Scampers Weekly Recap - March 17, 2017
Happy
Saint Patrick's
Day!
Saint Patrick's
Day!
Dear --Valued Customer--
This week has been momentous for Scampers with a gazillion points of focus every day. We're still bursting at the seams at Kirkland, and our Bellevue shop is...
Yay! We're up and running at Bellevue!
We've been hosting a dozen or so dogs every day since Tuesday, meeting new dogs, seeing old friends, and getting used to the new space. We're planning on hosting lots more pooches as the days progress, and we look forward to showing off our new space to everyone - come on down for a tour!
Watch for the updates of our framed Friday Funny in our reception area.
We'll also make sure they're posted on our Facebook page so you can share them with your friends.
We'll also make sure they're posted on our Facebook page so you can share them with your friends.
We're a pretty close knit group of pooches - we form strong friendships, and we get to know each other very well. When new pooches join us, we love to introduce them around and get them started in their Scampering adventures - that's why they call us the "Welcome Waggin".
Our Welcome Waggin team has had a fun week welcoming a bunch of newbies.
On Monday, the welcome waggin' crew got to meet Blue, a young and energetic Lab - who probably slept like a log after such an exciting day. Meanwhile, Border Collie Gus found a lot of lively friends to romp with.
Tuesday, Nelly joined the Bellevue launch bunch, and enjoyed a nice introduction to the world of Scampers.
Wednesday, the Kirkland Littles enjoyed Yorkie-Maltese mix Karl, who was very much at home with all his new playmates. Lady joined in the fun at Bellevue, with lots of active play, especially with puppy friend Dash.
Thursday the Littles welcomed little brown Shihchon Agnes. She's a darling thing and found the play in our Back Forty quite fascinating. Meanwhile, the sleek black Great Dane, Coaly, found lots of well-suited friends among the big dogs - most notably, fellow Great Dane Moose, who fell in love!
Today, the Kirkland bunch is welcoming Stella, the young Aussie-Dalmation mix, and Griffey, a handsome Golden Retriever. We're doing our best to make sure they enjoy their first day at Scampers and we look forward to their next visit.
Our Bellevue crew has submitted some fun photos. As you can see, Hasselhoff, Penny S, Tarzan and Remy and many others have already made themselves right at home, and are making sur all their new friends are comfy and happy.
Nikko found a little spot of sunshine.
Remy in full play mode with little Tarzan.
Hey, Peeps, don't forget, if you're curious about how we spend our days and you're not quite sure what those report cards really mean, you can watch the adventures in the photos and videos our wranglers are posting on the Scampers Facebook page.
Scout, Phoebe and Biscuit at Bellevue
We've added Instagram to our assortment of Social Media tools. Tag or search #scampersdogs and join in the fun.
Hasselhoff reigns supreme
We are so very sorry to learn that our dear friend, Miss C, has been called to the Rainbow Bridge.
She was a frequent camper and so many friends here, canine and human alike, and is already very much missed. We know that nobody will miss her more than her loving human and fondest companion, Kathy.
Chris Sugarbaker of Cut-N-Run, mobile groomer extraordinaire will make his next bi-weekly visit to Scampers on Tuesday, February 28th. His grooming schedule often fills up, so it's a good idea to get your reservations in early. Consider setting up a reservation for Chris' subsequent visit on March 14th.
Our Website - Useful Links
Our Gallery is populated by our Instagram activity.
And you'll find the link to our Weekly Recaps under News Nibbles, with any special announcements, and access to all the archived newsletters.
We have been using our web-based kennel management system for just over a year, and many of our customers have signed on to use the system as well, although we have learned that some customers are not finding the interface as simple as expected.
We suspect that's because its name is GingrApp, but it's not actually an "app" that can be downloaded, rather it is more like a web portal. The portal is simply a URL where you can log in, create a password protected door to the customer side of your account, and participate in managing your pooches' care at Scampers.
(One important caveat for Internet Explorer users - please use a different browser for using Gingr. We have been told the site does not work at all (it breaks!) on Internet Explorer. We are not sure if that issue has been resolved, so better safe than frustrated!)
You can access the Gingr URL through the email message you received when you enrolled your dog or through the link at the top of Scampers' website:
Use the email address or cell phone number that you registered with us at the time of enrollment.
The first time you log in to the portal you'll receive a confirmation email which will invite you to create your password.
From here, you can upload files and photos, request reservations for daycare, boarding and grooming, and make changes to those reservations as plans change.
We think the interface is clean and tidy and easy to use, but if you have any difficulties at all, please let us know and we'll do our best to help you. And we welcome your feedback.
You can also very easily set up recurring reservations. And, as your schedule changes, you can easily change your recurring reservation - it's a simple edit.
If you have a reservation for daycare, whether it's set up as recurring or a one-off, if you find you won't need it, please do give us a call, drop us a line, or go online to cancel it.
The Convenience Factor - Credit Card on File
We have learned that processing payment transactions is significantly faster for those of our clients who have set up a credit card on file. The speed of the swiping component slows the process down just a little.
We have also learned that the credit card swiping component is not able to read the data stripe on some branded credit cards, for example REI or Nordstroms branded cards, although we are able to manually enter the card number.
For our clients using those cards, setting up the credit card on file is a perfect solution. (Don't worry - the Gingr people have made sure those card numbers are thoroughly encrypted!)
Our boarding facility has very been busy this year, especially over the holidays and long weekends. Remember to get your boarding requests in early to make sure there's room enough for your pooches.
Your boarding requests can be submitted via GingrApp, or you can give us a call to check and see if there's space available.
Samson is a frequent Scampers boarder. Here he is greeting the morning staff with his great big grin!
Boarding Drop Off Times
We ask that boarders be dropped off before noon, although exceptions can be made in case of an emergency.
Arriving at Scampers is very stimulating for your pooches - even after a busy day of adventuring elsewhere - and it takes several hours for the incomers to settle down. And one stimulated pooch means a whole houseful of stimulated pooches!
One of the reasons that Scampers boarding facilities works well for most of our guests is that the guests are good and tired after a day of playing, roving and sniffing. Of course, a tired dog is a good dog!
Give em a quick stroll first, please!
Remember, arriving at daycare is extra-stimulating. We often have pooches empty out in the lobby because they just can't contain themselves any longer!
If you're bringing you pooch into Scampers after a long car ride, please give them a quick toodle around the bushes or pillars before bringing them inside.
Any poops can be delivered to the green garbage cans - if you need a poop bag, just pop in and ask for one!
We know how much you love your furbabies - that's why you bring them to Scampers, after all. But please remember that very few dogs require more than two meals per day, and for many, one is enough.
We happily provide meal service for very young puppies who really do need a mid-day meal to support their growing bodies, and for dogs whose veterinarians prescribe a mid-day meal, e.g., dogs on certain medications or who have metabolic, gastric, or intestinal conditions; however, if your pooch is over 6 months old, please do not bring snacks and meals for them.
Frankly, we're having a tough time staffing for the demand lately, and because so many on our lunch list don't really need a meal, they're reluctant to eat, and our staffers are hand feeding them, coaxing them, singing to them... They really don't need it, honest!
Every once in a while we receive a photo from one of our customers showing us what their beloveds are doing after their day at Scampers.
We've seen many of our Scampers families expand recently, and we're looking for pics of our campers tending to their new humans. We hope we'll see lots more baby and pooch pictures! Click here to send your pics in via email.
Karsen was introduced to new baby sister, Hayden.
He's doing a great job of being a girl's best friend.
He's doing a great job of being a girl's best friend.
Maggie O as Big Sister - she takes her job very seriously.
Here's Aussie Ozzie O
looking after his new baby, Tali.
What a beautiful pair!
looking after his new baby, Tali.
What a beautiful pair!
Sophie the Bernedoodle must have been
just too tired to pull her tongue all the way back in
after collecting her kisses.
Hank's mom tells us he always has
more energy when he gets home.
Apparently, not this time!
more energy when he gets home.
Apparently, not this time!
George loves his chickens.
They make great pillows.
They make great pillows.
Apparently, young English Setter Leica is getting lots of exercise when she comes to Scampers. Here's what she looks like at home.
Bliss is a place to rest my head,
a hand to stroke my neck.
a hand to stroke my neck.
This category of owner-contributed pics features dogs enjoying their extracurricular fun.
This is where we'll post the pics we've received of your pooches enjoying summer vacations, beach roaming, ball games, and any other such general exploring.
Leica was an important member of the wedding party for Sara and Robby.
Morgan, our Mid-day cleaner, is very proud of her dog, Tracy, who is now a certified Reading With Rover dog. Tracy enjoys calmly listening as the children read their books.
Little Miss Chomchom is all dressed up and ready for her tromp around Whistler.
We have also received some great shots documenting "The Real Reason" you bring your furkids to Scampers.
Ripley S' mom doesn't usually maintain
an open-door policy for her home office.
And this would be the reason.
an open-door policy for her home office.
And this would be the reason.
Pretty Abby G is a very helpful pooch indeed. This lovely picture shows her effort at helping to unpack mysterious things at the office.
A gentle reminder that Scampers daycare hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, and our weekend and holiday daycare hours are by appointment only, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Canine Nosework Classes at Scampers
Dogs have an incredible sense of smell and an inborn desire to hunt. The sport of K9 Nose Work is designed to develop the natural scenting abilities of your dog by using their passion for hunting and their love of toys, food and exercise.
It's a great class for your dog to have fun, build confidence, and burn lots of mental and physical energy and you get to find out just how good your dog's nose is.
Vicki Francks, owner of Cascade Canines continues offering K9 Nose Work Classes using Scampers facility. If you'd like some information on the next round of classes, give Vicki a call at 206-849-7643. More information is also available as Scampers front desk.
It's a great class for your dog to have fun, build confidence, and burn lots of mental and physical energy and you get to find out just how good your dog's nose is.
Vicki Francks, owner of Cascade Canines continues offering K9 Nose Work Classes using Scampers facility. If you'd like some information on the next round of classes, give Vicki a call at 206-849-7643. More information is also available as Scampers front desk.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
Very best regards,
Linda Olsen and Stina Hughes
Scampers Daycamp for Dogs
Scampers Daycamp for Dogs
Play all day - go home happy.
12532 124th Street NE Kirkland, WA 98034
T 425-821-9100 | F 425-821-4685
T 425-821-9100 | F 425-821-4685
