Here (& Where) We Go!

Finding the RIGHT places to take your dogs, whether for grooming, for day care, for boarding, or to the vet can be a difficult choice.  We are creating a page of information, places we prefer, services we use, and even information and opinions on medical problems and issues for dogs.  Until that is up and running, I have these suggestions.  When picking a new place for the dogs, I started with recommendations from friends, than checked the internet for information.  If you live in our area you might like following places we have found.   Dog Day, Every Day for the  BEST DAY CARE, BOARDING.  They also do bathing and nails, but not grooming.  They have a couple locations.  The owner is VERY dog knowledgeable, the space is clean, there is a window were you can observe your dog, and they just did picture day!!!  Also the Pet Spot and Red Dog Spa do day care, grooming and boarding and seem to be good.  Red Dog does do the BEST SWIM LESSONS and they always did a nice job on grooming our poodles and they tried hard for good customer service.   However, on a day when other groomers were booked we had to find an alternate---and tried one dog in each of several groomers that came recommended---and our favorite QUALITYof GROOM is Bow Wow Boutique, Inc.   It is very small, but you can watch all parts of the grooming and we have gotten so MANY compliments about how all the dogs look after being groomed there, and the grooming lasts and lasts with just a quick combout/touchup!!!! Check out how they look in their dress up photos (with the ties and necklaces and wedding stuff)     It was the photo place--The Picture People--who decided to help us do doggie wedding dress-up-----but it was fun and the pictures are cute!  (They are very understanding that our pets need pictures too!) Each dog is dressed up in their own team color--last time Marcie had them done they wore the colored bandanas you see in the old photo--this time the boys wore blue (Kodi) and red (Steele) ties, while the girls are dressed in their team color bows and necklaces.  I get asked and asked, how did you keep the hat on Steele and how did you get Tulla to look so demure, like a blushing bride.  Wonderful photo technique?  Well trained dog?  Careful use of treats?  MAYBE!    When we travel we first look for a newer or renovated Red Roof Inn as they welcome dogs--we usually get two rooms either connecting(the best) or side by side--I also like that they do NOT charge for pets, and I can afford 2 rooms for the extra space.  We do upgrade hotels on occasion.  Non-smoking is essential for Kodi's allergies!  We always have bottled water in case Boo won't drip their tap water.  Chewies, toys, even a potty pad-in case-travels with us.  Boo heads up fetch, tug and wrestle games until lights out.  Potty walks before bedtime and early in the morning are essential.  With Ellee as a service dog we can stay anywhere with no extra charges, but occasionally I still get turned away from some businesses as if she were a pet, undet NO PET policies.  I will talk more about service dogs and therapy dogs on another post as we have had some great and not so great experiences so far.