Update: Winter 2023
December 2003
Twenty years ago this month, we signed the lease on the Dog Camp property, the former Sonoma Appliances. We knew the building because we bought our appliances there when we moved to Sonoma.
Driving to work one day, on her commute to San Rafael, Sue saw the “For Lease” sign in the window at 1061 Broadway, called the number when she got to work, and arranged for us to walk through the property the next day. We signed the lease that weekend.
Six months later, on June 1, 2004, we opened Dog Camp. Happily June 1, 2024, is a Saturday. Consider this your “save the date” card for our 20th anniversary festivities.
A New Team Member
You’ve probably met the newest member of our Dog Camp team by now. Isidro joined us a couple of weeks ago and has been working in the afternoons and on Saturday. He’s a Junior at Creekside High School. He’s a quick study, great with the Campers, and is going to be an outstanding member of our small team. Please introduce yourselves to Isidro when you see him.
Party Time
Our decorations are up, the holiday play list is playing (1,210 unique songs), Campers are wearing their holiday collars and sweaters, the holiday sheets are on the sleep over beds, and we’re finishing up plans for our holiday celebration.
We hope you can join us for our annual holiday in the lobby party. We’re taking advantage of the Winter Solstice falling on Thursday, December 21, to host our celebration on the first day of Winter. From 4:00 until 6:30 that afternoon, we’ll have snacks, drinks and fun. Even if your Camper isn’t in Camp that day, we hope you’ll have a chance to stop by and join the fun.
Christmas/Winter Break Services and Hours
Saturday, December 23 through Tuesday, December 26, 2023
Sleep overs only; no day care
Hours for sleep over drop off and pick up: 9:30 am – 6:30 pm
No drop off or pick up on Monday, December 25, 2023; 3 night minimum stay required for any sleep over that begins or ends between Monday, December 18 and Tuesday, December 26, 2023.
New Year’s Weekend Services and Hours
Saturday, December 30, 2023 through Monday, January 1, 2024
Sleep overs only; no day care
Hours for sleep over drop off and pick up: 9:30 am – 6:30 pm
No drop off or pick up on Sunday, December 31, 2023 or Monday, January 1, 2024; 3 night minimum stay required for any sleep over that begins or ends between Tuesday, December 26, 2023 and Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
Sonoma Land Trust Gift
Again this year, we’ll be making our annual gift on behalf of all the Campers at Dog Camp to support the good work done by the Sonoma Land Trust. If you’re not familiar with the important work these folks do, you can learn more here: https://sonomalandtrust.org/
For every Camper who attends Dog Camp the week of December 18, we will donate $10 per Camper to Sonoma Land Trust. We hope it’s a busy week!
Upper Respiratory Illness in Dogs
In case you’ve missed what we’ve posted on social media or haven’t seen the handout available on our counter about the canine respiratory illness that’s been in the news lately, here’s a recap.
We’ve found UC Davis to have the most reliable information for our area on this issue. We monitor their site and encourage you to check it too. https://healthtopics.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/health-topics/mystery-respiratory-illness-dogs
In their most recent update from November 28, UC Davis says, “Because respiratory illness in dogs is not tracked through reporting, it is not clear whether this represents a true epidemic or whether social media activity has contributed to what is known as an ‘infodemic’.” They report they’ve seen no cases in their clinic. We hear the same from our local vets.
The steps UC Davis encourages for “owners of dogs that contact other dogs in the community” are:
Ensure your dog(s) are up to date on their vaccinations; talk with your vet about what vaccinations they feel best protect your dog from respiratory illness. As of now, Dog Camp requires the Bordetella vaccination and recommends the parainfluenza vaccination.
If you are boarding your dog(s): make sure their vaccinations are updated at least a week prior to boarding, use reputable facilities that practice good hygiene, do not board large numbers of dogs simultaneously (our maximum number for sleep overs is 10 Campers), and that require proof of vaccination.
We will continue to monitor this situation and post updates on our social media; we are on Facebook and Instagram as Sonoma Dog Camp.
Happiest of holidays to all of our Camper families and friends. With love and gratitude,
The Dog Camp Team
James, Sue, Briana, Elizabeth, Emily, Lupe, Isidro, Talladega, and Leo