Hi! I moved to Roanoke at the end of 2023 and just recently bought a home right past Garden City - I have just about an acre of land and am ready to host your dogs I am a lover of all dogs, but especially the big, stubborn ones! In August of 2022, I had to make the tough decision to put my soul dog down after a cancer diagnosis. That dog had my heart and left a gaping hole... The only thing that helped the grief of losing Ruger was helping other dogs that needed a home or a helping hand. Ruger was 110 pounds of pure muscle and she could be …difficult… at times. I learned to handle reactive dogs, how to avoid their triggers, and how to control big pups! Often times it seems a big stubborn dog often means they’re an intelligent dog and I like the challenge of breaking through their tough exteror. Ruger was the biggest teddy bear once you knew her. She did 4 cross country road trips with me and saw more of this country than most humans. A short 6 weeks after Ruger's passing, I saw a 10 month old Rottie at a local shelter and I knew the best way to honor Ruger was to help this dog. I met her and picked her up the next week - Maple was CRAZY! She has made so much progress and become such a good companion. She is extremely high energy, loves to play fetch, and gets along great with most dogs. Then came along Shadow. Shadow is a big ole doofus. He loves everyone and everything. He also loves a good game of fetch, but after a few laps, he's ready to lay at your side and take it all in. Finally, little ole Rowan. Rowan escaped his owner's car in Richmond and I found him, took him in, and returned him to his owner once I located her a few days later. Several weeks later, his owner called me and said she couldn't keep him so I took him in with the intention of finding him a new home. Turns out that home is with me. He LOVES his toys and a good belly rub, but he wasn't socialized much as a pup so we work a lot on making sure he is comfortable and happy as he's begun to learn the world since joining our pack. Given the number of dogs I have in house and their sheer size and power, I am EXTREMELY cautious about introducing them to new dogs. If your dog is to stay for boarding, I would ask that you bring them over for a meet and greet first so I can get to know them a bit. Depending on their personality, I will let you know if and which of my dogs could be a good fit for them to mingle with and am happy to introduce them during the meet and greet. If you are not comfortable with them mingling or I don't think their personalities would mesh, no worries. I have the means to keep everyone safe and separate while still getting plenty of love and attention each (it helps that I work from home!) I’m comfortable administering medications. I’m comfortable with shy dogs and taking the time for them to open up. I ask for as much detail as possible on your pets! What do they like? What do they not like? What is their breakfast/dinner/bedtime routine? Any allergies/treats to stay away from? Are they likely to eat nasty things they find on the ground? Should I pick up any soft/rope toys because they are like Rowan and like to swallow them whole? Give me alllll the details! If you have any questions, let me know! I am a true dog lover and would love to host your furbaby and ensure they have a safe, happy, fun place to stay while you are away.