For those of you who have come to this site as Pitter Patter family members , you can tell your family and friends that if they would really like to help you out, they can now purchase gift certificates in the $10, $20 and $50 denomenations. All they would need to do is go to the Pitter Patter Contact page and send me an email or give me a call. We can make arrangements for the payment and shipping of the gift certificate(s). For those of you who are just browsing the site, loving the cool logo  and wondering where you can get a cool t-shirt, sweatshirt or baseball hat, again please contact us and arrangements can be made for almost any apparel. This year, Pitter Patter will take a step into the apparel arena and provide the people what they want.

I would like to take a brief moment to thank Your Moving Depot for their timely and critical assistance in designing the gift certificates and providing us with access to their apparel. Kim, in particular, was of immense help.

Be on the look-out in 2008 for some new and exciting promotions. Pitter Patter is not just a dog walking company. We want people from all walks of life to join the family. With the assistance of Substance Media, Pitter Patter will be taken to the next level this year and then globally in the years to come.

It’s the age old question that everyone asks themselves. Where do I begin? And the answer, through the annals of time, has always remained the same. Start at the beginning and you will find your way. So, in an effort to wish you all a Happy New Year, I would like to take a moment to enlighten you on my windy road called 2007.

What a great time, a great year! Even before the year started I was struggling to figure out what I was going to do after being “let go” from my previous job of 8 years. But after taking my Rhodesian Ridgeback to the dog parks and conservation areas around the Greater Toronto Area and noticing these people with sometimes 10-15 dogs at a time, I realized that I could do that too. There was borne the thought that I had tried to cultivate many times. Corey, as an entrepreneur. I mean, I had a dog over the last 15 years. I trained my own dog (a Rottweiler who never ever walked on a lead). I loved all types of dogs, enjoyed being with people, loved the out of doors, wanted a job that I could take my dog to work with me. This is it! I’m going to start my own dog walking company. And Pitter Patter Companion Care & Services was born.

It is one thing to actually go into the government offices and register a company. It is a completely ‘nuther thing to know what you are doing, how to start, where to get help, etc. So the first thing I did was list the company on Kijiji.com. Within 24 hours I had my first client and newest ‘family’ member. And what a challenge for my first situation. 2 dogs I really didn’t have much experience with; Chihuahuas. They weren’t allowed outside because it was a cold winter. All I had to do is go and play with them and clean up their washroom area. But for 3 weeks Keira wouldn’t even let me go near her. I was so worried. But in the end, she came around and rushed to the door when she heard me steps away from putting the key in the lock.

Along the way, I picked up several more dogs; from Gilly, the Irish Spaniel with the tortured past to Holly (mix) & Emma (German Short-haired Pointer) who just never stops running to Padre, a misunderstood soul. Each one of the new Pitter Patter family dogs has their own personality that sets them apart from each other. It’s akin to having to learn canine customer service as I did with people during my time at the telco that I worked for. One of the greatest draws for me as a dog walker is to see dogs either blossom into social butterflies or see a dog that their companion thought was meek and mild join the pack and stake a claim on their small piece.

I was so lucky with the clients that came on. All so eager to learn more about their dogs, all so willing to accept me, engage me, all so accommodating. Can it always be this way? What a great way to start anyway!

We finally get to the end of the year and you have Christmas. Everyone was so generous! During the only time that I was sick enough to miss a walk this year, every client that was affected, was so unbelievably flexible. Through Pitter Patter, my belief in people has been renewed. I guess, at times like these, you have to look back in retrospect and take account of where you have been to see if you are still on the right track. I have been able to look back and find that Pitter Patter has grown in size and comfort since day one to today. I am comfortable with what I have learned, what I have still yet to learn. I am comfortable with the direction Pitter Patter is taking and will take. I hope that those of you who are Pitter Patter family members enjoy the ride with me and those that are yet to become members will jump in with both feet and know that Pitter Patter is always here to ensure the comfort of your companion.