Q: My dog wouldn’t like it. He loves to play with other dogs too much! Not what he’s used to.
A: Imagine you’ve had an anxious two days, watching your kids pack for college, and then someone whisks you off to a party where you don’t know anyone and you can’t leave, you can’t even find a closet to hide in without someone sniffing you out! That is what "free range doggie daycare" is like for a dog. What you’d really like, is to know someone is right there waiting for your command for room service, but lets you quietly crash in a comfy bed in a private room for as long as you like then feeds you whatever you ask for, and lets you out for sunshine and exercise whenever you want. Now that’s a vacation!
Q: I’m scared my dog will get "kennel cough" or some dreaded thing!
A: Over the last 35 years we’ve learned how to thwart most communicable diseases for the most part. Prevention, sanitation, and Fresh Air Exchange are key, with vaccination playing a major part in younger dogs & cats. We feel that vaccination protocol should be between you and your veterinarian; we do NOT mandate what you should do with your animal and his health choices.
Q: My dog has separation anxiety. I just couldn’t put her through it!
A: This happens when expectations are not met for the dog. Example: She EXPECTS you at home, when you are not there, she panics. In another environment where you do not belong, she will not expect you, therefore not be disappointed by your absence. Sadly, she won’t "miss" you like your kids will, because she’ll have a whole new set of family and routine while she vacations with us. Every now and then, maybe one in a hundred will pine away for their family and we get them through their depression (with years of experience), but will report back honestly to owners that boarding isn’t the best for their particular animal.
Q: I take my dog wherever I go. I would never leave him anywhere!! He takes meds, too!
A: You have a GPS, a cell phone, the ability to ask for directions, and you planned the trip. The dog has only you and the vehicle for familiarity. The rest is a confusion of new smells, and upset of his normal routine at home. He’s exhausted at the end of the day and almost got lost in the park when he went to go pee, and lost sight of you for 10 seconds! Our veterinary-trained staff (two technicians on staff) can administer oral, topical, and injectible medications on the dog’s schedule, as well as monitor for health-related events.
Q: My cat stays at home if I’m only gone a couple of days. I can pay the neighbor boy to come check and feed...
A:The cat may watch the news on TV, but when a rolling blackout or accidental power outage occurs, the cat has no way of resetting the air conditioning. If she tips over her water bowl, no one is there to refill it, should I go on? And, if the cat or dog can’t text the kid on this iPhone or blackberry, he’s not going to be the first on that teenager’s mind; besides that, do you really want to give him a key to your house, have you seen his friends?!
Contact The Canine Spa today at 760-328-0876, or browse the website for more information about our dog and cat boarding or dog and cat grooming.
