The Cottages

27/03/2026

We are famous! Maybe not for what we had hoped we would be known for, but important non-the-less. Thank you to Mitchell Sasser and The Central Virginian for covering our plight. Please share and help protect our beautiful, rural Louisa!💕

High-voltage transmission lines can cause behavioral changes, discomfort, and even navigation disruption in dogs — that’s one of the reasons why Sarah Strentz, the owner of the Louisa dog boarding service The Cottages, is opposed to the Valley Link Project.

The Joshua Falls-Yeat Electric Transmission Line Project — a 115-mile, 765-kilovolt (kV) transmission line that could to cut through 20 miles in Louisa County — is planned to extend from Campbell to Culpeper County and cross nine counties to meet Virginia’s growing energy needs. The project is a joint venture between Dominion Energy, FirstEnergy Transmission and Transource, operating as the Valley Link Transmission Company.

Two route corridors with several route variations are currently proposed; the orange route corridor, which enters Louisa crossing I-64 around the Ferncliff area, is roughly 700 feet from one of the cottages on Strentz’s property. She was one of the 545 individuals who attended the March 12 open house, an opportunity for residents to speak one-on-one with a Valley Link representative to see how the project could potentially impact their land. That’s when she found out how close the line was.

“I was devastated. The [Valley Link representative] showed me [where my property was in relation to the transmission line] — I started to cry,” Strentz said. “I was angry internally that a for-profit company can come through and take your land so they can make more money. That to me is just wild.”

Click the link below for more details about The Cottages and to learn about documented effects transmission lines may have on birds and other mammals, including anxiety in dogs:

https://www.thecentralvirginian.com/news/local-dog-boarding-service-fears-transmission-line-impact/article_00f02a4c-badc-4cf3-9846-ee7dcf1748d5.html

03/03/2026

Woohoo! Thank you to everyone who voted for us and to Charlottesville Family Magazine for the Charlottesville Favorites Award. We are honored and so happy to be part of this dog loving community💕

You can access all the favorites here: https://charlottesvillefamily.com/family-favorite-awards/ #1

14/02/2026

Highlights from the winter of ice ❄️☀️ Welcome to mud season!🧡

04/02/2026

Some of our wonderful clients are experiencing medical challenges. They need to move urgently and cannot take their family members to their future medically assisted homes. Please consider these pups and pass along this post. Their humans are absolutely heartbroken. Thank you.

Dobby (Dobe) - the little guy with the tan face in the pics- is 11 years old, born on January 23, 2015. His breed is Rat Terrier and weighs 15 to 18 pounds. He is very loving, likes to cuddle up with a blanket. He is neutered and house broken. He sleeps in the house in his crate with blankets.
Loves toys, however, loses interest fast.
Dobby does not enjoy children and is a picky eater. Lost several teeth, mostly in the front and is timid.
Dobby loves to ride in a car and enjoys walking on a leash.


Wrigley - the bigger guy in the photos with the all black face- is 8 years old, born on July 16, 2017. He is a German Shepperd/Lab Mix. A loving dog and protective. He is neutered and house broken. Wrigley loves to play with toys and fetch.
We have notice that Wrigley has allergies to pollen and sheds a lot. Wrigley does not like to be around dogs that are not spayed and neutered.
Wrigley minds very well but could do better on a leash. He eats well and is not picky. He weighs about 80 pounds and sleeps in doors on his bed.

26/08/2025

We have had the absolute pleasure of meeting Ms Crystal. She is looking for a new place to call home and we can vouch that she is just wonderful 💕. If you would like more information, don’t hesitate to reach out to us . Hi there!  I’m Chrystal, a sweet and soulful 7-year old pup weighing about 70 pounds, and I’m looking for a calm, loving forever home where I can truly settle in and shine.

Since coming into foster care, I’ve discovered how wonderful it feels to be safe and cared for.  I’m a gentle, affectionate girl who enjoys quiet walks, cozy naps, and simply being near my humans.  I’ve got great house manners, I’m fully house-trained, and I walk well on a leash—just an easygoing companion who’s ready to love and be loved.

I’m used to being the only dog in the home, and I really enjoy having my space and one-on-one attention.  That said, I’m friendly and open to socializing with other respectful dogs—I just prefer a peaceful environment where I don’t have to compete for affection.

I would thrive in a calm home with someone who values companionship, routine, and a little extra snuggle time.  If you’re looking for a loyal, low-key best friend who will bring warmth and love into your life, I’m your girl🐾

13/08/2025

The lights are on and it’s almost time to open 💕

28/07/2025

There’s a war at The Cottages! Who do you think will win this match?

27/07/2025

12/07/2025

02/07/2025

Just a few of our cutie pie guests! 💕

29/06/2025

Cause it’s fun to run 😎

28/06/2025

Happy pups on vacation 💕