| rev:text
| - I hate to do this but I have to.
About a year ago when I got my first dog, Spencer, I was out for a walk with him when Sonny approached me with a business card. I don't know why at this point it never occurred to me that people provided services for dogs other than walks and house sitting since I travel sporadically for work.
The next time I had to leave I gave Sonny a call to see if he could take care of Spencer, he sent me a form to fill out and it was done. I was very pleased at how and quick easy the process was. I wasn't aware of any red flags at this point.
I was a bit worried at first because Spencer is a gentle, cheerful dog and I feared (like most dog owners) that he may not come back the same but he did so I was happy.
As time went on, my schedule became so chaotic that I would find out I had to leave in 24-48hrs and it was great how accommodating Sonny was because he always took him in. The convenience of having someone take care of him on a whim was enough for me to totally overlook some problems that began to arise.
A few examples.
When it was time to pick him up, we ALWAYS called before pick up...
They would tell us to come by later at hourly increments at a time.
For instance, we'd give a 6pm pick up time (which he would agree to), if we were running late we'd call and confirm for 6:30pm pick up.
He would then tell us to call at 7pm, we'd call at 7pm, he wouldn't pick up or respond for another 20 minutes or so then call back telling us to come by at 8pm.
There have been times he'd hold us off for about three hours, other times he'd tell us to come by the next day. Eventually he would say that he's out getting groceries, that Michelle is closing up the shop and that he'd let us know when one of them was back. Interesting... Now I'm under the impression that sometimes the dogs aren't even supervised, maybe it's been this way all along hence all the delays when picking him up?
After a while, it seemed like they didn't want us entering the house, we'd knock or call when we were at the door and they'd bring Spencer out. This made me a bit uncomfortable because I felt as though they may have been hiding something and/or they didn't care to have us sit down and talk/give feedback on Spencer's interactions or behaviour.
Spencer would also REAK of dog soil. I managed to convince myself that it's a dog kennel so he's bound to stink but in retrospect something is very wrong over there.
The last few times I went to them to board Spencer wasn't too long ago and when things took a serious nose dive.
The second last time Spencer was there, he came home with a very strange residue all over his fur from his head to his tail that was very difficult to get off. I suspect another dog marked him while they weren't supervised. Of course, picking him up was a pain in the ass as usual but we were used to it by now.
The very last time I ever allowed my dog to be in the care of Sonny and Michelle, I texted Sonny (since he never picks up) the moment I got back and asked when would be a good time to pick him up.
To which he responded...GET THIS... that the dogs were at the house (not the daycare...I still wonder why) with his PARENTS, he added that his parents were "in and out" that day, that he had called them, they didn't pick up and that he left a message. Didn't even answer the question as to when I could pick him up. How reassuring!
Then I ask if today isn't a good day.
He replies that that day was fine and that he just wasn't sure with his flighty parents. What?
These excuses were a load of bull and I expressed my concern to him about Spencers wellbeing. He assured me that he was fine, reminded me that his parents are just in and out, that Michelle will be home at 6:30pm at the latest. He added that he still hadn't heard from his parents so I asked, no one is watching them?
He finally calls me and explains that he is up north, Michelle is at the day care and the dogs were left with his "flighty" parents at the house.
HM
I finally pick the dog up at 6:30pm sharp bring him home and guess what? His tail is blue. Yeah, that's right, his tail is fucking blue. I examine it--I stare at it, I touch it, smell it and it is INK from a pen. What the hell happened that he got ink on his tail? I have no idea. Any explanation? No, just handed him back like nothing happened. My boyfriend and I have tried calling them about it and still we've had no response.
Recently at the vet, I learned Spencer never had a bordetella shot because I didn't ask for it (I didn't know dogs needed it to board) because Sonny didn't blink an eye when I gave him the papers.
They claim to treat your pet like one of their own--yeah--leave them alone hours at a time unsupervised is what they mean. The only flighty people in this situation is them and as far as I'm concerned this is just a cash grab, nothing more.
Don't let cheap prices and "convenience" suck you in like it did me. Have your dog crated when unsupervised too.
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