Lucky Pup

Yesterday evening, I met a puppy named Louie. He is a unique little fellow with shaggy black hair punctuated by chocolate brown points. His brown eyebrows and muzzle make him look wise but his puppy antics are a dead giveaway to his real age of 16 weeks. Louis is a cross between a Cavalier (King Charles Cavalier Spaniel) and a Bichon Frise.

He lives with a trio of girls and their parents. The eldest child is nearly a teen while the other two are stair stepped neatly beneath her in spacious age  increments. I guided the family- kids, mom and dad alike- through the pitfalls of puppy ownership in a private Puppy Preschool session. We discussed the usual roadblocks such as housetraining and playbiting. We learned appropriate educational games to play with Louie as well as what play behaviors to redirect and avoid. They were interested and intelligent and eager to make the right steps with Louie.

I was struck midway through our time together by the good fortune which has found Louie. He sat in a room with a family who is vested in his success. There was a vacancy for a companion, secret keeper, bed warmer, garbage disposal, tear-soaker-upper, best friend in their household and Louie gets the opportunity to fill that void. Anyone who has lived with a special dog can attest that they often do those jobs within our family with little fan fair and no expectation of reciprocity. I wish them many long years of happiness and joy with their new pup and am honored to have helped start this family on their journey with a new dog!

The days are beginning to find a rhythm here on Frogtown Road. Much like a pick up yard at the local elementary school, the parents of pups (well, big dogs too) are beginning to recognize one another during pick-ups from the Playplace and are discovering who their doggies played with during the long hours of the afternoons. I am trying to get candids but the dogs seem to like sitting close to the person with the camera.

More candids will come soon...for now, we move forward with training for Cassie the Cocker. Tomorrow, we have training sessions, grooming appointments, and dogs checking into the Pet Hotel. Looks to be a busy Saturday for sure.

Happy Thanksgiving!

From all of the pets (and people) who will share the Thanksgiving Holiday with us, Happy Day!

Ruby

Ruby is a black dog of questionable origin. Now, mind you, I'm sure she comes from good stock. You know, nice solid salt-of-the-earth parents and all. The thing is, she was born to a single mother with too many mouths to feed and never knew who her father was. But she is a story of triumph, opportunity, and the American dream.

Ruby was lucky enough to be adopted by a nice middle class family when she was just a few weeks old. She spent her puppyhood playing, romping, and generally being spoiled. She was spared from the adversity that her birth mother's life would have offered her. She grew into a loved, social, cared for pet who wears red bows on her ears and sports the latest doggie fashions.

When Ruby walked into the lobby of The Pet Hotel at Petropolis, she was accompanied by her entire family. One by one, they hugged and kissed her goodbye and assured her that they would return. She smiled beneath their affections with white teeth shining against her shiny black face. Her mom explained her peculiarities and we cataloged her personal belongings: ceramic crocks to eat from, a special pillow to lie upon, a special beef filled bone to occupy her interest. And she paused for only a second as they left her to pile into their mini van. She looked longingly for just a moment then turned her smiling black face to me as if to say, "Okay, what are we going to do for fun around here?"

Ruby's stay at Petropolis has been uneventful. She has enjoyed walks outside into the play yard and exploring in the brief but warm late Fall sunshine. She has eaten her meals in her ceramic dishes and lay upon her comfy brown microfiber bed. Soon, her family will return for her and she will herald their arrival with wet kisses and tail wags. Hopefully, she will share with them the fun she has had while on her personal vacation. After all, little doggie "Me Time" never hurts any pet/owner relationship!

There's a Villain Running Amok

There's a villain running amok and he must be exposed! The start-up period for any new business is fraught with peril and obstacles to overcome- costs, training employees, developing new customer bases, etc. Petropolis is a typical new business. The doors opened several weeks ago and we have had an overwhelmingly positive response from pet owners in the community. Daily, there are calls to house, play with, and groom pets. And the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday seasons look promising as well.

One of the pitfalls that all new businesses face is marketing. How do you let the community know that you are open and what services you offer? To address this issue, we blanketed the area with yard signs strategically placed at the entrances of popular upscale subdivisions and busy intersections. They have been working great. That is until now...

Apparently, there is a villain running amok in Union, Kentucky and he has a fetish for Petropolis signs. In the dark of the night, someone has begun to remove our Petropolis signs. One by one, they are disappearing. At first, I blamed the missing signs on forces of nature; acts of God; or bored teenagers. Now, however, I am suspecting something far more sinister. Slowly, the places where a Petropolis sign once stood are being filled by homemade signage from a competing Pet Grooming shop who has recently opened their doors as well. Purely a coincidence, I think.

So now, I will trek across Frogtown Road and collect the remaining Petropolis signs so that they can be re-homed in other strategically located spots which may attract the eyes of needy pet owners. On my way, I will pass several signs advertising the other Pet Grooming shop and I be compelled to say, "God Bless us, everyone."

Happy Holidays!

New Beginnings...

It's the latter part of week two at Petropolis and there are exciting things to report. The response to the massive renovations and new owners at this new/old establishment are overwhelmingly positive. Customers are beginning to stop by and inquire about services and I am pleased to say that pets have now utilized each and every Suite level that we offer- Downtown, Midtown, and Uptown!

Nikki, a 12 year old Akita with the disposition of a Labrador checked in today into the Uptown Suites and she reports that her accommodations are perfect! She took turns lounging on the couch and the overstuffed chair in her living area and enjoyed looking out the oversized window at cars whizzing by on the highway and dogs playing in the play yards. She napped briefly before her dinner comprised of delicious dry kibble mixed with fresh salmon (per her owner's request of course!).

Meanwhile, Annabelle and Tucker snoozed in their cozy little green beds in the sunny Midtown Suite area while their neighbors watched the grassy yard and parking lot out of the floor to ceiling windows.

Mabel and Snatch played alternately in the daycare room and outdoor play yard. It was sunny and a temperate 70 degrees and Snatch even enjoyed some sunbathing.

Otherwise, humans around Petropolis today stayed busy cleaning and building things that they deemed necessary. There was the now customary round of tours and making reservations as owners plan for their dog's Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. And the beat goes on...Until next time- peace...over...and out. 

Top Ten List of ...

quotes from around Petropolis this week.I thought this timely since we have officially opened but are still undergoing daily construction in different areas of the buildings. So, now we have employees, owners, contractors, and customers mixing on a daily basis!

10. There are so many cars in the parking lot, you must be giving something away free.
9.  Sue, do you think this will come clean?
8. Has the Ferret had her babies yet?
7. When is the carpenter coming back?
6. Good Morning, thank you for calling Petropolis.
5. What are we eating for lunch?
4. That's what she said.
3. Oh my god, that's gross.
2. If you pay peanuts, you'll get monkeys to do the work.
and the #1 quote overhead at Petropolis this week was...What a cute dog.

Daybreak, Doggies, and Daycare

The second day dawned before daybreak for the opening of Petropolis' doors. Just minutes before 7:00am, headlights reflected upon the large glass entry wall at the store front of The Pet Hotel. It was the first customer of the day- Shya. Shya was a shy brunette dog. Like a gangly high school girl who did not yet realize her beauty to those around her, she timidly walked into the lobby- eyes darting from side to side. She was here to play and did not yet know what a glorious day this would become. She readily went with Khris as her leash was handed over. Although timid, she was trusting as she had never known an unkindness. As her mom bid her good day, Shya walked through the hallway and across the kitchen toward the brightly lit playroom...this was indeed going to be a big day for her.

More on Shya's first day at The Playplace at Petropolis tomorrow!

Almost there...

Photos from the just before party...

The Owners...an all girls club! Tara, Mary Ann, Sheri, and Khris

 Child Labor at its best!

 Scarlett will work for Halloween Candy...

The Crew... this fine crew of people worked many long hours for the past 4 weeks to make the transformation a reality! Thanks a million times over..

Opening Day

Well, the weekend leading up to opening day is dawning and the mad rush is on to finalize the renovations. We set an extremely aggressive goal to demolition, renovate, and refinish nearly 7000 square feet of building space in just over 4 weeks and it looks as though we might actually make it. There have been crazy long hours, amazing volunteer help from family and friends, a lot of laughter and a general get-it-done attitude during the entire process.

Even with a few hours off here and there to enjoy the All American Quarter Horse Congress, continue work at the other businesses (Canine Companion and Fields Quarter Horses), and an occasional movie (Secretariat is a MUST See)-  it looks as though we will just finish.

Today, the ladies and I (there are four of us who entered this venture together) will be finalizing our loan at the bank and Petropolis will be funded. This evening, we are sharing the excitement with the people who have labored so diligently at 214 Frogtown Road for the past month by having a Cajun themed celebration. Good food, good times...and the start of a great new venture!

Petropolis by the Numbers

6000- number of promotional magnets ordered from Anthony the Magnet King
100- number of stainless steel bowls and pails purchased for the dining enjoyment of our guests
67- number of Downtown Doggie Suites
32- number of special pet therapeutic beds ordered today for the comfort of guests at The Pet Hotel
23- number of days in a row since renovations began
21- number of fast food restaurants located within 2 miles of my new workplace
14- number of wrought iron gates needed for pet holding areas
12- number of Condos located in Kitty City
11- number of stitches required by persons working on Petropolis renovations
9- number of newly constructed Uptown Doggie Luxury Suites
7- number of refurbished Midtown Doggie Suites
8- number of appliances purchased this week (2 shop vacs, 2 washers, 2 dryers, 2 refrigerators)
6- number of couches and chairs donated for Doggie Lounging enjoyment
5- number of various varmints who have been removed from the premises (3 raccoons, 2 groundhogs)
4- number of girls who own Petropolis (Khris, MaryAnn, Sheri, and Tara)
3- number of carpenters who I have hired to do the same job
2- number of opportunities in life to own/run this great Pet Facility
1- number of German Shepherd protection dogs who will live at Petropolis
0- number of days since anyone was injured during the demolition and renovations

The Birth of Petropolis

Life is a winding road sometimes. Mine has had some great straight stretches- where the road reaches far into the distance with nothing but straight lines and clear sailing. But inevitably, there is always a curve ahead. A certain property located at 214 Frogtown Road in an upscale hamlet called Union, Kentucky has popped up along my life's road several times. Like a person in a dream sequence, who isn't sure if they are moving forward or backward, the same property and opportunity seems to keep showing up on my journey.

The property was originally known as Joyland Kennels. It was developed in the 1970's and was Northern Kentucky's first commercial boarding kennel establishment. Throughout the years, Joyland Kennels became a fixture in the local culture- everyone took their dogs to Joyland at one time or another. The original owners aged and eventually sold the facility and both its fixtures and reputation fell into disrepair. In 2001, the business and property were offered at public auction and with about 7 days planning, my husband and I along with a fearless pair of investors purchased the property. We tackled the renovations with a vengeance and reopened several months later new and improved as Camp Canine. For 6 wonderful years, Camp Canine served our family and customers well.

In 2006, Wayne and I sold Camp Canine- having watched this labor of love (did I mention LABOR?) grow into a beautiful adolescent business full of promise and prosperity. The new owners of the business immediately set out to make changes and unfortunately, undermined some of the concepts and foundations that Camp Canine had been built upon. Soon, it was faltering again. (Side note: Ownership and Management of a large commercial Pet Boarding, Daycare, and Grooming business is not for the faint of heart!). During the next few years, the new owners continued to make changes including renaming the business Union Pet Resort. To no avail, they simply could not find their way back to the formulas which the success of Camp Canine and Joyland Kennels were based on. Forced into bankruptcy, the doors closed on this cornerstone of the community in November 2009.

I loosely followed the happenings surrounding the property over the next 6-8 months. I noticed as the unloved property began to look abandoned. I noticed that no cars seemed to come and go after the sale at the Courthouse Door. It seemed that the legacy would be lost permanently this time. And then, a friend mentioned that they had seen an auction posting for the property in September. Two days before the auction, I could not resist the urge to drive into the entry and found the doors unlocked and no one around. I was able to walk through and assess the changes which had been made, the damage which had occurred, and my mind's eye could not help but still see the opportunity and promise it offered.

One day before the auction, I began to make phone calls to a few select friends. "Did you ever want to own a dog kennel?" I knew I would need reinforcements financially to pull this off. The partnership was formed and we went to the auction on a sunny Sunday afternoon with hopes in hand. And, after some tense bidding competition, we were awarded the winning bid. So, the journey was renewed. Just 9 years after purchasing 214 Frogtown Road at public auction in a partnership- I found myself crossing this same stretch of road once more.

Now, that's where we stand today. I've traveled this stretch before. Different passengers in my car this time, but I know the twists and turns of this road . And, I suppose- here we go again! The birth of Petropolis...home of The Pet Hotel, The Spa, The Training Center, and The Playplace.