We fill up quickly for weekends and holidays. Get your reservation in ASAP!
Once you know your exact dates and times, fill out a reservtion request HERE.
Please fill out a reservation request for every reservation. Thank you for understanding!
WE’RE NOT AVAILABLE 3/24 evening thru 3/26 evening.
We love our dogs and want nothing but the best for them, but the fact remains that we cannot always be there to take care of them. One of the problems that come with pet ownership is what to do when we are away, working long hours,
on vacation, or out of town for some other reason. Canine companionship brings so much satisfaction, enrichment, and
love to our lives that we don’t want to leave our friend with just anybody. Of course, there are many options available. Boarding kennels, vet clinics, dog daycares, in-home pet sitters, and house sitters are each very different. Exploring the pros and cons of each will help you decide which option is best for your dog.
Boarding kennels are an adequate low-cost option for dogs who aren’t very high maintenance or nervous, but if you adopted from a shelter a kennel might not be the best choice. Boarding at your vet is a great choice if your dog has a high-risk medical problem, like diabetes, but most vets don’t offer much space in the boarding cages, and of course if your dog is afraid of the vet then this would not be for you. Dog daycare is great for friendly, playful dogs. They will be so pre-occupied and tired they probably won’t even miss you until you pick up, especially if they regularly attend daycare. However, older and nervous dogs probably won’t appreciate the noise, and with no overnight care and some really long nights, this is not for everyone.
In-home visits are a better choice for older or shyer dogs if your dog doesn’t mind spending most of their time alone.
This is one of the more expensive choices since your pet sitter will spend much of the job driving to and from your house. A house sitter is a better choice if you don’t mind handing over your house to someone else while you are away. 
The biggest problem is finding someone reliable you can trust and who will always be available when you need them. Friends and family are probably the most used option. After all, it’s free, your dog knows them, and you can get a hold of them whenever you want for updates. There are only a couple of problems with using friends and family for your pet sitting needs. You might be worried about taking advantage of their generosity, or maybe you’re just not confident in
their ability to care for your dog.
Homebody Hounds pet service is basically the same as leaving your pet with friends or family, but maybe even better (if we do say so ourselves). We have over 6 years’ experience pet sitting from our home, and another 10 before that working in various pet care facilities, including vet clinics, boarding kennels, dog daycares, training, and grooming facilities. The price is competitive considering the caliber of service and attention your pet will receive, and we are always available to send you pics and updates. We will follow your feeding and exercise schedule and share our home with your dog as if they are our own.
Real Testimonials for Homebody Hounds:
My dog is so happy here she doesn’t even seem to miss me when I’m gone. It’s great to know she’s getting just as much loving while I’m away as she does at home. The peace of mind that gives me makes my vacations even more enjoyable. ~Samantha E.
The B boys love Heather and their first stay at Homebody Hounds’! Thank you for all the great care and love you provide my boys when I can’t be with them! ~Susan G.
It is always a challenge to leave our dog with a pet sitter. Heather is a pro at getting information about your pet prior to their stay. We enjoyed getting pics as well while we were away. We felt he was well cared for and look forward to connecting with her again for our dog Quincy. ~Gayle M.
To book your reservation or inquire about availability, please visit our reservations page!
Freaky Friday: The Deaf Gene
Freaky Friday Facts:
The Deaf Gene: 6 Facts about White Coated Dogs.
Have you ever known a deaf dog? Was she white? Did he have blue eyes? Was she the most attentive dog you’ve ever met? I have never met a deaf dog I didn’t love, and I can only imagine everyone else feeling the same way. Here are a few facts about white dogs with congenital deafness:
The deafness actually develops in the first few weeks after birth while the ear canal is still closed. Pigment producing cells are also responsible for blood flow to the ears. Lack of oxygenated blood causes nerve cells in the cochlea to die, leading to permanent deafness. 1
Dogs lacking the pigmentation gene are also lacking pigmentation in their skin. Dogs with “white” fur, black noses, and black rimmed eyes are not lacking pigmentation. Their fur is actually a very light buff color, appearing white to our eyes. This is why we don’t see congenitally deaf Samoyeds or Westies. 4
Both eye color and coat color are linked to pigmentation genes. White coats are associated with lack of skin pigmentation, and blue eyes are the result of lack of pigment in the iris 2
30% are deaf in at least one ear. And one out of two Dalmatians with blue eyes are deaf. 3
Those with pink noses and short coats are especially susceptible. Gentle sunblock for babies or sensitive skin are generally safe for dogs, but there are sunblocks made specifically for dogs as well. 5
Just like with people, their other senses are enhanced. The deaf dogs I have had the pleasure of knowing are very in tune to their people. They make a lot more eye contact to look for cues, and easily learn hand gestures and body language. 6
Maybe that last fact is what makes deaf dogs so special? Eye contact is seen as an act of dominance by most dogs, but deaf dogs seem to embrace it, creating a more “human” experience for us. The next time you see a white-coated, blue-eyed beauty, wait for eye contact and give him a soft blink or two. We can all use a little more connection in our lives.
1 http://www.lsu.edu/deafness/genetics.htm
2 http://www.lsu.edu/deafness/recent.htm
3 https://www.academia.edu/808954/Veterinary_Journal
4 http://www.deafdogs.org/faq/
5 http://www.doggenetics.co.uk/problems.html
6 http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/6_9/features/5570-1.html
