This kennel is absolutely amazing. After being thoroughly disappointed with another kennel I used for an overnight stay, I was apprehensive to leave my big Great Dane babies anywhere at all. Susan, the owner, spent a good ten minutes in the phone with me discussing her approach to care when I simply called to check availability. Here's just a few reasons I will never use another kennel again (assuming my pups are welcome back!)
1) The level of expertise. Susan knows dogs. The kennel is prepared for all breeds, which is not always the case with giants. She takes care to ensure the dogs are not integrated with other dogs at the kennel (which is nothing but a recipe for disaster). I was not worried that other pups with a Napoleon complex would attack my big guys nor was I worried that my big guys would accidentally pull a Lennie from "Of Mice and Men" on a smaller dog.
2) Communication. Susan either answers the phone or responds to phone calls/emails within moments. She is keenly aware of what is happening with each dog under her watch and encourages you to call and check in on them. I never even felt like I needed to say who I was when I called. I said my first name and she knew.
3) Pick up / Drop off is handled perfectly. She has a capable and knowledgeable staff and runs her business like a well oiled machine. There is no nonsense and no fuss. Just an expert who knows exactly what she is doing.
4) Flexibility. My flight home was cancelled and I had no idea when I could get it rescheduled. This was met with a shrug from Susan who simply said "Worry about the kids you're chaperoning on your school trip... we'll worry about the pups." I am confident that even if Susan had a fully booked kennel (which she likely had), that she would've figured out a way to extend their stay if I needed.
5) "Extras." I thought to myself: "I really don't need the bath option before pick up..." but I did it anyway. I'm so glad I did. My dogs looked (and smelled) wonderful when I picked them up. And one of my pups absolutely abhors baths (which I didn't warn Susan about). She and her team managed anyway. Get the bath option. There's no other way to take them home. Also, she freely admits that although she knows the vaccination status of neighboring dogs in the kennel she cannot possibly know if vermin or other ickiness is being transmitted. The bath is important before taking them home. I hesitate to call it an "extra"
6) Pricing. I actually hesitated before committing to Applewood because I thought their pricing was uncannily low in comparison with others in the area. This should only emphasize the commitment that Susan and her team have to their craft and business. It's not a "money grab" (which is certainly how I felt about the last place where I kenneled my pups for one night).
Here's the best sign that this kennel is a great place to bring your pups: my guys weren't all that excited to see me when I picked them up. As much as that might seem strange, that is the highest compliment the dogs themselves can give of the place.
I was so nervous leaving on this vacation. But because of Applewood, I could completely let go of the worry about my big babies.
I cannot recommend this place enough. read more
