I guess it's time for another update because somehow every year I become even more grateful for…read moreAlly and Travis. Lately, I've seen so many heartbreaking stories about doggy daycares: dogs getting hurt, neglected, escaping, or simply not being treated with the love they deserve. Every time I read one, my first thought is the same: thank God Nova has Ally and Travis.
Nova has been coming here since he was just 6 months old. He's now about to turn 5, which means they've been part of nearly his entire life. They've watched him grow from a timid, reactive puppy into the confident, happy dog he is today. They know his quirks, his routines, what makes him nervous, what makes him excited, and they have loved every version of him along the way.
As dog owners, we all know there are very few people we'd trust with our entire heart. That's what our dogs are. They're not just pets, they're family. And somehow Ally and Travis have earned a level of trust that I didn't even know was possible. I've left Nova with them for the longest periods I've ever left him with anyone, and I've never once laid awake wondering if he was okay. There has never been a moment where I questioned whether he was safe, loved, exercised, or cared for. That kind of peace is priceless, and if you're a dog parent, you know exactly what I mean.
What means the most to me is that Nova makes the choice himself every single time. The second he realizes where we're going, he's beside himself with excitement. If he doesn't get to see Ally or Travis, he cries. When he does, he runs to them without looking back. As someone whose dog was once fearful of people, seeing him love someone that deeply tells me everything I need to know. Dogs don't fake trust. They don't pretend to feel safe. They either do, or they don't. Nova has never questioned whether Ally and Travis are his people.
Over the years, they've been there through my work schedule, my vacations, family emergencies, and every moment in between. They have given me something I can never truly repay: the ability to go through life knowing that the biggest piece of my heart is safe. That feeling is something every dog parent hopes to find, and so few actually do.
Even if life takes me somewhere else one day, if I'm ever back in town and need someone to watch Nova, there is no question where he's going. I would drive hours just to leave him with Ally and Travis because trust like this isn't replaceable. They're not just our daycare: they're part of Nova's family.
If you're scrolling through reviews wondering whether this is the right place for your dog, I hope this helps. Five years later, after hundreds of drop-offs and pickups, I can say with complete confidence that choosing Ally and Travis was one of the best decisions I've ever made for Nova. They have loved him like he was their own, and I will spend the rest of his life being grateful for that.