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!