It’s hard to believe that the beloved go-to agency for vacation nannies, babysitters & live-in nanny services -  Hilton Head Nannies - could get any better.  After all, they’re already the leading nanny placement agency specializing in the recruitment and placement of highly-qualified nannies.

But Hilton Head Nannies just became even more essential.

While celebrating their 5th year in business birthday,  Hilton Head Nannies has expanded into companion work (Hilton Head Companions) and Pet Nanny Work!

Hilton Head Companions is a compassionate senior care service that assists seniors in staying in their homes longer. Hilton Head Companions provides families with non-medical, private-duty senior-care, elder-care, respite care, personal care, companionship, and home care with the goal of helping seniors stay in their own homes. To see the various senior services provided, click here. Call today for a complimentary in-home consultation: (843)342-5673

Hilton Head Nannies serves Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Okatie, Beaufort, Palmetto Bluff, Fripp Island, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Tybee Island, and Wilmington Island areas of South Carolina and Georgia.

Hilton Head Nannies, “The More We Care, The More Beautiful Life Becomes” www.HiltonHeadNannies.com , 843.815.1313 Appointments may be made 24 hrs, 7 days per week on the Hilton Head Nannies website. Follow Hilton Head Nannies on Facebook here for updated information, coupons &  special promotions! Hilton Head Nannies is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

The Bluffton subdivision Hampton Lake, near Hilton Head Island, will host a dog expo 10:30 am-4 pm Sat. March 15 at its newest amenity, Dog Paddle Park.

Sorry, this isn’t a BYOD (Dog) event. Fido has to stay home. But think how happy he’ll be when he finds out how much you learned! After all, among the expo participants will be groomers, veterinarians, animal artists, trainers and providers of pet products.

Features will include the Beaufort County sheriff’s full K-9 Unit; workshops and seminars; Frisbee canine demo and other demos; ferry rides across Hampton Lake; and an adoption gala with dogs available for adoption from local agencies.

The expo is also a chance to get your organization, company or pet products in front of dog owners. Cost to participate is $40 with 100 percent of the proceeds going directly to the K-9 Unit of The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office for the purchase of an $8,600 fully-trained Belgian Malinois patrol dog. To sign up as a sponsor, call Mary Foley at 843.836.7480 or Ashley Krieger at 843.785.3989.

For a schedule of events, click here or call 843.785.3989

Sea Pines Lawton Stables on Hilton Head Island is always a fun place to visit because they have a petting farm, pony rides and trail rides. It’s even more special now after triplet goats were born Jan. 20. Read about the rare triplets here.

We took my son to see the baby goats today snug in their stable with mom. As an auntie to triplet boys, I couldn’t help feel for the mama goat. She looked tired. Poor woman. The petting farm also has a new batch of baby bunnies among all the other typical barnyard animals. All of which- plus discounted pony and trail rides for South Carolina residents – makes a visit to Lawton Stables well worth the trip.

Lawton Stables @ 190 Greenwood Drive in Sea Pines Plantation, HHI is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information, call 843.671.2586. Lawton Stables also hosts children birthday parties.

If you want to adopt a pet from rescues and shelters during the holidays, be sure to attend the last adoption day of the year, 3-7 pm Dec. 8 @ Savannah Toyota @ 11101 Abercorn Ext. It’s part of Coastal Pet Rescue‘s annual Home 4 the Holidays program. You can also see available pets by clicking here. Adoption fees include first shots and veterinary exam, microchip and spay or neuter.

Don’t forget Claus and Paws, Coastal Pet Rescue‘s pet photos with Santa @ Oglethorpe Mall, 6-8 pm Dec. 4. Bring your leashed pet with proof of rabies vaccination to the Pepino’s entrance. Coastal Pet Rescue will also provide microchipping for $10 per pet during Claus and Paws. All pets must be leashed and have proof of current rabies vaccination.

For info on other Santa pet photo opportunities, click here.

Santa @ Oglethorpe Mall in Savannah will pose with your four-legged friends during the next two Tuesday evenings, Nov. 27 and Dec. 4, from 6-8 pm. Pet photos with Santa cost $24. You can bring your leashed pet with proof of rabies vaccination to the Pepino’s entrance.

Coastal Pet Rescue will be accepting donation items at these two events. Click here for wishlist of what to donate for dogs or cats.

Santa @ the Mall at Shelter Cove in Center Court on Hilton Head Island also welcomes pets for photos. Pets must be on a leash or in a crate. (843) 686-3090.

For a list of where to visit Santa this holiday season, click here.

Wag-O-Ween
Noon-5 p.m. Saturday Oct. 20, downtown Savannah. A trick-or-treating event for dogs and their owners. More than 50 businesses in the historic district will have free dog treats to costumed dogs. Owners are encouraged to be in costume, too. The starting points are: Canine Palace, 618 Abercorn St., or Universe Trading Company, 27 Montgomery St. Cost: $5 donation per adult; children are admitted free. Call 631-1651 or 234-3336.

Harvest Celebration
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday Oct. 20, Calhoun Square at Gordon and Abercorn streets. A Victorian Savannah celebration with period storytelling, carriage rides, parlor games and harvest-themed arts and crafts. Hosted by the Massie Heritage Center. Admission: $2 per person. Call 201-5070.

Ride Thomas the Train
Georgia Veterans State Park, 2459 Highway 280 West Cordele, Ga., off Interstate 75, about 100 miles north of Fla. state line. Oct. 19-21 and 26-28; $16 for ages 2 and older.
The train leaves on the hour from 9 am-4 pm. Children can take 25-minute rides on a train led by Thomas and have their pictures taken with Topham Hatt, the controller of Thomas’ Railway. Hosted by SAM Shoreline Excursion Train.

The Pirates’ House at 20 East Broad St., downtown Savannah, hosts a special Sunday breakfast buffet for kids and their families featuring five pirates as entertainment. The pirate breakfast will continue on Sundays throughout October. Families are encouraged to bring cameras and pose with the seafaring mates. Seating is from 9 am-10 am. Adults: $11.95/Children: $5.95. Tell staff you read about special breakfast on southernmamas.com and receive a free 8×10 of the pirates. For more family-friendly restaurants, click here.

Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival Oct 19-21Live music, fireworks, amusement rides, class car show, seafood. 5-11 pm Fri. Oct. 19, 10 am-11 pm Sat. Oct. 20; 11 am-5 pm Sun. Oct. 21 J.F. Gregory Park, Hwy. 144/Ford Avenue, Richmond Hill. (912) 756-3444

Tybee Island’s 120^th Birthday Celebration, Sat. Oct. 20-Sun. Oct. 21two-festival of art, history, cuisine and entertainment. Outdoor evening concert at the lighthouse will feature the SCAD Jazz Ensemble. Free. Memorial Park, the beach, pier and lighthouse.

Annual Community Festival Oct 19 -20hosted by the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn, Hilton Head Island, 5:30-9:30 pm. A haunted trail and more. (843) 689-6767

Fall Festival at the Salty Dog Café in the South Beach Marina Village, Hilton Head Island. 12-4 pm (843) 671-2233