BRANDY'S STORY

Here Brandy takes a swim for the first time in her 7 years.
Doggy Indulgence helped to give her the confidence!

Don and Brandy and I just spent a wonderful afternoon at the Doggy Indulgence Day Care center in Willow Grove, DE. Pat and Susan have opened up a facility that must be seen to be believed.  Pat will do the grooming.  I don’t have a long haired dog, so I don’t know all that is required, but I have seen inside many grooming stations and this one takes the cake!  
 
They have the absolute best and newest of every possible piece of grooming equipment, such a tub for small dogs and a tub for big dogs and the big dog tub has a harness and a hoist.  They have a dryer they use while doggy is still in the tub room, and then they take the slightly damp dog to a state of the art kennel with the little fans at each cage.  I’ve taken Brandy to Disneyland and Pat’s kennel is far better than that!  
 
But the best part is yet to come:  they have a doggy swimming pool.  It looks like two huge spas put together (there are jets to circulate and clean the water and these jets can be turned on full blast and doggy can have a tantalizing treat just ahead of his nose and he must swim against the tide.  The pool is clean enough for people to use (Pat uses it to get the new dogs into the pool), but their insurance does not cover people.  So don’t bother to bring your suit when you visit.  Those who know Brandy know that, in addition to not liking to ride in a car, she also HATES to swim.  
 
Pat put a doggy life preserver on her and “coaxed” her into the pool.  Then she held onto Brandy, calming her and then let her go to swim back to the steps.  Did I mention there are steps into the pool?  The biggest fear the doggies have is not only the clear water, which most have not seen, but being afraid that one in, they cannot get out.  Once Brandy learned she could exit the pool any time she wanted (and the first time she came out of the pool, she ran for the door and was not too happy to go back), she LOVED it.  And, after some more coaxing from Pat and cheering from bystanders, Brandy made the plunge herself.  The water is just slightly cooler than the air temperature.  Brandy learned in about a half a dozen tries to start swimming with her front legs and then push off with her rear.  She completed several fetches, at first with Pat in the pool to make sure she didn’t panic and try to get out along the sides, and then on her own.  After we took the float off, she wanted to try going in again, but Pat suggested leaving well enough alone for the first swim.

SEE THE VIDEO OF BRANDY SWIMMING WITH PAT
 
Afterwards, she ran around the completely fenced back yard and told her swimming war stories to the other doggies who attended the open house.
 
Even the doggy loo is adorable.  It’s a cut down outhouse, cut out moon and all, with a door that swings open to reveal a lined plastic bucket for waste disposal.  
 
The most amazing thing about all this is that the facility looks just like a human spa.  It really does.  It is decorated with pottery and items on the wall and, of course, some things that are for sale such as what appear to be doggy pastries in a French pastry display shelf.  Brandy enjoyed biscotti after her swim.  She felt totally indulged (and exhausted!)  Their brochure says that 15 min of swimming is the equivalent of a two mile run.
 
While I know some of you offer grooming yourselves, and some of you drive for miles to get the groomer who specialized in your breed (Pat’s breed is the Giant Schnauzer), I do not believe there is a swim facility anywhere around, save the horse tank at Harrington Barn 1.  Of course, there you pay the SAME amount to swim your dog for the same amount of time.  And it is not heated.  And there could be horse poop in there if horses swam there before you did.  And there are no jets!
 
Typical of a traditional spa, they offer attractive menu of various services, such as a teeth brushing ($7) and various things to do with nails, including painting them. Grooming Packages and Swimming Packages are available right now to introduce the spa.  The more you want to do, the less each item costs.  For example, you can get an assisted 15 minute swim with Pat in the pool in her wetsuit (to prevent doggy scratches) for $20, and a regular swim for $15.  If you buy a package of ten, these items cost less. 
 
Please pass this along to your doggy friends and post to doggy lists you may on.  I can highly recommend this spa because not only is it impeccably clean (as well it should be, having just opened up) but this couple are both are experienced dog trainers of their own breed and have won AKC and SZN titles.   (They use the Joanne Plumb Fleming as I do) and they absolutely love dogs.  It’s not a job for them, it is a calling.  It took me (and a lot of you who are receiving this email) 4 years to get Brandy into the water and it only took Pat a few tries and a lot of encouragement and praise.
 
I, for one, am buying Brandy the 10 swim package.  Pat and Susan may entertain a kennel club or other doggy organization “orientation day.”  Please speak with Susan about that.   
 
Here is how to get there: From Camden, take Willow Grove Ave (RT 10) WEST toward Marydel/Maryland. Pass Willow Grove Liquor store and grocery on your right, in less than a mile you will see Willow Grove Church of God sign, also on the right. Turn right there, at the circle, Willow Tree Road, and you should be looking at a grocery on your right and a big sign that says MUD MILL right in front of you, go straight .2 of a mile and we are on the right. You will see a buoy and our sign in the front, a tent in the side yard, we have a circular driveway. Parallel park in the driveway, or if the spots are filled, you can park on the other side of the road in the grass strips.

(Submitted by Gene Thornton)

SQUIGGY'S STORY IN PICTURES

Squiggy, a chihuahua, shows that swimming is great for little dogs, too! He loved it and was great at it!

At first Pat came in the pool to keep Squiggy safe and comfortable

But then I started to get the hang of this thing!

What are you waiting for? Come and let your dog enjoy it!