When we went on our road trip to Minneapolis last month, we took the puppies. It was our first road trip with them and, while it was fun, it was a lot like traveling with exceedingly hairy, foreign language babbling toddlers- it’s something you can push through, but not something you’d really enjoy. So when it came time to go see our first NFL football game of the year (we’re splitting season tickets to the Vikings) Mister and I agreed that we would give boarding the puppies a go.
I researched the heck out of places and after finding a reputable kennel, we made the reservation. We were out of bed early Friday morning, heading to the kennel and then to the border for the first puppy free weekend in a long time.
We found the kennel after some country road maneuvering, and that’s when it happened. I saw the sign. While the website had read “Sam’s Kennel”, and had talked about only their kenneling side of the business, it appears that “Sam” had decided to diversify! So the sign had been changed to reflect the new diversification, from “Sam’s Kennel” to “Sam’s Kennel and Crematorium”.
Not Sam’s Kennel, like on the website. Sam’s Kennel and Crematorium. The dog equivalent of a summer camp, with attached funeral home, just in case.
And then Mister saw it too. And we burst into completely inappropriate, awkward laughter.
In spite of the initial shock we left the puppies at the kennel, as the other immediate options included setting them free in the wild and attempting to convince the hotel staff that they were hairy, non-english speaking children. That needed to be muzzled. Once we got on the road we had a wonderful trip. The Minnesota state fair was so much fun- I saw bacon on a stick and heavy horses in the same day. What more can you ask for? I kept pace with Mister, who is a shopping machine, and he kept pace with me when I needed to brake for chocolates, water, sushi, water, sitting down, water, and all the babies I saw. In the end I came home with some beautiful fall sweaters, new stamp sets for scrap booking, a new pair of jeans, and a cutting board the size of my torso. It was brilliant.
The puppies are now safely back in our care (alive!!), and they’ve spent all the time since we got home attempting to crawl into my lap for cuddles and sleeping. They did alright with being boarded, though Mal came home with heat stroke(!!) from not being in an air conditioned area like we thought he would be and we had to get him set up on top of cold compresses so he could finally cool down. Between that, being fed double their meals, and the whole dead animal emporium side of the business, I think that we’re in the market for another kennel.
Wouldn’t you agree?
Emily Jane
LOL PLEASE tell me you took a picture of the sign!!!
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Doniree
I’m so glad you had fun here, and can’t wait to catch you next time!
.-= Doniree´s last blog ..Naked (Face) =-.
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Megan
I’d be completely creeped out by the crematorium side. Definitely a good idea to find another place next time. :)
I’m glad you had fun in the States! Ah, the Vikings. My family–we’re fans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. We are from Florida, though. ;)
.-= Megan´s last blog ..Recipe: Easy Southwestern Chowder =-.
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mandy
I would have turned around the minute I saw what the sign said. We’ve never boarded our dog and in the unlikely event we ever needed to I think my grandparents would be the choice. some of my friends take their dogs to play and stay camp. I am glad that you had fun in Minnestoa (and Vikings tickets!), all your finds sound awesome.
.-= mandy´s last blog ..All Over The Place =-.
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Rachel
yay minnesota state fair! i loved every bit of wandering around that place. :) i’m so glad the puppies are okay!!
.-= Rachel´s last blog ..a little help from my friends… =-.
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sohobutterfly
*lol* Seriously, a crematorium!!?? Totally f’ed up! I’m glad that the puppies weren’t too scandalized from their stay away from home, though, although the heat-stroke thing is scary!! I hope their poops are good to you over the next couple of days.
PS: Sounds like you totally scored at the state fair – a ton of fun!
.-= sohobutterfly´s last blog ..It’s about time I made this announcement… =-.
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Nora
Oh. My. Goodness.
I am pretty sure I would have marched back into the kennel/crematorium and yelled at them for treating my dogs that way! I am fortunate that 99% of the time I can get my parents or Irish to watch Jack ( I watch my parents dog/house in return) if I am going out of town. We do have a great kennel but of course, typical kennel hours, you can’t pick up on Sundays or after 6pm so it’s not exactly convenient with travel schedules.
Glad the puppies are okay and I’d like to see some photos of the sweaters =)
.-= Nora´s last blog ..Over the Top Thursday & Crafty Swap =-.
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Jamie
oh gosh, a new kennel is definitely needed. Poor little Mal. But I love the puppy cuddles after you get back from a trip. They just can’t get enough.
.-= Jamie´s last blog ..well =-.
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AshleyD
Um yes, you need a new kennel. That sign is totally creep. And what kid would want to go to a summer camp/funeral home? NOT ME!
I’m glad you had fun in MN this weekend. All this talk of state fairs makes me want a fried oreo!
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Pam
I miss the MN State Fair. I haven’t been there in about 7 years.
I have always been nervous about boarding my dog. I usually leave him with my brother and a good friend. Then when I go on trips I try to get a dog friendly hotel. But it is hard to find those in the Cities.
I’m glad you had a blast though, and your dogs are so cute!!
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The Maiden Metallurgist
I’ve never boarded Murph- I’ve been lucky to have family in the area who were all too happy to dog-sit for the weekend. Poor puppies! Good luck with your search.
.-= The Maiden Metallurgist´s last blog ..Moving Hangover =-.
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Kelly
So glad your puppies made it out alive!
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..It’s Friday. =-.
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Miss Dallas
Poor puppies! I have a great pyrenees mix that got heat stroke during a walk earlier this summer. It’s crazy common, but totally scary!
.-= Miss Dallas´s last blog ..FREE DAY OF YOGA!!! =-.
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Alyssa
Awww! We have to board out dogs at the end of this month. I’m so worried! I think we’ve picked the place; however, I’m keeping my options open since it’s expensive. The crematorium thing totally cracked me up, that’s so awkward!!!
.-= Alyssa´s last blog ..Ready For Fall =-.
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Shelley Greenberg
SERIOUSLY!? That’s like something out of a movie. I think I would have had a major meltdown, but you really didn’t have a choice! Were you pissed about Mal?! HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN A/C! Sorry, animals get me all riled up. :)
.-= Shelley Greenberg´s last blog ..And, scene. =-.
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hillary
Oh dear, this story is even funnier than I thought it would be. Funny, because everything worked out okay :) Poor Mal, though!
.-= hillary´s last blog ..Lift The Bad Weight Off Your Mullet And Let The Thoughts Fall Off Your Tongue =-.
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Ashley
ummmmm yes! How weird! No wonder they didn’t advertise that on the website =P Poor lil guy, hope he’s doing better now.
bacon… mmmm….
.-= Ashley´s last blog ..What have I been working on? =-.
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Ev`Yan || apricot tea.
Okay, if I would have seen that sign about crematorium, I would have turned right around; no joke! You’re so brave for leaving your babies in a kennel. I can’t even bear the thought of leaving Sofie to get groomed!
I’m glad your dogs are okay, too.
.-= Ev`Yan || apricot tea.´s last blog ..flotsam & jetsam. =-.
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novelista barista
sounds like loads of fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
.-= novelista barista´s last blog ..John Lennon Quote Night =-.
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brookem
the pups are way too stinkin cute!
but yeah… maaaybe time for a new place! oh well, how would you have known?!
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matthewcarleton
Great post. glad to hear the the canine species is not suffering the deficit of two great members!
.-= matthewcarleton´s last blog ..What every beginning web designer ought to know: 5 tips for fresh web designers =-.
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Phil
I love Minnesota; it’s one of the best states in the US. I highly recommend checking out any number of the small towns’s celebrations. They happen all the time, like mini-state fairs but open to a whole town and a whole heck of a lot of fun.
.-= Phil´s last blog ..Contains: Amazingness, Awesomeness, and Chocolate =-.
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SoMi's Nilsa
That’s just flat our weird. And wouldn’t you think the dead people’s families would rather doggie hair not get into their loved ones’ urns? Just saying …
Glad you had a great Minnesota weekend! Just so you know, there are a lot of hotels that accept dogs … and then you could find a local dog daycare for the times when you can’t take them with you. (In case your next option includes bringing them with you!)
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Chelsea
Wow. It’s always scary to leave my dog places. I rarely have to do it but I hate it when I do. I always feel sorry for her.
.-= Chelsea´s last blog ..Those Weren’t The Days =-.
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Erin
I was terrified to board our pups when we went on the cruise this year. We ended up with a wonderful professional pet sitter…and the cost was very comparable. It was great. The pups did so well being at home.
.-= Erin´s last blog ..Why I Waste My Time =-.
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steph anne
Haha, I love the caption on this photo. Your pups are so cute!
I agree with Ev’Yan. I would have turned around and left, haha. Glad Mal is okay now especially now that they’re back in your hands! :)
.-= steph anne´s last blog ..Definitely Not a Nurse =-.
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Jill Pilgrim
“Sam’s Kennel and Crematorium.”
That’s just really inferior branding.
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san
Ok, I am pretty sure this guy “Sam” is going to run out of business fairly soon. What kind of ‘business plan’ is that, renaming your kennel to “kennel and crematorium”? Doesn’t sound very trustworthy to me.
Glad your puppies are back home safe.
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Awmb
HAHAHAHAHAH
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Elly
I was always wary about putting Quinn in a boarding kennel . . . in the end I always cave and he goes to friends or relatives for the weekend :)
.-= Elly´s last blog ..Possibly Broken . . . =-.
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Jessica
Please tell me you have a picture of that. That is too hilarious!
.-= Jessica´s last blog ..Boy update and behaving badly =-.
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Shop Girl*
I’m sorry–bacon? on a stick? Like a baconsicle?
.-= Shop Girl*´s last blog ..Shop Girl Shares People of Walmart & What God Has Joined Together… =-.
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AuburnKat
I would have to agree that you need to find a new kennel!
BTW, they are ADORABLE!
.-= AuburnKat´s last blog ..Marriage? Kids? =-.
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Lauren From Texas
Oh Kyla, they are so precious. I love how you talk about them like they are your kids – we are the same way :)
.-= Lauren From Texas´s last blog ..That Time I Almost Died. =-.
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zoeo
I would never give up my dog out of my hand, let alone puppies. unknown people could make them stress. It may be that you get back frightened dogs. searching for someone who knows your dogs are maybe the better way.
.-= zoeo´s last blog ..031. =-.
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sara
Oh my goodness. I hate when I have to put Chester in the kennel if a family member isn’t available to watch him. This past weekend he spent one night in the kennel and that was only the second time in his entire life–and the last was four years ago. He stays at a 24 Hour Vet Clinic so it makes me feel better that if something does happen then he is taken care of ASAP. Have a vet clinic like that there in Canada?
.-= sara´s last blog ..The Ritz–and I’m not talking about the cracker =-.
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Marie
Um, yes, yes I would most definitely agree!
.-= Marie´s last blog ..Hello Again =-.
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Jane
Well, it could be useful threat if they’re not behaving….
.-= Jane´s last blog ..Dutch Tiles =-.
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Sarah
I would like to hear more about this “bacon on a stick” if you don’t mind.
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Say, Cheese! =-.
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Andhari
from what I heard from my friends ( i dont have a puppy although i really want one ), kennels are alright :). You need more trips like that, Kyla, even mommies need a break sometimes, right?:)
Now what is this about bacon on a stick? I think my stomach just purrs in agreement.
.-= Andhari´s last blog ..Sugar Mama No More! =-.
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MinD
If I saw the word “crematorium,” I would’ve swiftly turned around, ha. Places like that make mistakes and I’d be freaking out that my Sophie would end up one of them. But I’m paranoid that way.
Bacon on a stick, huh? Not something I’ve ever seen, but most certainly something I’d love and enjoy.
.-= MinD´s last blog ..Soaking up some last-minute sun. =-.
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Mermanda
Wow. Now that’s what I call a bad PR move. That kennel needs some help.
.-= Mermanda´s last blog ..I need a kid… QUICK! =-.
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Sarah
OMG. I seriously would have died from laughter.
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Strawberry Ice Cream Theory =-.
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Angie
The kennel also being a crematorium is just so, with a lack of a better word, messed-up. And kinda funny.
I frickin ‘love fair season.
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E.P.
I just burst out laughing when I read the name of the kennel. Please tell me you took a photograph.
I’m glad you had such a wonderful time!
.-= E.P.´s last blog ..Just what someone with allergies needs =-.
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