It all started...
It all started in the West Texas town of El. Paso.
Growing
up I had dogs, horses, gerbils, hamsters and on a good day my mom and I
were rescuing a baby bird. A lot of my friends had family dogs, but my family
was different. Not only did we have dogs and horses, our lives were centered
on our animals. We trained our dogs, which at the time were Great Danes
and later moved towards Dobermans. We showed our horses in rodeo, pleasure
and equitation events.
However, most of all we loved our pets until they drew their last breath. My grandfather loved his dogs in an uncommon way for the times….he understood them as companions; brought into the family as a member of the pack and expected great things from them. My mother inherited and passed on that love and devotion for a family pet.
Year’s later as I moved around the country with my fast track job, my obedience trained Chihuahua, and Champion Doberman, my cat just kept everyone in line. I often lamented about the lack of options for boarding my treasured pack. I often say “Nobody loves their pets as much as I love mine.” And while my dogs are well behaved they are also used to human contact and constant love. Boarding in a traditional kennel was not an option.
Fast forwarding, I ended up where I always hoped I would, Chicago. Finding apartments that would allow me to keep my two dogs and cat was not always easy. But of-course the only option for me would have been pitching a tent. We managed to live in Wriggleville for a few years, and while doggie day camp, and dog walking started to appear, my boarding options were limited.
I met Joe and he promised to love me and my animals until death do we part. With marriage came a move to a new house , a house on a double lot, with a lot of space. At this point some new families might think “KIDS,” my thought moved towards the space for more pets. However, first we did have our human pup, Cole, and I decided to leave my advertising job for full time motherhood and the start of Camp Run-A-Pup.
Our goal was to create an environment we would feel good leaving our own pet in! I think we have succeeded, and most of my campers seem to feel the same way. We give your pets the best of home, away from home. Nobody loves their pets as much as I love mine. So I understand what it feels like to leave yours. While a crate at night is always my first option; our family gives new meaning to the words “the family bed.”
Many of my client’s call me to ask my opinion about their pet’s behavior and eating habits during the time they are not camping with me. I encourage my campers (with help) to e-mail their human parents while away (if e-mail is an option) or human parents to check in by phone.
We walk the bark. We keep your pets safe and well cared for. We will love them for what makes them special, and find humor in what makes them devils. And for their families we promise to always remember that “nobody loves their pets as much as they do!”
Pats for your pets,
Katybeth Jensen-Ruscitti,
PPS
Professional Pet Spoiler