Ok, let’s talk...
We all know that your furry companions are very special to you. Human children are wonderful too but they tend to talk a lot and demand a lot of special treatment. Fido on the other hand will quietly sit next to you while you watch the latest episode of “This is Me” and not complain one bit when you have to rewind it to catch the good parts again for the fourth time. They will never compare you to other Moms & Dads who let their kids spend the night without cleaning their room or who insist that they pick up their spilled crackers from the playroom before getting to watch Sofia the First. For that matter Fido will never let crumbs linger on your floor & will personally set about correcting that injustice without the slightest bit of instruction on your part.
So for all that love, and adoration and attention, what can you do when you are searching for your new home in Prince William County to ensure that your 4-legged furry children are also going to be happy to move into their new digs?
Dog Parks. Check for locations while comparing homes. Maybe it’s important to you to find a home within walking distance to the dog park. Or maybe you don’t mind a short drive since Fido loves the open air window drives anyway. Only you can decide but it’s nice to know what is nearby…before you fall in love with that craftsman style home in Bristow, Virginia that has the built-in bookshelves you’ve always dreamed about.
National Parks. Maybe Fido is more of an outdoorsy, free-spirited type who turns his snout up at conventional dog parks. Maybe a national park where he can hike beside you, pretending to be the dog companion of Henry David Thoreau is more his cup of tea. If so, then somewhere like Conway-Robinson State Forest in Gainesville, Virginia or Prince William Forest Park conveniently located in Triangle, Virginia near Quantico & the U.S. Marine Corps base might be a perfect choice! (Side shout out to USMC & my sweet hubby who is a former Marine!!).
Vet Care. Research vet care prior to actual move date so that you are set up in advance. Having a pet emergency in a new area & not knowing where the nearest care is can be scary & overwhelming…Especially if you’re Fido & you are seeing hallucinations after sniffing - ok licking - ok ok ok nibbling!! - that tiny little cute tree frog he came across while you were on your rustic walk-about in Prince William Forest Park.
Fido First. If at all possible, try to unpack one room in your new home quickly so that your pet can have space to be calm. And it will make hilarious instagram & Facebook photo moments to show Fido chilling out on his dog bed while in the background you are buried by boxes, all sadly marked “miscellaneous,” thus leaving you with literally no clue what is in those 25 boxes of uncharacterized stuff.
"Danger Will Robinson." Always remember that a new home can bring new dangers, especially if you have an untrained puppy. Be sure to look for items that can be dangerous if chewed or swallowed that might fall near the pup while moving & unpacking. Return to crate training for a few nights at least until you are sure you have dog proofed your new home.
Book Fido for a Stay-Ca. If things are getting too hectic during the early days, feel free to board Fido. I mean, really, he doesn’t want to listen to you bickering with your spouse over who packed the dishes in the same box with the old college textbooks. He’s never understood your obsession with reading anyway, and as for dishes, you would’t have that problem if you stuck to stainless steel bowls like he does. If you do need to board Fido in Prince William County, some options would be Morganna Animal Clinic & Boarding Kennel in Manassas, Virginia. Or Dogtopia of Gainesville, Virginia. Or Grandma's if that's an option - you know, the steak bones they drop on the floor "accidentally"?
And yes, I suppose this article also applies to cats. But with Whiskers it’s just too darn hard to tell what she’s thinking. She may be loving your new home or she may be thinking she could do better next door. The mystery of cats. What can you do.
When you want a real estate agent who will treat you like a dear friend, call me, text me or email me. Or ask Fido to do it. I speak Doggie as well. #HaleyPerezHomeFinder (571) 348-0220. www.facebook.com/HaleyPerezHomeFinder. Coldwell Banker Elite, 7500 Iron Bar Lane, Suite 209, Gainesville, VA 20155.
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