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BY JEAN STARR
Times Correspondent | Friday, November 10, 2006 | (No comments posted.)
Is your dog getting a little lonely left home alone while you're at work?
At the very least, energetic dogs left to their own devices all day are fully rested and ready for a long romp just when you are ready for a nap.
At worst, some dogs left on their own for long stretches of time, can get into trouble. But not if they go to day camp.
Jean Reeves of Westville opened Royal Acres Dog Camp on her farm in March and treats about a dozen dogs a day to playtime, treats and attention.
"We typically have 10 to 12 dogs in the day camp each day," she said.
She also offers overnight stays, and is currently booked up well in advance for weekend overnights.
Big dogs like Hans, a German shepherd, Lambo the Lab and Rosie the shepherd mix like to romp in the 1-acre play yard with Cooper the Weimaraner and Mia, the Vizsla. It's the group Bosley likes to run with.
The 1-year-old yellow Lab attends camp two or three times a week. His owner Leann Bush said he gets excited when he knows he's going to Reeves' place.
"He's been going there since he was a few months old," said Bush.
"He's a high-energy dog; when I pick him up he's exhausted."
There is a separate outdoor play area for small dogs, which are kept adjacent to the indoor play area. Kia the Shih Tzu was a recent first-timer who enjoyed playing with Chip, a Jack Russell terrier.
Running a day camp for dogs is about 10 percent riotous fun and 90 percent clean-up. Reeves and her employees are never far from a mop and a spray bottle of cleaner. The couch and chair are meant to be leapt upon by dogs of all sizes and there is always an extra slipcover or two on standby.
Reeves said she asks the owners if they allow the dog on furniture at home, and tries to abide by their constraints so as not to encourage bad habits.
Each dog has its own room unless they are from the same household. While people bring their dogs' own food, the camp features Kandura beds that are elevated off the ground for extra comfort, and lots of toys.
Reeves said the dogs' owners must bring in proof of vaccination before enrolling their pets in the camp. She recommends that all the dogs be on heartworm and flea preventative. And she wants to know as much as she can about each dog.
"We ask lots of questions about the dog's personality, likes and dislikes," she said.
Just like any daycare center, Royal Acres is busy in the morning and afternoon as people come to pick up their pets.
"People laugh at me when I tell them I have to drop Bosley off or pick him up," Bush said.
"When I come home from work I don't want to mess with a hyper dog."
Royal Acres Price list
* Daycare -- $10
* Overnight standard cabin -- $20
* Overnight cabin suite -- $25
* Second dog, same cabin -- $10
* Bath and Nail trim -- $15
For more information
Royal Acres Dog Camp
When: Office hours 7:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 6 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
FYI: (219) 733-2889 or reevesroyl@aol.com
Royal Acres Price list
* Daycare -- $10
* Overnight standard cabin -- $20
* Overnight cabin suite -- $25
* Second dog, same cabin -- $10
* Bath and Nail trim -- $15
For more information
Royal Acres Dog Camp
When: Office hours 7:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 6 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
FYI: (219) 733-2889 or reevesroyl@aol.com
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