelle, Noah and Blake

Click to go to the McKemey Strong website: www.mckemeystrong.com

Do you have pictures of your pet? How about a short story to go along with the picture? Would you like to share your picture and story with other pet lovers? Of course you would

Here’s how to post a picture of your pet on the Pet Nanny website…

Pick a good (quite, funny, special occasion, etc) picture of your pet along with a few notes about what makes your pet special or the story behind the picture.

You have two options to send me your pet picture and story:

Option 1 – Just email me a picture of your pet. Simply email it in JPEG, GIF, PNG format to photos@the-petnanny.com.

Please don’t forget to write a little story or note about your pet or the photo.

-OR-

Option 2 – Use the form on the pet picture page

That’s all there is to it. I look forward to receiving posting your  pet pictures and story.

Advantages of using the Pet Nanny – In home pet sitting:

• Pets are secure and happy in their own home.
• Your pets can maintain a regular feeding, exercise, and sleeping schedule.
• Because pets are in their own comfortable home and environment, stress is reduced for the pet and pet owner.
• Your pet receives loving, professional, personal attention, and care.
• At home pet sitting reduces exposure to pet illnesses compared to kennels or boarding.
• In home pet sitting eliminates the travel time, stress, and hassle of dropping off and picking up your pets at a kennel.
• In home pet sitting is affordable.
• You don’t have to impose on family or friends to watch or check on your pets.
• The Pet Nanny Service adds a layer of home security by collecting mail, turning on lights, and checking the home frequently as a crime deterrent.

To some up the benefits to you and your pet hiring a pet sitter:
Reduced stress

+ Personalized TLC attention

+ Less exposure to illness

+ No transportation hassles

+ House sitting bonus

+ Crime deterrent

= Peace of mind!

Please contact me for a quote. Or, schedule your next day of service and experience the Pet Nanny difference!

Holiday Greetings:

I wish to take an opportunity to all of my Pet Nanny clients and supporters whom I consider to be my family and friends. Thank you for all the ways you have supported our Pet Nanny business during 2008. With your continued support, we will be looking for ways to expand our resources, geographic coverage and services during 2009.

A very special thank you to Nelly Nevils for her continued faithfulness and reliability as a Pet Nanny helper.

A special thank you to J/R Printing and Mailing, Jim and Rae Tricarico for office supplies, stationary and your continued support in so many ways.

And a very special thank you to Scott Miller, the Miller family and Website Vantage Web Service for your web support and your friendship.

It is my sincerest hope that you all had a Joyous Christmas and Holiday Season. And I wish for you a Very Prosperous New Year.

Very Truly Yours,

Michelle Shirley

Right now I primarily service Tega Cay, Baxter Village, Knights Bridge and other communities on the west side of I 77 and highway 160 around Tega Cay. I would like to serve the east side of I -77 including Fort Mill and other communities like Springfield, Indian land, etc. I may even consider portions of Rock Hill.

To better service my customers in existing areas and service new customers in new areas the Pet Nanny is looking for part time helpers.

Some Qualifications:

• You must love pets.
• You must feel comfortable with large dogs.
• You must live in the service area
• You must have dependable transportation and insurance.
• You must have a cell phone.
• You must be available at least 2 hours 3 times a day each AM, afternoon, and evenings. Be on call 7 days a week especially on holidays.
• Please understand that we never take children, guests, or other pets into client’s homes.
• Honest, dependable, and customer service minded.

To apply, please call me, email, or fill out my contact form.

The-Petnanny

Michelle

Look for a professional sitter and not someone that considers pet sitting a hobby or a quick fun temporary way to earn money. Does the pet sitter have any type of pet care training or medical training. Is the sitter bonded or insured? Does the sitter have references you can contact? These are just a small sample of things to consider when hiring a pet sitter. For more information PetsitUSA.com has a good article on The Professional Pet sitter.

Here are some suggestions when you do hire a pet sitter:

• If you have a dog or cat you may want to make sure your pet is wearing a collar with an identity tag;
• Leave sufficient food and other supplies to cover the time you are away plus a few days extra in case you are delayed getting home.
• Leave emergency contact numbers for you and your pet’s vet.
• Advise the sitter of all known medical conditions, any peculiar habits your pet has, and anything else you can think of that will help your pet get along with the pet sitter.

You may want to consider scheduling a shorter pet sitting booking like a day or evening with your pet sitter and pet before you head out of town for a week or two.

Michelle has installed signs on her Hummer 3. They have created signs to place in strategic traffic locations in of our area. I have been feverishly updating Michelle’s web site.

By the way you are seeing this post on her new improved website and blog system. Michelle now has a reservation form built into her blog to help you and Michelle manage the many pet sitting reservation requests.

So last night we had dinner together and discussed other ways to promote Carmen’s and Michelle’s businesses. Scott jokingly talked about putting the Petnanny on the huge water tower behind their house which towers over the Tega Cay area. So when I woke up this moring, here is what I saw looking at their backyard.

Do you think the city will notice?

Please enjoy your Memorial holiday weekend and don’t forget to use the new reservations form when you you need a pet or house sitter.

Scott Miller

Marketing a small local business takes a lot of work. There are many bumps in the road when trying to market your business that limits what you can do.

Michelle Shirley started a pet sitting business last year called the Petnanny. She has tried many things to get her name out. Real estate type signs certainly do the trick but where do you put the signs? Tega Cay like many cities now days have sign restrictions that limit where you can put signs and when unless your a politician running for office.

Michelle and her husband Scott initial bought a pile of real estate signs. They religiously put out signs every weekend and took them down before Monday. They placed signs in and around the Baxter, Fort Mill, and Tega Cay area. Slowly they began seeing their sign inventory dwindle. The signs were being taken by various people. Their guess was city staff or just angered citizens who don’t like signs.

Finally Michelle was able to make a reciprocal ad arrangement with the Sunoco K Won Mart at the corner of Highway 160 and Gold Hill Road. The picture above is the sign that now sits daily at the convenience store with a fair amount of traffic passing by daily. Michelle and Scott say thanks to the K Won Mart for helping out.

Michelle’s pet sitting business called the Petnanny has been doing very well. Michelle says the best marketing investment so far has been the signs on Michelle’s Hummer 3 but the real estate signs are definitely an important part of her marketing success. Michelle is an experienced pet sitter and of course a pet lover. For more information visit her website at http://www.tegacaypetnanny.com/.

This post is by Scott Miller orginally posted at homesfortmill.com