Our Lucky Dog Experience

Just over two months ago, I found out that I’d need to make a trip to Minneapolis for work and it just happened to fall right between two weekends I had planned to be in the UP.  After exploring all the options available to get there, it just seemed to make the most sense for us to drive.  And so, it was decided.  We’d drive to Minneapolis between our vacation weekends and make an adventure out of it.

Even after making the decision I still debated if it was the right move...taking the girls with me meant boarding them for 4 nights, and I wasn't quite sure I was ready for that.  But there was no way I was leaving them home either.  Seriously, I wasn't going to go North without them.  So it was settled.  I would find a good place for them to stay while as I was in Minneapolis.  And I found Lucky Dog Pet Lodge-a place that had great reviews and offers 9 hours of doggy day care as part of their boarding package.  So all of the dogs in boarding would be out of their kennels all day with the ability to play in 3 large play areas or lounge around outside all day.  At least I knew they wouldn't be stuck in a kennel all day and they might even make some friends.

I still worried about Imke, though, with her arthritis and the fact that she's just my sweet, old , fragile girl.  I didn't want her to be hurt by some rambunctious youngster.  And I didn't want her to over do it and not be able to walk...she's done that before.  But the staff reassured me every time I had any questions.

One week ago at this time(as I write this it is the morning of July 3), I was preparing to drop them off at Lucky Dog.  It would be their very first overnight boarding experience.   Four nights away from anyone they know...three whole days of me not seeing them.  I knew I had found a great place, but I was still sad and nervous to leave them. But once again, the staff reassured me that they'd be fine and, ultimately, I knew that was true.  It sure did make me feel better, though, when they walked away with a complete stranger and didn't even look back.

It was a beautiful, sunny week in Minneapolis so they got to spend most of every day in the outdoor play yard where they could lounge or play with friends before going into their kennel for the night. From what I can tell from their report cards, they made the most of their days lounging in the sun. Imke made friends with a Great Dane-so typical for her and Maddie had her own friend, a bulldog, and they were both happy to snuggle up with their good friend Koa, a pit mix.  And, of course, they had each other.

While all of this lounging in the sun was going on, I was 20 miles away in all day meetings for work. One of the first things I did after dropping them off was download the O Doggy app (which was connected to cameras at the facility) so that I could watch them in the play areas during the day.  It's not like they have never spent nights away from me, but this was different for us all.  This time they were with complete strangers in a strange place; they weren't in their own home and they weren't with someone who knew them.  I didn't have much time to check in on the cameras and after the first day, I relaxed a bit and just knew everything would be alright.

Finally, Friday morning arrived and I could pick them up!  When I arrived, I could hear the dogs all playing in the outdoor area.  It sounded like they were having a good time.  As I waited for them to come in, I saw Maddie come prancing into the building from outside and I nearly cried because I was so happy to see her.  Quickly they were ready and in the lobby greeting me...or at least Maddie was greeting me.  Imke was trying to get behind the counter with the staff and begging for treats.  Maddie jumped up with her cute little hop she does when she's trying to give kisses.  She was happy to see me. Imke wandered over to say hello as well, although she was bound to give me her typical cold-shoulder.  After 4 long days, I was finally back with them.   They were happy and healthy and I was so happy to see them.

My learnings from the experience-we can handle being away from each other, but we'd rather be together.  Every day is better when we're together!