Do I Need To Groom My Cat Daily?
You're thinking... "huh, my cat grooms herself all day long, why does she need to be brushed?" We've got your grooming question answered! If your feline is long-haired, you should brush her at least a few times a week. If you have a short-haired kitty, then once a...
Top 3 Types of Pet Allergies
Just like us, many of our pets have spring allergies - they are quite common. But determining the cause of those allergies may take a little detective work. The 3 main types of pet allergies are flea, food, and environmental. Just like allergies in people, they may...
Are My Cats Fighting – That is the Question
Do you ever wonder if you're watching a full on cat fight? If you have two or more cats, you may have seen this happen. One minute they are just lounging around; the next minute, they are on the floor biting and kicking. How can you tell if this is just for fun or...
5 Reasons Your Dog Won’t Stop Licking You
There isn't much in this world that tops a kiss from your best friend. Most people attribute licking as a way to show affection; dogs love licking. They lick themselves, lick you, lick other dogs, so is that all about affection, or could there be other reasons for...
Cool Calico Cat Facts
Calico cats are really cool - they have such beautiful markings (tri-color)! But did you know that calicoes are individual in many other ways too? Almost all calico cats are female. The orange and black markings are located on the X-chromosome and female cats, just...
We Were Featured Again in Pet Sitter’s International Magazine
Our Feature in Pet Sitters International Magazine: Meet Jennifer Betts Jennifer Betts, owner of Run and Play in Takoma Park, Maryland, is a master’s level licensed graduate social worker, and started her pet-sitting business as a sole proprietorship in 2014 after...
Crate Expectations
Crate Expectations Crate training your pet is widely recommended by dog trainers and veterinarians. Yet many people resist using a crate because they feel confinement is cruel or unfair. However many people happily put their child in a playpen to keep them safe, so...
Heat Exhaustion – Recognize the Signs
Every summer, we talk about pets and how to recognize the signs of heat exhaustion; after all, they are wearing fur coats! Heat exhaustion is what happens before heatstroke, and it's best to learn to recognize it before it advances further, because heat stroke is...
Separation Anxiety after Quarantine
There have been many joys with the "stay at home" order and one has been the delight of extra time spent with our pets. They have made us laugh and have kept us company throughout this ordeal, but we're all pretty tired from this quarantine. But as restrictions are...
Ready, Set, Bark!
Text us today and mention the word "barketing" and get 10% off your first 2 weeks of service. Be sure to include your location (either exact address, closest intersection or building), days of the week for walking, cat care, or boarding dates desired as well as the age & breed of your pet. We'll get right back to you.
Washington, DC
Monthly Yappy Hour with Tito's Vodka at metrobar — Sun, Aug 9
Washington, DC. A monthly happy hour with cocktail specials, pet treats, and vendors; proceeds support the Humane Rescue Alliance.
🔗 Yappy Hour at The Stacks — Fri, Aug 14
Dry Dock Park, DC. An evening social with a live DJ, cocktails, cornhole, and giveaways while dogs mingle.
Maryland
Woof Wednesdays with the Chesapeake Baysox — Wed, Aug 5 & Aug 19
Prince George's Stadium, Bowie, MD. Leashed, vaccinated dogs are welcome at these Bark in the Park baseball games.
🔗 Cat Video Fest 2026 — Thu–Fri, Aug 6–7
Warehouse Cinemas, Frederick, MD. A family-friendly film screening of the best cat videos culled from submissions, sourced animations, and music videos — a portion of ticket proceeds benefits local cats in need. (Worth noting: this one's cat-themed rather than dog-themed, but a fun outing if your pup's okay staying home for a couple hours!) One heads-up on timing: Cat Video Fest runs Thursday and Friday (Aug 6–7) rather than the weekend itself — this coming weekend (Aug 8–9) it won't be showing, so you'd want to catch it before then.
🔗 Dog Days at Linganore — Fri, Aug 7 & Fri, Aug 21, 5–8pm
Linganore Winecellars, Mt Airy, MD. Select Friday evenings from May through September, the winery hosts local animal rescues on the lawn. 20% of purchases made during the event go to the featured rescue.
🔗 Pooch Pool Party — Sat–Sun, Aug 22–23
Upper County Outdoor Pool, Gaithersburg, MD. The pool opens exclusively to dogs to swim and play before winter closure.
🔗 Register
Doggie Paddle Swim — Sat, Aug 22, 9–10:30am
Whetstone Pool, Montgomery Village, MD. A one-day pool swim with access to the wading pool; every pup gets a "Puppachino" after. Registration required.
🔗 Register
2026 Puppy Plunge — Sun, Aug 23, 11am–2pm
YMCA Camp Letts, Edgewater, MD. SPCA of Anne Arundel County's annual beach bash — live music, food, vendors, and beach access for dogs. $15/car, proceeds benefit the SPCA.
🔗 Northern Virginia
Summer Renaissance Festival at Shipgarten — Sat, Aug 15
McLean, VA. A medieval-themed outdoor festival with games, food, a costume contest, an off-leash area, and pup cups. Fun for the whole family!!!
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