Local pet sitters, dog walker in Washington, WAsit, walk, care, daycare

The best time to think about the safety of your dog is before a disaster strikes. Before Hurricane Katrina, there was no law that said that all pets and service animals needed to be evacuated, rescued, and sheltered during an emergency or disaster. When the deadly storm hit the state of Louisiana, an estimated of 600,000 animals were left behind, deserted, and thousands died from drowning, starvation, and sickness.

If you own a Labrador Retriever, Irish Water Spaniel, or a Portuguese Water Dog, doing some type of water activities is one of the best ways for you and your dog to spend time together. Whether he is playing along the rolling waves of the ocean or fetching a stick in a shallow creek, spending time in the water with your canine buddy is a great way to enjoy the great outdoors.

Most dogs love to run, and some breeds are physically bred for speed and endurance, such as the Greyhound, who can run up to 45 mph. Other dogs that are built for speed are the Afghan Hound and the Saluki. But regardless of the breed or the size of your dog, expect that he can enjoy a good jog in the park, or even a quick run around the block. And if riding a bicycle is something that you enjoy doing, taking your dog with you (depending on his size and physical condition) is a wonderful way to spend time with him while getting and good workout yourself at the same time.