Driving Miss Daisy

Saddleback Pet Services: Not Your Typical Dog Kennel

noreply@blogger.com (Driving Miss Daisy) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:28:00 +0000

I am sure there are plenty of wonderful doggie daycares in the New England area but I know my coonhound and I know she would not do well without her two cat brothers, Henry and Buster, and she certainly wouldn't do well without her owners, especially if she had to stay there overnight. Because she lived in several homes before we adopted her last year, I fear she would think we were giving her up for another adoption if we left her at a boarding facility but if we left her at a family style boarding facility I believe she would be very comfortable.

One family-style boarding facility that I have heard rave reviews about is Saddleback Pet Services and it is located in Northwood, NH, which is less than an hour away from our home in Manchester. This facility won my approval immediately after viewing the above picture simply because it does not look like a typical kennel. Plus, Daisy is used to walking up to the front doors of homes because she normally does that when I take her to work with me and she'd have no fear of this location at all.

It gives me peace of mind that the owner, Nancy (a former veterinary technician), lives on the property with her husband, Hugh Davis, (a veterinary technician) and there is always someone at the house overnight. It is also comforting to know that in the event of a true emergency, they are conveniently located 30 minutes from three major emergency clinics offering high quality medical care.

I was also happy to read about their kennels (as quoted directly from their website) : Our roomy inside kennels allow for each dog to have privacy from their neighbor to help increase their sense of security. A quick step through a small door will bring your dog to their individual outdoor run where they can lie in the sun and get some fresh air.

Each kennel room has a large ceiling fan and a separate thermostat so we can adjust the temperature for the types of dogs we have at the moment. We also have some private areas with air conditioning for breeds that may struggle in the heat. In the winter months, the outside runs have radiant heat to prevent ice build-up so that the areas can be cleaned properly and there are no injuries from slipping.

As a pet sitter who knows that various Manchester area doggie daycares charge extra for playtime, I am extremely impressed that Saddleback does not charge extra for it. I've always thought that playtime should be all-inclusive in the cost of daycare and thank goodness Saddleback agrees with me!

Remember: Family Style Boarding means:

A loving place, never being alone, walks and play, potty breaks all day long, peace of mind, a warm welcome, consistent supervision, eating well, your dog's very own vacation, sleeping soundly, taking their medication ....everything they do at home!!!!!!

Summertime is Berry Picking Time At Elwood Orchards

noreply@blogger.com (Driving Miss Daisy) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 23:48:00 +0000

Another fun thing for Daisy to do with her owners is to pick berries at Elwood Orchards located at 54 Elwood Road in Londonderry, NH! Yes, you may find it strange that dogs can go berry picking but there are no pet restrictions here! Daisy didn't help us fill our baskets but she enjoyed the ride there and back, of course!

As you can see, I had enough raspberries to eat for at least a week if I paced myself, that is!

And my fiance', April, added two more pints of berries to our collection and that means we'll be eating berries for an extra week or more!

If you want to visit Elwood Orchards there's still time! The orchard is open from June - December from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and you'll have your choice of apples, cherries, plums, strawberries, raspberries, and vegetables to pick when they're ready for you!

Welcome To The World's Only Dog Chapel!

noreply@blogger.com (Driving Miss Daisy) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 19:17:00 +0000

To start off our blog on the right paw, I'd like to introduce you to one of Daisy's favorite spots....Dog Mountain which is located in St. Johnsbury, Vermont! We hope you enjoy the tour!

Author and artist, Stephen Huneck, built the world's only dog chapel in 1997 because he wanted to celebrate the spiritual bond he had with his dogs and he invited all dogs and their people to attend. The Dog Chapel is located in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, and it is still in operation today.

Dog Mountain was styled in the manner of a small village church that was built in Vermont around 1820. Huneck wanted the chapel to look like it belonged among the rolling mountains and pasture of scenic Vermont and he accomplished that here!

The sculpture garden (except for me and our 4-legged client, Martini, of course) in front of the chapel is cheerful, inviting, and very folksy!

As you walk inside the chapel you will see Stephen Huneck's dog carvings, framed prints, and children's books at every corner of the building. Tissue boxes, dog tribute forms, and pencils are ready for those who wish to remember and display pictures and prayers for their deceased canines. Music plays, all reaffirming the connection between art, nature, and spirituality. Stephen Huneck looked at this chapel as the largest artwork of his life, and his most personal.

The chapel is covered from floor to ceiling with mementos, notes and photos of deceased dogs that are left by their mourning owners as tribute.

For those who cannot physically visit the Dog Chapel, Stephen Huneck's book is available for adult dog lovers everywhere! It is also a comforting book for those who have suffered the loss of a beloved pet.

I hope you enjoyed your tour of the World's Only Dog Chapel and I hope you can visit soon!