Bichon Barn Boarding Kennel

08/15/2023

What has Facebook done with my personal page?

07/01/2022

Bank live rehearsal of the song '4 minutes ago'. Recorded on June 20, 2022 at 'Hot Sauce' studios in Kemptville, Ontario, Canada. The song was inspired by th...

05/03/2021

Third Wave 'Stay at Home' order still in effect but vaccines versus virus is beginning to show some encouraging signs & numbers pointing to a possible upturn in kennel life when people can tentatively start to travel again.

05/25/2020

First dog coming to board this Friday in two-and-a-half months!

05/18/2020

No pooches in since March 14th. Hopefully in the not too distant future that will change and some of them doggies will be back!

03/25/2020

The Bichon Barn Kennel remains 'open' for business as it is considered an 'essential service.' The only problem is that people have been told to stay home, so there are no canines here currently and there hasn't been since March 14th. If it is essential that you have to travel I am open. We will have to practice safe distancing etc., but we are open for business. Keep well, stay safe.

06/25/2019

Kennel is getting busier now that summer has arrived (Finally!). Sun & brother Moon are coming soon along with Terra. Wheezer and Adam are looking forward to seeing them again! Me too!

08/28/2018

Wheezer (left), Adam (face turned away), Hemi & Aiesha. Bichon family on the deck.

08/20/2018

Last summer I figured the kennel's poor attendance record was due to the permanent deluge of rain that lasted from spring through to late August. Maybe a lack of advertising had contributed also. People weren't coming and more importantly neither were their dogs. Fast forward to this summer and the same thing occurred from March until now. Had I done something to drive people & dogs away? Looking at the records for these two years I saw that there were very few customers crossing the border into the USA to shop on weekends or visit certain northern states with National Parks. The list went on.
Recently, a friend of mine related a story of a Canadian who'd gone over to the States for a couple of days and on his family's return their car was singled out for inspection. It was discovered when the records of the driver were viewed that he'd had a minor conviction for a driving offence some thirty-five years previously when he was young. He was taken into a separate room and interrogated by several border security officers in turn. Having found no newly purchased but slightly scuffed wing-tip shoes on his feet and nothing to declare or found, he was eventually released. He swore never to return. Although this is an extreme example of what the border is like in 2018, it suggests that Canadians generally are not feeling comfortable about going to the States for pleasure. The knock -on effect has hit the kennel as a large chunk of summer travellers and dog owners are no longer visiting the kennel on weekends. I know who to thank for that. He really doesn't have a clue about international relations, diplomacy, not insulting your neighbours, your friends or associates, other countries, but he sure knows in his ignorance how to make life more difficult for ordinary people everywhere.

07/03/2018

This is Terra. The Bichons come and stand at the kennel compound gate and bark at her. Terra goes over and sniffs them..she wants to play...

07/03/2018

Hemi, Aiesha, Tia and Wheezer in the background give some barking stick to the dogs in the kennel compound.

06/13/2018

05/03/2018

From June 8th to June 10th, 2018, the kennel will be closed. Unusual I know, but normal service will resume Monday June 11th.

03/09/2018

Bichons Wheezer & Adam have taken to their beds and are inconsolable....since the snow returned. The only exception is for comfort breaks.

03/01/2018

Three days with no dogs in. Apart from kennel and house cleaning I don't know what to do with myself. The kennel life routine has gone for now. Tough after having dogs in continuously for four months straight. Mind you, it was a bit of a marathon. I'm ready to run again. Roll on the 7th., or sooner.

02/21/2018

It's early mud season. Wet dogs, muddy dogs & a messy kennel. Some sun please and a warm breeze needed.

02/16/2018

Kennel work can be hazardous! I was toweling snow off Misha, a large, black & white Collie mix. Misha is very playful and as I was leaning over him he suddenly flicked his head backwards catching me full in the mouth with the top of his head! I heard a sudden cry of pain and was surprised to find it came from me! I was stunned! A clean towel came in handy as I assessed the damage. The towel was wet red! My front teeth are still there, but the right-hand tooth is still tender after a week. This is definitely a case for Worker's Kennel Comp!

02/14/2018

Baby Adam...he never left home.

01/30/2018

Nine dogs in today. Very busy! ...but good!

01/28/2018

Today, Kina (Bichon) and Paco are staying in the house. Paco is a Jack-Russell. In a few minutes two new dogs, Shalom & Zoe are coming to stay for a few days, so I'll see how they do in the house with the others. If there's too much chaos....well, they may have to go the hotel! There are also dogs in the kennel; Chica, and Paradise & Leah. They're new too!

01/02/2018

The Christmas period was a blessing here at the kennel. Lots of dogs in. For me, when they're here I treat them as my own. I luvs them all and their quirky faithful ways. Having them here also means I get to meet and be with their owners and many of them have become good friends. It doesn't get any better than this. So to you all I say a BIG thank you and I hope to see you peeps and your pooches again soon! Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year to everyone!

12/26/2017

Christmas Day was busy but fun starting out by blowing the driveway clean; feeding & exercising the dogs, bringing firewood in and cooking the bird. Dinner was accompanied by a fine Australian red wine named The Black Chook. It's a Shiraz with a small amount of Viognier. Yum wine and available in Kemptville...it's taken five years to get here! The dogs weren't interested...just as well!

12/15/2017

Christmas is coming and some of the boarding dogs have me pretty close to worn out already. I can hear them saying: "We don't do things this way at our house!"

11/20/2017

Adam was visited today by Caramel for a puppy producing session. She's not quite receptive enough yet. Fingers crossed for Friday! Meanwhile, Adam is off to get his teeth cleaned...again!

10/22/2017

Having made Woody a casket I laid him to rest beside Lucy yesterday and said goodbye...for now!

10/19/2017

Woodstock died peacefully at the vets early this morning. His back legs gave out yesterday and he could no longer stand. He was a brave dog in his old age; one eyed, limited sight in his other eye, but lungs louder than an opera singer and a bark that blew eardrums if you were close enough. He was not easy listening .
Unlike his stoic brother Holsten, Woody let you know about everything in his world that didn't suit him. He was Bichon/Westie, a Terrier, who would go out in the fields and dig. I'd be forced to go and get him and when I did I'd find him tail up with his head buried in a muddy hole hunting for field mice. In time Wheezer wondered what he was doing, until she joined him. The pair of them could often be seen, white arses in the air, surrounded by burnt umber fields digging together. They'd come back to the house, a pair of muddy black-heads ready for the shower. And, happier than clams!
Last year, Woody's beloved Lucy died. He was distraught for days, nothing consoled him and he went into a steady decline which ended today. He seemed relieved, ready to go, which I was not, slipping easily away. The house is quiet. Woody will now lie next to Holsten, Lucy in the middle in the little flower garden. Gord Downey yesterday and a double whammy today with Woody going. Sleep tight sweet princes, you deserve your rest. I will see you again. He was 17 years, two months and seven days old. My old friend!

10/05/2017

People have asked how much it is to stay at the Bichon Barn: =
$22 per day.
We do not sell goods...unless someone wants to sell items for a commission at the kennel.

10/03/2017

Mister Woodstock at seventeen years and two months had some tough days when that boiling hot weather arrived. In his more vigorous days he'd take to the deck after an early morning walk in cool, dewey fields and make for his paddling pool. His favourite thing to do was get out of the water when I wasn't looking and go into the house. Woody doesn't like the water now he's old, so it was hard to find him cool relief. He's happier the weather has cooled and he can go out in the sunshine where he can sit and sniff the air around his home. Then he'll bark a couple of times to tell me it's time to go in for a knap. Live long & prosper you faithful old fellah. :) Pic posted.

09/15/2017

The official Bichon Barn Kennel website is down for maintenance. For all the good folk who wish to view the kennel details Facebook Bichon Barn is the place to go. The old site wasn't working and the host company have done zero maintenance even when asked. The Inbox was always full; e-mail didn't work. They couldn't even tell me how to get into the Control Panel. Couldn't upload pics or write posts and the advice I received was "Get your Webmaster to do all that." How helpful! Twelve years with them and all they were interested in was collecting the hosting fee. Twice they tried billing me for an extra six months because they couldn't get the renewal date right. When I asked to have the site taken down for maintenance a whole bunch of new service fees were charged. Refused to pay them. Must be nice to sit there and earn money for doing nothing!

08/27/2017

Annual Bichon Barn BBQ today. Menu is sirloin steak, zuchinni & mushroom bake, peaches & cream corn on the cob, garlic bread, wine and beer! Should be fun! Weather co-operating too!

07/24/2017

First 'busy' weekend of the summer. No rain! People went places and brought their dog's to me while the rain was smart enough not to fall until Sunday night. One new dog in, Gilligan, a Black Lab pup who now lives with Bentley, a former Black Lab pup. Little and Large! It's good to be back in action. Phoebe is also here staying in the house, Luella (three legged Husky) and Gunner round out the boarding crew. Excellent!

07/10/2017

Very slow summer for boarding...July and only ONE dog in! Blame the rain?

07/01/2017

The Bichon Barn lost two long time customers this spring. First Mac, a Westie died. Mac would come and stay in the house with the Bichons. He loved it here and would wander around outside quietly checking out his favourite spots. Mac was 14 or so. We'll miss him.
Snoopy passed away soon after his last visit in late May. He was a Bichon with a difference. His body was long, like Snoopy, he was pure white, calm and loved was loved by his Mum, Rosa. Sad to see both of them go so close together. Rosa is looking for a new Bichon, so if anyone can help please let me know. I'm going to check the photo records and will put some pics up when I find them.

03/28/2017

My friend Daphne passed away early in March. She had three dogs; Chloe (Bichon), Coco (Sh*tzu) & Muffin (Yorkie). They're a great trio that I've been taking care of since Daphne went into hospital. They're doing well but really need to go home, except they don't have one anymore. Daphne's next door neighbour and long-time friend, Bev, has offered to take them, but I think it will only be short term as she is elderly. Sooo there maybe new additions coming to the Bichon Barn crew. I'll keep you posted!

02/14/2017

Joined the FB Bichon Sanctuary group the other day. Lots of interesting things there; plus, reputable breeders who I've been checking out to find a new Bichon.

01/04/2017

Apologies to all for the lack of any news. Woodstock had a very difficult time after Lucy died. He practically gave up and went downhill health wise very quickly. I decided I didn't want to lose another dog in so short a time. There was nothing I could do for Lucy, but Woody had always been full of surprises and had already survived a bout with cancer. Had to create a completely new routine for him as I couldn't leave him alone without him having panic attacks. His rear right leg seized up and he could barely walk. Then he had a pair of seizures. I treated him with herbal sedatives and the vet gave others plus a daily dose of glucosamine & chondhroitin. Three weeks later Woody began to be able to move better, eventually he could navigate the house again despite his blindness. He was out of pain, his leg improved. Christmas came and he was like his old self. Me? I was dead tired. Woody was napping three times a day on the bed upstairs. Luck old Woody! But boy it was good to have him back. The other Bichons had stayed away from him, but they slowly accepted him back into the pack. It's taken me until now to be able write anything down. It's soo good to get Woody back as a member of the family! :)

10/07/2016

With much sadness, Lucy passed away September 28th. She was prepped for surgery, but the vet not having seen her for several days phoned. I knew the worst...had for a while. The cancer had spread. I went back to the vets and stayed with her (she was on gas where the patient though 'out' can still hear. Talked to her, told her I loved her and stayed til she was gone. I'll see her again.

09/13/2016

Difficult time right now. Lucy has a mamory tumour. It has changed from a fatty deposit to a harder mass. First vet visited provided an information overload which was too much to take in. Short story is that it doesn't look good. Astronomic cost for tests and surgery with no guarantee of success. Sought a second opinion and will see a different vet in order to get a more pragmatic assessment with fewer bells & whistles. Just hoping & praying the Goose will be okay. She's a beautiful Bichon and oh so gentle, wonderful temperament. Love that girl!