As many suspected, due to the influx of cancellations, many routes have been reduced to few or no walks. As walkers are paid per walk, this has left many of them with severely reduced paychecks.

In order to combat this, we have consolidated route to keep part of the team working as much as possible and laying off others so they may begin receiving benefits. Further, thanks in part to the incredible generosity of clients who have opted to halt service but continue to pay, walkers are receiving direct subsidies from RTP  bridge the financial gap.

It is impossible to say for sure whether everyone will be returning when the COVID-19 situation is concluded, but currently all walkers are working together and eager to return as soon as possible.

Dear Clients,

I hope you’re all doing well and staying healthy. We just wanted to take a moment to reach out amidst the growing COVID-19 crisis. Currently, we do not foresee any disruption in our ability to offer services. While you may be asked to work from home, we can continue our services as scheduled in order to keep your pet’s routine normal. This will aid in keeping your workday free from interruption by your four-legged friend.

Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) guidance for businesses and employers to respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Running the Pack has created the following internal action plan:

• Actively encouraging sick employees to remain home until they are free of all symptoms.
• Making hand sanitizer and sanitizer wipes readily available.
• Reviewing proper hygiene procedures with employees.
• Requiring any employee who displays respiratory disease symptoms or have recently traveled to the CDC Traveler Health Notice Locations, to return home and receive medical clearance before returning to work
• Requiring that employees with sick family members or individuals at home notify us and remain home to receive medical clearance before returning.
• Request that clients who show symptoms described by the CDC of COVID-19 to notify us as we are coming into your homes.

Additionally, due to the large number of cancellations we are seeing, routes will be consolidated. While we are actively doing our best to minimize the need to lay off any walkers, the financial burden COVID-19 is having on the company will likely make this unavoidable.

If you have any questions or concerns about this plan, please feel free to contact the office.

Sincerely,
Jill Hourihan
Running the Pack

       The past few weeks I have and several people ask me my thoughts about rescue dogs and about shelters in general.  The questions have varied from where a good shelter is located to my thoughts on mix breeds vs. purebred’s.

I will always be a supporter of rescue dogs.  Riley is a rescue dog and she was the best fit for me.  I also prefer getting a mixed breed rather than a purebred.  I have found that they have less health issues and usually are smarter.  Now, this is my own opinion after being around so many mixed breed and purebreds.  Also, by adopting a pup, you are giving it a second chance to a good life.  I am in no way bashing purebreds but I do feel that if you are going to buy a purebred from a breeder, do as much research on that breeder as possible to avoid inbreeding.
Originally, I am from Salem, MA.  Which is the home of the Northeast Animal Shelter.  I am a big fan of this shelter not only because its in my hometown but because of the attention and care they give their four legged friends.  They have been around for a while but they just recently built a new facility.  They always have a wide variety of breeds and they get puppies in regularly.  So no matter if you are looking for and adult dog, or you would prefer to start fresh with a little pup, this shelter may just have your new family member.

Northeast Animal Shelter
347 Highland Avenue, Salem, MA 01970
Phone: (978)745-9888
Monday – Friday: 11am – 8pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10am – 6pm

http://www.northeastanimalshelter.org/

       It seems as if we haven’t seen the sun in weeks.  And it feels like even longer since I have been out to eat with my Riley.  But, when a nice sunny weekend decides to appear, you will find Riley and I at the Parish Cafe for Lunch.        

       Located on Boylston Streen in Boston, Riley and I have only been there once before with one of my good friends and her chocolate lab Missy.  It was a total accident when we found this Cafe.  One sunny Saturday, we took the pups on a T ride into Boston to walk around the Public Garden.  After walking around for about an hour we walked around the corner onto Boylston Street and saw the Parish Cafe.  I was pretty exhausted from holding Riley back from trying to run after the ducks so we decided to have a seat on the outdoor patio and grab a bite.  The service was really great and they were happy to bring water for our thirsty pups.  We ordered a couple sandwiches that I couldn’t get over!  We learned that the sandwiches were created by a famous local chef which I thought was pretty cool.  The prices weren’t too expensive but not super cheap either.  Riley and I will definitely be back if we ever see the sun again.

Happy eating!

www.parishcafe.com

Every evening Riley and I go out for a walk and we meet new people and new pups just about everyday.  More recently we have been meeting people that have just moved to the Boston area.  Which made me think that they probably would like to know some of the history that Boston has to offer.   And I bet even existing Bostonians could use a refreshing course.
The Freedom Trail is a great way to take a self guided tour with your pup and get to know our great city.  The trail starts at the Visitor Information Center on the Boston Common and the red brick/painted line takes visitor to 16 Historical sites, including the Old South Meeting House, the Boston Massacre site, and the Paul Revere House.  The trail usually takes 2 to 3 hours but if you stop to take in each exhibit, a full day can be spent on the trail.  If you plan to go on a warm day I would suggest bring bottled water and a traveling bowl for your pup, and of course plenty of waste bags!

             One of the my favorite things to do when the weather starts to get warm and sunny out is go shopping!  So when I arrived home the other day after doing a little shopping for myself, I notice that Riley has had the same collar for quite some time now.  I’m not the only one that wants to look stylish on our walks, Riley does too! 
       I came across a website called Bowchies.  Their collars and harnesses were super cute and they were just what Riley was looking for.  I have told a lot of my friends about this site already, especially my friends with extra large pups.  They are always complaining to me that they can never find collars or harnesses that will fit their dogs.  Well, Bowchies will custom make a harnesses or collar so that your large pup can look just as good as the little guys.

       If you want to see some of what they have to offer in person, their products are sold in stores such as, Laundromutt, B.Y.O.D Dog Wash, Polka Dog Bakery and other stores around Massachusetts. 

Happy Shopping!

www.Bowchies.com

       Riley and I often love to explore all that Boston has to offer.  Our latest adventure was to Belle Isle Marsh Reservations.  I heard about this place from other dog owners around my neighborhood and they said that Riley and I should check it out.

The reservation is located in East Boston.  The interesting part about the reservation is that it is Boston’s last remaining salt marsh.  It is open year round and there are 152 acres of land for your pup to go absolutely crazy!  Riley was like a little school girl when I opened the car door.  She couldn’t wait to run through the tall grass and and get her paws wet in water that runs through the reservation.  We walked along the pathway and we saw a lot of beautiful flowers and plants.  There are also benches to rest on in case you get a little tired, or just want to sit back and watch your pup enjoy the greater outdoors.  They also provide guided tours, during the tour they will let you know all the history behind the reservation.  Word to the wise after visiting the reservation, check your pup for ticks.  The warm weather is hear and we all know what that means…Ticks!  Also, bring a towel.  Your pup might get a little dirty if they are the adventurous type.

Happy Hiking!

Bennington Street,

East Boston
617-727-5350