Steffanie Sanchez, founder of Tail Wags Playground. Photos courtesy of Wendy's Pampered Pets and Tail Wags Playground
Any devoted pet owner knows that a pet is a member of the family. Your four-legged friend is completely dependent on you for its care and well-being.
Keeping a pet happy and healthy is an important task, but it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming one. For Tri-Village Magazine’s annual pet issue, we spoke with some local business owners who know the ins and outs of caring for your canines and felines.
Wendy Penn, a breeder and owner of Wendy’s Pampered Pets in Grandview Heights, says the key to being a responsible pet owner is knowing what resources are available and taking advantage of them.
“A groomer should be a resource for any questions pet owners have,” says Penn. Having a quality groomer and veterinarian is a must for pet owners who wish to keep their dogs and cats happy and healthy.
Penn says that while pet owners should always be aware of changes in their pet’s behavior or appearance, an experienced groomer will also be able to recognize any warning signs that may indicate health problems. One thing Penn always watches for is ear infections. When the weather is warm, ear infections can be common afflictions. If ear infections are not caught in the early stages, they can lead to major problems.
While grooming may seem like a luxury for some, every pet needs (at minimum) occasional grooming. Some breeds need to be groomed more than others, but any dog or cat can benefit from regular bathing, combing and nail trimming.
Another great resource for pet owners is a doggy day care center. Pets left home alone for long periods of time may get lonely or become destructive, either due to boredom or separation anxiety. For dog owners who don’t want to come home to a sad dog (or a soiled rug), day care can be a great solution.
And if you’re looking for a space to enjoy some quality time with your pet, try a dog park. Steffanie Sanchez recently founded Tail Wags Playground in part because she wished there was a dog park she and her terrier mix, Jake, could go to year-round. Tail Wags includes an off-leash indoor dog park with toys and agility equipment. There’s also an on-leash lounge where members can get some work done in a relaxing coffee shop-esque environment that’s completely dog-friendly.
“The space was really created to celebrate this bond that dog owners have with their pets,” says Sanchez.
Tail Wags also has free events that are open to the public, including dog adoption fairs, dog-friendly social events and informational sessions with experts on everything from flea and tick prevention to dog park safety and etiquette.
“We’re always cooking up something,” says Sanchez. “We’re trying to build a community around dogs.”
Katie Ellington is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at hbealer@cityscenecolumbus.com.
