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March 2011 Archives

March 31, 2011

Yesterday, Bandit was so pooped from day care that he decided to hang out in his bus crate waiting for his mom, as opposed to sitting with me.

March 30, 2011

Ahh! Spring has finally arrived. What a beautiful day. The dogs are all full of the spring spirit and are bouncing about, carefree and enthusiastic.

Riven and Jack show both style and grace with their feathery forms whizzing around the yard.

Dash insisted it was pool weather by swimming in the water bucket until I brought the pools out. Nike, Olive and Nauset all thank him for his persistence.

After tearing about the yard Knuckles is all tongue. Riven on the other hand isn't even winded.

   Spike gives his best "I'm the cutest            Paddy goes for a more

        puppy in the world" face                          dignified look

Beau, Lucky and Jack all came over from boarding to join the fun.

               Stella and Lucy                          Paddy

In the back yard, set on the south side of the kennel it truly

feels like Spring and Paddy, with his girls are all loving

being outside soaking up the warm sunshine.

Molly heard we were starting to think about a new day care building. She's already begun the excavating process. She knows what she wants in day care, do you? Come fill out our survey to let us know what you would have your ideal day care.

Little Beau turns one tomorrow! He brought us cupcakes to celebrate his birthday. Thank you Beau!! (Half were already gone by ten o'clock!)

March 29, 2011

One of the best parts of my job is watching a new dog successfully join our play group. They come in not knowing what to expect and as their ears perk and their tails start to wag as they watch the group play, you can see the thought process racing through their heads, "Hmmm, I think this is going to be fun."

Today we had a new little boy start with us. His name is Teddy, he's a little Min-Pin. He was a bit wary coming in. He sat on Mom's lap and looked at me as if thinking, "Mom, are you really going to let this lady take me away?" Well surprises, surprises! If this little guy wasn't born to do day care then no one was. He spent a little time adjusting to his new surroundings and then met one friend, then two and then was quickly racing around with the group, his little curly tail a wagglin'.

Welcome to day care Teddy!!!

Cassie and Paddy played ball together today, although Paddy was thinking fetch, Cassie seemed to be thinking football because she was always blocking him from coming up the "field" with the ball.

So this was funny. Every time I went to take Hannah's picture Cassie came up to her and very gently stuck her mouth around Hannah's head, making goofy rumbly noises. Sorry Hannah no glamour shots today!

The kids in the big yard were full at it today. Trails of dust were left in their wake as they raced about the yard to catch each other and then tumble about in an energetic wrestling match.

And the little guys weren't to be out done. They may be smaller but they're packing a lot of energy. With Kirby's BFF, Sailor not in today he found a new bud in Zabette. Those two were inseparable today. Spud charges through the pack towards me, "You got cookies?" she says.

March 28, 2011

Cassie and Hannah each forgot their sunglasses today, so one squints and the other finds the shade of a gatepost.  So Cassie finds an alternate activity that doesn't involve staring into the sun, playing keep away with Paddy (he has the ball in his mouth).

Molly is already a veteran of reward training and responds well by sitting and being quiet (those that know her understand that is a lot in and of itself), but Paddy is showing remarkable progress as he already understands the universal "wait til I say you can have the ball" command.

Nauset prances while Sam and Bella begin their game with a sniffing standoff...

...and it quickly evolves into a game of chase.

March 25, 2011

Hello, Sunshine!

The sun is shining and the birds are singing, is Spring finally here? The dogs say so! We have lots of smiling faces in the yards today!

Tilly, Abby and Ruby love the warm sun on their faces.

Charlie and Lewis discuss the weather. Nike says, "Who cares? The sun is shining and look at all these balls!!"

Maggie and Seta come running; they found their favorite balls.

While some preferred to play fetch, others chose to work on their agility.

Today will make for a happy, tired crew.

Nauset and Marley poke their heads inside, but they ultimately decide that today is a perfect day to play outside.

Cody is all smiles today!

Seta has found true love with her orange ball.

March 23, 2011

The trainer's eye view: It sure is hard to get cute action shots when I walk into the dog yards and everyone just sits and stares at me and my pouch full of "rewards."

Ruby's lips are quivering, while Max can't help but smile waiting for their treats.

Boone and Ruby work on perfecting their poses and sultry eyes. 

The little guys are great because after Ruby Ro and Spike understood the drill, everyone else followed their example. We always say that teaching something is the best way to learn it and now the doggie pupils are becoming the teachers.

March 21, 2011

They'll be the top dogs in the neighborhood!

We are always striving to better ourselves; continually revamping old methods and adding new ones to improve the care we offer your dogs. In day care we've begun a training program to help better the pack dynamics. The techniques teach the dogs the appropriate behavior during play, coming in and out of the yards and interacting with people and other dogs, as well as many other aspects of their day. All the training is positive and the dogs enjoy the challenge as well as the rewards (a cookie for good behavior!) We've all been having a lot of fun.

Ruby, Spike and Mabel work on giving Jason their undivided attention.

When they sit and make eye contact they are rewarded with a cookie.

No jumping allowed - the pack learns to keep off the humans when we are in the yard. They have to sit and must wait for the cookie to be handed to them to be rewarded.

While Jason works with the big guys, Kirsten works with the little guys.

It doesn't take this crew very long to grasp the concept.

March 18, 2011

We're all still crossing our fingers and paws for sun but it's looking doubtful. The dogs are, as always, making the best of the dry weather they have and racing around like crazies. Maybe it's TGIF syndrome or the full moon tomorrow but they are just bouncing off the walls today. You parents should have some tired puppies tonight!

Bailey tears off across the yard. It's his last day at camp

and he's gonna make the most of it.

                  Waffles                   Fig                        Molly

The crew heads off but Nickie shouts,

"Wait up guys I've got the ball!" 

              Pierre                       Sophie                       Sailor

Love has no boundaries - Farley and Bailey meet noses between yards.

Knuckles zips around the yard in over drive. Olive and Ruby try to keep up while Cody tries to turn himself around mid-race. There's always that one kid going the wrong way :)

Some are taking their Friday a bit more relaxed. Lew strolls the big yard while Macey, Ruby and Cosmos hang together in the small yard.

March 17, 2011

Happy Saint Patty's Day!! It is absolutely gorgeous out today. You can feel spring's coming. The dog's are all full of spring fever, tearing around the yard, barking and smiling those big droolly smiles.

Lucy's basking in the sun, absorbing the warm rays, while Holly gallops around the yard smiling the whole while.

Prada, Rosie and Chester enjoy the sun and ball. They pounced and played the morning away warm and happy.

Oodles of Doodles. Fig and Hank bring shaggy grins to the crew.

          Olive                         Lewis and Brady                   Ruby

Wrinkles!!!!!!

Every day this week we've had a new pup join us. Today is Nike's turn! Isn't she absolutely adorable!! She's making lots of friends and having a great time playing. And look how she sits pretty for the camera.

Chewy leads the crew to fun!!

Harley and Marley, the super cute lab duo!

A little past noon we welcomed another new girl to the group. Meet Daisy. Ruby is very excited to have another puggle join the group. Daisy let her Beagle nose go to town and sniffed out every inch of the yard.

March 16, 2011

New girl, Mabel learned the ins and outs of day care from the little crew today. She had loads of fun playing with Sailor, Kirby, Ruby and Ryley.

Jazz says, "Let's get in a game of catch before the rain comes." Oh yeah, rain's definitely coming, I can feel it in my bones," complains Hannah.

Samson, Olive and Jazz make the most of the morning's dryness.

In the little yard, so do Mabel, Sailor, Ruby and Kirby.

Then the rain came and many of the dogs shifted inside, though just as many preferred to play in the puddles.

Little Olivia helped Kirsten in the office.

March 15, 2011

Loving the bright sun today! It seemed like everybody wanted a turn in the spotlight today.

Raffles and Wrigley are sleeping over, being the day care pro's that they are, they got in some playtime first. Then it's off to rest. A perfect day!

Nickie has a face that can make you fall in love and somewhere in all that hair is Fig. Fig is has been having a blast at camp. Hi Mom and Dad!

We watched Cody and Paddy grow from wee pups into the big, cuddly, lion heads that they are now.

Ruby and Charlie have found love in the play yard. These two follow each other around like "love sick puppies".

Some familiar faces...

                Paddy D.                                           Nory

                  Kirby                                              Boomer

March 14, 2011

What are we up to this morning? While all the humans have trudged off for work, the pups are hard at play.

Teddy and Cody start off their day wrestling.

They call, "Fig come and play with us!" She is all too happy to comply.

     Griffin's in stick heaven         Ruby plays keep away from Love Bud

When your small you just need a little twig to share.

        Nickie says, "Let's play fetch."         Abby comes running to join.

Zeus checks in on Jackson. Jackson replies, "My ball fell in.

I gotta get it so I can play too!"

And what better way to start off the week than with a new friend!

Ruby introduces Spike to her friends Fig and Prada, but it was the

two lab puppies that really hit it off. Ruby has found her soulmate in Spike. He loves to roll around and wrestle just like her. There is two tired

puppies in the making!

March 11, 2011

It's a dreary Friday and it shows. The dogs are happy to play inside, wrestling and skittering after tennis balls. Abby and Fig were the only ones eager to play a game of catch with me. They did get Cassie to join in in the end, but as you can see from the tongue she stuck out at me, she really wasn't thrilled with the weather conditions.

Hiding from the rain under the roof, Paddy, Hannah, Bandit, Lewis, Buster, Nickie and Knuckles say, "Rain, rain go away! Come back another day!"

It's the Abby and Fig show!

    Cassie's thinking about joining...          And there's the tongue!

Abby and Fig keep going though, all the way out...

And then ZOOM back in!

The little guys under their roof, Ruby     Asa and Sophie agree, Setters do

  jumps around dramatically barking,             not belong in the rain.

      "I'm melting! I'm melting!"

Boone curls up for the afternoon and asks,

"Can we watch my soaps?"

March 10,2011

Griffin and Jackson, known here simply as "The Boysies" show us what a good day a day care consists of.

Digging holes is sometimes a two man job.

Are those beds for sleeping? Why would we want to do that!?

Let's wrestle instead!! WWD here we come!

(That's World Wrestling Doggies if you didn't know)

And back to the hole. A day's work is never done.

March 9, 2011

It was just a lazy Wednesday morning for some of our bigger boys below. There's nothing like starting your morning lounging in the sun. It's like the dogs' version of a cup of coffee.

                  Wrigley                                         Colby

                     Zeus                                           Zander

Little Ruby cocked her head, "Spring flowers? That means Easter's coming. Any chance we get to have an Easter Egg Hunt?"

Stella, Zeus, and Cassie appraise their hole they've been working on for "Queen Hannah." Hannah would like it to be a bit bigger. "Back to work guys! I wanna be able to stretch out in there!"

Lewis happily plays house with Georgia so that her brother Colby (top left) can have the day off and nap on his tree pillow.  Since they know Spring is upon us, they are doing some cleaning out front to make it pretty.

Hannah's still waiting for her hole to be expanded, her crew must have all gone to lunch. Hazel waits for the ball to thrown even though Paddy V tries to remind her of Newton's First Law, "a body at rest tends to stay at rest..."

Ruby knows there is little cuter than a little dog chewing a ball bigger than its mouth, so she plays it up for the camera. Nelson was back with us for the first time since it started getting extra cold and anxious to play on the slide with Ryley. 

Beau and Charlie face off for a nose sniffing competition. Abby W says, "I'm watchin' you, Charlie Cowhey. Don't try nothin'."

March 7, 2011

The "Tail Wagon" is all loaded up and heading out to Chatham.

Look out here we come!!!

Everybody's in, now it's time to buckle up and sit back.

    Good kids all sitting and ready to go.   "Hey I can't see from back here!"

Dash caught a ride into day care this morning from P-Town. He took advantage of the ride and got one last nap in before playtime! He must still be tired from his Florida vacation (thanks for the coconut patties!)

What a wonderful weekend we had. Today it feels as if we could get blown away. At least it's still fairly warm out.

              Lewis says, "Say what?!!!?!!"                   Wrigley         

                  Nick                      Lovebud, "Please share with me."

Lucy, Stella and Zander

                     Zeus                                 Kirby and Cosmos

                      Ruby                                         Beau

Mocha plays hide and seek with her sister. Allie can't find her anywhere.

March 4, 2011

So many puppies today, it's sooooo wonderful!!! I love when I walk out into the yard and all those smiling faces come running up wanting to play ball, get scratched or just say hello.

       Wrigley smiles for the camera          Georgia smiles for sunshine

Let's play ball!

The fast track to tired puppies is a good game of fetch.

              Zoey                           Fenno                        Paddy

           Harley & Bailey                                      Nickie

                 Ozzy Pug                                        Abby

The boysies say, "See ya! And have a great weekend!"

March 3, 2011

Wow is it cold! We went from having all the doors open all week to turning on the heat and putting on the jackets again. But I keep telling myself it can't last too much longer, it's almost spring. I have to say that our Husky buddy, Zeus came in all smiles today. He just loves this cold "arctic" feel. The dogs always seem to fair the weather better than I do anyway. Here's some of the racing, chasing and bounding around that was done today.

****For all of you who looked at this yesterday and it looked a little off I apologize, I was playing with some new lay out settings. :)

As if Max isn't warm enough in that thick coat, he spent his

day running around with Rosie to keep his blood flowing.

This crew has the right idea.

A good game of tag always keeps you warm.

Just after arriving for their week's stay, Griffin locates a

tennis ball. He and his brother, Jackson are avid ball players.

Molly is quick to tell everyone she and her sister, Hazel are

also staying the week. She's mentioned it a few times.

No wonder she's known as "Motor Mouth Molly."

How many times has this happened to you? You're posing

for your picture and then all your friends just walk right in

front of you! Don't worry Buster,

we'll get your handsome face next time.

Jem seems unfazed by the cold as well. He's been outside

with his buddies all day, soaking up the sun.

Lovebud says, "Peek-a-boo!"

These guys are taking a short warm up break. Nauset says,

"Hi Dad! How's vaca? Don't forget to bring me back a souvenir!"

Molly's still talking. Did I mention we call her "Motor Mouth"?

And a quick shout out to all our day care clients who have headed

out for warmer climates this week (there's quite a few of you).

Bring me back some sunshine and warmth!

March 1, 2011

With the warm sun shining bright today, Hannah, Cassie, and Paddy D all came out for their usual face time.

Our new husky, Neisha, is showing that she can get along with two of our most active adolescents, Harley and Rosalita.

Lovebud charms the camera while Paddy V concentrates on spreading that new ball smell all over the ground.  Cue and Patch are enjoying pet sitting. They get to spend some the day at daycare and sleep at home!

Zabette, Charlie C., and Ruby Ro take turns trying to defend the big red rubber ball from each other.  Ruby's moves were too quick to be captured on film.

Rufus was beside himself to see Baxter as he antagonized him into a game of "chase."

"What's everyone looking at?" asks Nory.