Going to the dogs
Canines keep their cool at Scotch Lake kennel
SCOTCH LAKE, N.S. — Ah the dog days of summer.
Relaxing by the picnic table. Sunning on the deck. Enjoying the shade of a colourful umbrella.
Soaking your paws in the pool.
A Cape Breton boarding kennel is offering it all these amenities in hopes of keeping pooches cool this summer.
Throughout its nearly eight years of operation, Good Hands Boarding Kennels in Scotch Lake has offered a wide array of playtime activities for pets from tunnels to plush loungers to ice cream cone birthday parties.
But in recent months, the kennel went even farther in its efforts to pamper pets by installing a new pool, which has caused quite the stir among their four-legged clients.
“As soon as I built the kennels that was my first dream was to have a pool,” said Haggett, the self-described pack leader at Good Hands.
“It’s something for them to do, especially on the hot days, I mean air conditioning is nice but who doesn’t love to swim?”
Haggett later equipped the outdoor space with pool slides, artificial turf, life jackets, goggles, toys, Hawaiian leis, a deck, floating toys and a picnic table.
The new swimming pool measures a sizeable 24x24 feet, with a five-foot-depth.
“I know it’s huge,” said Haggett with a laugh. “It’s a big pool. Some (dogs) just like splashing around or getting splashed and getting their feet wet, while others will dive right under.”
As part of the pet sitting service, Good Hands averages about 25 dogs each day at its MacDonald Road facility.
On Wednesday, a black doodle named Raven was likely the most enthralled with the pool having leapt in full speed at least six times.
Another pet client, Oliver Carey, wore a life jacket and goggles as he swam with finesse around the pool.
“I think of what dogs need and want they want, and I just try to cover every base and every personality of dog because not every dog likes the water,” Haggett said.
“Not every dog likes to run around, some just like a quiet spot to lie down — whatever they need, I just try to cover every base.”
On Wednesday, different sizes and breeds of dogs were testing the pool’s waters.
Haggett said she typically brushes the canines prior to their swims to help cut down on the amount of fur being shed in the cool waters.
She is also in the process of adding a second pool staircase to help dogs who are nervous using the pool ladder.
Haggett said someone is always on hand to help any pet who might need an extra lift in getting out of the water.
“At first, we didn’t have the stairs, so some were nervous,” Haggett said. “And some didn’t care, they would just belly flop in and go up the ladder and others would come to the edge and we would just boost them up.
“I find more of them are going in now — they just need the security that they can get out easy enough.”
Haggett’s said the response from clients to the pool has been overwhelming.
She said often dog owners often comment that they wish they could check themselves in to the boarding facility for a swim.
Warm temperatures are expected to continue in Cape Breton for the coming week.