So Happy and Proud

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

Some of you may know that I have been searching for quite a while for a good doggie day care/boarding place that wasn't an hour's drive from us. Well I have hit the jackpot. I mentioned in passing to our groomer Becky that we really needed to have a day care place for Riley and Molly and she immediately gave me business card for Exile to Refuge owned by Suzann and Jim. They live just up the road from us and I didn't even know they existed.

Anyway, DH and I and the doodles went to visit earlier this past week. We stayed for over an hour chatting and letting the doodles check the place out. She had all NINE of her dogs/rescues in the house for this first visit as she didn't want to spook Riley and Molly. Suzann and Jim run a dog rescue operation out of their country farm house. It's a charming place that they have built up with three large dog runs, fully fenced in. One run is for dogs that can play together, one is for dogs that need to be segregated because they are aggressive and another whole large fenced in play area for small dogs.  She has two rooms in her house that are devoted time out places for the dogs to rest and sleep during the day when needed. She also takes them on leased walks in the "back forty" where Jim has cleared out and made marked trails. 

I can't believe my luck. We had a trail day care date yesterday as DH and I were going to a luncheon with some university pals and had to drive 2 hours each way to visit. We don't ever leave Riley and Molly for more than a few hours at a time at home. 

Here are some pics from there time at Suzann and Jim's place.

Mom and Dad left us, where are they going????

Molly making friends, while Riley's going for the water bowl.

Playing ball in the big yard with Jim,

Resting the shade waiting for Mom and Dad to come get them,

I got these pics from Suzann who sent them by email today along with this very lovely note about Riley and Molly,

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Suzann Hallman 
To: Andrea
Sent: Sunday, September 2, 2012 8:46:36 PM
Subject: Riley & Molly

 

Andrea & Phil.....We so enjoyed having Riley and Molly stay with us today. They're both so intelligent, well mannered and lovely dogs. We can tell they have a wonderful family who takes care of them and loves them. Believe me...we see so many dogs that never had a chance at that kind of life. We try to give them the best that we can and find good homes like yours for them. Riley and Molly are welcome anytime. It would be our pleasure and honor to have them visit us again.

 

Kind regards,

Exile To Refuge

Suzann & Jim

I am so proud of them for being such good dogs. We love them to bits but it's really nice to hear that they are so well behaved when we are not around. 

We really needed to find this place for Molly and Riley as we are facing some very difficult health issues. DH has been diagnosed recently with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. We have had the luxury of family being able to take the doods up to this point but not any more. The hospital is in a big university town about 1 1/4 hours from our home so every journey there means tacking on 2 1/2 hours of driving time on top of clinic time. So Suzann and Jim are a godsend. I couldn't be more pleased. Oh and they do overnight boarding as well so that's covered too. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I am so glad you found a great place for your dogs to stay. It really is a load off of your mind to find a good dog sitter. Best wishes to your DH as he goes through his treatments.

[BG and Gavin]

It must be a great relief to know that you doodle kids are well cared for during this uncertain time.  Best thoughts going out to you and your husband for a quick and full recovery.

[Pat and Traveler]

What a wonderful find!  So glad you won't have to worry about the dogs when you have so much already on your plate.  It's so good to hear about such caring and compassionate people.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Wow... what a nice place, I wish there was a place like that around here!  That is half the battle knowing the doodles are taken care of.  Sending hugs your way for your husband.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

It looks like a wonderful place --and will give you peace of mind.  Sending prayers your way for your DH's full recovery.

(Very nice pictures and how thoughtful of them to take the photos. Molly and RIley are lovely.)