Amy Munns–named the 2026 Pet Sitter of the Year by Pet Sitters International, (PSI),
considered the world’s leading educational association for professional pet sitters and dog walkers—recalls that animals were always around while she was growing up in San Antonio, yet reflecting a cultural and generational propensity, their dog wasn’t allowed inside the house. That situation evolved, and Munns and her sister were soon looking after family dogs—that had a full run of the Munns house, where Amy continued to live while attending college. She majored in Business, noting that core courses in accounting, marketing, and other disciplines later proved instrumental when, in 2001,
she launched her pet sitting business, Leash4Lease, Inc. In the initial years of Leash4Lease, she was flying solo, handling all facets of 
the nascent enterprise by herself, Munns says, but well-equipped to do so, owing to her academic training. Those formative years of Leash4Lease (the name was her husband’s idea) can serve as a sharp reminder of how far and fast technology has developed, and what Munns may have been up against compared to now in a then largely non-digital world: Most people didn’t have cell phones. Ditto, email. One of the first steps she took was becoming a member of Pet Sitters International, explaining that an immediate major perk was PSI providing Leash4Lease business insurance coverage. Munns goes on to offer a detailed account of the careful process by which she was considered for—and, ultimately, selected–Pet Sitter of the Year. She muses on what sort of benefits she and her company may reap in the wake of being accorded this monumental accolade. (https://www.leash4lease.com/, https://www.facebook.com/Leash4Lease, https://www.instagram.com/leash4leasepetcare)
ALSO: I spoke with Natalie Conner, the owner of Mutts & Martinis, a dog-friendly sports bar in Saint Petersburg, with a waterpark and four off-leash play zones—and 28 TVs. She outlined the required vaccinations dogs need for admittance to the bar. Conner observes that Mutts & Martinis regularly hosts an array of events, usually aimed at dogs and/or humans that can be enjoyed with a cocktail in hand (humans only; they frown on dogs boozing), including the Small Dog Race Weekend, happening Jan. 24 & 25. And she unveiled a weekend-long Olympics extravaganza, Feb. 14 & 15, tied to the actual games in Italy. She circles back to describe more about Small Dog Race Weekend, including elaborating on the size limitation of the canine contestants, whereas pooches of all sizes are eligible to participate in the M&M Olympics. (https://muttsandmartinisoncentral.com/, https://www.instagram.com/muttsmartiniscentral/)
COMEDY CORNER: Demetri Martin’s “Pets To Cats” (DS edit) (https://demetrimartin.com/)
MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme”
NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: We didn’t play “Name That Animal Tune” today.
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