A Luxury retreat...

Dropped Gretchen off for her first day of doggy daycare.

She's had this shy/submissive streak with other dogs for a while. When she first meets another dog if it's bigger then her or exhibits more energy, she cowers and/or runs away. Why not cure it, by throwing her in the middle of it?

I pass this place every day on my way to work and have talked to many people who take their pets there. I even stopped in one night back in March for a tour. It's very nice.

While Gretchen had a pet sitter till the end of June, we couldn't justify the extra expense of daycare to cure her affliction.

So I dropped her off and the staff did all they could to make her feel at home.

I know. We're freaks. We're actually checking our dog into daycare that's nearly as expensive as child daycare. Whatever. It's temporary and convenient.

Though honestly I was a mess most of the day. Partly because I was afraid she would be afraid all day and hate it and partly because I wanted to be there to share in the new opportunities for her.

Yeah I know. She's a dog. Get over it. She's the closest thing I have to a kid, so what can I say? I try not to treat her that way, but I can't help it if I feel that way - sometimes.

When I picked her up, I got her report card. Apparently they do it daily (classy place huh?). She scored well, but mostly quiet and shy. She really didn't take well to the new environment or playing with the other dogs.

I guess we'll have to try again.

- b