Hi there! My name is Benny. I’m a 1 year old corgi and I live in Cañon City, Colorado with my humans. I rescued them when they came to the Humane Society of Fremont County, but that’s a story for another time. Today, I’d like to tell you about a day in my life!
6:37 a.m.: I lay my head on my mom’s side of the bed and touch her with my cold nose. She shivers, but doesn’t wake. I try Dad next. I put on my cutest face and stare. And stare. I hope he wakes up soon. I really need to check on the squirrels. Finally, after what seems like forever, I seem him open one eye. Suddenly, my tail starts to wag on its own accord, shaking my whole body. Yay! He’s awake! I missed him!
6:43 a.m.: Dad lets me out into the backyard to do my business, from where I can see a few of Cañon City’s scrappy peaks. I love Colorado! Maybe we’ll go on a hike today? Maybe I’ll get a treat? Maybe…SQUIRREL!
7:05 a.m.: Breakfast time! Mom says that the NutriSource grain-free dog kibble she bought from Frontier Feeds is healthy, but I like it because it tastes good too!
7:37 a.m.: Mom just grabbed my harness and leash! We are going for a WALK y’all!
7:39 a.m.: She fooled me — we only walked as far as her car and she had me jump in. But it’s OK guys! That means that we’re going for a DRIVE (next best thing to WALK!)
7:50 a.m.: Omg omg Mom just put the window down! I love getting wind-whipped in the face by Colorado mountain air (*cheeks flap in the breeze*). Did you know that I have 220 million olfactory cells in my snout? I just thought you should know. Now Mom is singing along with the radio. Silly human, that’s not how you do it. Let me show you: BOW-OW-OOOOOOO!
7:52 a.m.: We’re here, at the Arkansas Riverwalk Dog Park! I’m SO excited! I know, I know, I was here yesterday and the day before that too, but being allowed off leash is just so much fun! Some of my friends are here too — Xander the terrier mix and Cass the boxer. Xander did some time at the Humane Society, like me, while Cass was trained by an inmate as part of Colorado Correctional Industries’ K-9 Companion Program. He says that he learned a lot from his trainer! Regardless of our individual backgrounds, we love playing and chasing each other around the park. We sometimes even hit the agility area — gotta stay trim for the ladies!
9:01 a.m.: I’m back at home and just about ready for a nap. The park has me tuckered out! But first, Mom said that I was a good boy at the park so I could have a couple of my favorite Zuke’s natural dog treats. It’s hard to beat the Peanut Butter & Oats flavor, but I have to admit, the SuperFood Blend with Vibrant Veggies is kind of growing on me.
11:26 a.m.: Guys, I had the craziest dream. I dreamt that I was chasing this giant Frisbee as it sailed through the air. When I jumped up and caught it in my mouth, I just kept flying along through the air with the disc, getting higher and higher, toward the top of Pikes Peak. Other dogs joined in too, and suddenly it was like we were part of a spinning amusement park ride…oh, gotta go, Mom just called me for lunch!
11:27 a.m.: Nom nom nom, slurp slurp slurp, nom nom nom…what are you looking at?
11:45 a.m.: It’s so nice outside in the Colorado sunshine. Mom said that I can stay in the backyard for a little while like a big boy if I PROMISE not to dig holes. Again. I will do my best. I will not dig, I will not dig, I will not dig, I will not…SQUIRREL! Now what was I saying about digging?
1 p.m.: Zzzzzz…
2:10 p.m.: Dad got home early today, so we are going out for a hike! Woof yeah!
2:41 p.m.: On the drive to Hogbacks Open Space Recreation Area, Dad reminds me that I shouldn’t jump or roll in any puddles, should I see any.
2:51 p.m.: We’re here! We park at the Floral Avenue trailhead and make our way north along the valley floor on the Greenhorn trail as our warm up.
3:42 p.m.: At the north end of the Rec Area, we jump on my favorite trail, Dakota Ridge. This one gives us the best views of the area, connecting up to Skyline Drive. I love the challenge (so does my dad!)
5:14 p.m.: Somehow, near the end of the hike, I manage to find the only muddle puddle around (I’m smart like that). I get excited and dive right in before I hear Dad hollering at me…oops; I forgot that I wasn’t supposed to do that. It sure was fun, though!
5:27 p.m.: Mom made a funny face when she saw me come in the door, and an even funnier face at Dad. Now she’s talking about calling Big Dogs Grooming first thing in the morning to make an appointment for me. I hope that I get a cool bandana when I’m done being groomed!
6:32 p.m.: Mom and Dad cleaned me up the best that they could, and now we’re headed to Di Rito’s Italian Restaurant for a family dinner outing. I get to go too because they have a dog-friendly patio! Maybe I’ll even get a bite of Dad’s pizza if I use my cute face again.
8:45 p.m.: It’s nearing my bedtime, so I get one last backyard frolic. Back in the house, I pass by Mom and Dad cuddled up on the couch with a bowl of popcorn and a movie. There’s room for me too, right guys? As I squeeze in between them for our family viewing of A Star is Born, I feel like a pretty lucky dog. Thanks for tagging along!
Words by Gillian Sheehan
Photos by Sam Quintana
All business listed below offer both dog boarding and doggie daycare services unless otherwise noted. Businesses may also offer additional pet services (not mentioned in this article).
BUENA VISTA & SALIDA
Alpha Dog Care
alphadogcare.biz
Double J Cross Kennels
doublejcrosskennels.com
Gone to the Dogs (daycare only)
salidadogs.com
Wag-n-Tails
wag-n-tails.net
CAÑON CITY, FLORENCE, & PENROSE
Country Kennels
On Yelp
Eight Mile Ranch
eightmileranchcolorado.com
Freemont Veterinary Hospital (boarding only)
fremontvethospital.com
Kenline Veterinary Clinic (boarding only)
kenlineveterinaryclinic.com
Kinsey’s Kennels
kinseys-kennel.business.site
KLB Boarding Kennel
klbkennel.com
CASTLE ROCK, SEDALIA, & ELIZABETH
4 Paws 4 Life
4p4l.org
Beau Monde Kennels
beaumondekennels.com
Brooklyn Veterinary Clinic – PAWS Pet Resort
brooklynvet.com
Camp Bow Wow
campbowwow.com
Elizabeth Country Kennels
elizabethcountrykennels.com
Gigi’s Groom and Board
gigisgroomandboard.com
Hallcrest Kennels (boarding only)
hallcrestkennels.com
Prestige K9
prestigek9.com
Tails Up
tailsup.com
The Light of Dog (boarding only)
thelightofdog.com
COLORADO SPRINGS & FOUNTAIN
4Paws Country Kennels (boarding only)
On Facebook
Alpine Animal Inn (boarding only)
On Facebook
Animal Hospital of Colorado Springs (boarding only)
animalhospitalcs.com
A Paw Above Canine Boarding Service
apawaboveboarding.com
Aspen Meadows Pet Resort
aspenmeadowspet.com
BamPaws
bampaws.com
Brown Veterinary Hospital (boarding only)
brownvet.com
Camp Bow Wow
campbowwow.com
Canine Campus Dog Daycare
caninecampus.us
Canine Design Salon & Country Club
caninedesign.org
ChampDog Park
champdogpark.com
Countryside Kennels
countrysidekennels3.com
Dancing Dog Inn
dancingdoginn.com
Diamonds in the Ruff Pet Play Care and Grooming
diamondsntheruff.com
Doggie Dude Ranch (boarding only)
On Facebook
Elmore’s Doggie Daycare
elmoresdoggiedaycare.com
Holly’s Home Pet Care
On Facebook
House of Dog Training
houseofdogtraining.com
K-9 Cuts and Care
k9cuts.com
Lucky Dog Resorts
bealuckydog.com
My Mutt Makeovers Dog Grooming and Boarding (boarding only)
On Facebook
Northwest Animal Hospital and Pet Care Center
nwanimalhospital.com
PetSmart
services.petsmart.com
Polo Springs Veterinary Hospital
polosprings.com
Rampart Kennels
rampartkennels.com
Smudge Car & Dog Wash (boarding and daycare services coming spring/summer 2019)
smudgewash.com
Stubby’s Dog Wash and Grooming Salon
stubbysdogwash.com
Sunrise Kennels & Woodman Kennels (boarding only)
sunrise-woodmenpetcare.com
Timberview Animal Hospital (boarding only)
timberviewah.com
Tumbleweed Country Kennels
tumbleweedcountrykennels.com
Under the Sun Doggie Daycare (daycare only)
underthesundoggiedaycare.com
MONUMENT, LARKSPUR, & PEYTON
Aavondale Pet Services (boarding only)
On Yelp
Bed N’ Biscuit Pet Resort (boarding only)
bnbpetresort.com
Camp Bow Wow
campbowwow.com
Carnival Cat & Canine Care (boarding only)
petcarebycarnival.com
Cathy’s Dog, Cat & Llama Grooming
cathysgrooming.com
Double J Pet Ranch
doublejpetranch.com
Falcon Dog Daycare and Boarding
falcondog.com
Jackson Creek Kennel (boarding only)
jacksoncreekkennel.com
Pampered Pets & People
pamperedpetsandpeople.com
Red Coyote Kennels
On Facebook
Shield Kennels
shieldkennels.com
Smiths Dog Lodge
smithsdoglodge.com
Woodmoor Veterinary Hospital & Pet Lodge (boarding only)
woodmoorvet.com
PUEBLO
A Country Canine Resort
acountrycanine.com
Elite Paws Pet Resort
elitepawspetresort.com
Kamp-4-Paws (boarding only)
kamp4paws.org
Mountain View Pet Lodge
mountainviewpetlodge.com
Paw Cottage
thepawcottage.com
Pueblo West Boarding Kennel
pueblowestkennels.com
The Dog House
pueblodoghouse.com
WOODLAND PARK & TELLER COUNTY
Above the Clouds Pet Sitting
abovethecloudspetsitting.com
Animal Medical Center – Milo’s Services
wpamc.com
Compassion Animal Center (boarding only)
mycompassionanimalhospital.com
Doggie Kamp With Cats on the Side(boarding only)
doggiekamp.biz
Florissant Kennels & Grooming
On Facebook
Pikes Peak K9 Camp (boarding only)
On Facebook
Town & Country Kennels
towncountrykennel.wixsite.com
Woodland Kennels
On Yelp
