Furry Visitors are Always Welcome at Our House

When we started our dog walking and pet sitting business four years ago we had no plans or intentions of also providing a boarding service.  As with many things it really just happened by accident when one of our clients asked if we could take her dog for the weekend.  Then as our clientele grew we found that we were getting more and more requests for the same service.  Since we both love dogs we were happy to oblige.

There is a limit, however.  And generally we only take one or two at a time.  There might be occasions where arriving and leaving dates overlap and we have another dog thrown into the mix but that's usually only for a night or two.  After all, we're not running a dog kennel.  We don't have cages.  Our furry guests become our pets for the duration of their stay.  They have the run of the house as well as our fenced backyard.  If they're allowed on the furniture at home we allow it here as well.  If they sleep on the bed with their owners, they generally end up on our bed at night too.

Typical Kennel -- Avoid if possible

We once had to leave our dog and cat in a kennel while we went away for a couple of weeks and it was awful.  We spent all the time feeling guilty and worrying about them to the point where it ruined our holiday.  And when we returned to pick them up their relief was obvious.

When dogs stay with us they have a totally different experience than if they were in a kennel.  Clients who worry about separation anxiety on the part of their pets needn't be concerned...our experience has shown that the minute their owners leave, their pet is busy happily exploring his new surroundings, checking out the assortment of toys and looking for where the food is kept.  Almost all of our clients have found that on repeat visits their pet is more than happy to return.



As you can see from the above video, staying with us is just like when the kids go to Gramma and Grampa's house.  (We try not to spoil them too much!)



And when there's not enough room to romp in our house, there's always the back yard...

Favorite Dog Walking Locales - Macauley and Saxe Points

Take Esquimalt Road west from Victoria and turn left onto Lampson Drive.  This will take you to the parking lot and boat launching ramp at Fleming Beach which adjoins Macauley Point.





Unless it's a warm summer weekend you will find plenty of parking space here.  Although Macauley Point is an off-leash area the first few hundred feet require that you leash your pet (indicated on the map with the yellow circles).





Another option is to go to the end of Clifton Terrace (off Munro Street).  This is where I generally go when I have several dogs with me because they can go straight from my van into the park without having to be on leashes.  Be aware, however, that there are No Parking signs posted.  So far I've never had a problem.  There's also a doggy bag dispenser at the gate.

Great view overlooking one of the turrets.

This is a wonderful area for dogs and their owners.  It still has the remains of a gun emplacement from before World War II as well as stockades and other military structures.

Does your dog like tunnels?

Most dogs love going through the tunnel and exploring the hillside that holds the remains of one of the gun turrets.

Playing on the grassy field at Macauley Point

You can stay on the trails for an easy loop where you will meet other dog lovers, or you can explore the beaches and the rocks.  There are also grassy fields where the dogs can romp and play.

Rocks and pebble beaches are great fun at Macauley

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If you continue west along Munro Street for a few blocks you will come to the entrance to Saxe Point.  There is a smaller off-leash area to your right just as you enter the park.  You'll see parking for maybe 8-10 vehicles alongside a grassy area with a chip trail which takes you into the dog walking park.

While not as large as Macauley Point, it's still a great place to take your dog.  You'll find a small beach on the west side which is easier to access than the beaches at Macauley.  In the colder months you should be able to take your dog to the area below the main parking lot where they can run on the grass and play on the rocks.

The great thing about having two off-leash areas so close together is that you can always find a place to take your dog when the weather is nasty.  If it's blowing from the south or the east, Saxe Point is best.  You seldom get any wind on the small beach on the west side of the park.  If it's blowing from the north you can go down to the beach at Macauley Point, below the cliff face, out of the weather.  And if it's raining, the trees along the trails at Saxe Point offer protection.

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