As I exit Highway 1187 off of I-35 South, Rosie, Rebel and Baxter become more alert as they look out the window at the passing scenery. Over the next two miles their excitement escalates and they pant with anticipation. By the time I turn into K-9 Kountry Boarding Kennels (www.K9Kountry.nu) they are bouncing on the car seat with unbridled joy! I feel relieved that they are happy about going there, though truth be known, a little irritated they are so eager to leave me to spend time with kennel owners Butch and Denise Cappel.

Several years ago we were going out of town and needed to find a place to board our dogs. I looked in the Weatherford yellow pages under Boarding-Animal and K-9 Kountry, surprisingly, was the only one listed. I called and spoke to Butch and liked him immediately. With more than thirty years experience in dog training, boarding and adoption, I felt confident that he was in the business for the dogs and not the money. A few days later I drove out to their place in Burleson unannounced to check out the facilities. They were shady, rustic and clean with the owners living on site. It was a bit of a drive from Willow Park, but I was willing to give them a try.

To my delight, I found out that the Cappels prefer to keep small dogs in their home with them and they have rooms allocated just for that purpose. Several times a day the dogs are let out separately to roam in their fenced in yard to go to the bathroom and stretch their legs. From the beginning, we could tell that our dogs were very happy there and looked forward to going back. We also look forward to seeing Butch and Denise each time and hearing about their efforts to help lost and abandoned animals, and train what was labeled as “the un-trainable.”

Choosing a place to board your pets while you’re away is an important task. Here are a few suggestions to consider:

First, choose a reputable kennel and make an unannounced visit before you go. Look for cleanliness, a positive atmosphere and friendly workers. Be sure that you know what the facility requirements are in terms of shots and vet records, as well as drop off and pick up times.

Bring your dog’s favorite blanket or cushion and toy to the boarding facility. You may also want to sacrifice a t-shirt that you’ve slept in the night before, unwashed, so it smells like you to help calm him once you are gone. Also, bring his food, treats, and dishes with instructions as to how much you feed and when. Anything of his that you can bring will help minimize the stress he will feel.

If you’re boarding two dogs that are fairly close friends, they may do better sharing a kennel than in separate ones. You often get a cost break that way as well.

Make sure you don’t suddenly change his food before you go. It could result in an upset stomach which can add to his distress.

Here’s the hard part. Once you drop him off… leave quickly. Don’t drag out the good-byes, make a fuss, or act like you are leaving for a long time (even if you are). Have a positive attitude like you are leaving him for a playdate. This way he won’t be as stressed and your departure will be more peaceful if you do not have to deal with a freaked-out, screaming dog.

Just yesterday I picked up Rosie, Rebel and Baxter up from a four night stay at what we now call “Doggie Camp.” They were happy, healthy and full of energy. As I write this, they are all sweetly snoring on the couch, probably having doggie dreams of their recent antics away from home.