Valley Patriot Doggie Columnist Tracey Zysk of North Andover, owner of Wiggles & Jiggles Pet Care has won a national award by Pet Sitter’s International for promoting quality pet care through community events. Zysk has been named the recipient of the 2013 Platinum PAW Award. This prestigious award is presented to one individual pet sitter or pet-sitter […]
By: Tracey Zysk – January, 2014 On December 30, 2013 I received a call from Lt. Gray of the North Andover Police dept. Lt. Gray went on to tell me that retired K-9 Kyzer had passed away. Shocked, I took a second before responding, took a deep breath and wiped the tears from my eyes. […]
By: Tracey Zysk – September, 2013 September is National Guide Dog Month which is an honorary way to celebrate the work of guide dogs in the United States. This includes a way to raise awareness, appreciation and support for guide dogs, the function they perform, and the training schools they attend across the United States. […]
By: Tracey Zysk – July, 2013 Holy Hot! As my Boston Terrier, Lani, was panting while trying to cool down after our walk, I gave her fresh water with ice cubes. As she was drinking from the bowl and playing with her ice cubes, I decided to look for some recipes that could make this […]
By: Tracey Zysk – June, 2013 What a Purr-fect time to bring a feline into your home. June is National Adopt a Cat Month. Rescue leagues nationwide in collaboration with the American Humane Society will be promoting this annual adoption event in hopes to find 1000’s of cats and kittens their forever home. In the […]
By: Tracey Zysk – May 2013 On September 24, 2011 I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Karen Smith of the Massachusetts Animal Coalition at the New England Pet Expo in Wilmington, MA. When I stopped at Karen’s booth it was well decorated and nicely organized, but more importantly, it was more informative than […]
By: Tracey Zysk – April 2013 Puppy season, puppy season, puppy season – everyone loves puppy season! How can you not? These cute, adorable, fluff balls that snuggle up with you, are just so precious. But there is a lot more to being an owner to one of these cuties. That’s something we all […]
By: Tracey Zysk – March 2013 For the past five weeks, weekend after weekend we have had a snowstorm, flurries and even a record breaking blizzard. If you are as anxious as me then you are just totally ready for spring to arrive. Book that trip, why not? You deserve it! Have pets? Don’t […]
ALL PHOTOS (C) COPYRIGHT RON MUSHOW PHOTOGRAPHY & THE VALLEY PATRIOT (PHOTO GALLERY) More than 400 people tuned out Friday night to attend the Valley Patriot 9th Anniversary BASH where the editors of the monthly newspaper (Tom Duggan, Dr. Charles Ormsby and Ralph Wilbur) honored police officers, firefighters, veterans, and those who […]
Tracey Zysk – February 2013 If you haven’t already received a bill from your town for your dog’s 2013 dog license, you will be receiving it soon. People ask me all the time, “Why do I even need to do this?” or “Why is the town making money off of my dog?” This isn’t about […]
By: Tracey Zysk – January 2013 As the season changes and the snow and cold approaches us, we must consider how this affects our dogs. Like humans, dogs can experience hypothermia and frostbite. They can also become victims of inappropriate shelter, lack of water and become poisoned by heating oil and antifreeze. When going […]
By: Tracy Zysk- December, 2012 Matt Davis and the North Andover Fire Department will be hosting their “4th Annual Toy Drive for Local Children.” Firefighter Matt Davis started this drive four years ago with a vision that every child would wake up Christmas morning with a toy. No child should go without. Working with […]
By: Tracey Zysk, Doggie Columnist – November, 2012 Traveling for the holidays? Leaving your pets in the care of family, friends or a pet care service? Or if you are just staying at home during the storms: Please plan ahead for what mother nature may send our way. This past week when Hurricane Sandy hit, […]
By: Tracey Zysk, Valley Patriot Doggie Columnist – September, 2012 In the past few months the Merrimack Valley experienced the unexplainable and unbelievable. The loss of four very well established and experienced K-9 dogs. Three to cancer and one to retirement. It normally doesn’t happen this way, but in this case it did. This is […]
By: Tracey Zysk – April, 2012 Spring is here and with the sun, warm weather, and fresh air comes the ultimate SPRING CLEAN. As you are beginning to tear apart those closets or starting all those lawn routines, we must not forget our pets. Those sneaky snoopers can and probably will sniff, lick or even […]