FOREVER SHALES

After working for over seven years in another boarding kennel, I came to know what dogs and their owners preferred in order for them to have a more enjoyable boarding experience: less kennels and a more home-like experience, with walks and playtime for each individual dog at no extra cost, and having the kennels attached to the house and not as a separate building. Traditional kennels can be very loud and noisy, but smaller ones, like Forever Shales, are much quieter and may at times only have one or two dogs boarded, although at times in the summer, when it is at its busiest, may occasionally have six, or even seven dogs. 

Owner and operator - Deborah Berkeley.

view from the back of my property

The kennel room, which is eleven by twenty feet, is just a step away from my kitchen. It's divided into three indoor kennels, and each one has its own outside kennel-run. The largest kennel is large and easily accommodates families of three dogs, or large breed dogs, and is eleven feet long and five feet wide - with a window. The other two inside kennels are eight feet by four and a half feet. All three outdoor runs, accessed by a raised doggy door, are twelve feet long and are covered by a roof. The floors have non-skid matting. Naturally the kennel is heated in the winter months.

Riley is in the red-carpeted larger kennel.

Door opens out onto the backyard.

Comfy even in the middle of winter.

The fenced yard, which although small (is six feet high), gets used in turn by all the dogs several times each day. It's grassed and has flowers along one side. Because some dogs need the use of a lawn in order to "go to the bathroom", it solves that problem, and I find that most dogs keep their outdoor kennel-run decking clean. In the winter months the doggy doors are sealed up, for warmth and to prevent draughts, and all dogs come and go from the back door into the fenced yard as if they are in their own home. I do not let all the dogs outside together as a group - only dogs that know each other (families of dogs) get to go out as a group. Well-behaved dogs can socialise with Leo, my Border Collie, but understandably many dogs are not very sociable towards other dogs, so they are let outside by themselves.

Spinner in the summer.

Spinner having some winter playtime.

Outdoor kennel runs are covered by a roof. There are three indoor kennel rooms, so therefore there are three outdoor kennel runs. 

Walks can be done along the roadside, and are always done on a leash (never off leash), although not far away is a gravel road that has little traffic on it, and in the other direction is a country logging road. Also, the circuit around my property is suitable for dogs who cannot walk along a road due to nervousness etc. Walks are about twenty minutes to forty-five minutes in duration - depending on the weather and how many dogs there are to be walked. Extra yard time and play is offered to dogs who cannot walk for whatever reason.

Socialized dogs sometimes go for walks with Leo (right).

Quite often dogs get walked individually.

Vaccinations are required unless your dog has a compromised immune system: I don't demand the rabies vaccination, but one that many people forget about is Kennel Cough, which can be caught from an infectious dog. Please consult your veterinarian about this yearly vaccine.

Food: whatever your dogs eats at home, then please provide that food for him or her. Home cooking can be frozen and I'll make room for it in my fridge and freezer. Raw food does not pose a problem either.

Bedding: please bring your dog's bed and blankets.

Head halters: please bring your dog's halter if it enables a more enjoyable walking experience. 

Cost: prices are the total you pay - with no added-on tax. *There is no reduction in price for those who don't want their dog walked.

One dog all inclusive (walks included) = $30 day
Two dogs sharing a kennel (walks included) = $40 day
Three dogs sharing a kennel (walks included) = $55 day
Need two kennels? Please contact me for a price.

Billing: whether your dog arrives in the morning or late evening, you pay for that day, and on the day you pick him/her up, you pay for that day if it is after check-out time (2 p.m.); if you arrive before check-out time, then you don't pay for that day. Payment is either by cash or personal cheque.

Check-out time: is now 2 p.m.

Bookings/Contact me: phone 902-757-0744. I check emails twice a day at forevershales@hotmail.ca 

Visitors are welcome to view the place if you are thinking of boarding. Please contact me to set a day and time.