Dog Days
By
Mercedes Verhine

The weather outside is frightful…well, maybe not frightful, but it’s cold. And my Rottie mix, hates the cold weather as much as I do.
She has decided that being a couch potato is actually a life choice. After a firm admonishment from my vet, I knew I had to do something to reign in her weight gain. (Have you ever tried to physically push a full grown Rottweiler through a door when she did not want to go? If you are contemplating such action, might I suggest having the number of a good chiropractor on speed dial).
Dogs are no longer accessory animals that are delegated simply to the back yard. They have evolved into fledgling family members, often referred to as our “children”. And as family members we naturally experience a level of anxiety about leaving them home alone while we work.
This anxiety is not completely unfounded. In the same manner as our human children; our canine kids are more prone to behavior issues than their busy, socialized counterparts. Idleness makes them more prone to diseases-- just like inactivity places humans at higher risk for certain diseases. Not to mention an unsocialized dog may develop fear based aggression.
The solution for many families leans toward day care for their pets. And the choice of which facility to use is as daunting a task for your pet, as it was for your first human child. Doing your homework is the key. There are many fine facilities in the area, but like most things in life, it often boils down to a matter of personal fit.
Bill Leslie opened Unleashed! in Marietta, in 2007 and feels that a total pact approach works best for his clients. Dogs are not separated by size, but allowed to run free throughout an intimate home-like setting with two large fenced yards to play.
While Kathy Baker of Must Love dogs, in Marietta, separates her dogs by size and provides a large open warehouse spaces with adjoining yards. Kathy left a lucrative career at IBM to open a facility in order to provide the care that she felt her lab, Maddux would not receive elsewhere. Both sites have groomers and trainers available,
When choosing a day care, be prepared to have your dog pass a temperament test before they are accepted. Some facilities take about 30 minutes for this test, while others will want to have your dog mingle with their potential playmates for several hours. Either way, your presence will probably not be allowed. The purpose of this test is to see how your pet reacts to the pact without your influence. You might be asked to sit in a waiting room, or even to leave the building. Remember, even if you are out of sight; be assured your baby can tell if you are nearby. And just like preschool, everyone coming to play must be current on their vaccinations.
Facilities work hard to make the day care experience as fun as possible for your pet. Pet Play Place in Kennesaw offers “hot dogs” and “ice cream” for special treats. It is even possible to have your canine kid’s next birthday party at some facilities.
While all the facilities I looked into provided boarding, some places are not allowed by city and/or county ordinances to stay in the facilities overnight with the dogs. They compensate by making late night visits on the guests. Check with your facility for their zoning allowances.
Here is a list of the Day Care centers I found in the immediate area. With the demand for facilities ever increasing, this list may not be complete. But it will give you a good starting point to find the perfect place for your four legged child.

Creekside Pet Hotel
1360 Lockhart Drive
Kennesaw, Ga 30144
770-422-4700

Must Love Dogs
4225 JVL Industrial Park Drive
Marietta, Ga 30066
770-928-4355

Pet play Place
2687 McCollum Parkway
Kennesaw, Ga 30144
770-919-8738

Unleashed!
376 N Fairground Street NE
Marietta, Ga 30060
404-775-2900

Everyone deserves a good day. I know, for me, the knowledge that my furry family member is being well taken care of, has given me one less thing to worry about in my busy schedule. I leave each morning in the confidence that she is happier and healthier (and not sleeping on my couch) when I am away.
Mercedes Verhine is a featured freelance writer with Our Town Magazine and can be reached at mverhine@bellsouth.net.