posted 02-23-2004 07:00 PM         

I am currently going through the same thing with Cameron- we are going on several short trips this spring, and need to have somewhere to keep her.

Just this past weekend, I "tested" out a pet sitter by leaving Cameron there for an overnight. It was just a lady who watched dogs in her home with her two dogs, and I chose her because it was a "cageless" environment.

However, when I picked up Cameron, all her toys, bedding, and her fur just REEKED of smoke. I had give her a really good bath and I could still smell it. I know it sounds weird to be picky about such a thing, but I guess I feel that it must take a lot of smoking to get a dog to smell like that after only 1 night, and I just don't know if that environment was very sanitary- plus if something bad happened, like a dog fight or an injury, she is the only one who lives here, and how would she effectively handle it?

So in that sense, I guess I would feel safer boarding her at a vet-run kennel, which there are a couple close by that I'm going to check out this week. On the downside of that, though, she does have to spend most of her time in a kennel.

posted 02-24-2004 06:58 AM         

I found out through my agility trainer, however, that they have way too many dogs in doggie daycare at one time, and not enough supervision. She said she has seen injuries that have resulted from this situation.

So she gave me the name of a woman who boards dogs on her property - she has kennels in outbuildings with heat and A/C and a number of large outdoor pens where she matches up 1-4 compatible dogs in play groups.

She also has a helper who used to work at Pete and Mac's. That woman said she was the only worker there with any formal training or certifications to work with animals. She lasted a week before she quit. She said everyone who paid for doggie daycare got doggie daycare - whether their dog was suitable to be in that environment or not.

So I guess my point is, be sure you check these places out and make sure they have enough staff. I would rather Nala be in a kennel for more time than to have her injured by another dog.

I feel very lucky that I found the woman I did!