Questions people ask

How do I book?

Use the form on the homepage. It asks for the dates, your dog and their vaccinations in one go, so I can check the calendar and come straight back to you with an answer rather than going back and forth. You'll get a text from me either way.

If you'd rather text, that's fine, I just end up asking you the same things.

Do we need to meet first?

For boarding, yes. A meet and greet is required before any overnight stay. This is standard safety practice for boarding, and it gives everyone a chance to be comfortable before your dog spends a night away from you. It also lets me see how they get on with Georgie, who lives here and will be sharing the space.

For daycare it's strongly preferred rather than required, and I'll let you know if I think we should meet before the first visit. Either way it's free and there's no obligation, and it makes that first day a lot easier on your dog.

How far in advance should I book?

The further out the better for holidays, long weekends, and school vacation weeks, since those fill first. Outside of those I can often take last-minute requests, so it's always worth asking.

What are drop-off and pickup times?

I work from home, so times are flexible. Standard daycare covers up to 10 hours; past that it's the extended daycare rate. Drop-off before 7 am or pickup after 7 pm is an extra $10.

What does a typical day look like?

Several walks, potty breaks every couple of hours, and a mix of yard time and indoor play, with naps in between. On nice days we sometimes head down to the Connecticut River for a hike.

You'll get a photo report at pickup with how the day went. Here's a sample one. I'm still building these, so yours may look a little different from the sample.

How many dogs are here at once?

I host up to four or five at a time, but most days it's just Georgie and a couple of friends. It's only me, so it stays at a size where I can actually keep track of everyone. When you book I'll tell you who else is scheduled for those dates.

Is there a fenced yard?

Yes, a fenced back yard for off-leash play. Dogs are never left outside unsupervised.

Can my dog get on the furniture?

Yes. Couches and beds are fair game here. If your dog isn't allowed on furniture at home and you'd like to keep it that way, tell me and I'll hold the line.

What should I bring?

Their food, portioned out if that's easiest, treats, and any medication. Bring a crate if your dog sleeps in one. Waste bags are appreciated.

Toys are optional since there are plenty here, but a favorite blanket or toy that smells like home helps a nervous dog settle. Please don't send anything you would be upset to lose. Bedding and toys get chewed, dragged outside and shared around, and I can't be responsible for items that are damaged or go missing.

My dog gets anxious. Is that a problem?

No, and it's worth telling me up front rather than hoping it doesn't come up. Most dogs settle within a few hours. The meet and greet helps a lot here, and so does bringing something that smells like home.

My dog isn't great with other dogs.

Be honest with me about it and we'll work out whether it's a fit. There's room here for a dog who'd rather keep to themselves, and dogs get separated when they need to be.

Resource guarding, reactivity, or any bite history are things I need to know before booking, not after. It isn't automatically a no, but I can't plan around what I don't know.

Can you give medication?

Yes, oral and injected. Send it in the original packaging with written instructions, and I'll log each dose so you can see it was given.

Do you take senior dogs or dogs with medical needs?

Yes. Tell me what the routine looks like and what to watch for, and we'll go from there.

What vaccinations do you require?

Required: Rabies, DHPP, and Bordetella. Strongly recommended: Canine Influenza.

Proof of rabies vaccination is required by law, so I need that on file before any stay, daycare included. For boarding I'll want to see that everything else is current too. A photo of the paperwork from your vet is fine, or the PDF they emailed you.

Do you take unspayed or unneutered dogs?

Unspayed females are welcome, though not while in heat. Males need to be neutered.

Are there size limits?

No. Everything from a few pounds to over a hundred.

What does it cost?

Daycare starts at $40 a day and boarding at $65 a night. The full rate list is on the homepage, including puppy rates, second dog discounts, and holiday pricing.

Are there discounts?

Two. Refer someone and they get $10 to $20 off their first stay while you get $20 to $30 off your next one. And every 10th daycare visit is free.