Pampered pooches reign at Aspen Grove

Dog owners who feel terrible about leaving Fido or Fifi in a kennel while they jet off to a luxury resort this winter do have a way to assuage their guilt: Treat him or her to a stay at Aspen Grove in Roanoke County, an up-scale dog boarding, day care and recreation facility.

The first clue that this is no ordinary kennel is the sign that greets visitors at the entry. It reads: "Luxury Dog Bed and Breakfast." Venture up the gravel drive to the parking lot and visitors will find a series of parking spaces labeled with signs such as:"Parking for Yorkie Lovers Only -- Others will be Fetched!" Pick whichever space you like -- the signs are just tongue-in-muzzle.

At the end of the lot is the quaint cottage-style building that is Aspen Grove's reception area. Inside, the room resembles a cozy ski lodge, replete with a display of colorful dog toys reminiscent of a child's toy bin at Grandma's.

The relaxing Enya music that is piped throughout the facility is just one aspect of Aspen Grove's attention to keeping the boarding experience relaxing, non-threatening and stress-free for their guests, explained owner Donna Tipton. Pets are assigned to individual boarding rooms -- each one a "suite" consisting of a private indoor mini-stall connected by a doggie door to a roomy outdoor pen where dogs can see one another through wire-mesh walls.

"That way they can sunbathe outside and satisfy their pack instincts ... or nap indoors in privacy," said Facility Manager Carlene Conn, one of Aspen Grove's five American Boarding Kennels Association-certified pet care technicians. "You'd be amazed at how quiet it gets during nap time, despite the fact that we can have up to 70 dogs in residence," she said.

But like their owners-on-holiday, dogs vacationing at Aspen Grove get a combination of relaxation and fun. They are divided into "play groups" based on an evaluation of their socialization skills and, twice a day, are selectively led into the fenced gravel play enclosure where, attentively supervised (and scratched) by at least one and usually two handlers, they can romp, wrestle, jump, sniff and nose the tetherball to their hearts' content.

"Our regulars get excited the minute they hear tires crunch on the gravel drive," said Tipton, who left a corporate career to open the kennel. "They know they're coming back to spend time at a place they enjoy every bit as much as home."

And what about the rare dog who does not cotton to the Aspen Grove environment? "We encourage their owners to explore other options if we feel their dogs weren't happy here," Tipton said. Aspen Grove also has a consulting dog behaviorist who comes by regularly to work with dogs whose owners feel some behavior modification is in order.

-- Jerry Hale

For more information, visit www.aspengroveboarding.com

ancy and Al Taylor of Union Hall will be taking their dog, Casey, to Diane Oleinikoff at Canine Connections in Burnt Chimney for her holiday grooming.

"Casey helps make the holidays special for the whole family," said Nancy Taylor of Union Hall. "We want her to look special, too."

Casey is a 3-year-old soft-coated wheaten, one of a 35- to 45-pound terrier breed whose coats are often left long to accentuate the soft and glistening almond -- some say wheat-colored -- coat.

Wheatens, like poodles and bichon frises, have non-allergenic hair, not fur, and don't shed. Without regular grooming, Casey's coat would grow longer and longer, eventually concealing her expressive eyes. So Casey gets a fairly close-cropped trim every 4 to 6 weeks.

"If we let her get long and shaggy, she starts getting all matted -- and brings in lots more dirt," Nancy Taylor explained.

Like people looking for a barber or hairdresser, the Taylors tried several groomers before finding Oleinikoff.

"We know our girl will come back from a session with Diane looking like we want her to look," said Al Taylor.

At Canine Connections, a basic $37-$40 grooming (slightly higher for larger dogs and those, such as wheatons, that require extra time) involves a shampoo and trim, and clipping of nails, the hair in the ears and hair between the paw pads. Some groomers empty the anal glands -- an infection prevention step not advised for pet owners to try at home -- but Oleinikoff said she thinks that should be left to vets.

She's been grooming dogs since she was 16, has been in the area 12 years and has run the business single-handedly for just under four years.

"I'm the only one who touches your dog," she said. "And every dog I do is hand blow-dried -- not cage dried -- for de-matting and fluffiness."

With pet-grooming services in demand around the lake, there's room for several grooming services, some of which offer boarding, and also a need to make an appointment. Many places are booked solid two or more weeks out (more during mid-summer and around holidays) and can be choosey about the deportment and sometimes breeds of the dogs they take.

Three experienced groomers handle up to 100 dogs per week at Dawn and Larry Sean's Pet Paradise in Goodview, which serves clients from Union Hall to Salem. Larry Sean has been grooming since 1970; he learned his craft while working in his father's Roanoke business. All breeds except chows are welcome, but dogs that weigh more than 100 pounds are not accepted. There's boarding space for five dogs, reserved for the couple's grooming clients.

Barbara Bell operates Lake Country Grooming & Kennel from her home in Wirtz. She grooms all breeds and offers dog training, privately and in groups. She's offering limited house sitting and in-home care services as well -- an option for those with multiple pets. She's been in business at this location since 1993.

Dawn Wilson runs Dawn's Pet Parlor off Burnt Chimney Road just east of Virginia 834. Her grooming services run $35 and up, depending on dog size, condition and deportment.

"Uncooperative dogs just take longer," she said. She'll call when your pup is ready for pickup; the average time is about two hours, said Wilson.

Pell Animal Clinic in Rocky Mount is open weekdays from 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. until noon for boarding drop-offs and pick-ups. Space for 20 dogs (and six cats) is available; all animals must have proof of current vaccines. Grooming services also are available; call for availability and pricing.

"We're especially handy to residents of Southlake area," said Office Manager Sandy Churn.

So is Pet Clinic of Rocky Mount, where there are 20 kennel runs and a variety of boarding cages available. Head Groomer Katelyn Bowler has been there 2 ½ years and works on all breeds of dogs and some cats (which sometimes need to be mildly sedated, handled by an on-premises vet) and specializes in puppies. Average lead time for grooming is one week, but customers should allow more time in summer and before holidays. Smaller dogs are $35-45, depending on breed and condition; larger dogs are $45 and above.

Another option is a grooming service that comes to the pet owner, saving a couple of trips and your pet the added stress of a strange environment and encounters with other animals, which can be especially difficult for older dogs. For four years, George McCall has been bringing the Tailz 'A' Wagon Mobile Pet Grooming trailer right to lake driveways. The basic dog- and cat-grooming package includes bathing, brushing, 10 minutes of de-matting, nail trimming, ear cleansing and hair removal. Also available are flea and tick treatment, de-skunking and medicated shampoos. Prices begin at $45 for small dogs.

"This works great for us," said Nancy Zollman of Wirtz, who has McCall groom both her poodle and Shih-Tzu. "He gets each one from the house when it's their turn ... they never have to wait in a cage, which I really like."

Another customer, Fred Nuccio, has Tailz 'A' Wagon come to his Westlake office. "I just take the dog to work on grooming day, and he's happy to go to the trailer when George arrives."

Jerry Hale | Special to Laker Weekly

721-4675

LAKE LIVING

LAKE LIVING

Dog owners who live at the lake are a lot like dog owners everywhere: They consider their canine companions members of the family and want them to fully participate in the family's holiday fun. With Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner, it's the perfect time to make sure Spot looks his best when friends drop by or house guests arrive for a visit.

LAKE LIVING