It’s Christmas Eve and a day full of activities, family, eating, and of course waiting for Santa. You have to wonder what Freckles is thinking in the picture.

Is she waiting for her gift? Is she taking it easy by the tree while everyone is running around getting ready for the big night?  Or is she waiting for Santa hoping she can be part of the sleigh team? Or maybe she’s thinking “why did you put these antlers on me”?

I bet you can come up with many captions for this festive picture.

We hope this holiday is your best ever and wish you and your family a Merry Christmas!

picture of Freckles, one of the Pet Nanny’s happy clients!

Pet Med Mobile is part of the Richland Creek veterinarian Clinic based in Greenville SC. The clinic has a team of five licensed mobile veterinarians. The Pet Med Mobile vans travel from York County through the state and as far south as Aiken, offering mobile vaccination care at a scheduled day, time, and location.

Pet Med Mobile provides “preventive” health care for healthy dogs and cats. The Pet Med mobile is not a full service vet and a sick animal needs to be treated at your local veterinary clinic. The Pet Med Mobile has a pet manners guide (really a pet owners guide) that you need to read before coming to the mobile visit.

In our Fort Mill/Tega Cay area the Pet Med Mobile sets up in the Food Lion shopping center parking lot at the corner of Hwy 160 and Gold Hill Road. The next schedule mobile stop is January 3, 2010 at 4pm. Click here to check the Pet Med Mobile Schedule.

Artwork from www.akc.org

What’s your favorite dog? There are are many popular dogs. The America Kennel Club produces annually a top ten most popular dog list based on data from their registration information. After several years of having dogs of my own and taking care of my clients dogs, I decided to share with you my top ten dog list.

Here are the Pet Nanny’s top 10 dogs.

1. Golden Retriever
2. Labrador Retriever
3. Mastiff
4. Great Dane
5. Boxer
6. Burmese Mountain Dog
7. Dachshund
8. Standard Poodle
9. Blood Hound
10. Bulldog

Here is what the AKC has to say about Golden Retriever’s

The Golden Retriever, with its intelligence and eager to please attitude, is one of the most popular breeds in the United States according to AKC® registration statistics. The working ability that has made the Golden Retriever such a useful hunting companion also make him an ideal guide, assistance and search and rescue dog. The golden-colored coat is the hallmark of this versatile breed, and can range from light to dark gold.

A Look Back

The Golden Retriever originated in the Scottish Highlands in the late 1800s and was used predominantly for hunting. The breed was developed by Lord Tweedmouth, whose goal was to create a superb retriever suited to the Scottish climate, terrain and available game. He crossed his original “Yellow Retriever” with the Tweed Water Spaniel (now extinct) found on his estate. Later integrations of Irish Setter, Bloodhound, and more Tweed Water Spaniel produced the retriever we know today.

I’d like to hear what’s your favorite dog.

There is nothing like finding a comfortable rug, just in the right position, and right time time of day to catch a few warm sun rays. Milo from  Tega Cay is practicing for the warm lazy summer days on the Lake Wylie.

So who’s motto is: “Neither rain, nor sleet, nor gloom of night will keep me from
my appointed rounds.”

Is it:

• A:  The Pet Nanny
• B:  The Postman (postperson)
• C:  Both

The answer is “C” both A & B!

Close your window Michelle and stay warm!

More Shelter info:

Financial assistance to the HSYC is desperately needed! The Humane Society of York County, serving Fort Mill, Rock Hill and surrounding areas, receives NO funding from York County, the state of South Carolina, or any animal welfare organization. The sole source of funds for the HSYC is donations from local residents/businesses. The future of the Humane Society of York County depends on the public, please help us continue to help the homeless animals.

If you can not adopt a pet please consider a donation to the shelter. Here is HSYC ’s donation wish list

• Cat Litter and Small Litter Pans (not clumping type)
• Kitten Chow (Purina) & Puppy Chow (Purina)
• Purina Dog & Cat Chow
• Canned Puppy and Kitten Food
• KMR Kitten or Puppy Milk Replacer Formula (dry formula in can available at Petsmart)
• Pine-Sol and Bleach
• Newspapers
• Old Towels, Blankets and Sheets
• 55 gallon garbage bags
• Metal Bowls
• Dog and Cat Toys
• Dog and Cat Treats
• Cat Beds
• Laundry and Dish Detergent
• Paper towels
• Soft baby blankets & Fleece to make little blankets
• Moist towelettes or wipes (like Wet Ones)

HSYC Shelter is located at 2036 Carolina Place Fort Mill, SC.

Directions From I-77, Exit 85, take Hwy. 160 West towards Tega Cay. Turn right at the first stop light onto Carolina Place (Same road as BP, Lowes & Chick-fil-a.).  The shelter is down on the right at 2036 Carolina Place, Fort Mill, S.C.

Shelter Hours:

• Tuesday – Friday 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Saturday 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Sunday 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

The shelters website:

http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/SC76.html

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

Below is the national average top ten lists with a compare over the last decade.

Labrador retrievers have stayed number 1 over the last decade including the Charlotte Metro area and Fort Mill, SC.

There are approximately two breeds that have had significant movement on the top ten lists over the last ten years.

Boxers have inched their way up the top ten list and stayed in the middle of the chart for the last 5 years.

Bulldogs made a significant leap to the top ten list in the last couple years.

How does the Charlotte Metro area including Fort Mill and Tega Cay SC differ from the nation top ten most popular dog breed List?

There are two breeds that are on the Charlotte top ten list that are not on the national list. They are Miniature Schnauzer and Rottweiler.

The two breeds on the national top ten list but not on the Charlotte list are Beagle and Bulldog.

Data is from the AKC (American Kennel Club) For more in depth research on dog breeds go to the AKC website Link: http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=3408

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.

These are our two family pets. One is big and gentle, the other is smaller and fearless. One thing is consistent, they are family members and truly bring comfort, security and companionship to our boys and our home.