An Introduction: Goals, plans, and reviews.

Before I even begin saying what I had to say here, I need to highlight the atmosphere in which I am writing this introduction. Aside from a bowl of salsa and an ill-advised glass of soda sitting next to me, I have a Border Collie lying on my foot, a cat sitting in the chair beside me, and the smallest canine member of our family tucked away in his bed by the (unlit) fireplace. Animal lovers and writers will understand what I mean when I say that I couldn't have asked for more perfect company.

I've already gone and done my introduction! My name is Christina Boling and I am defined by my love for animals and affinity for the written word. I am also the owner of Connecticut Pet Sitter, LLC and "mom" to three dogs, two cats, and a bird. In the past three years, my general love of animals has grown into a passion for dogs. I have volunteered for a number of dog rescues and shelters, including Sunshine Golden Retriever Rescue and the Connecticut Humane Society. In 2008 I successfully started Finding Neemo Herding Breed Rescue, geared towards dogs with performance potential. To date, we have pulled over thirty cats and dogs from high-kill shelters and adopted them into loving homes.

I currently volunteer for Wind Over Wings, a raptor rehabilitation center in southern Connecticut, and the Connecticut Cat Connection in Windsor, CT. I also occasionally provide transport services to the Dog Rescue Railroad, a fantastic group where rescues and shelters can post transport requests to get a dog off death row and into a foster home.

It is here that I will be posting my first link. As can be expected, the Dog Rescue Railroad is always looking for volunteers and there is no specific time commitment required each week. Drivers may offer to assist with transports when it works for them. Each leg is about an hour to an hour and a half long and you use your own vehicle to transport the dogs (most of the time there are only one or two dogs per transport). Please consider helping these dogs get to their foster homes! Click here for more information. The link leads to a Yahoo group, so you will need to have a Yahoo ID to join. Transports are posted throughout the day and include runs all over the United States, though most are along the east coast.

I am very excited to be starting this blog. This first entry actually marks the day that I am officially comfortable opening the Connecticut Pet Sitter, LLC website for public viewing. The site is not finished, per say (any webmaster will tell you that their work is never finished), but it is at a navigable stage. Unfortunately, my next task will include stepping out of my HTML comfort zone to install a submission form in the "Contact" section of the site. Rest assured I will be making an update about such an exciting accomplishment when it is completed.

Aside from raving (and most likely ranting) about web development, I plan to provide some thought provoking posts on a variety of subjects. Though, of course, the main purpose of this blog will include exclusives on the pets that I have the pleasure of looking after.

All thoughts, opinions, reviews, comments, and questions are absolutely welcome! I look forward to updating this blog again!