Doggie Heaven Hotel

Still Life With Clover

Here is a portrait of the cuddly Clover after she helped me plant flowers around my giant urn.

A Cup of Coffee and a Cool Breeze

Dog sitting is a new adventure every day. 

I have nine dogs today—for one day—tomorrow three go home.

This morning my family left early to support my oldest son during the first regatta of his rowing season. I found myself standing in the middle of my driveway with my coffee, watching the dogs run around.

It was early and I was still in my baggy flannel PJ bottoms. I don’t wear undies at night for comfort reasons. This may seem like too much information but I am trying to create a scenario. 

So there I was, with my steaming cup of coffee, in my baggie PJs, surveying the doggies cavorting about my yard, when one of these adoring, loving creatures leapt up against my leg to show her affection.

One of her front claws got stuck in my PJ bottoms—and when she came down so did my PJ bottoms. 

So there I stood, with my steaming cup of coffee, and nothing on from the waist down in my front yard. I remember being glad that the neighbors across the street were on a ski vacation.

Unfortunately all my other neighbors were home. Now I’m not sure if any of them saw me in all my embarrassment, and I’m not about to knock on their doors and ask, “Hey, did you happen to see me this morning standing in my driveway with no pants on?”

And really, isn’t it just better to be ignorant about some things? 

BTW, I wouldn’t want to embarrass the owners of said dog. So I’m not going to name names. I mean what kind of mean dog-sitter would do that? 

I’m just going to post this picture.

Underwater Dogs

I love the water.

I am a scuba diver.

I love to snorkel and body surf, and most recently I learned to surf. I have seen a lot of interesting creatures in the water but none so interesting as these:

Check out more underwater dog photographs by Seth Casteel.

 

Chigiy's House of Labs

In honor of the many Labs we have had at Doggie Heaven Hotel over the holidays.

Thank you Jacqueline

Betty’s Boyfriend

Betty and Dude

Look, I think Betty is beautiful, but it’s possible that she hasn’t had a boyfriend in a long time—enter Dude, an 11-year-old English Staffordshire Bullterrier.

Dude

Before they met, I knew they were made for each other.

It is possible however that Betty took the relationship a little too seriously. Dude is laid back mellow sort of…well…Dude and he knew that no matter how perfect they were for each other, that their relationship could only last the six days that Betty stayed here at Doggie Heaven.

Betty defending Dude

But Betty was ready to defend their love tooth and nail. Every time another dog would approach Dude a little too closely, she would charge and let them know that Dude Was Hers.

Look what happened when Moondoggie got a little too close to Betty’s Dude.

Back off bitch!

Why Do Dogs Love California?

Dogs love California because they can go to the beach in late November and it can be sunny and 70 degrees. Humans like it too.

Walking down to the beach with three excited dogs.

Moondoggie has the ball while Judah and Poppy wait their turns.

The boys look happy but Judah looks happier running after a tennis ball

Where's Betty?

I had a new dog during Thanksgiving vacation, my friend’s bulldog Betty.

She had slightly misrepresented Betty’s behavior. She’d said that all Betty does is sleep and eat—and that Betty couldn’t get around that well and didn’t really want to.

So she dropped Betty off.

Betty slowly climbed out of the car. She did it by herself but as I watched, I thought she might need a little help.

My friend pulled away and suddenly Betty found herself surrounded by seven fun-loving doggie friends.

I tell you she was like a co-ed on spring break in Florida. It was doggies gone wild.

Betty played and played and ran and caroused for the three days she was here.

One time she went missing.

I found her in my car. I was surprised she could even jump into my car. I wondered what she was doing there at first, and then I realized.

She was changing into her Superdog outfit.

The Thanksgiving Day Doggie Crew

Here were some of the guests who stayed at Doggie Heaven Hotel over the Thanksgiving holidays.

 

They enjoyed daily walks, hikes, and spa treatments. Thanksgiving afternoon each guest was given part of a fresh Thanksgiving turkey breast over their regular meal.

When asked what they were thankful for each guest had his or her (or it’s) own thoughts:

  Poppy was thankful for tennis balls and food.

Mozart (MoMo) was thankful for Georgia and tennis balls and food.

Georgia was thankful for MoMo and food and tennis balls

Judah was thankful for tennis balls.

Rain was thankful for tennis balls. 

Argus was thankful for food and that every once in a while he caught a tennis ball, too.

 

Moondoggie was thankful for tennis balls and squirrels.

Betty was thankful for all her new friends.

Guest Shots

I have been terribly remiss in not keeping up my Doggie Heaven Hotel guest portraits and stories.

Here are a few pictures I took over the past few months.

Enjoy

Juda the Dutch Shepard

Lucky the Lab mix

Rain and MoMo

MoMo

Rain and MoMo. MoMo loves to cuddle with other dogs.

Sundance, Lucky and Cody

Toka the big boxer loves to sleep under his blanket.

Tria the beautiful English Setter.

Sundance and Cody-brothers from another mother.

River cooling off her bellie.

Griffin the mini Ausie.

Chloe the cuddly.

Chloe formed a big bond with my son.

Doggie Suitcase

We have a great idea here at Doggie Heaven Hotel.

Dog pack deal

It is the all-in-one doggie suitcase. I was lucky enough to find this nearly new doggie backpack at an estate sale this weekend for almost nada—yet it fit my dog perfectly.

Moondoggie waiting for the shuttle

Then my husband pointed out something I hadn’t noticed.

For dogs that don't quite fit in your purse.

The backpack is not only good for hiking and camping; it’s good for a doggie get-a-way. It holds everything your dog may need for a weekend trip, including, well, your dog.

Are we there yet?