A Note from Molly's Dad

Molly Williams, a beautiful and playful Labradoodle who is more human than dog, has visited with us several times.  Her father, Byron Williams recently posted the following article on his company's blog.  We want to thank Byron for this wonderful endorsement of Playful Pooch.

 I had to leave town for the holidays last year and couldn’t take my dog, Molly (the best dog in the world, mind you), with me. For the first time since I’ve had my pup, I was faced with the difficult decision of finding her a home away from home. It’s never an easy thing to trust an outsider to do the work we are accustomed to doing ourselves.

 My search began by googling (yes, it’s now a verb) “dog boarding Denver” and over ten results appeared.  My many, many questions in hand, I made my first call. To my surprise and delight, the owners of Playful Pooch in Denver (run by a charming husband and wife named Will and Brenda Miller) fielded all of my questions – all of them – and quickly and thoughtfully responded to my follow-up questions I asked via email. I’ve found this kind of response time is a rarity in dealing with other businesses. In fact, I emailed and called many other boarding facilities in the Metro area and received little to no responses. In my line of work I recognize that it’s always great when a potential customer finds you and wants to know more about your business. I couldn’t ask for a better scenario. So to not make any effort to respond is dumbfounding. I was left wondering how some of these establishments stayed in business. In contrast, two individuals I had never met before left me feeling extremely comfortable (and excited) about leaving my pup with them while I was away. Again, I thought to myself, “What a wonderful thing it is to have potential customers excited about you and your business even before a face-to-face meeting!” They were doing something right.

 When I dropped Molly off on my way to the airport, Brenda made it a point to come to the front to introduce herself and give me a tour of their extremely clean facility. This only increased my comfort level with leaving her while I was away – which is not an easy thing to do. As I left, I reflected on the universality of my experience; that naturally, customers will have reservations with the new and/or with change – and addressing them immediately and thoughtfully is very important to establishing trust.

 I returned home four days later and picked Molly up on my way home from the airport. Her tail wagged excitedly and she ran up and gave me a few licks. Will gave me a full debriefing on how she did. She got lots of playtime in and was clearly going to be pleasantly exhausted for the next few days after all of her playtime. Several days later, I received a card in the mail from Playful Pooch thanking us for our business. They even enclosed a picture of Molly taken during her visit. “Amazing,” I thought to myself. What a terrific way to reinforce the good feelings I already had. I called Brenda the next day to thank them and compliment them on the smart way they ran their business. So often we spend time and energy getting customers and building and initially forming relationships – but we forget to reinforce our efforts.

 The process of finding Playful Pooch, initially dealing with Will and Brenda, and Molly’s visit was like a quick refresher from my time in business school. Honestly, it caused me to reflect on my values (and subsequently Greystone’s values) and how I build and reinforce the relationships with our associates and clients. It’s easy to forget the little things we can do – be it a phone call, email, or card just to say “hello” – to strengthen the connections we have made in both our personal and professional lives.

 Byron Williams

Greystone Technology Group, Inc

Rob L

Our dog Furgie loves to spend time at the Playful Pooch. It is obvious that Will, Brenda and the rest of the staff care for their furry clients as more than just dogs at a boarding business. It amazes me that Furgie is always happy to jump out of the car and run inside. Will and Brenda are also very accommodating when plans change and are very proactive with phone calls when necessary.

Jen

My boyfriend and I just boarded our dog at Playful Pooch over the weekend for the first time and can not speak highly enough about them! They are super friendly and we were very pleased to see our dogs balanced, yet exhausted, mood when we picked him up. We will definitely be back!!

Jen M

Wonderful, helpful, caring people! We are so thankful to have a great place to leave our dog when we leave town. We also use their day care occasionally- it gives our high-energy dog the exercise and play time he needs, even if we have a particularly busy week.

Susan M

We just moved to Denver and toured several other places nearby that were not as nice as Playful Pooch. Our dogs spent the weekend and had a great time. The place is spotless and Brenda and Will are very friendly. We are so happy to find a great place for our dogs to stay at when we are out of town.

Kevin C

This place gives you a comfortable feeling. They where very acomadating for my 2 big pals. What every your pets need in extra care they are willing to make it happen. Tremendous people who truly do this out of love. I would recommend this place to all my pet loving friends.

Paul B

Staff has been great with our dog, really involved and patient in getting past some of his behavioral problems; they have really worked hard to make him feel comfortable and they keep him active during his whole stay; great for doggie daycare as well as overnight stays; he always comes home completely exhausted from playing so hard

Laura B

We started taking our "troublesome", but sweet West Highland Terrior, Duffy, to Playful Pooch last year. Duffy was having troubles socializing with other dogs and was not doing well in kennel situations. We had gotten to the point where Duffy was not welcome back at several kennels. Brenda and Will Miller, the owners, called me after they had heard that Duffy was having issues and offered to help us by working with him at Playful Pooch. Duffy is a sweet dog and a member of our family, but we were at our wits end.

Brenda and Will Miller, and their team at Playful Pooch, worked with Duffy every Thursday trying to get him used to being around other dogs. Despite some frustrating moments, I'm sure, Brenda and Will continued to have faith in our "big" attitude, napoleon complex, little dog. Brenda and I have probably spoken over the phone a cummulative of 6-7 hours as we worked through some possible solutions.

Today Duffy is welcomed member of the Playful Pooch family, is able to play with dogs in our neighborhood, and an even more loved member of our family. We thank Brenda, Will and the team at Playful Pooch for all their support, patience and love with Duffy and us! They are truly Amazing and deserve to be top on the A-List - they are in our book! Love - the Boehm Family oxoxoxox

Michael M

They care about pets a lot and go above and beyond to make sure that owners are comfortable. Moreover, our dog loved her time there! They do a great job and are extremely accessible to owners. I would give them my highest recommendation!

Ann E

They take such good care of the puppies. I had 3 of them boarded for 10 days during Thanksgiving 2008. The puppies had a great time. It was wonderful to be able to log on to the computer and watch them playing and having fun. I would recommend and I will use them again.

Merlin C

Will and Brenda really do care about my dog and her needs. She is a 14 year old Shepard that has arthritis. Bailey always comes home happy. I like that I can watch Bailey on the web cam and see that she is enjoying her stay. Always the best care.

Rebecca C

We go out of our way to leave our Puppy at the Playful Pooch!! We know that we can enjoy our trip without worrying about him. He's safe, is in good company and is well-cared for....can't beat that!!

Cheryl G

I've had the best luck with playful pooch. I had a bad experience with another boarding facility and expressed my concerns with Playful Pooch who assured me their policies were more accomodating. I had drove during a winter storm to the forger dog boarding only to be told that because I didn't give 24 hours notice (even though they weren't full) they wouldn't take Indy, my German Shepherd who was registered there. I've NEVER been turned away from Playful Pooch so if something comes up I can take her. She always has a wonderful time and is pooped out when I pick her up. My co-workers are now using playful pooch as a result.

Denise J

We feel very safe leaving our pups with Playful Pooch. The owners are always there and the staff is responsible and trustworthy. Our pups are alwasy thrilled to be dropped off and exhausted when we pick them up. We love Playful Pooch!

Frisco

Just as each child in a classroom is different and requires varied techniques for teaching each dog has varied experiences and social skills and therefore needs individual attention. I have a Boston Terrier that was not socialized while young (my mistake) and therefore has some special needs with other dogs. The staff at Playful Pooch recognized and worked with him. I am so grateful to them - I could leave my dog with them and leave guilt free knowing he was in the best possible care.

Meg C

Always friendly and go out of their way to go above and beyond. When my dog Lo got a rare illness that required constant supervision and hand feeding Brenda offered to give her the special care while Lo was supposed to stay with them. They remember Lo's name and special things about her even if she hasn't been there in a long time. Great open play areas for all the dogs and webcams for all the owners. Lo loves playing at Playful Pooch!

Todd C

I have been taking Karma (my 8-year old boxer mix) to the "Pooch" for years now and could not be happier with the "above-and-beyond" service I have consistantly received. I would definitely call myself and Karma 'regulars' there, since I travel about 80% for work. I sometimes joke that I only have temporary custody of Karma at times. Needless to say, i am never concerned or worried about the time she spends at the Playful Pooch. Brenda & Will, and the entire staff, treat Karma and myself like family and are incredible K-9 caregivers. Karma is always excited to see me when I return to pick her up, but once she says her 'hello's' she's ready to go back to her buddy's in daycare. And when I am away, the provided webcams give me the opportunity to peek in on my girl and she her hard at play!

My hats are off to the entire team at the Pooch! I can only hope to be half as lucky finding Karma a new 'second home' in our new home in Dallas. We both will miss you!

R Devitt

Playful Pooch is fantastic! I never worry about our little Dash when we drop him off! The place always smells clean! Brenda and Will and their staff are very friendly and always on top of things! They always have an update for us when we pick our pooch up and even send us home with pictures of our little guy (when he will cooperate for the camera!) Convenient drop off and pick up times! I like the fact that my dog gets to play all day and not be stuck in a kennel with a couple of walks during the day when he is boarded!

Jennifer R

I researched so many boarding/daycare places to take my two dogs to. I finally settled on The Playful Pooch and was absolutely wowed!! My one dog has some aggression issues and I spoke to Brenda about him. She still gave him a shot and the entire time he stayed there the staff kept a close eye on him and had a warning posted on his kennel to alert staff of his behavioral problems. I don't know what they did but he didn't have one fight or problem!! He now goes there regularly and plays all day. Brenda and her staff take great care of my babies and I feel confident leaving them there while on vacation or while at work. The webcam is great too!! No other place compares!!!!

Priscilla O

What a great home away from home for my kids, Roger and Annie! My shy Roger bounds out of the car and runs right into the glass door...Annie is a bit of a grump and she comes away from her boarding and daycare not so grumpy. I really trust Will and Brenda with my dogs and I know they love them almost as much as me. I feel so lucky to have Playful in my life.

Steve P

I searched high and low and through out Denver to find the right day care for our dog Molly. I visited many of the doggy day cares only to find filthy conditions and employees that seemed to be careless in their behavior.
I was just about to give up when I walked into the Playful Pooch office. I met one of the owners, Brenda. She was very gracious and was happy to show me around the place. Her employees were friendly and seemed genuinely caring and knowledgeable about dogs. I knew right them that I found a great place. Our dog Molly has stayed overnight with Playful Pooch twice now and will be attending the regular day care as well. I feel very secure knowing that Molly is safe there.

Michelle O

We recently adopted Toodles. She is a 2 year old terrier and poodle mix who had been abused in the past. Toodles is very skittish of people and men in particular. The owners of Playful Pooch have already won over Toodles! They are patient, caring and obviously love what they do!
Michele & Sofia

Sue O

This place is the best - I have 3 dogs and finding an affordable boarding spot that can take care of young and old dogs alike is not easy! This is the first place I've ever boarded my dogs at, and have no intentions of trying anywhere else!

Bethany S

It feels like taking our dogs to a home away from home. Will and Brenda love our dogs and treat them like their own fur babies. We would recommend Playful Pooch to any of our friends, and we have! We were away for a long weekend and we recieved an email with pictures letting us know how our girls were doing.

Molly J

Playful Pooch is fantastic! I have used other dog boarding facilities in the Denver area and none of them come close to what Will and Brenda offer at the Pooch. We feel 100% secure leaving our dogs at Playful Pooch. The grooming services they offer are top of the line as well!

Mr. Gamble

Java is a better dog because of Playful Pooch. We know he is in good hands..

Marcie S

Playful Pooch not only has an impressive daycare and boarding for dogs of all sizes, the owners go above and beyond in answering any questions or giving us updates as our 3 golden retrievers made the flight from Honolulu to Denver one at a time. We have a difficult time trusting anyone to care for our dogs, but not here! The longer transit time from Parker to Denver is so worth it! Playful Pooch is the only place we will board our dogs now.

Shirley H

Our dog loves to go there and play with all of his friends, old and new. He gets so excited, he talks to us from the time we get off the highway until we arrive at the door. We travel quite a bit and are always reassured that Kodiak will be well taken care of while we are gone. Brenda, Will and their entire staff are attentive to all details of taking care of each dog. They are amazing people and you can tell that they are dog lovers. We are truly fortunate to have them here in Denver.

Lindsey

This is the best facility, hands down! Owners Will & Brenda are caring, understanding, and have a true love for the dogs. I always feel good about leaving my pups with them and their staff. The facility is clean and well-kept (which is not the case with other facilities) and my dogs come home tired and blissfully happy!