Claire L.
Southworth, WA
Services
Claire can host
Availability
I love all animals and am available 24/7 to entertain and care for your dog whenever you have the need or whenever your dog wants a mini-vacation on the farm. Russ and I have finally retired from corporate jobs and are now enjoying our precious time together and with your dogs at our dog-friendly oasis.
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About Claire L.
Communication
Dog skills
Safety, trust & environment
The property has three outdoor areas: (a Backyard) half-acre with a 6-ft fence; (a Patio) smaller fenced area with a covered patio and lawn; (The Big Field) a half-acre exploration area with a 4ft wire fence. Indoors, your dogs will have their own 12 x 16 bedroom completely furnished with beds, lounge chair, music, toys etc... They are allowed to go in-and-out of their house whenever they want to. They are always supervised when outdoors and I stay right next to the littlest ones....they lead and I follow. After dark, we play indoors and when a potty break is needed they are limited to the lighted Patio area, only. My dog guests may sleep wherever they want to. Their comfort and relaxation is important to me. I do have dog crates available here but I don't crate adult dogs at night, unless you specifically ask (e.g. puppies). There is an exclusive dog kitchen, next to their bedroom, where their meals are prepared and their bowls are sanitized. Bring their own food for their stay and their mealtimes and cuisine will be prepared exactly as you do at home. Puppies love to test everything with their teeth and tongues so they need uninterrupted supervision both indoors and outdoors. If their age requires it, they are offered quiet times for resting. During playtimes, they get age-specific activities and a lot of "good behavior" rewards. Puppyhood is such a short, impressionable time in their lives and it is so important that we, humans, "get it right". Elderly dogs are always loved here. I realize that sometimes their vision, mobility and/or hearing might be fading so they might need extra care and consideration. I offer them non-strenuous activities such as slow meandering, scent games and puzzle toys - mainly whatever they want. I monitor the seniors for hydration, proper warmth, physical safety, mental well-being and comfort. I also have experience in caregiving for dogs with special needs: post hospital discharge care, medication management, arthritis, hip/knee damage, vision-impairments, hearing loss and canine cognitive dysfunction. Safety is a major priority here! All of the dogs that stay with us must have a positive, friendly attitude so that we can continue to have fun together. I only book two families at a time so that your dogs can feel "at home" and not overstimulated. I strive to offer the most stress-free environment for my guests. As you can see, this is not a crowded place or doggy daycare, nor a dog kennel, but a home, where your dog is treated as part of our family. 💕
Home
Information Claire L. would like to know about your pet
- Ask your veterinarian about vaccination requirements. Most commonly they will recommend: Rabies, DHLPP, Bordetella, Canine Influenza and a Flea/Tick/heartworm preventative. I recommend the Leptospira vaccine since we do have a pond on the property. No one wants to have their dog get sick with or die from a preventable illness! - Is your dog allergic to anything? - Any physical challenges? Are they comfortable with 3 steps or do they need help? - Do they have any pain spots (or prior surgeries) I should know about? - Have they recently been treated or remedied of any medical issues within the last two weeks? (Please make sure you have entered their veterinary contact info in their profile). - Write me a note with ANY special requests or rules you have for the care of your dog so that I can accomodate.
A typical day
Our home is a cottage on securely-fenced acreage so your dog can enjoy being off-leash and free. Your dog can go inside and outside as they like. They can snooze wherever they want. This is a "no stress" environment so dogs who visit must have a friendly demeanor and be socialized. There is plenty of room for hide-and-sniff-treats, splashpool, running together or exploring. Whatever THEY like to do is what I do. What do they do? Some dogs like to run around and chase the butterflies and others prefer to lay in the sweet smelling grass and soak up the sunshine for a while. Some dogs like to dig a big hole and snort through the dirt. Some like to play in the wading pool - some don't. Some dogs take breaks from active play and just want to stretch out on the couch or curl up in a dog home. Some dogs just like to hang around people all day. We like to take leashed walks to the beach and the park, nearly every day. Our house is...... literally.....a "Dog" House.
Location
Southworth, WA
Pets
PLAY ON OUR FARM ! (Read more....)
Pet care experience
Hi, I'm Claire and my husband is Russ. I was raised to be kind and care for all living creatures and have never been without a dog in my life. We now have purchased a beautiful property just so that dogs can have a stay with us, any day of the week. Safety and happiness are our main priorities in their care. I have a lot of experience with dogs, dog behavior and dog communication through past experience and education. Growing up, our busy household was filled with dogs, cats, hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, hens and horses. At 14 years old I was responsible for taking care of well over 100 dogs at one time, by myself, at a vacation-boarding kennel. As a result of this experience, I wanted to do something better. This is why I am finally in this place now. I have taken care of dogs "expecting", whelping mothers, brand new puppies, rambunctious teenager dogs, serious dogs, shy dogs, silly dogs, dogs with disabilities and elderly dogs. Aside from dogs, (a little more about me) I have lived in Kitsap for about ten years, am retired from a long career in I.T. and later, real estate investing. I am an active person, enjoy being outdoors and also enjoy learning new things but my favorite thing in my life is just hanging out with doggos. Just to make sure we have a good fit, I would describe myself and my home environment as quiet, calm and loving; so if you are looking for something else (loud, exciting and rule-oriented), I might not be a great fit. Our home is relaxing and dogs know it. I believe in allowing dogs to behave like dogs, in a natural environment.
Reviews
Claire was once again excellent with my dog and I would recommend her to absolutely anybody. Thanks again!
Claire, thank you so much, wonderful place for our furry friends.
Another great stay for my boy, and less stress on me. Claire takes wonderful care and gives lots of love and attention. I’m sure he enjoyed all the fresh air and space!
Claire is our favorite sitter and our pup absolutely loves staying with her!
About Claire L.
Communication
Dog skills
Safety, trust & environment
The property has three outdoor areas: (a Backyard) half-acre with a 6-ft fence; (a Patio) smaller fenced area with a covered patio and lawn; (The Big Field) a half-acre exploration area with a 4ft wire fence. Indoors, your dogs will have their own 12 x 16 bedroom completely furnished with beds, lounge chair, music, toys etc... They are allowed to go in-and-out of their house whenever they want to. They are always supervised when outdoors and I stay right next to the littlest ones....they lead and I follow. After dark, we play indoors and when a potty break is needed they are limited to the lighted Patio area, only. My dog guests may sleep wherever they want to. Their comfort and relaxation is important to me. I do have dog crates available here but I don't crate adult dogs at night, unless you specifically ask (e.g. puppies). There is an exclusive dog kitchen, next to their bedroom, where their meals are prepared and their bowls are sanitized. Bring their own food for their stay and their mealtimes and cuisine will be prepared exactly as you do at home. Puppies love to test everything with their teeth and tongues so they need uninterrupted supervision both indoors and outdoors. If their age requires it, they are offered quiet times for resting. During playtimes, they get age-specific activities and a lot of "good behavior" rewards. Puppyhood is such a short, impressionable time in their lives and it is so important that we, humans, "get it right". Elderly dogs are always loved here. I realize that sometimes their vision, mobility and/or hearing might be fading so they might need extra care and consideration. I offer them non-strenuous activities such as slow meandering, scent games and puzzle toys - mainly whatever they want. I monitor the seniors for hydration, proper warmth, physical safety, mental well-being and comfort. I also have experience in caregiving for dogs with special needs: post hospital discharge care, medication management, arthritis, hip/knee damage, vision-impairments, hearing loss and canine cognitive dysfunction. Safety is a major priority here! All of the dogs that stay with us must have a positive, friendly attitude so that we can continue to have fun together. I only book two families at a time so that your dogs can feel "at home" and not overstimulated. I strive to offer the most stress-free environment for my guests. As you can see, this is not a crowded place or doggy daycare, nor a dog kennel, but a home, where your dog is treated as part of our family. 💕
Home
Information Claire L. would like to know about your pet
- Ask your veterinarian about vaccination requirements. Most commonly they will recommend: Rabies, DHLPP, Bordetella, Canine Influenza and a Flea/Tick/heartworm preventative. I recommend the Leptospira vaccine since we do have a pond on the property. No one wants to have their dog get sick with or die from a preventable illness! - Is your dog allergic to anything? - Any physical challenges? Are they comfortable with 3 steps or do they need help? - Do they have any pain spots (or prior surgeries) I should know about? - Have they recently been treated or remedied of any medical issues within the last two weeks? (Please make sure you have entered their veterinary contact info in their profile). - Write me a note with ANY special requests or rules you have for the care of your dog so that I can accomodate.
A typical day
Our home is a cottage on securely-fenced acreage so your dog can enjoy being off-leash and free. Your dog can go inside and outside as they like. They can snooze wherever they want. This is a "no stress" environment so dogs who visit must have a friendly demeanor and be socialized. There is plenty of room for hide-and-sniff-treats, splashpool, running together or exploring. Whatever THEY like to do is what I do. What do they do? Some dogs like to run around and chase the butterflies and others prefer to lay in the sweet smelling grass and soak up the sunshine for a while. Some dogs like to dig a big hole and snort through the dirt. Some like to play in the wading pool - some don't. Some dogs take breaks from active play and just want to stretch out on the couch or curl up in a dog home. Some dogs just like to hang around people all day. We like to take leashed walks to the beach and the park, nearly every day. Our house is...... literally.....a "Dog" House.
Claire L.
Southworth, WA