Pawtropolis Around the World

We get the honor of watching people's pets, while they are on business trips, honeymoons, etc. We love hearing exciting vacation stories and how much fun our customers' had while away. In one day I may hear of someone's trip to Europe or a honeymoon taken in New York. It wasn't until we got a postcard from a customer in the mountains with her dog wearing a Pawtropolis bandana, that we got this brilliant idea. Pawtropolis Around the World.

Since you guys lead such fun and exciting lives, we want to create a sort of postcard web site, showing off fun places our customers get to visit. We ask that while on these fun vacations that you take a picture while wearing a Pawtropolis shirt. Here are the guidelines:

• Must be wearing a Pawtropolis shirt.
• Any foreign location.
• If in the United States, we ask that it be taken at a recognizable landmark.
• Pets should be boarding at Pawtropolis at the time or be current regular customers.

Switzerland
Irene Budoff, 2009

In July of 2009, Irene went to Belgium for a friend's wedding.  She didn't stray far from Belgium, as the groom took her all over the country, but the one place she was determined to go was the mountain pass in Switzerland to see the St. Bernards.  Luckily, the groom's sister was a travel agent and she arranged for her to stay at the closest town, Martigny, which wound up being the "summer home" for the dogs, and has a wonderful St. Bernard museum, and was her home base for taking first the train, then the bus up the winding roads to the Hospice where there is still an abbey and dogs.  She said it was incredible to see them, both in Martigny, and up at the mountain pass that separates Switzerland and Italy.  She told her Saint Bernard Molly Brown all about it when she got home, but she didn't seem too interested!

 

 

 

 

Newfoundland
Dr. Wendy KruppDespain, 2009

Dr. Wendy used to be the veterinarian that took care of our foster dogs. Though she has retired from the field we still keep in touch and don't hesitate to ask her advice here and there about our fosters. The first photo was taking with her standing on the eastern most point of North America located in Newfoundland. The second photo has the beautiful city of St. John's, Newfoundland behind her. They were touring the area on a motorcycle...what fun!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guam
Jessica Watkins, 2008

From Jessica: The photos of me on the beach were taken at San Louis Beach on the US Navy post. I went snorkeling there and saw many different species of beautiful fish as well as a big beautiful blue star(starfish) native to the island. The Statue of the Doberman was taken at the War Dog Memorial. The statue as well as the head stones surrounding the statue was dedicated to all of the US search dogs that fought and lost their lives to save US troops during WWII. It was emotional to be there. Apparently, the US military still has that training program in place on the island.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maui, Hawaii
Amanda Rodriguez & John Crook, 2007

Hawaii was more beautiful than we could have imagined. Doing the helicoptor tour allowed us to see parts of the island that most people don't get to. It was surreal. The only two negatives; the constant winding roads and the plane trip over there.

Of course I was able to find a pet supply store and purchased a Hawaii shirt for one of my dogs Heidi.

 

 

Nassau, Bahamas
Billie Rae King, 2006

Billie Rae (our Helping Paws Supervisor) enjoyed her honeymoon with new husband Jimmy on a Disney Cruise. One stop along the way was the beautiful Bahamas. There they visited the Atlantis Resort (pictured here.) Strict rules didn't keep them from sneaking a swim on the private beach. Being true lover of Mickey Mouse (despite her husband's jealously) the Disney Cruise was the perfect vacation for Billie Rae.

 

 

 

Mount Rushmore, South Dakota
Randy and Veronica Booth, 2008

Randy and Veronica own The Husky Hill Gang. The Husky Hill Gang consists of eight beautiful huskies; Nic, Earnhardt, Misty, Kristy, Aspen, Junior, Inno Itsu and Bandit. Though they don't get all eight of them out at the same time you may see them with one or two at any of our Pawtropolis events. They have been a part of Pawtropolis since we opened in 2001. Veronica even worked with us for a little while right at the beginning. Now we see them (on a weekly) basis for their dog food as well as helping with Helping Paws Rescue events. Here is Randy and Veronica on vacation at Mount Rushmore.

 

Washington, D.C.
Amanda Rodriguez, 2008
Many of you may know that I do consultation work for new and existing kennels. I was fortunate enough to help a kennel in the D.C. area learn their new software. While there my new fiance and I had the opportunity to do some site seeing. It was a very rewarding trip for a couple of reasons. First, I love the opportunity to help other kennels. This also gives me a chance to see how other businesses operate. In this case I was not only able to help them with their software, but helped them revamp some of their paperwork as well.

The second reason is because I am super patriotic. I am so blessed to have been born in the United States. Everyday I am amazed at what this great country has enable me to do. My life would be drastically different and less fortunate had I been born somewhere else. I love being able to see landmarks and going to places that had such an impact on our past. And once again, my wonderful staff took such great care of Pawtropolis (and my own dogs) while I was gone. I am also
blessed to have them.

By the way, it was super cold while we were there. In order to get these pictures, I had to take off four layers of clothes. I smiled despite the fact that I was freezing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bahamas
Katie Fletcher & Tom Broadie, 2007
We just got back from the Bahamas, which means... more Pawtropolis Abroad pics! These were taken on the Albury grocery dock on Man-O-War Cay, one of the several islands in the Bahamian Abacos that were settled by fleeing Loyalists after the American Revolution. Boat building continues to be a significant industry, and the town has a deep-water harbor that is much sought after when hurricanes pass through the area.

 

Limerick City, Ireland
The Handy's, 2007
The Handy's enjoyed a long trip to Ireland at the beginning of '07. Their gang, Zoe, Ariel and Jack stayed and played at Pawtropolis while they were away. Here is a little bit about where they were:

King John’s Castle is a 13th century Castle on ‘King’s Island’ in the heart of medieval Limerick City. The Castle overlooks the River Shannon with views of Limerick City. The castle is designed to give a feel for the era.

Having captured a small part of Ireland on the east coast, KIng
Henry used the land to solve a dispute dividing his family. For while he had divided his territories between his sons, one son, nicknamed "John Lackland",
was left without lands to rule, hence the
nickname. Henry granted John his Irish lands, becoming Lord of Ireland (Dominus Hiberniae) in 1185, with the territory becoming the Lordship of Ireland.

Fate, however, intervened in the form of the deaths of John/Jean's older brothers. As a result, he became King John of England and the Lordship of Ireland, instead of being a separate country governed separately by a junior Norman prince, became a territorial possession of the Norman-English Crown
The remains of aViking settlement were uncovered during the construction of a
visitor centre at the site.

 

Scotland
Katie Fletcher & Tom Broadie, 2007
Katie and Toby celebrated their honeymoon in Scotland, while Roo stayed here with us at Pawtropolis. This top picture is Katie at the Urquhart Castle on the north shore of Loch Ness in Scotland. We'll never been asked to board a Loch Ness monster before, but I'm sure we could accomadate.

The middle picture was taken at Skara Brae, the prehistoric UNESCO World Heritage site on the Orkney "mainland" (ie what

Orcadians call the biggest island in the Orkney archipelago), off the north coast of Scotland. Their parents named their first scottie 'Orkney', so they had to go there! The weather was partly cloudy, in the low 60s/ high 50s (Fahrenheit), blustery with scattered showers. All in all, a typical Orcadian day in July. Here Toby does the modeling!

The last picture is the pet cemetery on the wall of Edinburgh Castle. This is where the dogs belonging to the castle's regiments and soilders are buried. Unfortunately they couldn't get close enough to get in the picture despite wearting the wonderful Pawtropolis t-shirt.

 

 

Monaco, France
Kristy Reece, 2207
I love the picture Kristy took in front of the Humane Society poster while in France. While there her dog Chance stayed with us. Here is what she had to say about her trip there:

"My favorite picture
is of a Humane Society ad. There were two very memorable times during my
stay at the Monte Carlo, one was sailing on the Mediterranean for the day
and the other was watching Payton Manning and the Colts win the Super Bowl.
In an attempt to capture the American experience, a local pub stayed open
late to show the game (it started at midnight). The pub was serving hotdogs
and playing squares (a gambling game of luck). The hotdogs were served on French rolls and they had ketchup, mustard, hamburger and cheese as toppings. I think the hamburger and cheese was supposed to mimic chili. It
was nice to experience American football through French eyes."

 

 

 

 

Paris, France
Amanda Griffin, 2007
You may recognize Amanda as an employee of Pawtropolis. She spent a few weeks in Europe and enjoyed every bit of it. Here she is pictured in front of the Roland Garros poster, advertising the French Open in Paris, France.

 

 

 

 

 

Queensland, Australia
Sara Beth Moore, 2207
Sara Beth is also an employee of Pawtropolis. This picture was taken at the Gecko Wildlife Show (Brisbane, Queensland)
At the Gecko Wildlife Show we learned about much of the endemic fauna of Australia, with a focus on the reptiles. She is pictured here with a Carpet Python. At Binna Burra Lodge in Lamington National Park a Carpet Python lived underneath the tent next to hers and would often come out to sun itself.

 

 

 

 

The Blarney Castle, Ireland
Mahaley, 2006
In Mahaley's previous trip picture (below) we mentioned she got engaged, just a short time later Mahaley celebrated her honeymoon in Ireland. Here she is pictured at the Blarney Castle. And she said, "Of course I kissed the Blarney Stone in my Pawtropolis shirt!" A little about the Blarney Castle:

Blarney Castle was built nearly six hundred years ago by one of Ireland’s greatest chieftains, Cormac MacCarthy, and has been attracting attention beyond Munster ever since. Not all of that has been welcome, as Good Queen Bess and Oliver Cromwell could testify. But over the last few hundred years, millions have flocked to Blarney, making it a world landmark and one of Ireland’s greatest treasures.
Now that might have something to do with the Blarney Stone, the legendary Stone of Eloquence, found at the top of our Tower.

Kiss it and you’ll never again be lost for words.
But don’t take our word for it – everyone from Sir Walter Scott to a host of American presidents, world leaders, and international entertainers has been eager to take advantage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

San Diego Zoo, California
Etta Wagner, 2006
You may remember Molly Brown, the Saint Bernard we rescued in bad shape. Etta is Molly's mom. In this picture Etta is taking our shirt very literally when watching the elephants at the San Diego Zoo. Miss Molly Brown was enjoying playing at Pawtropolis when her mom was away.

 

 

 

The Prado in Madrid, Spain
Jen Wright, 2006
Pawtropolis employee Jen, had the pleasure of attending school for a semester in Spain (through a program offered by the University of Georgia.) She even sent us this picture while she was still there! Her friend got into the action by wearing a Pawtropolis shirt, too!

 

 

 

 

Paris, France
Amanda Rodriguez, 2005
The summer of '05, I had the pleasure to go to Paris, France. I promise that I do wear clothing other than my Pawtropolis uniform, but I just had to take this picture knowing that I was going to make this web page. Thanks to my great staff taking care of things back home, I was able to have a wonderful time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edinburgh, Scotland
Nicole Pittard, 2004
Take a look at the statue, it actually has an interesting story that accompanies it.

In 1858, a man named John Gray was buried in old Greyfriars Churchyard. His grave leveled by the hand of time, and unmarked by any stone, became scarcely discernible; but, although no human interest seemed to attach to it.

The sacred spot was not wholly disregarded or forgotten. For fourteen
years the dead man's faithful dog kept constant watch and guard over the grave until his own death in 1872.

The famous Skye Terrier, Greyfriars Bobby was so devoted to his master
John Gray, even in death, for fourteen years Bobby lay on the grave only leaving for food.

It is reported that a daily occurrence of people from all walks of life would stand at the entrance of the Kirkyard waiting for the one o'clock gun and the appearance of Bobby leaving the grave for his
midday meal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Mahaley Snelling, 2006
Mahaley is mom to Bailey and Bosley, two long-time Pawtropolis playgroup members. She had a great time this summer on her trip to Mexico. Little did she know, but Mahaley was actually proposed to on this wonderful trip. Congrats!!