• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • I Want To
    • Sponsor I Love Fair Oaks
    • Send You a Video Idea
    • Feature My Home
    • Nominate a Student
    • Write For I Love Fair Oaks
    • Submit Event
    • Join Our Newsletter
  • Live Here
    • Fair Oaks Homes For Sale
    • Fair Oaks Realtor
    • Fair Oaks Real Estate Market Summary
  • Explore Fair Oaks
    • Arts and Entertainment
    • Automotive
    • Home and Garden
    • Eating and Drinking
    • Events and Activities
    • Health and Beauty
    • Clubs and Organizations
    • Pets
    • Professional Services
    • Schools
    • Shopping
  • Featured Videos
  • Blog
  • About
    • Fair Oaks Live
  • Contact

I Love Fair Oaks

Everything there is to love about living in Fair Oaks, CA Spotlight on local businesses, recreation, and activities in Fair Oaks, California. Love you live!

Dogs

Puttin on the Dog for Yappy Hour at Shangrila Fair Oaks

November 5, 2019 By Chrysti Tovani

Bring the whole family to enjoy the child and dog-friendly patio paradise with bocce ball and fire pits. Shangrila Fair Oaks is the neighborhood hotspot in Fair Oaks Village.

To celebrate Halloween, Shangrila Fair Oaks teamed up with Sacramento’s Front Street Animal Shelter for “Yappy Hour!”

Sacramento Front Street Animal Shelter – Adoptable Dogs

People brought their dogs dressed in costumes for happy hour. There were games and face painting along with tables where you could purchase items for your pets and donate money to Sacramento’s Front Street Animal Shelter.

There were dogs and kittens available for adoption. I hope they found good homes. The little dog who was blind was so sweet and just loved being held.

Kitten from Sacramento’s Front Street Animal Shelter

This Standard Poodle dressed in prison stripes was the sure winner of the costume contest. I have a confession. I was drawn over to the bar and ordered a hamburger and socialized. So I didn’t take pictures of all the activities. I didn’t even take a picture of my food. It was so delicious and I was having good conversations. Shangrila Fair Oaks is a fun place! They have signature cocktails that are refreshing. Ask the bartender.

The dogs were social and seemed to have fun too!

Sommer Peterson has done a wonderful job transforming the old mortuary into a beautiful place to hang out. It was featured on KCRA’s Word of Mouth. Watch the video here. https://www.kcra.com/article/word-of-mouth-shangri-la-sacramento/29864287# My friends, Jessica Briggs, from Blog About it All, and Ashley Newell were guest stars. It was exciting to see them on TV.

Sommer Peterson, Owner of Shangri-la Fair Oaks

Visit the website to see the menu and be sure to follow Shangrila Fair Oaks on Facebook. Are you interested in hosting an event? Check out their event page.

Filed Under: Dogs, Fair Oaks Businesses, Food & Drink, Fundraisers, Pets Tagged With: #fairoakslifestyle, fair oaks california, fair oaks village, ilovefairoaks

Pet Portraits (On a Budget)

October 17, 2018 By Anastasia Golosna

Behind the scenes looks aren’t always glamorous – but they are important, and always fun to see.

young woman wearing a tierra with her dog also wearing a tierra and getting a pet portrait

August 27th, 2018 my sweet, dorky, lovable German Shepherd, Emma, turned 8 years old and we had a blast! This year I decided to do a photoshoot with her along with her annual routine of treats, toys, walks, and birthday chicken dinner.

It was challenging. Treats were crucial. Commands were not always followed. Lots of laughing. Lots of hugs and compliments. It was amazing.

young woman wearing a tierra with her dog also wearing a tierra and getting a pet portrait
young woman wearing a tierra with her dog also wearing a tierra and getting a pet portrait

I recruited a dear friend of mine who had come over for tea and to wish Emma a happy birthday as my assistant and we went to my local Dollar Tree for some supplies – birthday headbands, a tassel garland, a “Hollywood” cardboard photo frame, and party blowouts, totaling to $4.08. Awesome.

Next, I set up my backdrop stand, 2 ProMaster strobes with an umbrella diffuser on each one, and my backdrop. By backdrop, I mean two 48 in. x 84 in. curtains, that I found on sale for $10 each, at my local Big Lots, (I swear!) right in my living room. I don’t need a big fancy studio to get professional shots done and neither do you!

I set the lights, my camera settings, took a few photos and then handed over my camera to my sweet friend so that I could jump into some shots. Here are some RAW, out of the camera, untouched photos of the actual struggle and process of pet photography, the set up, and the fun that we had.

young woman wearing a tierra with her dog also wearing a tierra and getting a pet portrait
young woman wearing a tierra with her dog also wearing a tierra and getting a pet portrait
young woman wearing a tierra with her dog also wearing a tierra and getting a pet portrait
young woman wearing a tierra with her dog also wearing a tierra and getting a pet portrait

We finished up the photoshoot, sang happy birthday, gave Emma her chicken, and as my friend drove home and Emma went to take a nap, I eagerly jumped on the computer to go through the photos and do a little photoshop magic!

Here’s a quick “before and after” Photoshop! Using just the crop and cloning tools, along with some exposure adjustments in Camera Raw.

young woman wearing a tierra with her dog also wearing a tierra and getting a pet portrait
young woman wearing a tierra with her dog also wearing a tierra and getting a pet portrait

Working on a budget will 100% require you to do more work, develop your skills in post production, and challenge you creatively, but it can be done – and with great results!

Emma and I believe in you.

Filed Under: Cats, Dogs, Find a Pro, Life & Style, Lifestyle, Pets, Photography

How We Found One of the Best Veterinarians in Fair Oaks, CA

September 1, 2018 By Chrysti Tovani

My cat Bailey in his carrier on the way to Mercy Animal Hospital in Fair Oaks

What do you do when your pet needs emergency care?

Well, usually, we are in the midst of being traumatized ourselves and don’t have a clue what to do or who to call. Who do we call? How do we keep everyone calm and make rational decisions? How much is this going to cost? We want the best care of course. We want our precious fur baby to be okay. Oh my gosh! It’s just awful to go through an ordeal with our loved ones. And to most of us, our pets are our babies. They are important family members. To see them in shock or pain is just unimaginable. Be prepared and have a plan. Just like kids, or anyone. Pets can have an accident. Even inside the home.

I’m going to tell you a tale about a cat that lost his tail.

Bailey, our sweet, ginger cat, was in the home office with my husband. They usually spend time together while the hubby collects his game bonuses and checks his facebook after he gets home from work. When they were coming out of the room, Bailey walked through the door as my husband was closing it and his tail got snagged near the door hinge. My husband says, he didn’t hear anything, but he looked down to see Bailey laying on the floor looking dazed and confused. The tip of his tail was also on the floor, and the tip of the bone exposed on his tail. Are you cringing?  Imagine being there. It’s common for cats to have accidents involving their tails. It’s called a tail degloving injury.

I was in the living room texting a lender about an upcoming open house when I hear my husband come running down the hall hollering, “Oh my God! Oh my God!” I went to find out what was up and it was like being in a dream state. Bailey was calm, but like he didn’t know what happened. My husband was hysterical. There was some blood but not a lot. Bailey reached up for me to pick him up and I did. Holding him and patting his back like I usually do. I was trying to think of who to call. The clinics were probably closed. I tend to be calm in the midst of chaos. I’m a Realtor. =) Well, I’m a mom too.

Fortunately, we have Facebook and hundreds of people to reach out to with one post, so I asked my friends, “Where is the nearest 24-hour vet emergency clinic in Sacramento?” Someone referred us to the VCA Sacramento Veterinary Referral Center. We put Bailey in his carrier and off to the hospital we went.

Just like any emergency room or clinic that you’re walking into, it’s going to be hit or miss with how well you feel that you are treated and if they seem to care or are overworked and disinterested. Emergency visits are much more expensive than a regular vet visit.

Of course, our pets are priceless. I wasn’t feeling comfortable with the staff who greeted us, but I can’t say if it was them or me because I was not in the best frame of mind dealing with the whole situation. We got Bailey comfortable, and they said it would be okay if we took him to his regular vet first thing in the morning because he would probably need surgery. I had already made it clear that I wasn’t going to allow them to do it. It felt like they were all about the money and less about being caring. The cost of an exam is $143 at VRC and $50 for a pain shot.

Our trusted regular vet is Mercy Pet Hospital located in Fair Oaks, CA

They are friendly and make you feel awesome. When we had to have our 16-year-old cat put down, it was one of the hardest things, and they were so respectful of our pain. They even sent us a condolence card signed by the whole staff. When Bailey came into our life, Mercy Pet Hospital became his vet clinic. There are two locations. One in Citrus Heights and one in Fair Oaks.

Mercy Pet Hospital, we take pride in our commitment to provide you high quality veterinary care at affordable prices.

They do provide quality care. Exams are about $45. In my experience, with two cats at different times and both locations. I’ve had excellent service. I didn’t have a Dr. per say, but the clinic was good. Then we met Dr. Lennon.

Usually, I’ve gotten whichever vet is available, until… Dr. Lennon.

Dr. Caitlyn Lennon, DVM – Fair Oaks walked into a very stressful situation like a ray of loving light. Kind and gentle spoke in a friendly tone and made us all feel calm and safe. She was fully present while spending her time with Bailey and us. You can tell that she is passionate about caring for animals. Her bio states:

Dr. Lennon knew she wanted to be a veterinarian since she could properly pronounce the word at 5 years old.

You must read her inspiring bio. She’s like the country doctor everyone loves. She started working at the front desk of Mercy Pet Hospital on the first day it opened. That was before she went to school to become a veterinarian. I think it’s incredible that she is now a Doctor at the same clinic. I cried a little when I thanked her for helping us and making us feel like we were in good hands.

Scared little guy in his carrier.
dr lennon the vet examining cat in fair oaks

So our little guy had surgery to remove a portion of his tail. He hated the cone so much that he was throwing tantrums, hissing, trying to get it off.  I would suggest a donut collar if you ever find yourself in a situation like this. I ended up taking the thing off and paying attention so that he didn’t chew on the stitches. We were lucky that he left it alone and healed up quite nicely.

cat pissed off about wearing the cone
His fur hasn’t grown back yet. He’s a short tail kitty.

You can find out more about Dr. Lennon and Mercy Pet Hospital by visiting their website.

Don’t wait until you have an emergency to find a clinic and a Veterinarian that you trust. Be prepared. Even indoor cats can have serious injuries. Find a veterinarian that you trust before you need one.

Filed Under: Cats, Dogs, Featured Story, Find a Pro

Primary Sidebar

Advertise on I Love Fair Oaks!

Email chrysti@ilovefairoaks.com

Fair Oaks Real Estate Trends

See the Newest Listings

Instant access to HD photos, school attendance zones, property lines, property history, and much more. @yourfairoaksagent

Footer

Lets’s Connect!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Family-friendly activities, date nights, dinner, and drinks – I Love Fair Oaks has the inside scoop on the best places to visit in Fair Oaks, California.

Chrysti provides Fair Oaks residents with a fun and friendly resource for activities, events, and unique places that make Fair Oaks a little slice of hometown heaven from sipping beers to local events.

Chrysti Tovani takes us into the best spots this Sacramento suburb has to offer.

Why Chrysti? As the owner of a local, Real Estate Business, and longtime resident, she is passionate about Fair Oaks and wants everyone to love it as much as she does.

She wishes small business owners to have the best shot at succeeding and being supported by the local community.

If you are interested in buying or selling a home, Chrysti knows the ins and outs of Fair Oaks. Call her at 916-234-3542 today!

I want to:

  • Write For I Love Fair Oaks
  • Sponsor I Love Fair Oaks
  • Nominate a Student
  • Feature My Home
  • View the Real Estate Market Report
  • Fair Oaks Homes For Sale

Stay in the Loop

Subscribe!

© Copyright 2010 - 2021 · The material and information contained on this website is the copyrighted property of Chrysti Tovani and the I Love Fair Oaks Brand. · All Rights Reserved · Site by Tovani Design · Terms · Privacy