LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
It's a Dog's World (And Cats Don't Do Too Badly Either) |
by Marion McGrath |
During the dog days of summer we all can feel as if we're covered with fur and have tongues hanging out from the heat. But did you know "dog days" gets it meaning from two constellations of stars, Canis Major and Canis Minor (big dog, little dog). The constellations represent dogs trotting at the heels of the Greek hunter Orion. Canis Major contains Sirius (also called the Dog Star) which is the brightest star in the heavens. Sirius rises at dawn in midsummer and since the star was associated with the Dog Star by ancients, this period became known as the dog days of summer. Knowing that doesn't make things any cooler, does it? Imagine how our real fur covered friends must feel. We all love our pets but there are times we have to put aside separation anxieties and arrange for room and board for them while we jet off to the places where the glitterati gather. Of course since they are OUR pets they naturally deserve the very best. And the very best is right here at the beach. Never Never Land Kennel & Cattery, Lewes DE (302-645-6140), thinks pets are a lot like Peter Panchildren who never grow up. And they certainly know how to cater to them. Owner Dotty Quillen and son Allen gave us a grand tour of all the premises. The kennel is open year round and offers boarding and grooming for cats and dogs (and rabbits). Their large kennel can house 65-70 dogs and not give them claustrophobia. The entire kennel is air-conditioned, and each pup has a spacious area that has access to an outside part of the kennel, so pooch can chill out or sunbathe as his little canine heart desires. There is a large exercise/play yard attached to the kennels so that they can stretch those legs and do back flips if they want. The cattery has 16 spacious cat pens and your lucky feline will be left in the tender care of an exotic beauty, Mokshada, who hails from Mauritius, an island in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Meeeow. Your cat never had it so good. We all know how fastidious cats can be and Dotty has played on this. Want to toilet train your cat? Never Never Land plans to offer classes in this. In fact one of the pens has plumbing roughed in and all that's lacking is the toilet. It works something like this: you buy something called a transfer system which looks like a toilet lid but the bottom is covered with plastic. You start out putting litter on top of the plastic and when the cat gets used to jumping up and using this litter pan you remove one of the rings pressed into the plastic. Kitty jumps up but all of a sudden feels a space where none has been and will move his feet out more to accommodate. The holes get progressively larger until eventually there is nothing there except the lid. Shazam. All you have to do is flush. That's not enough for you, you demand glamour? Then on your way in say hello to receptionist Ali Hill. Ali is Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell's former nanny as well as nanny to various Kennedy grandchildren. Will she dish? No, but she's writing a book. Next stop is Home Away From Home, Lewes DE (302-684-8576). We loved this place immediately because as we approached the kennel we saw that the walkway is lined with artificial fire hydrants. A real welcome mat for the dogs. Owner Denise Irwin welcomed us into a kennel that has a small, friendly environment. There are 25 individual runs, air-conditioned, with 24-hour access to the outdoors as part of the runs. Security is stressed at the kennel and a dog would have to go through 4 doors and jump 3 six-foot fences to escape. There's a large outdoor play area which sports a kiddy pool to loll around or in. If you want, there's a separate program that will allow your dog, for an extra charge, to have a twenty minute playtime each day. Additionally, Denise's golden retriever, Desdemona, is so gentle that she is often used as a playmate for dogs in residence. Seven cat kennels allow plenty of stretching and scratching space for kitties, plus a huge play room just for them. While cats aren't groomed here, dogs can be and, get this, they position themselves in a pink tub while they are massaged with a Jacuzzi-like hose. A specialty here is boarding and care of geriatric dogs. There are oversized toys for them and they can rest those weary bones on foam mattresses. Other animals such as ferrets, rabbits and birds are welcomed. The kennel stays open all year. As you drive out onto Route 9, you'll see the big sign with a dog and cat waving good-bye and saying "Don't Worry About Us, We Love It Here." Maybe you don't want any pet of yours to arrive anywhere looking scruffy, so your first stop would be the Animal House, 803 E. Rehoboth Ave. Proprietors Greg Kellas and Mitch Sames have created a salon for the pickiest of pets. Dogs and cats are groomed here in style. Your precious has a choice of pet grooming or show grooming. The dogs are generally not put in cages but are allowed to sashay over most of the premises. They have a couch for lounging, treats, an extensive water bar and their own TV on which they undoubtedly watch Jerry Springerspaniel. Fido gets his ears cleaned, feet shaved, nails clipped, privates shaved and a rough clip before his bath. Apres bath when dry he gets styled with scissors. Felix gets the approximate same treatment. When it comes time for departure, each animal leaves with a faint whiff of fresh and clean cologne, wearing a complimentary bandanna or bow. Open year-round but call in advance for an appointment. Not ready to pack your bags and fly off somewhere? Maybe you work long hard hours and sometimes just can't give your pet all the attention he'd like. Maybe you should call Solomon Kernosh of TPMC Pet Care (302-226-2735). He'll take care of your pet right where he likes it bestyour home. Solomon provides day walks for dogs and will walk yours once, twice or as many times as needed. Dogs are walked in their own neighborhoods or if there is a special place where your dog usually likes to go, Solomon will take him. And, being environmentally and socially conscious, he does clean up. Three or four days (except during the holiday season) notice is usually requested. This is a year round service and should you decide to travel TPMC's services include house-sitting for cats, fish, parrots and most any other animal. You can request that your mail be brought in while you're away, have your plants watered and any other small chore that will make your homecoming more pleasant. Solomon is bonded and carries $1-million liability insurance. We visited Critter Beach, 33A Baltimore Ave., where we found so many fun things for pets that we can't write about them all in the amount of space I have left. Check out the September 18 issue to find what the best-dressed pets are wearing. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 9, No. 12, Aug. 27, 1999 |