Welcome to the Sheltie Spa! Everything here has gone to the dogs. Our house and hobby kennel is located in the rolling piedmont of rural Virginia about halfway between the towns of Palmyra (our zip code) and Scottsville (our phone exchange). The first thing out of the mouth of most first time visitors is 'how did you find this place'? In truth we located here because it is actually well situated for travel throughout John's sales territory. We have good access to I-64 (east/west) and I-95, I-81, and route 29 (north/south). Shopping is somewhat of a chore with the nearest real shopping between 30 and 45 minutes away in Charlottesville.
It is very pretty, private, quiet and safe here. We are located on 3-1/2 hilltop acres. Mature hardwood trees forest the entire property. We learned from previous experience that a shaded yard is a must to keep Sheltie coats from burning in the summer time. We are the first lot in a development of about 40 parcels where lots range from 2 acres on the low end to 30 acres on the top end. We have farm and timberland for a half mile on the road leading to our house, 30 acres with a single house behind and to the other side and a single house on 4-1/2 acres across the street from us. So, our privacy is much greater than 3-1/2 acres might indicate. Yet we have the benefit of about 30 homes and families within a ¾ mile drive from our house.
This house was planned from the beginning around the care and wellbeing of the dogs. Several rear entrances give access to various yard and pen areas making it easy to isolate puppies and bitches in season from the general dog population. A connecting breezeway from house to kennel and fence within fence layouts make the safe transfer of dogs from one area to another a possibility. Half (or Dutch) doors in the laundry room and breezeway make isolation of certain dogs or puppies possible while allowing for observation or supervision. In the laundry room, we have constructed a waist level shower base with hand held shower for bathing dogs. Water temperature can be set and flow controlled by an on/off control at the hand held showerhead. We no longer get backaches from giving multiple dog baths leaning over a tub. The dogs run in an area of approximately ½ acre that is fenced by 5' high chain link fence. There are two separate 12' x 16' gravel runs for isolation and to keep feet from getting muddy in bad weather. A 400 square foot kennel room contains 6 indoor pens and 5 indoor/outdoor runs. The outdoor runs are fully protected from the weather and are constructed to be vandal resistant. The kennel room floors are concrete with floor drains for regular cleaning with disinfectant and allows an area for dogs to dry off prior to entering the house in bad weather.
A special acknowledgement must go to Mary who diligently disinfects the kennel and laundry areas, and cleans bowls and buckets every day without fail - whether she is chipper or tired, feeling on top of the world or sick.
All of our dogs are housedogs. They find their spot on bed, floor, couch or chair at night and take turns in the house for individual attention during the day. Good weather finds groups of 6 to 8 alternating yard time with house time. Bad weather alternates kennel time with house time. This keep numbers manageable and minimizes pack issues such as fighting. When we go out for work or errands all but the oldest are safely kenneled. Seniority and reliability gain house privileges for the older dogs (usually 4 or 5).
An alternate name for our kennel that we joke about is 'Sheltie Alcatraz' because no one has ever escaped. As with anything our facilities are not fool proof, but good planning and diligence in care provide for a very safe environment. Most people are impressed when they visit. Many think we are nuts for spending so much (we are not rich) on the safety of dogs. We are proud of what we have and welcome visits and questions from those interested in what we have done.
As animal lovers, we would be remiss if we did not mention the other creatures great and small that grace our life. Our rural retreat comes complete with Deer, Turkey, Fox, Possum, Raccoon, Turtles, Tree Frogs, Chameleons (which Mary calls Alligators), and the occasional Copperhead or Black Snake. Special daily guests include the Squirrels, which feed on peanuts that Mary places on the railing just 2 feet outside the living room window and the stray cat that someone conveniently kicked out the car door in front of our house. The Shelties intently watch the squirrels feed from their window perch on the back of our couch and the cat has been spayed and keeps our rodent population to a minimum. Oh yeah, the bird feeder hangs right above the squirrel dinner table. Blue Jay, Gold Finch, Woodpeckers, Owls, and Hummingbirds are common visitors.
Life is great at Sheltie Spa!
Heart O' Gold Nugget
- "In order to keep a true perspective of one's importance, everyone should have a dog that will worship him and a cat that will ignore him." - Mark Twain
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© 1999 - 2001 by John E. Rueckert - All Rights Reserved
· Friends & Pets · Sheltie Tetherball · The Grapevine · Seasonal ·
· Rescue · Sheltie Links · Awards · Contact Us · Site Map ·
© 1999 - 2001 by John E. Rueckert - All Rights Reserved