Best Friends Forever

Your pets take good care of you. When you go away, take good care of them at a kennel with a little something special. Plus, There's new leadership at A.I., and how to prevent diabetes.

by Pam George Published February 16, 2011 at 11:17 AM

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Camp Bow Wow
This Newark business (738-2267, campbowwow.com) offers overnight “camping” and daycare. Dogs, separated by size and temperament, cavort in indoor or outdoor play areas. If your pet doesn’t play well with others, seek another option. “Owners, for the most part, know what works well for their animal,” says owner Laurie Williams. At night, campers retreat to heated and air-conditioned “cabins,” not crates. There are 10 cameras so you can spy on your pet via the Internet from the Caribbean. The high-tech facility also has an advanced alarm system. Williams lives four miles from the site, so she can respond quickly. She also runs Home Buddies, which provides in-home care services for pets.

Dog Dayz Dog Daycare
In downtown Wilmington, this facility (655-5506, dogdayzonline.com) offers daycare and boarding for daycare clients. Up to 30 dogs hang out in one play area. “It works just fine,” says Brian Alessandrini, the “pack manager.” “The Chihuahuas can scare a Lab away if the Lab is in their face too much.” Boarders spend the night in crates or, if they are more comfortable, they sleep on a blanket in the main area. The business can arrange for pet sitting at home, and it offers bathing.

Doggies at the Beach
Humans stay with animals 24 hours a day at Doggies at the Beach in Rehoboth Beach (644-8200, doggiesatthebeach.com), a crate- and kennel-free environment. An employee even sleeps with the dogs overnight. There are three play areas, which owners can view on webcams, and an outdoor potty area. On weekends, guests watch “Lady & the Tramp.” “They love the spaghetti scene,” says owner Jim Reiter. During Saturday dancing sessions, pets learn to cha-cha on two back feet, and once a month, a licensed veterinarian visits the site to give discount vaccinations for dogs and cats. The groomer also handles dogs and cats.

Doggie Playhouse
With nearly 4,000 square feet of indoor play space, Doggie Playhouse in Newark (456-3647, thedoggieplayhouse.com) offers two climate-controlled rooms for comfortable play. During “nap time,” dogs are escorted to extra-large crates for a midday rest. Doggie Playhouse supplies the toys and bedding unless the dog is a boarder, in which case parents can bring bedding to foster a sense of home.

Dogtopia
Tucked behind Fairfax Shopping Center in North Wilmington, the dog-only Dogtopia (622-8388, dogdaycare.com/wilmington) caters primarily to daycare guests but accepts boarders. Boarders are crated at night, but the rest of the time it is a joyful free-for-all. Dogs roam in one of three rooms. Animals are divided by size, age and temperament. Visit the website and click on the gym, romper room or lounge. Rooms are cleaned around noon, when pooped dogs take a nap and the real poop is whisked away, says manager Kelsey Dickinson. Dogtopia also offers grooming.

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