Some bonds are made by blood, others are built by heart, and Poppy and Ellie are the perfect example of the latter. Though they’re not biological siblings, you’d never guess it by watching them interact. From the very first meet-and-greet, it was clear these two small pups were inseparable, their connection undeniable. That bond, as it turned out, made their first overnight boarding experience a bit easier for all of us.
Still, we had our concerns. This was their very first sleepover without their parents, and we knew it could be a tough transition, especially for Ellie, a shy little short-haired Chihuahua. When they were dropped off, Ellie curled up in her kennel, tail tucked, unsure and overwhelmed. Poppy, on the other hand, was the brave explorer of the duo. Though not the type to zoom around or chase tails, she quietly and confidently checked out the new environment, sniffing every corner with gentle curiosity.
To ease Ellie’s nerves, I brought them into the bedroom for some quiet time. I sat close by, giving her space but letting her know she wasn’t alone. Before I knew it, she climbed into my lap—uninvited but entirely welcome. That was our moment. From then on, my lap became her comfort zone. And as Ellie nestled in, Poppy would peek at us from under the desk with a look that clearly said, “Hey, is it my turn yet?” The dynamic between them, like yin and yang, was both charming and heartwarming.
Their personalities continued to show in the most delightful ways. While Ellie is the cautious introvert who prefers to stay put, she becomes incredibly enthusiastic at mealtime, tail wagging, ready to eat. Poppy, our resident extrovert, flips the script. Though she’s happy to roam and engage, she hesitated when it came to eating. We quickly realized she was a bit of a picky eater. Kibble? Meh. But with a drizzle of Omega oil (a trick I picked up from another dog parent), she gave her dinner a second thought. The next morning, though, even that wasn’t enough. Enter beef jerky topper—voilà! Clean bowl. Mystery solved: Miss Poppy has gourmet tastes.
Meanwhile, Ellie was consistently enthusiastic about her food but wasn’t initially drawn to special treats. That slowly began to change as she started to accept them here and there, in her own time and comfort zone.
Throughout the day, I made sure they had the space and calm to stretch their legs, get a little light exercise, and stay hydrated. Seeing them drink water and settle in told me they were starting to feel at ease. Their quiet, sweet nature shone through—they only gave the occasional bark when a new human entered the house. Otherwise, they were content little shadows, following me from room to room, curling up in my lap, and reminding me exactly why I love doing what I do.
Their parents told me from the beginning: these two are their most precious babies. It was clear they put a lot of thought and care into choosing a sitter. And through our updates and check-ins, I could feel how much they love them, and that they were starting to feel more at ease knowing their girls were in good hands.
For me, that trust is everything. It reminds me why this passion project exists in the first place. It’s more than just boarding; it’s about creating a space where dogs feel safe, seen, and loved. Poppy and Ellie may have come here with a little nervousness, but they’ve left a big pawprint on my heart.
Leave a Reply