The Howlidays are Almost Upon Us!

The holidays are rapidly descending upon us! As we all brace ourselves for the fatty foods, traveling and (sometimes excessive) merriment, I wanted to let you all know about a few charitable endeavors we have going on around here.

We are going to be a drop off location for LI Cares. We will be collecting pet items through December 22nd for Long Island’s needy pets. If you have any unopened pet food or miscellaneous doo dads left over from your dogs or kitties, please feel free to donate them at our location.

Also, we are taking up a collection for a local military family. Ryan Dickinson served in Afghanistan for 15 months and then returned home to his family in the Fall. He lived in Texas with his wife and two children. Tragically, during a neighborhood BBQ, Ryan was shot and killed. His mother Donna, who works in Hauppauge, went to Texas, picked up her daughter in law and grandchildren, and moved them to Long Island. The children are a 6 year old boy and a 7 year old girl, both of whom wear a size 7. We will be collecting for them until December 18th.

In other news, I joined a networking group that is ONLY for doggie daycare owners. It has been VERY educational and enlightening to see how other folks run their operations from New York to Canada to London.

Generally speaking, from the day I first started, I wanted Hounds Town to be a very lean operation. Meaning, no add on charges to boarding or daycare. Since 2006, the only additional charges anyone would incur is for bathing and even that I got rid of for dogs who boarded longer than a week.

This group has gotten me thinking though…are there add ons you would like? For example: one place will make your pup a Thanksgiving dinner. For $15, a dog can have fresh turkey and mashed potatoes. Another place has peanut butter stuffed kongs available for overnight guests for $8. Yet another will play fetch with a dog one on one for $10 every half hour.

So I’m throwing it out to you: are there add ons YOU would like? Have you ever silently thought, “It’d be nice if they would…”? I’m open to any and all ideas so don’t be shy!

The Best of Long Island competition isn't over yet! Pleeeeease vote for Hounds Town - Port Jeff in the pet sitting/boarding category as well as the grooming category, now through December 15th : http://bestof.longislandpress.com/voting/

As always, this Thanksgiving we are thankful for YOU and for trusting us with your beloved pets. Have a wonderful holiday!

Happy Howlidays!
Marianne