Not ALL work :)

Well, I've had lots of 'things' to write about but little time to do it. That, and I had a note started one day about some interesting little statistics we had going on one day...... and then as I was finishing up..... discovered that our internet connection had given up so, subsequently, lost what I had written...... oh, such is life..... I'll get back into that one later but it just won't be as 'timely'. Today, I just bring you a picture from earlier last week-- Doug had fun in the new play yards being creative after our snow last week. On that note, we are grateful for what Mother Nature has ordered up for us this week.... a tad bit milder weather sure makes the job of working w/ water and consequently, on a lot of ice ...... a whole lot easier.
Things are still pretty frantic here at the 'ol KENL INN but I think I can say that we have all adapted well and we can see the 'light at the end of the tunnel'. Here's hoping that you all had safe travels, fun new memories, and lots of reasons to celebrate for 2009!! (and of course!!-- Go Big Red!!)

Holiday Cheer

Just thought I would do some checking today as I heard a rumor that we had a certain "excessive" number of one particular breed all in one spot in the kennel. That's not uncommon during these exceptionally busy times but I thought I would just pass on some statistics.... it does get rather fun sometimes. As of last night........we had 37 labs, & 16 beagles..... that's pretty typical. Labs have been on top in the AKC most popular catagory for a long time. Beagles have shown an increase ever since the Beagle won the Westminster show

Christmas Eve Day

Well, okay...........here we are.......the day before Christmas......and all through the house.....little KENL INN elves are EVERYWHERE!!! what a crew!!! what a plan!!! what a wonderment of cohesive cooperation. 104 Arrivals this morning here before we close at Noon!!!. Much of the crew has been here since 5am........ "pottying", cleaning, clearing snow & ice, getting all the spots readied & preparing for the majic 7am hour. Now, I can already tell you, some of you aren't coming in near fast enough....... we've had a little spurt here this morning but I KNOW what's going to happen............ about 10am.......you're ALL going to start screaming in!!! Fortunately, this is one of those times when we don't have to do a lot of switching around or waiting .....there's a spot open and ready to go for everyone. Hopefully, we get you all taken care of fairly expediently!!
The 'Chef' is starting around w/ all the food and I've seen the 'medication nurse' out doing her thing. Stuart just left on a hike (that will be a big chore today) Doug is here early for Half Day Play fun, and the groomers (that are left and not reassigned to the KENL somewhere) are in a scramble to get everyone out by noon. All the 'front staff' are here except Patty...... to get folks checked in. Patty drew the straw to come in at noon and 'clean up' whatever gets pushed to the side after the big mob hits. ..... and you know, life goes on.........Jo's here getting payroll done and other routine stuff to boot!!
Travel looks good for all of those of you that are traveling......... hopefully, no big delays. Here is our wish for you............that you are able to share your holiday in peace, love, and appreciation for all of those in your life.

Tune for the day........

Christmas is a coming and I think the plans are laid.......
Soon to have a houseful....and the beds are made.
We're ready for the rush this week.......we hope that you're on board......
Look forward to your pets and hope we've got them stored........
All in their spots all warm and safe, and snuggly every one....
A ton of dogs and cats and birds.........we find it fun!!!

I know, isn't that queer???............ but I've always made up songs in my head......... I really like music but I am a firm believer that the REAL music has to come from the heart. ANY music is good........ just make sure you can do the tune or the jig that goes w/ it........ and you know, if nobody's there to watch..... you can do ANYTHING!!

Chilling Truth

Well, the chilling truth is that its just danged cold out, huh?? Who really would have thought that we would have this much cold weather here already, huh? Its actually like Nebraska SHOULD be...... I'm not saying I'm liking it ..... I just think this is really out of our 'trend' of normal for this time of the year. Actually, I don't care how cold it gets right now.... as long as it warms up for about this time NEXT week............ believe me, taking care of all those Christmas visitors is a whole lot easier when 'ol Mother Nature is on better behavior. It makes us really appreciate those hydronically heated outdoor runs that we have..... Woo HOO..... hose away!!

As I sit in my warmy house and notice that it is -2 degrees outside it really makes me appreciate those guys that just now drove by out there on the road clearing the snow so that we can all get to where we want here this morning! ..... and then, of course, you know............ Chevy and/or Rachel will be there, as usual, steady as a rock to open up and get things started for the day at 5am!! I wonder how those guys are doing that are supposed to be putting siding on my sister's house...... can they work in this?? How is it that this just happens to be the week that Dian is in Long Beach at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship dog show?? I am so glad that 20 years ago I decided to buck the 'norm' and build an all indoor, enclosed, climate controlled pet care facility!!! All kinds of cold things wandering through my head here this morning!! :)

On another cool note...... (no pun really intended!) -21 degrees wind chill out on Monday am and Paula (bless her brave soul) had 4 mobile grooms to go out and put the final 'holiday touches' on!! I am happy to say............ all went pretty darned well!! A-MAZing, I think...... Incredible thanks to the Wagn'Tails folks for an incredible machine!!

Reggie

I thought I wanted to write something about "seniors"..... There's so much to be said about "seniors"............ Senior dogs, senior people. I've been fussing around about what I wanted to say about this and I'm still not exactly 'settled' but off the cuff .......... here goes. I had a wonderful older gentleman come in to the office a couple of weeks ago. We have cared for his beloved pet for the last 13+ years and as soon as I greeted him (with my usual boisterous greeting for this particular man) and asked what I could do for him............... he choked up and started crying............. (ouch!!) Extracting my foot from my mouth and toning it down a bit.........I got to the 'meat' of the issue........... the Gentleman had just LOST his beloved Fox Terrier to the enevitable "age demons". I believe, he told me....... (mind you, I'm not holding it together very well at this point either) that they had taken him in and had the veterinarian perform his 'final deed'........ the most gracious of things that we can do for those we care so much about and that have given US so very much....

We comiserated for awhile and then he told me that his daughter (much to his disgust) had ALREADY gone out and got them another dog!!! They were picking it up that very same w/end!! He needed to talk & I listened intently as we went back and forth of all the wonderful things about his old dog. I think he felt that he needed more time to mourn....... and although another dog was not out of the question he just wasn't quite 'ready'. Well,.... you know, that 'ready' phase is pretty darned variable and sometimes we just have to take what the good Lord throws our way!! ...................

SO,......... low and behold, just maybe a week later, in comes "REGGIE"....... oh, boy!!! 12wks worth of pure cuteness, wild as could be, running around like a little banshee........ and his 'Dad'... just happy as could be!! :) (the daughter KNEW what she was doing!!) he was-- Yes, still mourning on one side but having a ball w/ the new 'baby' on the other side. He was grinning from ear to ear and so 'proud' of the scars all over his arms & hands from those lovely little baby teeth. (you've ALL known them!!) Looked to all of us like a pretty nice 'hook up'. He was here just for a quickie day care stay that day, but I'm sure we'll see more of them as the need arises......... and it won't be too long before we need that first haircut. Congratulations Phil!! We look forward to caring for Reggie for a good many years to come!!! :)

Kind of got off of the subject line a little bit. But basically, I'm so glad that Phil has Welcomed another canine member to their household............ because you know, I strongly believe that EVERYBODY needs a pet. They help keep us motivated, laughing, and loved!!

Turf Fun

This hardly is new any more but we all, I think, are just sooooo very thrilled w/ our new play yards its just hard to quit bragging!!! Unfortunately, these are not out where the public can see them very well but believe me.......... we LOVE to give you tours!!! They are Big, Beautiful, & Clean!! They worked out sooo very well over the TG holiday. I've attached a picture here to give you an idea but if you want to see more just check out the web site!! (http://www.kenl-inn.com/) Look under the 'day care' feature that is just up. We put in these play yards as a part of the renovation of our Day Care programs.........but they REALLY are nice for EVERYONE that stays here. Best of all, in inclement weather everyone can still go out and have a blast w/out getting all wet and muddy!!! YEA!!!

Yep!!! its as good as it looks........ all artificial turf!! Same stuff as you'll find at Memorial Stadium or many other pro f/b fields around the country. We found GREAT people to work with.......... and as usual, (as w/ ALL our projects around here) Gary Wright from Wright Construction was there to make SURE that it all went just right!! I appreciate all the hard work from everyone involved to get these done ........ it really has been nice. Give me time..........we'll do more!! :)

Back to the Routine

Back to the routine grindstone here now today ..... we probably will end up w/ maybe 30 pets tonight...... a far cry from the deluge over the w/e. The K.I. be quiet!! Although we LOVE the business (and the busy times) we are all ready for a much needed rest now. Huge time for some massive 'spring' cleaning and pre-planning here before the next holiday. Holidays are always a fun time.....as often times we see people that really don't travel much..... I would feel really 'empty' if some of these special pets (w/ their special people) weren't here over the holidays; as many of them have been coming for years and years.
Now, we enter the "OMG" phase for the groom department......... seemingly, the Christmas holiday brings out EVERY dirty dog in town. ALL of them need to be clean....and clean before Santa comes!!
We'll do our best to get as many of them taken care of as we can!!