It wasn’t difficult for me to decide to try Cheshire Animal Clinic because it had received several great reviews online and the fact that it’s a little over a mile from my house didn’t hurt either. I called them up to check pricing for a checkup visit and the people at the front desk were incredibly polite and helpful. I got an appointment the next day!

Overall, the experience with them has been great. They have a large seating area with dog-friendly couches and lots of informational pamphlets, etc to look at. The only problem is that you won’t have time to look at anything! As soon as you are checked in and ready to go, you get called back into a large private room! Service is incredible, too. The techs are super caring (sometimes, overly so- Autumn got five treats last time she was in there) and take the time to make the dogs feel comfortable. I’ve never been to a vet that had such a tender hearted staff.

Not only is the staff courteous, Dr. Allen is fantastic with Autumn. Every time we’ve seen him (which has been a few times lately because of Autumn’s allergies) he has spent extra time petting and loving on her. He is genuinely interested in her well being and I am truly touched each time I go there. He is sweet, soft spoken, and genuine. I made it clear in the beginning that finances were an issue for me and he has gone out of his way to ensure that Autumn receives proper care and attention. When I was checking prices on heart worm medicines and compared his costs to that of PetMeds, he explained to me the reason for the price difference (only about $2-3) and suggested alternatives. Dr. Allen didn’t hesitate when he had to explain the differences between Heart Guard and Interceptor to me. I know it doesn’t sound like a big deal, but where my dog is concerned, I want the facts. All of them. Right away. And I believe that Dr. Allen respects me for it.

Not only does this clinic have easily manageable hours for us working folk, but they provide daycare and boarding services, too! Seriously, you cannot go wrong with this veterinarian. Check them out for yourselves online at CheshireAnimal.com.

I fell in love with Cheshire Animal Clinic. And I bet you will too. I referred a friend and would you believe that I received a handwritten thank you note in the mail that same week? Unbelievable. When you go check them out, tell them Jacklyn and Autumn sent you!

Cheshire Animal Clinic
2647 Buford Highway
Atlanta, GA 30324
Phone: 404-320-6555
Fax: 404-638-6812

Do you feel bad leaving your dog at home all day alone? Does your dog need more exercise and interaction? If you need to let your dog burn off some energy and it’s too cold or rainy to hang out at the park, I cannot recommend Doggie Day Camp enough. Autumn is a happier dog on doggie day care days and I’m a happier mommy knowing that she is well taken care of. When you visit for the first time, bring your veterinary paperwork to prove your dog is up to date on shots (note: your dog will need bordetella every six months rather than one year to be in any kind of day care service in Atlanta).

While you’re filling out the day camp paperwork, one of the caregivers will evaluate your pet’s health and personality. Each dog must go through a personality check before being let in with the other dogs. Lots of other day care services I have researched don’t even mention the personality tests. This is so important, especially if you’ve got a puppy and there are other dogs that may be a bit impatient with a rambunctious baby. It doesn’t take very long at all, and it’s completely worth it.

Once the dogs are together, they are free to run around and play (they even have little jungle gyms for them to climb on and slide down). There is someone in with the dogs at all times to pet, love, and watch over them. If a fight breaks out, they are armed with spray bottles loaded with water. And if you’re worried about your dog going to the bathroom- they’ve got special textured floors for the dogs to go potty on. It’s totally safe and it gets cleaned up almost immediately.

The other important stuff you need to know: It’s not cheap. Doggie Day Camp at the Buckhead PetSmart is going to run you $20 for 6+ hours and $13 for less than 6 hours. And if you want your pup to have a snack (Kong peanut butter paste and a treat) at noon, you’ll have to cough up an extra $3. It’s going to cost you to have your pet well taken care of. But I don’t think you’ll find another place quite as safe and loving as PetSmart. If you are a PetPerks member, they will run discounts every month or so- right now until February 1, the Buckhead location is giving a $5 discount. I’ve also heard that during select months, if your dog is in daycare for 10 sessions, you get one free. Read more about the Frequent User Program.

The hours differ at every store, so please be sure to call yours to find out specifically. Buckhead is open from 7-7 during the week, but maintains slightly different hours during the weekend.

If you call ahead and make reservations, check in and check out will be a lot smoother and faster for you. Try calling ahead and let them know, that way the caregivers can have ample time to get the temporary collar ready and paperwork set up.

Required vaccinations: DPP, Bordetdella, Rabies Read more about Doggie Day Camp requirements.

We had been there for less than 15 minutes when Murray came barreling through the doggy door limping. I checked his foot and discovered that he had snapped one of his toenails in half. It was hanging there and he was in a lot of pain. I convinced my mother to let me take him to the emergency vet (Animal Emergency Center of North Fulton- where he is a repeat visitor) to get his nail clipped off and bandaged. Thankfully, they were not busy! The vet was sweet, considerate, and super helpful with Murray that night. And we are so grateful. The worst part about that night was what we experienced in the waiting room while we were there.

Before we were able to finish up Murray’s paperwork, a brother and sister came in with their cat. The poor baby had been having seizures all day and hadn’t been eating all week long. They were concerned about what tests needed to be performed on their 12 year old cat because money was a big issue for them. We overheard the vet telling them that the prognosis was bad- most likely some kind of neurological thing, probably a brain tumor. We could hear the girl crying and cat meowing from the other side of the office. It was incredibly sad. My family has had a canine member ever since before my brother and I were born and we all know how difficult it is to put an animal down. My mother and I were upset and scared for the cat but mostly felt terribly sorry for the owners. When we went to pay our bill, my amazing tender hearted mother covered part of their visit too. Anonymously.

It was a bittersweet end to a crappy afternoon.

Saturday. Saturday my father and I decided to cut Autumn’s nails. We got one done successfully and then we cut the second one too short. Within seconds blood was pouring from my baby’s nail. All over the carpet. All over my pants. All over my hands. It was so scary, I’ve never seen a dog bleed so heavily. My mother, being the smarty pants that she is, had the styptic powder ready to go within seconds. It was difficult to get Autumn’s foot in the small jar, but we were able to stop the bleeding with pressure and the powder after several minutes. Relieved, I sat on the couch with her for about an hour. The next few things happened so quickly, my memory of them is a bit fuzzy. The doorbell rang. Autumn jumped from the couch and took off to the front door with Jinx and Murray. Neighbors came in. Something something something, we walked into the kitchen and I saw blood everywhere. Autumn had knocked the scab off of her nail and was bleeding again. Luckily for us, the neighbor is a CCU nurse at Emory hospital and was able to help us stop the bleeding and wrap Autumn’s foot with a bandage. I think I owe my parents some styptic powder.

Saturday was super emotional. I spent most of the afternoon and evening curled up with Autumn so she would stay off of her foot. I was so emotionally exhausted I started falling asleep around 6pm. I heard my phone buzz with an email, so I checked it and found out Autumn is on USAToday.com in her new sweater! I was so happy, I must have showed every single person I’ve ever met in the history of the universe! If you guys aren’t keeping up with The Paw Print Post, you really should!

Before I knew it, it was Sunday. I had met a friend for lunch and came back to pick up Autumn from my parents’ house. I bent down to hug her and almost instantly, she jumped up to kiss me. We knocked heads and I thought I was about to fall over in pain. I’ve never in my life met a creature with a skull as hard as Autumn’s. I’m convinced she must be part Terminator. I got everything packed up and was putting the leash on her when she jumped again and busted my lip open. Not only do I have a goose egg on my forehead, but I’ve got a busted up lip to match.

What a weekend.

Cutting your dog’s toenails? Make sure you have some Gold Medal Stop Bleeding Styptic Powder for Dogs handy!

While I’m thinking about it, here’s a list of Emergency Vets in Atlanta:

Atlanta

Briarcliff Animal Clinic
1850 Johnson Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA(404) 874-6394

Sandy Springs

Georgia Veterinary Specialists
455 Abernathy Road Northeast, Sandy Springs, GA (404) 459-0903

Animal Emergency Center of Sandy Springs
228 Sandy Springs Place Northeast, Sandy Springs, GA (404) 252-7881

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VCA Pets Are People Too Veterinary Hospital
4280 North Peachtree Road, Chamblee, GA (770) 452-1001

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Alpharetta

Animal Emergency Center of North Fulton

900 Mansell Road, Roswell, GA (770) 594-2266

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Decatur

Atlanta Emergency Vet
217 N. McDonough Street Decatur, GA 30030, (404) 371-9774

Almost all of the other dog owners there on Saturday morning were very attentive and were very good about policing their dogs. There was one boxer who was playing too rough and his owner took him out immediately. If you take your dog here, you need to be completely focused on him/her the entire time. I’ve heard about fights breaking out when owners aren’t paying close enough attention, but luckily I’ve never witnessed one.

Piedmont Dog Park is located under the Park Drive Bridge. It’s super easy to get to and if you can parallel park, try heading down Park Drive. It’s the shortest distance to walk, but parking is horrible. The park is one of the smaller dog parks I’ve seen and tends to get a bit crowded by afternoon time. The ground is completely covered in mulch, but the dogs didn’t seem to mind. The mulch tends to hold on to rainfall (it hadn’t rained in a couple days when we were there and the ground was still moist), which can lead to some pretty dirty paws. In the center of the large dog pen there’s a water spigot for the dogs. Sometimes other dog owners leave the water on and it creates a significant mud puddle. Be sure to have a towel handy if you’re letting your dog into your car with leather seats!

The park survives solely on donations. It’s really important that we dog owners do our best to keep it alive. There are several ways we can do this:

• Clean up your dog’s messes. Not only does it help to stop germ and disease spreading among our pups, but it also makes it safer for us to walk.
• If your dog becomes aggressive, remove it! Or if someone else’s dog is aggressive and they aren’t relocating to a different section of the park, you and your dog should move to avoid any problems. Remember, owners are responsible for the actions of their dogs!
• Donate! Autumn and I really enjoy our time at this park and I’m sure you will too if you take the time to go!

Read more on the Piedmont Park website

Donate to the park

One of Autumn’s preferred pastimes seems to be chewing on things that don’t belong to her. Recently she’s really taken a liking to my favorite scarf and my new pair of black wedges. I have been striving to train her that chewing (on someone else’s) things is bad, but I can’t seem to change her behavior.

I had been searching the internet for something to curb the chewing, but never really found a proper solution. While walking through PetSmart one night, I saw it. The be-all-end-all of (virtually) indestructible doggy toys: The Kong.

The Kong has been such a blessing. It helps to keep Autumn occupied while I am making dinner or working. I spoon a dab of peanut butter into the Kong and she goes wild. Another advantage: she won’t whine when she goes into her crate. Not only has it curbed some of her chewing habits, but it’s helped me to limit the begging. Although she is still interested in human food, she won’t give me “the look” while she’s playing with her Kong.

Here’s the best part about Autumn’s favorite toy:

It keeps her occupied both mentally and physically when I am too busy to play with her or she has to be in her crate. The Kong is made from all natural puncture resistant rubber and therefore is nearly indestructible. The more Autumn plays with her Kong, the more her teeth get cleaned. The cleaner the teeth, the fresher the breath! Honestly, what more could you ask for?

I can think of only one disadvantage of the Kong. It’s pretty solid (and the one in my house is sometimes half full of peanut butter) so it’s difficult to toss around in the house. After doing a bit of research, I discovered the Kong Ball. Although it’s solid, it’s super bouncy and a lot of fun to chase around the house. I won’t lie, I’ve caught myself bouncing it while watching TV a time or two.

I highly recommend picking up a Kong for your dog- he/she really WILL love you for it!

Check them out on Amazon.com:

• KONG Ball Dog Toy
• KONG Classic Kong Dog Toy

I walked into the tiny room full of pens housing dogs of all ages. I kept walking down the aisle, looking for Autumn. Finally I found that pink and brown spotted nose pushing out of the fence wanting to sniff my clothes. She was a lot smaller than I thought she would be, but she looked happy and healthy. My boyfriend and I took her out into a fenced in area and got to know her and let her play for about an hour. Autumn was exactly what I was looking for. Sweet, curious, people loving, and playful. That was when I knew she was my dog.

Once Autumn started settling down and laying around, I realized that I’ve never had to potty train a dog before. I went and bought a crate the next day. Along with $250 of other things I thought she’d need. It was a great weekend until I realized that I had to work on Monday and I didn’t want to lock her in her crate for eight hours. Luckily, my boyfriend works for a dog friendly company about a mile from my house. He’s able to take her to work with him every day and let her play with other dogs and avoid the crate for the most part. She comes home wagging and hungry every day. She’s a spoiled rotten wickedly happy dog.

I’ve been spending a lot of time seeking out popular dog parks where I can let Autumn run freely. Buckhead doesn’t offer much room for running around unleashed, and I’ve been having trouble finding places large enough for her to do so. It’s my hope that this blog will help other Atlanta dog lovers find places their pooches will love and provide a common area to discuss all things canine.