1. What do you do when it's cold?

Barn is heated and insulated. It's not cold at all. Beautiful wood stove and electric heat lamps.

2. Where do the dogs sleep?

10-12 rooms (some summer only), 1-4 dogs per room

3. How do you pick them up?

Only Monday and Thursday. Never any other day. I will cancel a trip --if Christmas is a Monday or Thanksgiving Thursday -- but never add an additional day. Pick up / drop off after 6 pm.

4. How many dogs are there?

Average, maybe 14. Full is about 30. Summer, Thanksgiving, Christmas are busy times.

5. Can I come visit?

Yes. It will take at least 2 hours each way form the city. Monday and Thursday 9-2 pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9-5. Weekends are not good for visiting. I will email the map. Call when you are on your way. If you get lost, don't get mad at me.

6. Can I drop off or pick up my dog?

Yes. Same hours as visiting. Weekends are suboptimal from my point of view. My wife lives here and works a regular job and it was getting out of hand. I didn't say no, but...

7. Isn't it dangerous to let all the dogs hang out together?

I think it's better than being locked up by him/her self.

8. How long have you been doing this?

Since 2005... 500 dogs served.

9. How many people work there?

Will Pflaum is the guy you probabaly know (me). Leslie will be starting 12/15/06. In the summer I will hire full-time dog care person.

10. Will my dog have much time with people?

All dogs get attention every day. We take them for a walk, sit and pet them all, check them out a little (I call that holding court). I even sleep out there from time to time (a hammock) for a few hours (not too often). And they are around me and my family all day -- and Leslie.

11. What do you do with small dogs?

Small dogs are more than welcome. I may make a group of small dogs. Some small dogs insist on being classified as big, though. Kind of depends on the mix. But they need more heat and some protection, I know. No problem.

12. What about older dogs?

Older dogs can involve a few issues: softer bed for arthretis, more peace and quiet, extra care when it's hot to prevent over-excertion. Depends on the dog of course. And then there is the van trip. An older dog that isn't so good in the car or seems overly nervious, I don't know if the van ride would be so great. We can talk about it.

13. How about puppies?

I have crates if you want to continue crate training at night, for example. Anyway, who doesn't like puppies? They need extra attention and careful monitoring so that the older ones don't push them around.

14. My dog isn't fixed or nuetered. Can he or she still come?

Email me.

15. Is there a place to swim?

I have a great 2 acre pond that is pretty muddy and only about 3 feet deep. This summer (2006) some rare woodland ducks moved in. They are extremely shy and had a brood of 6 babies. They winter over, so until 2007 Fall, the pond is totally closed to all activity. After that, I would like to dredge it and get the dogs back in there. And me too.

In 2007 we are building a dog pool in the old silo foundation.

16. What do you do when it's really hot?

Sweat like a pig. What do you do? No, really, it's about 7-10 degress cooler here than in NYC. Also, I have tremendous 200-300 year old maples that do a terrific job cooling. Then a couple of pools for them, fresh water and AC in one room only for older dogs on really hot days.

17. What do they eat?

I feed them Nutro Natural Choice Lamb and Rice or equivalent.

18. Are there any breed restrictions?

Well, no. But the fighting breeds (pits, boxers, anything with locking jaws) need to be really nice. You know your dog. No aggressive fighting breed dogs.

19. Do I need to show proof of vaccinations?

You need to have it.

20. Is there enough ventilation to prevent the spread of kennel cough?

That's one advantage of the way I do things. Plenty of fresh air. The winter is a little worse, closed up at night. But ventilation is the key.

21. Do the dogs ever come in the house?
My house is right here. They mostly know where I am even if they haven't been in here. I'll bring a dog in if they really need it, if they seem sick or scared or hot or tiny or something. Sometimes, like on a rainy day with those wet feet, I don't even want my own dogs in here. But also if a dog is here for a long time, I make sure they get a little time in the house, just to stay civilized.