When I decided to accept a job in Iraq, I was very excited about the position, but worried and sad to think about my dogs and where they could possibly stay for such an extended time. My oldest dog, Puppy, was 13, soon to be 14 (and now almost 15 at the time I am writing this), and had rarely spent a night away from me. My girl, Sadie, was glued to my side and so skittish with other people. My little dog, Chico, was a ham, I knew he would be ok wherever he would be. I was worried about someone being able to accommodate them, the stress of having them separated (most kennels don't have the space to permit so many dogs together, who would be the odd one out?) ?) I knew from the minute I called Affordable Animal Boarding that this would be the place for my dogs. They immediately put me at ease about my worries: the length of time, the number of pets and the cost. I decided to begin boarding them about 2 weeks before my deployment so that I could stop in and visit them, help them (and me) with the transition. As I drove away, they watched me, ran panicking, and crying. I was in tears. I waited until the next day to stop in for a visit. They were so excited to see me, and me them. They were already comfortable playing in the yard and had favorite toys to bring me. By my third visit, it was a whole other story. They jumped and were so excited to see me, for a minute or so. But they had already made their friends and were busy to get back to their playtime. I still stopped in for the next week, but I could already see the dogs were adjusted and happy.
A year into the deployment, I was able to go home for a visit. The dogs were so excited, they stood there barking at me (happy barks) and shaking, I am sure they couldn't believe their eyes. I was very happy to see them, they looked so good and healthy. Sadie was so much more courageous (ok, she is actually quite bossy now), my old dog was running around and playing with so much more energy and looking more healthy than he had in years, and Chico was still my happy little ham. While I was sitting with the dogs, Barb and Lynn came into the play yard, and would you believe the dogs left my lap to go sit with them. I know some people might be hurt by that, but it made me happy to know that they saw them as family, that they did not feel as though they were alone. This was their other home and they had more moms to take care of them. I was able to return to Iraq to finish out my 18 months without worry or concern, and was even happy to imagine them living it up in their little corner of paradise.
I would highly recommend Affordable Animal Boarding to anyone who needed to take a short or very long trip away. They truly take care of your pets with love and attention. Your pets will enjoy their play dates away, and you can relax to enjoy yours.
Aloha, Angela