Category Archives: South Loop Scoop

Keep up with what’s happening at Out-U-Go South Loop – Hyde Park.

Happy September Parents!

doggy-school-bus-costume
It’s hard to believe it is September and another summer has flown by all too quickly! The human kids have sharpened their pencils, are sporting their new backpacks, and have headed back to school. We “grown-ups” are very quickly settling back into our normal work / life schedules. New routines don’t only affect the small and large humans in our homes, they impact our dog kids as well. (Cats too, though they very well may welcome some peace and quiet). Cesar Milan wrote a great article on the Back to School Doggie Blues. – One of his suggestions for alleviating puppy blues is an afternoon walk and visit.

Let us know how we can help make your fall transition a little easier.

– Your BFFs at Out-U-Go!

September’s P.O.T.M. is…

Wrigley

wrigley-oug-sept-2015-potm

Type: Newfoundland-ish
Age: 4 years

fun fact:
Wrigley is known for laying on his back, paws straight up in the air, to stay cool on a warm summer day. He also enjoys long walks in the park, when bacon accidentally falls on the ground, and anything that squeaks!

south loop pet sitter aya

OUG! South Loop & Hyde Park Celebrates Awesome Pet Sitter, Aya!

Many of you know her! She is a dog walking, kitty scratching, house sitting extraordinaire!

We just celebrated our second year anniversary with this fantastic lady on our staff. I know I speak for everyone when I say THANK YOU for these incredible two years!

Out-U-Go! Celebrates National Pet Month

When you see us out in your neighborhood, you have probably noticed that no matter how much we love movin’ & shakin’ on our walks, we can’t help but stop and sniff the May flowers with your pups. With blossoms in bloom, we get to thinking about how much we love our furry kiddos and all the love they give us back (usually in the form of sloppy kisses and wiggly behinds!).

In honor of this special bond, we’re on Facebook & Twitter celebrating National Pet Month! We’re sharing some surprising benefits that our four-legged family members offer us, in addition to top tips for humans to further better the lives of our beloved furbabies. Get in on the conversation!

south-loop-hyde-park-blind-dog-flik

Meet South Loop & Hyde Park’s Blind Pup Pal, Mr. Flik!

Mr. Flik, one of our newest buddies in the South Loop & Hyde Park neighborhood, is a blind pup but the most courageous explorer we’ve ever met! We are so lucky to be the Clark to this Captain Lewis of a little peanut!

Flik is like a mini-navigator although he cannot see. Remember the games you used to play where someone would give instructions to their partner who wasn’t able to see? That’s what we do with him! We tell him when to turn, what’s coming toward him, and lead him to his potty destination.

If that weren’t fun enough, we get to see the faces of the passerby as we say, “Flik, you are approaching mulch.” It’s pretty awesome in a very ridiculous way. Our gang has shared stories about our time with him and all of them end in fits of laughter!

Welcome to the Pack, Flik!

Animals around the world

Rescuing Isn’t Just For the Dogs: Earth Day Edition!

Happy Earth Day Month, Pet Parents!

Typically when we talk rescue stories, it’s in reference to our beloved pup and kitty pals. Earth Day, though, provides a great opportunity to consider a broader spectrum to include our wildlife pals, too!

Like pets, there are animals in nature needing human love and support. Sea lions are one such example, and The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago has an incredible program to rescue them. The aquarium notably adopted a blind sea lion pup, Cruz, who wouldn’t have survived in the wild on his own. With the help of the Shedd team, he’s found a safe home filled with friends, both human and fellow sea lion. To see more about Cruz, check out his story.

Shedd Aquarium sea lion pup rescue, Cruz

Extra special wildlife wags this month!

Doge weather

Dear Doge, Is it Spring (Break) yet?

Furry intel has it that we’ve got a few more weeks of winter weather ahead of us (Punxsutawney Phil reports and Doge confirms). Thinking about heading for the beach this Spring Break? Let your B.F.F.s (Best Friend’s Friends!) at Out-U-Go! hang out with your four-legged family! While you’re away catching some rays, we’ll be here giving your pups and kitties all the love, chin scratches, and belly rubs they could ever imagine. And cookies. There will be cookies.

Schedule your vacation care visits or house sitting today! We book up quickly during this popular travel time, so give us a “woof!”

South Loop small dog

Meet our New South Loop & Hyde Park Pack Leader Hannah’s Pup, Figgins!

South Loop & Hyde Park’s new Pack Leader, Hannah, joined us at the start of the New Year. She brings with her some serious love for pups, kitties, and all pets furry! She also brings her best bud: a cute black pug, Figgins! Stay tuned as we share more about our new Pack Leader, but in the meantime, here’s a photo of Figgins hard at work in our office!

cold dog in Chicago area snow

Chicagoland Chills: Ice, Snow, & Cold..Oh, my!

When people know you’re in the dog walking world, they talk to you a lot about the weather. In the summer, we often hear “Dog walking must be the perfect job!” In the winter (especially this winter with Chicagoland’s Polar Vortex) that often turns to, “Dog walking must be really hard!”

Yes, the winter challenges our Pet Sitters. You’ve got to bundle up, find a parking spot in the mounds of snow, take your boots off in the house, put on the pups’ coats & booties, encourage pups to take care of business in the cold, wipe the snow off pups (stop to blow your nose), take your boots off again, take the pups’ layers off, etc. It’s a few extra steps, BUT, we love it! We are so lucky to swoop into your home in the middle of the day and let your pup know he or she is loved and cared for.

However your pups feel about the cold, they love to see their favorite Pet Sitter each time he or she visits. As for us, getting licks on our frozen noses makes winter weather worth it!

And kitty visits this time of year? Now THOSE are the cat’s meow! 😉