Facts About Boarding Your Pup

As I walked out of the lobby and into the parking lot, I found a woman bawling her eyes out by her car. I had just checked her Yorkie in for a weekend stay and she had seemed fine so I was very surprised to see her like that. I asked her what was wrong. Unable to compose herself, she managed to choke out that she had never left her dog anywhere before and she was very worried.

What was she worried about? If he would be comfortable, if he would miss her, if he would eat, if he would sleep, if he would get sick - in other words, a litany of worries that I've heard many many MANY times from customers since then.

For all you pet owners out there facing the same worries, let me tell you a few things I've learned over the years about the dogs who stay with us:

1. They don't miss you. I'm sorry but they just don't. They're in a playgroup with other dogs, playing, rolling, running and generally being dogs without any pesky humans to tell them to stop, they're destroying the house! Maybe - MAYBE - they get a little wistful at night but they're so tired from frolicking all day that they just pass out. Sorry to burst your bubble but that's how it is. You miss them. They do not miss you.
2. They'll eat. They're dogs. They aren't humans who will go on a hunger strike until you come home. They're innately programmed to survive so when they feel like it, they will eat. Again, sorry, but they will not starve themselves regardless of how much they love you.
3. Dogs don't care about getting sick. In fact, most can have very routine viruses and not slow down in the slightest. They aren't sissies like humans - they don't go to bed and watch the soaps all day if they don't feel well. They rest, get better and go about their doggie business.
4. Dogs can make themselves at home anywhere. When we direct them into a crate, pen or room, they don't stand there and ponder whether it's roomy enough or in an ideal location. They run into it, curl up and relax. Our dogs are divas at home because we allow it (and encourage it if you're like me). They are not at doggie daycare.
5. We know what we're doing. For real. If you think we can't tell you're terrified at the idea of leaving your precious pooch with total strangers and very distrustful of us... um, we can. However, funnily enough, not only do we understand, we appreciate that. It means you love your dog enough to care about where it stays and who's watching it. So we like you for that. But seriously - we know what we're doing.

I realize this is a pretty rude awakening for many human customers. And I know none of it will matter when you're fretting over leaving your canine baby with us. So, to that end, call us, email us, text us, reach out to us as many times as you want to check on your pup. Again, we like that because it means you're good canine parents.

As a side note: if you ever board your pet or have a pet sitter that does NOT encourage communication while you are gone, RUN AWAY from them. You have every right to check up on your pet regardless of where it is.

Stay cool!