All Things Dog Blog

Posted: 23 Aug 2010 12:00 PM PDT

by Carrie Boyko

© Bow Wow Resort

Tanner Enjoys Visiting his Neighbor

During Naptime

Does your dog whine or tuck his tail between his legs when you arrive at your vet's boarding facility? Perhaps you've received that dreaded phone call that he was howling all night, wouldn't eat, or refused to play during his brief interlude with sunshine.

Pet sitters are a good alternative for those dogs that are not socialized or crate trained, allowing them to stay comfortably in their own homes. However, your dog does need to be able to manage his lonely time without destroying your home, while you are gone. If at all possible, try to get a pet sitter that will give your dog a vigorous walk or other exercise, to assure he is in resting mode when she locks the door behind her.

This morning I droppped off my dogs at our favorite boarding facility. It's not one of those posh places where the pool is dogbone shaped and all services are ala carte. It is a free-for-all, outdoor play facility. No crates, no menus of activities to pay separately for, just lots of fun with friends and multiple areas to run, climb, splash and tumble through. To Xena, Tanner, and Oliver, this is their home away from home. When we turn the corner toward Bow Wow Resort, they start their enthusiastic yodels and cat calls--pun intended.

As we enter, Xena and Oliver do a funny little hop-spin that indicates "I'm so happy!" and off they go to find their friends. Tanner did not even look back to say goodbye. As every mom who ever dropped off a child to daycare or 'moms morning out' knows, that is a good sign the kid loves it there.

It is very quiet at home. I miss them. But in a couple of hours, I'll be leaving for a brief vacation, and I can do this safe in the knowledge that my pups are happy and having fun. What's more is that when I pick them up, they will let me know this with a welcoming kiss and a very, very, very long nap as they drop inside the front door when we arrive home. That's my assurance that they had fun. Sleep well, gang. Momma will be home soon.

Related Reading:

Bow Wow Resort--Hang with the Ruff Crowd (a.k.a. Adventures at Doggie Daycare)
Whose Mom is that, Guys?--a 5 Minutes for Fido commentary