When you're giving out Christmas or holiday "tips" remember the kind folks who care for your loved ones (that's your pets) while you are on vacation. Nothing earth-shaking about the following story accept that even though they charge money for it, the folks at the animal-boarding business in this article really do provide an extra-level of care. From the Herald and News (Klamath Falls, Oregon):
A clean bed, food, a walk in the sun, maybe a scratch under the chin - what more could a dog or cat ask on Christmas?How about a Christmas dinner of dog biscuits, treats and dried vegetables that contained flavors of smoked turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, vegetable medley, dinner rolls and pumpkin pie?
That was the $4.25 special Saturday at Double-C, 4141 Washburn Way, where nine employees were working on Christmas to care for 228 pets boarded there on the holiday.This is a busy time of year for animal caregivers because this is a time when humans are on the road and need lodging for their pets.
"We'll split up the day, and nine employees will work just half a day," said Joe Meyer, morning crew manager, as he passed by row upon row of portable cages set up for small dogs in the warmer training area.
The Christmas chorus his passage set off was a cacaphony of barks and yips, but it would have been music to the ears of pet owners and lovers.
[...]
Meyer carried a kit of supplies as he visited larger accommodations for "families of dogs." Desi, Charger and Tyke, two golden retrievers and a border terrier, greeted him with wild enthusiasm as he arrived to wash their faces and brush them.In a "quiet room," for older or more sensitive animals, one dog and cat from the same home got special "together time, because they're such buddies at home," Meyer said.
This 20,000-square-foot "inn" was full, but by 10 a.m., "everybody's room's been scrubbed and cleaned. and everybody has gone out for a potty break. That's a lot of trips," said co-owner Jo Anne Carson.
You would tip someone who cared for your children. Tip the folks who are taking care of your pets, too.
Oh, yeah. Speaking as someone who once worked at a boarding kennel, it's HARD work for the money you get, even if you adore animals.
Tips would not have been appreciated nearly so much as some extra information from the owners. We hate surprises, such as "my dog becomes aggressive when she's frightened" or "my dog is aggressive around food", or "my dog has this high-spirited habit of tackling people from behind". Or, my favorite, "my dog can climb fences".
Posted by: LabRat at December 28, 2004 01:56 PM