press paws

boomer!

2011-11-11T10:06:00.000-08:00

these two will return to stay with us this saturday thru thursday, and will be privy to our weekly meditation. beth and i started a sit/potluck every sunday at the behest of many recommendations. if you'd like to host, let us know! just some time to sit and behave, that's all- and we get plenty of that when BOBBY (underbite, "little lion" as he's been dubbed around here) and BOOMER (toy aussie) are around. most anyone who gets the chance to meet these little friends fall immediately in love-

hope you are enjoying the day as the clock literally resets (read: all ones) and we get a chance to clean our plates and look ahead to the positivity of warming our hearts by the fire. we are also available as caregivers to housesit your cabin up north, your getaway in Florida, your farm in Hawai'i...we've done it all and have references to back it up- peaceful journey...lots of love from us- your paws!

bobby!

2011-11-11T10:05:00.001-08:00

winter's invocation.

2011-10-18T09:21:00.000-07:00

obvious now that the days are shorter, we enter a slower time of the year, less light, less sun. the west winds gently usher us in...and in case you're just joining us, we are a non-profit animal liberation service. we specialize in caregiving and attention giving in general. no job too big.

we are mark & beth, and we live with our "queen" JoJo, a 10yr old husky. there's a shot of her just below this entry. we've been caring for animals, birds, reptiles, fish and cats alike for just over 4 years, since the inception of PRESS PAWSS in 2007.

caring for any animal is much like caring for a human. different days produce varied tendencies...not to dismiss diet, rest and activity. we are hip to all of this and realize that this is ENERGY WORK, not just caregiving. our mission to treat ALL beings with love (you too!) in an effort to "clean it up". translation: don't litter.

our world is harmed by the chemicals we put in our water, by the ongoing need for convenience and control- by how we choose to treat this great planet and all of the life that lives off of her. in an effort to extend far beyond love for your animal or pet, we encourage (and will practice in your home) recycling, composting, and reduction of waste in general. we hope to provide a relaxing space for you and yours.

current rates look something like this- although we always consider barters/offers:

one half-hour walk.......................................30
one day of sitting, including walks, meals and love......50
one week of attention, including car rides and fun......300

all prices are based per one animal, with discounted rates as the group increases. please don't hesitate to ask questions or text: 248.912.2300 (mark) 248.818.7182 (beth) this is an ongoing effort to maximize the quality of the experience. feedback and general comments on this blog are always encouraged. more photos to come.

a moment now to demystify that "donate" button that sits feverishly beneath our header. i know what you're thinking: "donate to what?" any donation via this secure PayPal site goes directly to achieving NPO status (officially, yeah) and linking to our side projects- which encapsulate a number of areas including: music, yoga, kids' entertainment, community gardens and bicycle donations. our parent company is PANTHER JAMES, whose website you will find very soon.

if you've read this far, thanks for your time. we are a full-service animal sanctuary. we promise to treat them like kings and queens of the castle. this is our livelihood! enjoy the evening, the morning, and every day herein! namaste-

Jo & Soph

2011-09-08T13:01:00.000-07:00

this is JoJo and Sophie, two of our house mascots. we see them a whole lot and have gotten to know their ways. it seems they are old pals, cuz when they reunite there's always ESP, the staredown, and a mystery bag of mischief. we love you two!

still in our heart's heart.

2011-04-26T11:44:00.000-07:00

this is ELLIE. she passed a few years back. and with more joining the ranks, with more of our favorite living beings passing, it's only fitting to tribute. Ellie was in her teens when we saw her last. our honeymoon took us to HI, and we had only found out the following year of her passage to the next dimension. she was always careful with her steps, and happy to see you, as we'd meander down the hall to the elevator (no stairwell, thank you) and down around the favorite loop. much love to Julie for allowing us to connect with this sweet gal.

Forbes & Co.

2011-04-10T09:40:00.000-07:00

we've recently wrapped up ten days with Forbes & Co., our favorite young man hailing from the woods of NW Commerce twp...and he's proven to have just as much pep in his step as the last time we were here. Along with him is Casey, and Scotchy, and a handful of phish! lucky to be surrounded by this crew, the rewards are in the company, the requests, the little moments that let us know us humans are not the only ones who wanna feel pleasure and avoid pain! extra special thanks to H & N for their continued support, gift-giving, and compassion in general. we appreciate you all- see you next time-

fore! fore!

2011-04-04T20:34:00.000-07:00

what a funny thing to shout as your drive heads for another golfer. yes, folks, it's golf season.. and not only that, but "national dogwalking month". okay, it's really not that (every month is), but we got a little hidden prize here: spring. slow to come in MI, but certain. and doing nothing, spring comes, and the grass grows itself. the mating season! this is why your friends are extra active (and crazy). so be certain to exercise utmost loving kindness to your pet.

surfing craigslist's "pets" section, it's obvious how many animals out there really need attention. this is of the utmost importance (well..along with eating animals, and killing them, and overpopulation, and serious distraction) to us, as humans, to lead this resurgence in awareness. it seems we are at the point when we can make that fatal move, to give up or to give all! all one or none!! all-one!!! (thanks Bronners)

music reviews belong in petblogs, right? Mike Gordon whales away, 16nov2011, somewhere in the midwest. a quality complimentary download. hints of 70s funk. country pick'n and grinnin'. chunky cowbell, creepy keys. spoonfuls of sandanista psychedelia. his solo project is beautiful- not to mention his 20 some (infinite) years in a band of gypsies. he met some dudes in college. many laughs later, a solo project. sounds like they're having fun- 2 hours and not a beat skipped.

but anyway. what separates us from animals? how can we not see these same complex emotions, anxiety, and confusion, and neglect? perhaps all emotions are complex...and all it takes is heart to simplify them. so what we're lookin' for here is some earth, heart, hear, earth ear, hear art. starting to notice the daylight hanging on. the caged bird sings, the dogs run, the cats hunt.

new moon fever.

2011-03-04T19:40:00.000-08:00

my sisters' newest venture, and if you're reading this before the end of March, that means there's still time! they are trying to raise $12,000 in pledges in a few weeks' time via Kickstarter. their project aims to bring raw juice back to Detroit, at Eastern Market of all places, a beautiful place in the heart of a chronically misunderstood city.

if you've never been on a saturday morning, please try to make it. human-watching alone is worth it! not to mention...sometimes there are mounted policeman. i mean horsies. anywho, if you can pledge any support, please do so. halfway to the goal, over $7K has been pledged by various pop stars, energy workers, office clerks and everyday people (like us! like you!) who believe the tiniest bit helps. if you ARE interested in offering to pledge (which will only be summoned after the goal is met), please visit:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/drought/drought-five-sisters-bring-raw-juice-to-detroit

every little bit helps. your dollar, or benjamin, or just your optimistic spirt.

"first there is a mountain, then there is no mountain...then there is." -Donovan

first full moon.

2011-01-21T19:07:00.000-08:00

with the first full moon of the new year having passed, focus remains on "staying grounded" and no better teacher to guide than K9s. just seeing JO (our husky) is a reminder that ALL living beings desire to be pleased and not injured.

how are we so different from other animals?

"patience" is another word that comes to mind...a story to share:
ordering takeout at OM is a favorite among us Ferndealers, and so naturally i conceded to a delightful order of NORI rolls and nachos. welp, 45 minutes later, the nachos were cold (and without any veggies or beans) and patience was running thin.

(please note: this is some of the best VGN food in metro detroit, but they are only open one day a week, and chronically under-staffed, so naturally, they were slammed, and empathy is there for'm, but anyhow..)

stepping out into 13degree weather and starting the 10-block commute home, the thoughts continued: "why didn't they just.." and "how come they just can't.." into a state of madness, such insanity! turning the corner to find a planet-sized moon (it really is that big) on the eastern horizon was a huge relief...

it's as if the moon was saying, "there are bigger things than this!" lesson learned. from now on, following the K9 way, sitting, doing nothing, the takeout comes, spring comes, and the grass grows itself.

Avery and Oberon.

2011-01-17T19:42:00.000-08:00

hey all, just here with the sweetest two a K9lvr could possibly ask for. He (o) is a white boxer, hard of hearing, with a tail like a whip (not docked! yay!) and a breath like a yoga master...she (a) is an older rhodesian gal, who's not afraid to wrestle and wrangle for the sake of still having a bit of fun...

had the pleasure of being with these two earlier last spring, with the 7-mile entrance to rotary park available (secret Livonian passage) and blazing hot, humid sun the whole week- and now for the yin counterpart, 20 degree days and dry, dumped a good 10 inches of snow...this didn't stop these two!

we tramped on through the drifts and found a neat loop just north of 10mile, just west of Middlebelt, a perfect oval called "creekside" or "brookside" or along side of some soon-to-be-ousted natural beauty. it's wild how they name the street after the original plot of land, but then it becomes the opposite? hmmph.

after 30 minutes or so of brisk hike, the body adjusts. there is an ice-shield of moustache beneath the nose, there are no sidewalks sometimes, but there are still slow drivers out there (thank jah) and occasionally the crazy neighbor who just wants to talk about K9s. there's always that one.

true story: dogs pull man on longboard. at top speed (maybe 20mph), man looks back to see a pair of Goldens following in hot pursuit. obviously these two had breached the invisible "fence". beware the invisible fence...on the way back, these horses (dogs, but they seemed like untamed mustangs) grazed and whinnied at us as we passed back by. they could care less. they're free! love to all K9s everywhere.

the days are getting longer.

2011-01-09T15:04:00.000-08:00

hey friends- it's been some time. sitting here with AVE and OBE, our old pals, after returning for an hour loop. lots of k9s in this sub...most of whom are booted outside in the cold! if you know of a neighbor or family member who does this, say something...no animal (or human, eh?) deserves to be bone-chilling numb!

carry an extra pair of gloves in the car, or take some warm soup up to the homeless man. every li'l bit helps. we have an old friend from PDX in, "E", and it is apparent how undeniably lucky we are to be able to have warm meals, warm showers, yes, even the worldwidewebs seems to be pushing us towards this ever-growing convenience. it may not be worth it to bundle up and get out there, but you might just change someone's day...

parallel to this ongoing need for sustainability, for peace, and enough water and juice for everyone is a group of gals who wanna bring freshness back to Detroit. and New York. and wherever you happen to be, really. ALOHA and a happy, healthy new year.

(droughtjuice.com)

the most wonderful time of the year.

2010-10-26T12:40:00.000-07:00

so much to see, so much color, best time of the year. new to the roster is SPIKE and ZOE from N. Sterling Hts, both shorthaired and black in color, practically resembling each other as brother and sister! they are sweet and a big thanks to Ed and Molly for letting me work with these two sweeties. images to come soon...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=lf#!/photo.php?fbid=1378776036120&set=a.1383483193796.2057119.1433487969

..meantime, we are on facebook! duh, right? yeah, we'll see how long it lasts. the link above takes you to Cass Lake, where i encountered a guest who just wanted a little love. that's what we all want, right? animals and humans alike? to be loved, to be recognized as the all-that-is?

summer, faster than others.

2010-09-02T20:46:00.000-07:00

quick update: summer has flown by, and we've been lucky enough to see Forbes, Lula, and some other repeat visits from our fave animal friends in the past few months. we've included the "donate" button on this page for the kind souls who know we work on a sliding scale basis. feel free to chip in, help us with our own animal ventures. in the meantime, we will spread some love to our friends and family by directing you to their newer web-based ventures:

peacechakrayoga.com -providing universities with yoga-based curriculum.

iuseyoga.com -addiction with intention. a full line of tees, hoodies, goodies!

fingerrosaries.com -complimentary prayer rings, creating inner peace.

walshcompanies.info -appliances, advice, assistance, integrity.

we hope you visit our family and friends and report back with your canine (all animals welcome!) needs...can't wait to meet your furry, feathery, fantastic friends! yours truly-m, b & Jo-see you real soon! (book us: presspaws@gmail.com)

may showers.

2010-05-03T09:20:00.000-07:00

the first big rains have come, and our adventures with canines and felines alike have increased! since we are a not-for-profit animal liberation collective, we have decided to add the "donate" button over there to the upper right of your screen. this will allow you to assist us even if we can't make it to your home!

we are currently booking for June and July. if you are headed up north or out west or overseas (!), beth and mark are here to give your furry friend, bird or fish the love it deserves. you can call us at home directly: 248.439.1136 or try dropping us an email (presspaws@gmail) to set aside those days...spaces fill fast...

a big "mahalo" to those of our clients who have chosen us and repeatedly come back! we at PRESS PAWS thrive on word of mouth and referrals. if you can't donate, or book us, tell a friend. we're here to help. may all beings be peaceful...

BELLA and LACY

2010-04-30T11:16:00.000-07:00

phew! april has been a busy month. but spring is here and the sun feels good. we've concluded our spring "run" with BELLA, a young gal with a freckled tongue, and LACY, the older of the two, lighter in color, who recently lost her left eye to melanoma. not to worry, though, for this pair was ready the moment we stepped in the door! they have 7 acres to romp around, dip in the swamp, rest in the shade, soak up the sun...sky's the limit. they are both BIG fans of treats and adventures in the woods. this last week they explored Cass Benton and Hudson Mills, and the smiles are proof that they agree: to be outside is the BEST. not to be forgotten is SAMUEL, the patriarchal feline, who deftly showed how a computer bag doubles as a bed! big thanks to Gary & Hollis for letting us stay in your home.

LUNA and KAIA

2010-04-21T16:51:00.000-07:00

in september of 2008 we took a caretaking position on the beautiful southeast shore of Moloka'i, for a month, and in the process met the goddess guards, Luna & Kaia. Kaia would follow me miles into the woods while Luna would stay on alert. we still are loving them, very much so...their hearts are big and their love is overwhelming! we are humbled to meet them, and see them again we shall....aloha nui loa

MOLLY and RILEY

2010-04-12T14:11:00.000-07:00

again blessed to meet another family! molly was reunited with her brother, riley, years ago, as the universe would have it! these two live close enough to the lake to take a morning dip after breakfast. they are BIG fans of the KONGs and sleeping close to you. Mahalo...Steve, Nancy and babies! we had a great time and will see you soon...

OBERON and AVERY

2010-04-12T14:04:00.000-07:00

we were lucky enough to hang with these two sweeties for an Easter weekend! oberon is a partially deaf 2yr old male boxer. avery is a rhodesian mama, a strong but sensitive 8yr old girl. we stayed active by taking the 7mile entrance to Rotary Park, a secret that only Liivonian Natives could find useful. Mahalo, crew, Andrea & Ranjit! see you soon...

profile: FORBES

2010-03-22T10:04:00.000-07:00

this beautiful guy is a playful pup we've just met, and lives with two feline friends! CASEY and SCOTCHY (below)help make him extra sweet. he's always ready to play, and has a big back yard to run laps with the deck. see you in the summer, crew!

profile: BAROLO

2010-02-26T14:13:00.000-08:00

this young man was very helpful in comforting us as our travels brought us through Portland, OR. this two year old Boxer resides in the coziest part of SE Portland, and lives with a young lady (canine) named Arabis. Barolo (buh ROE low) is notorious for his unmatchable speed and strength! his favorite moments find him playing fetch (one time, if you're lucky to get that stick back..) and trotting away, searching for the newest toy to "borrow", and settling into the couch or bed of his choice! his eyes are the first to proclaim his need for love...

profile: DALE

2010-02-24T09:53:00.000-08:00

...the last we heard, Dale was on an incredible journey across the mainland, from OR to MI, and back again! Melissa, his owner, was one of our first friends to open their homes in the Portland area. She is a travel writer, and is headed over to Thailand to catch an adventure of her own! Dale's favorite activites include hiking up to Triple Falls, going for swims, playing with other friends, and being the "lookout" on the front porch of 222-228 NE 29th complex. He is an impending force on the outside, all sweetheart inside. We miss you, bud!

profile: NIZHONI

2010-02-18T09:07:00.000-08:00

as part of our ongoing mission to give dogs (and all animals) the love and care they deserve, we will be highlighting a few of our favorite pals. let us know if you'd like your friend to appear on this site, and we will gladly put him/her up! we are committed to providing metro detroit with the best individualized animal care available...at rates you can keep up with. hoping you are having a wonderful day, every day! ~sincerely yours, mark j.

Nizhoni (nuh JOE nee)

"it was a sunday evening when i received a call from my friend. 'guess what we found?' was the first i heard of this little girl! 8 years later, we continue to be best friends! she was a street dog, found leaping into a friend's car. she was taken home, fed, and loved. over the years she gained back her natural weight, getting more to eat than just garbage! she loves belly rubs, cheese, and bounding through the woods and snow. 'joni' will tell you if she approves by her infamous husky vocalizations. she is the daily reminder that life is simple, fun and beautiful!" -beth

contact info!

2010-02-07T12:06:00.000-08:00

aloha nui loa!

we are here to help you with your favorite friend. we are available for holidays, special events, and any day or night you are looking for a caregiver for your pet. we practice non-violent animal liberation, and have many references to assure you we're legit! please don't hesitate to contact us...we're here for you!

with gratitude,

mark & beth

mark: presspaws@gmail.com

beth: peacetreats@gmail.com

we love dogs!

2010-02-03T12:23:00.000-08:00

JUST WANTED TO INTRODUCE YOU TO SOME OF OUR FAVORITE FRIENDS. WE CAN HANDLE ANY SIZE, PERSONALITY, BREED...NO DOG (or cat!) IS TOO MUCH FOR US. FROM HAWAII, TO OREGON AND NOW BACK IN MICHIGAN... WE HAVE ENJOYED WALKING AND WATCHING PUPS FOR MANY YEARS!

IF YOU'RE GONE ALL DAY AND KNOW THAT YOUR POOCH IS HOME SAD AND LONELY, GIVE US A CALL. WE CAN COME UP WITH A FAIR PRICE THAT YOU CAN AFFORD, WE GUARANTEE YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS' DELIGHT!

feedback :)

2010-01-28T16:08:00.001-08:00

"My neurotic Irish Setter Casey was sooo happy to meet Beth and Mark he invited them over every day for some loving and walking and cuddling. The peaceful and nurturing philosphy of Mark and Beth did wonders to calm Casey and he stopped his destructive behavior, which included jumping through screens, jumping a four foot fence (about a dozen times - he even ended up in Lockup and it cost me $35 to bail him out!), damaging furniture and destroying vertical blinds and mini blinds. And
all this started when he was eleven years old!" -Hazel B. (Bloomfield Hills, MI)

"Beth and Mark have been caring for our 3 german shepards for over 2 years. They are there for walks, rain or shine - hot or cold. They treat our animals as if they were their own! We as well as Jonah, Sophie and Gracie are very grateful for PressPaws." -Julie F. (Birmingham, MI)

feedback :)

2010-01-28T15:53:00.000-08:00

we've been lucky to have some of the friendliest clients around. here's what people have been saying about your favorite dogwalking team...

"Press Paws is our new favorite. We were so happy to return home from a long weekend and find all the animals (3 goats, 30 chickens, 1 duck, 2 cats and louie the dog) all happy. We were also pleased to see that some things were left better than found…thanks for planting that plant that would have croaked in the heat. We highly recommend Press Paws to all our pet owner pals." -Jeff G. (Beaver Creek, OR)

"I work as a tax accountant, and Mark & Beth at Press Paws helped me out a great deal during a very busy tax season when I had to stay at work and put in long hours. I didn't have to worry about my dog, Trigger, at all, as they fed him and made sure he got outside for some exercise. Mark and Beth are extremely helpful!" -Matty P. (Berkley, MI)

we're home!

2010-01-28T15:40:00.000-08:00

in 2007, mark & beth started PRESS PAWS in birmingham, MI...an outlet for dogs to walk, animals to receive love, and their owners to take a break. after spending most of 2009 in portland, OR, they returned home to MI, and are here to help...

aloha! we will be using this site to post client feedback, absorb questions and ideas, and continue our mission to liberate animals everywhere...and to continue to nourish our mother earth. please don't hesitate to direct queries or ideas to mark: presspaws@gmail.com :)