It’s been particularly busy the last few days. I had expected it to be busy – just not this busy.
The planned part of the weekend was my company re-branding. At long last, my business is now The Balanced Dog Ltd – a practice focused on professional dog massage and natural care.
When I started in business in 2007, it was as a maker of preservative-free dog treats and cakes and so the company name of Canine Catering suited…but by 2010, my dog massage practice was growing and it is this aspect of natural dog care that has become my passion.
The new name also reflects my interests in Traditional Chinese Medicine and nutrition. It’s all about balance and health.
But what I didn’t expect this weekend was my first truly viral post on Facebook. A client of mine shared this cartoon with me and it all took off from there:
You see, last month my column about this subject was published in NZ Dog World magazine. I’m increasingly concerned about how people are taking to Facebook for medical diagnosis (instead of seeking professional veterinary care).
It’s okay to seek advice from peers when your dog has a known condition. Support groups for all types of disorders exist on social media; I’ve used them myself.
And I guess a lot of people agree with me – I’ve tripled the number of Facebook likes on my page and have had over 1.5 million views. Not bad for an independent canine massage practitioner from little old New Zealand…
Thanks for reading my blog; I’ve been writing it for five years now and I still enjoy it and the connections I have made with some dedicated dog parents.
Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand
Oh…and here’s my column about “Dr Facebook” if you’re interested:
DoggyMom.com 