01/01/2023
"HAPPY NEW YEAR" ACV clients! Wanted to share a few items for this upcoming 2023. First and foremost, just have to say how thankful I am for all of you. I feel blessed immeasurably to have the customers that I have and the range of "fun partiers" to "laid back wise ol' souls" for my canine and feline guests.
Secondly, this past year some of you have had to say good-bye to your pet loved one. Man, that is never, never easy as we all know and the end of 2021 into 2022 has been exceptionally hard here and with some of my long time boarding clients. So just let me say, we miss seeing you and your families and definitely miss each of those pets who gave me their trust, brought laughter to the kennel and many calming "sit & vegs" in the yards watching the sunsets and contemplating life. As I have always believed, Scripture teaches us we will not know when we are entertaining angels.
Thirdly, 2022 was also filled with many new clients as a local vet has closed their boarding facility and another one has added a few, let's say "nuances". So thanks for finding us and hope we can continue to be a fun experience for your pets. Yes, I realize it can get interesting to actually get a reservation during most weekends and the summer and holidays fill up faster than ever. So thanks when any of you have had to cancel and want to open a run up for another. Your quick calls help. And let's do remember, Mom never had a cancellation fee and I maintain that. So just keep us informed.
Fourthly, have to give a shout out to Carla for taking over the kennel during my eye surgery this past year. What a load off my mind and what a difference the surgery made in my life. Came home to discover that my Dane sheds and I have cobwebs in my house! One more surgery left so yeeha! Again, thanks Carla.
Fifth, want to let you know that I am going to be watching closely the results of a local large boarding facility switching from Bordetella vax 2x/yr to doing it only 1x/yr. For many, many years Mom and I required just that until a new strain showed up in this area 3 yrs ago. I will change my current policy on the Bordetella vax 2x/yr IF I see that facility not get hit with the "kennel cough". With our dogs going to groomers, using city dog parks, accompanying us into stores and of course boarding, Bordetella becomes a possibility but can be easily squashed with medications. Its just getting diagnosed and cared for can be much more expensive than the up-to-date vax being given 2x/yr. I get it. This also holds true regarding the Canine Flu vax. I lean on vets from every direction to tell me their opinion of that flu vax and its necessity. One would think that after the past handful of years, the Chicago flu strain will move on and the Florida strain will stay south and up the eastern coast. I will keep you updated. For now we will continue requiring 2x/yr for Bordetella. Canine Flu annually but remember its first year given as a 2 shot affair.
Lastly, I am going to have an increase in boarding rates of $1.00 for each weight range. It is also a possibility this year of obtaining an actual WiFi that will allow for credit/debit card payments. A new company has become available and once again, I'm watching to see how my neighbors fare with reliability and service. Wouldn't that be a change around here! WiFi stronger than carrier pigeon speed. I'll keep you posted. For now its 20th century checks or good ol' cash. Oh and one more thing.....I stopped and bought my dog tags from the shelter yesterday. Went in to see the dogs in need of homes. Sure there are a handful that from within their concrete, therefore loud existence, take to barking out of fear and anxiety as soon as you get close to their runs. They still need homes - just a little more time to believe their nightmare has ended once loved and in peace. However, right now there are more than a few that through all the noise, proved to me they know obedience commands, respond to a happy face and compassion and are wondering what the heck they're doing there. If you're looking for an additional member to the family or a new one, don't forget our local county shelter and the other adjoining counties. Again, thanks everyone and look forward to seeing you this 2023!
