Too good to be true?

Today while running errands I stumbled across something truly amazing. A new doggy daycare facility has come to town!

I was cautiously optimistic as I dialed the number to get some information. Not that I am uphappy with the daycare Claudia is in now, but it can’t hurt to call.

Right away they started telling me about all of the great amenities they offer. A large indoor play space that is climate controlled in both summer and winter. Dog trainers on staff to take care of any behavior problems. There is an outdoor obstacle course for agility training. A large outdoor play area in the summer with an in-ground, heated swimming pool. And they take the dogs on field trips three times a week. Field trips! To places like Sundance on hiking trips and to dog parks in Park City.

Now, as all of you know, Claudia is like a member of the family to me. However, I do still realize that she is a dog. Dogs do not need field trips or heated pools. Just like they don’t need Christmas presents. When I spoke to my mother on Christmas day this was our conversation:

Mother: What did you get Claudia for Christmas?
Me: Uh, nothing.
Mother: Nothing?
Me: Yeah. Nothing.
Mother: Christopher, that is terrible! It’s Christmas!
Me: Uh, dogs don’t know what Christmas is.
Mother: But, but, but, I bet her friends at daycare got Christmas presents!
Me: Uh oh. House is on fire. Gotta go!

A lot of people think that the fact Claudia goes to day care at all is kind of over the top, which I can’t totally disagree with, but this place was even over the top for me. Obstacle courses? Heated pools? Field trips?! I mean… Really?

Figuring that this service would cost a fortune, I asked how much it was per day. As it turns out moving Claudia to this daycare would actually save me about $70 per month. Plus they are open till 7pm (my daycare now is only open till 6) and they are open on weekends (mine isn’t.) It couldn’t possibly be any more convenient either. I drive right by every day to and from work. They also carry the brand of dog-food I feed her and will keep 3-4 bags on hold for me and I can just buy them as I need them.

When I told Mike I was thinking of moving Claudia to a new daycare he asked:

Mike: Won't she miss her friends from her current daycare?
Me (Giving a dirty look): Have you been talking to my mother?

So it looks like Claudia is moving on to bigger and better things. The only question that is still nagging at me is what color swim cap I should buy her.