This year marks Scalawags' third birthday and we are very excited to be celebrating this milestone with the addition of Scalawags At Your Service...Dog Walking & Pet Sitting.

Our new pet sitting service is in response to customer requests for an alternative to doggie daycare and traditional kennels. While boarding works well for some pets but others are more comfortable in familiar surroundings. Scalawags offers a variety of options for pet owners who prefer to keep their pets at home while they work or travel.

Services include:

• Daily Dog Walking & Check-in Visits
• Overnight Care
• Fun Field Trips to Local Beaches & Parks
• Pet Taxi Trips to the Vet and Groomer
  

Additionally, our "Pal-Around" program has been designed specifically for visitors to the area who need pet care while they go to the beach, out to dinner or take a daytrip and don't want to bring Fido along. 

Pet families are encouraged to "register" their pets with Scalawags in advance of their initial service. We offer complimentary "meet & greets" so we can get to know your family and routines. Scalawags is licensed, bonded and insured.

For more information about Scalawags' At Your Service Pet Sitting, please call us at 207.967.2775 or visit our "At Your Service" section at www.ScalawagsOnline.com.

If you are living or vacationing on the East Coast then you know we are in the middle of a potentially record-breaking heat wave. One of the big dangers of this extreme weather is dehydration. Dehydration can result in both humans and canines with too much heat exposure.

Tips to Keep Your Dog Cool & Avoid Dehydration

• Take walks early in the morning or after the sun goes down. Bring water for both you and your dog! Take shorter walks, if necessary. Less is more in this weather!
• Make sure your dog has access to plenty of clean, fresh water throughout the day; check water bowls more frequently and consider leaving an extra bowl or two out.
• Remind your dog to drink water. This sounds silly but sometimes a simple verbal cue or leading your dog to the water bowl gets him lapping.
• Give your dog ice cubes to chomp on throughout the day.
• Move your dog's bed and toys to a cooler spot in the house.
• Take your dog for a swim or if your dog is agreeable, wet her down with a hose or sprinkler.
• Do not leave your dog in a hot car! Even if you leave the AC on, it can malfunction and your dog could become severely dehydrated or worse.

Signs & Symptoms of Dehydration

• Change in urination habits (more or less)
• Excessive thirst and mouth dryness
• Loss of skin elasticity
• Sunken eyes

How To Determine Dehydration

Pull up on the skin at the back of your dog's neck; it should spring back to the normal position immediately (1-2 secs.). If it doesn't, she is dehydrated. Dehydration can be more difficult to assess in geriatric, malnourished and obese dogs. If you suspect your dog is dehydrated, take her to the vet immediately. Your vet will determine how severely she is dehydrated. Fluids may need to be administered under the skin or intravenously. A list of local veterinarians and hospitals can be found in our "Kennebunkport" section of this website.

Remember, if you are in Kennebunkport and need water for your pup, stop by Scalawags. We always have a water bowl out and are happy to refill your portable water bottles.

Stay cool & hydrated!

One of the best things about moving to Maine three years ago has been the opportunity to share the area's sandy beaches with my dogs. Jack and Rose are the most joyful when they are running on the beach. No other activity makes them as happy and there is no place they would rather be than at their favorite place, Goose Rocks Beach (GRB).

Unfortunately, several home owners have sued the Town of Kennebunkport to prevent public access to the vast majority of Goose Rocks Beach. This turn of events is distressing to me on so many levels.

As a resident of Kennebunkport the thought of losing access to one of the town's best assets makes me question whether I would want to continue to live here. I also nervously wonder what will happen to my home's value and appeal should I decide to move.

As a shop owner in Kennebunkport, I think about all of the visitors who flock to Southern Maine in large part because of the beautiful beaches. If these people are not allowed to enjoy GRB as they have for so many years in the past, they will find other destinations for their family vacations and romantic getaways. If these visitors don't come, what will become of our hotels, restaurants and shops and the people who work in them?

As a dog owner, it makes me really sad to think Jack, Rose and I would never be welcome again to take a long walk on Goose Rocks Beach. Our GRB adventures would just be memories of eight paws and ten toes in the sand.

As a resident, shop owner and dog owner, I support the Save Our Beaches organization and its efforts. Save Our Beaches is a group of concerned citizens whose goal is to maintain the long established history of public access and use of Goose Rocks Beach for recreation and enjoyment.

This issue impacts not only local residents but residents in coastal communities throughout the country as well as anyone who enjoys visiting our country's beautiful beach towns. If this happens here, it can happen (and has happened already) in other coastal communities.

Don't bury your head in the sand! Lend your support by visiting the Save Our Beaches, website at http://www.save-our-beaches.org and Facebook page.

Well, hot off the press is the official 2010 Visit The Kennebunks Guide! Published by the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport Chamber of Commerce, the VTK Guide includes everything you need to know to plan your 2010 trip to The Kennebunks.

This helpful publication includes resources for accommodations, restaurants, shopping, sports and so much more for the communities of Kennebunkport, Goose Rocks Beach, Cape Porpoise, Kennebunk, Kennebunk Beach and Arundel. There is even a "Pets Welcome" section (pps. 20-21) for folks traveling with pets. Be sure to look for Scalawags' ad on page 21.

The VTK Guides are available through the Chamber of Commerce or you can pick one up the next time you are in Scalawags. If you are shopping at http://www.scalawagsonline.com/, you can request a copy of the Guide with your order and we will be happy to send one to you.

So, stop wishin' and start plannin'!