April 14, 2018 - Moab, Utah - this is what it's all about! And 5 Must-Have Qualities for Doggie Day Care & Boarding Facilities

Tanya's Daily Scoop​
Covering the West Coast & the World
CURRENTLY TRAVELING IN: MOAB, UTAH

Moab, Utah -
​this is what it's all about!

GREETINGS from Moab, Utah - where adventure begins!

As we left off it was yesterday and through 5 hours of snow, hail and lots of wind we drove from St. George, Utah to Moab, Utah.

Stopping for Coffee drinks at The Grind Coffeehouse and for smoothies at Tropical Smoothie Cafe - both in Cedar City...

It doesn't look chilly. But it WAS (c)travelincousins.com

Getting breakfast (c)travelincousins.com

The only thing we weren't expecting was for the temps to be in the 30's and the wind to really be pushing things around and giving a real hefty  blowing.

A dusting of snow here, a dusting of snow there (c)travelincousins.com

Does everybody fall asleep in the passenger seat? (c)travelincousins.com

The road to Moab (c)travelincousins.com

The road to Moab (c)travelincousins.com

Based on all that wind we were dealing with I decided to swap a few things around in the ol' itinerary.  

​Meaning that instead of us riding Navajo Rocks yesterday, I moved that to Sunday and I figured that we'd go take in the view at Dead Horse State Park and then head to the famous Slick Rock Trail. ​​

Dead Horse State Park (c)travelincousins.com

A satellite overview of Dead Horse State Park and Canyonlands NP (c)travelincousins.com

Looking out over Canyonlands National Park (c)travelincousins.com

Looking out over Canyonlands National Park (c)travelincousins.com

On the drive up, the fields are just spotted with cattle out on the open range.

Then the time had come and we were finally gonna get on our bikes...

Excited to ride Slickrock for the very first time (c)travelincousins.com

Pumped to ride Slickrock for the very first time (c)travelincousins.com

It was the first ride of the season and I think we had previously been a little intimidated by the Slickrock Bike Trail. But it is just such a classic and I had watched a few YouTube videos of the trail, noting that this blue-black trail looked doable.

Which it totally was! 

Slickrock bike trail (c)travelincousins.com

Dave is focused (c)travelincousins.com

There goes Dave (c)travelincousins.com

Yes there were spots that I felt a bit ridiculous walking my bike...but it was the first ride of the season. My lungs were burning and I was proud of us for getting out there. 

We had a great time and once we got into the ride I wasn't psyching myself out and I was letting her roll.

Dave riding on (c)travelincousins.com

I'm ready to go (c)travelincousins.com

The sun is starting to set (c)travelincousins.com

There I am (c)travelincousins.com

Time for a sip (c)travelincousins.com

The only problem was that we  were riding against the clock as the sun set in the West. And the only saving grace was that I actually remembered the headlamps this time

I'm riding into the sunset (c)travelincousins.com

Well of course we made it back - I am writing to you after-all.

After that, we got ourselves all checked in and then headed for dinner where I found out that Dave was already sore all over the place!

YIKES...we got lots more riding to do.

Time to get my pedal on,
-Travelin' Tanya

Elisa's Daily Scoop
Covering Long Island & NYC Boroughs
​NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 7 DAYS

5 Must-Have Qualities for Doggie Day Care & Boarding Facilities

TGI"S"  - yes, Saturday!  I was bushed last night after a very go, go, go week.  It was a fantastic one, full of fun, productivity and enjoyment, but tiring nonetheless.

My fur baby, Punkin, generally accompanies me on my usual and customary errands, but this week, I had a number of things to do and places to go, that did not lend themselves to having my doggie in tow.  

Whenever this is the case, I bring her to Doggie Day Care or what is technically referred to as "day boarding."

I never even knew day boarding existed until my friend Andrea told me that she would bing her canine baby there often when she was going to be gone all day.

​For years, I had been boarding my dogs when going away for days at a time, but had never done so, nor thought about it, for daytime.

In my case, my Punkin is a very nervous dog who doesn't do well alone or locked up.  Since we adopted her at 7 months old and she had previously come from a kill shelter in North Carolina, I don't know what transpired those first seven months of her life.  I don't know when she was surrendered, if she was abandoned or what kind of traumas she may have experienced.

Having left her home alone in the beginning, she literally destroyed the metal cage - yes, she broke free - clawed up my carpet and door in my den to "get out." and jumped a four foot gate, injuring her eye in the process, all to break free in our absence.  

It just wasn't worth the stress on her or the aggravation and destruction to my home to leave her home alone. When I found out that the "Groomers" I had been bringing my dogs to for years also did Day Boarding, I was thrilled!!

Located in Floral Park, Long Island, Jo-Mar Pet Grooming and Boarding has been serving the community since the 1970's.  A family owned business for over four decades, Jo-Mar is well known throughout the surrounding area of Floral Park, Stewart Manor, Garden City, Elmont, and more, with a growing client base locally and coming as far away as Texas, Florida, Massachusetts and California!

Jo Mar Grooming and Boarding at 1 Covert Avenue, Floral Park, New York (c) travelincousins.com

The name "Jo-Mar" was created by its founders, Joseph and Maryann Grasman who established their grooming business in 1962 in the basement of their Elmont, New York home. In 1972 Joseph and Maryann outgrew their home space with their expanding customer base and moved to a small shop on Meacham Avenue in Elmont.

Their son Scott joined Jo-Mar in 1974, beginning a life-long career of expert grooming and grew the family business further. 

In 1977, Jo-Mar relocated once again to Covert Avenue in Floral Park, and after 22 years, expanded its space for their growing clientele.

Scott and his wife Catherine, the current owners and hands-on managers since 1986, continue to work with the same values and dedication as founders Joseph and Maryann to serving and caring with love, the pets with whom they are entrusted.

Jo-Mar check-in desk (c) travelincousins.com

In addition to pampering and beautification services, Jo-Mar is also a boarding facility for extended overnight stays, as well as day boarding.

It just happens to be my "doggie day care" of choice for Punkin.  Now, I can sit here all day, singing Jo-Mar's praises as a top-notch grooming and boarding facility, but, the real testimony lies in my dog's reactions 

As a shy and introverted, fearful dog, Punkin was terrified of loud noises and new people when she first joined our family.  I thought the socialization of doggie day care might do her good. Boy, am I happy I followed my instinct.

Not only is she now a part of the Jo-Mar family, going there several times a week while Mommy tends to her responsibilities, but she has grown in her self-confidence social skills.

(c) travelincousins.com

Whereas, she was afraid to leave Mommy's side when I would first bring her to Jo-Mar for day boarding five months ago, she now whimpers in anticipation when our car approaches the building and she cannot run in fast enough.  

​Once inside, she doesn't glance back at me anymore, and darts ahead as if she owns the place, greeting all the employees, heading for the door to the grooming and boarding area, smashing her nose forcefully to open the door for herself. 

Jo-Mar, "Aunt Cathy" "Uncle Kevin" "Tiffany" and the rest of the gang are her family away from home and treat her with love and belonging.

​I couldn't be more overjoyed and more content that my fur baby has evolved into a healthy and happy two year old, thanks to the role the Jo-Mar family has played in her life!

Punkin with "Aunt Cathy" yesterday at pick up to go home (c) travelincousins.com

Good, reliable and safe extended boarding is an important issue to a vast majority of pet owners who travel.

After close to thirty years of owning dogs, I am one of those individuals who know its importance and have always and continue to rely heavily upon the need for boarding when going on my many travel adventures.

Not having the luxury of friends or family to care for my doggies throughout the years as I romp off near and far, I have learned a few things about what to look for in a boarding facility, whether it be for days, weeks or just hours.  

5 Must-Have Qualities of
Doggie Day Care & Boarding

Cathy from Jo-Mar Grooming (c) jo-margrooming.com)

 1. Established in the Community
Look for a boarding establishment that is grounded in the community, with good references and a history of taking care of pets.

Most reputable dog boarding businesses will be happy to give you a tour of their facility as well as references.

2. Friendly, Animal Loving Owners and Staff
The attitude of the people who will be caring for your pet in your absence is key!  You are entrusting them with  a member of your family.  

3. Requires All Pets Be Up to Date with Vaccines
While it may seem annoying to provide all vaccine records when boarding your pet, remember, it is for the safety and well-being of your own pet.  Your little fur baby will be around other animals who can spread illnesses like kennel cough (basically the common cold for dogs) or others.  A good kennel/boarding facility will require proof of up-to-date vaccines for things like rabies, and Bordatella (kennel cough).

4. Affiliation with Veterinary Facility
We never like to think about the worst, but in the event your pet gets sick or encounters a medical problem, it is very important for your boarding facility to have strong ties to a local veterinarian.  

Many veterinarian clinics these days actually do double duty and have boarding facilities as well. This can be the best of both worlds if you are a worrier and like the comfort of knowing that your pet has doctors around in case of emergency. 

5. Listen to Your Pet
Although pets cannot verbalize the same we we humans do, they communicate quite clearly through their body language and attitude.  It's often hard to know the first time you board your pet if they are simply anxious about leaving you if they act fearful, but if you've done your homework and have made the best decision possible about selecting a facility, you will know the second time around how much your pet liked or disliked it by his or her reactions to the folks and place, upon returning.  

Going by my Punkin who is generally shy, she expresses excitement and a wagging tail when we return time and time again to Jo-Mar. A positive welcome from staff and a receptive response from your pet tells you that it is a good place worthy of return stays!!

"I GET TO SLEEP IN TODAY!" - Punkin (c) travelincousins.com

I'm just happy today is Saturday and I get to have a leisurely morning with my Punkin and girls - no rushing off dot school or doggie day care!!

It's a bright, sunny day and I'm looking forward to heading out to Northport to see In The Heights with my girl Kelsey!!!

Will take pics and bring you the low down tomorrow!

Oh - and if you still didn't catch my weekly article, do so today!!!

18 Must-Visit Places for Jazz Lovers

PLEASE CHECK OUT TANYA'S SCOOP FOR HER RECAP OF HER FIRST DAY AT MOAB, UTAH AND MOUNTAIN BIKING!!!

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​Well I'm on my way to start the day!!

-E
xoxo