Dogs get television, owners get webcams

Animal Planet is the channel of choice at Elite Suites Pet Resort in Southlake, and the viewers get barking mad when the cable goes out.

Owners Jenny and Dave Shackelford started the luxury pet groomery, hotel and day care in 2005.

Both had spent years in the corporate world. But their hearts were in pet care. Dave had started out in college planning to become a veterinarian.

That career idea ended, he said, when "I was too greedy."

It would have taken a long time as a vet to earn the kind of living he wanted, so he switched to computer science and kept an eye on pet care businesses.

When they got ready to leave the office jobs, they used their big-box business know-how. The Shackelfords were not interested in cutting corners, and the couple of hundred dollars they intended to invest turned into $3 million.

The wrought-iron suites have matching beds and televisions mounted on the walls. (Dave and Jenny said they really do hear barking if the cable goes out.)

Webcams allow owners to watch their pets while they are away.

Elite Suites has no hint of unpleasant odors inside or out.

The concrete floors are coated with a special epoxy so nothing can soak in. A grinder pump allows solid waste disposal into the sewer, eliminating the need for smelly bags.

The city wanted the couple to set up just an indoor exercise area, but Dave said no.

"I believe they need the fresh air," he said.

Segments of St. Augustine lawn are used for a period, then closed off to recuperate. One portion is covered in artificial turf for use when it rains so muddy paws aren't a problem.

The business has as many as 45 employees during peak times, when the hotel reaches its capacity of 190. Dave said about 60 dogs are usually on the wait list during holidays.

Many of their clients are purebreds, but Jenny and Dave's three dogs are rescues. Suzy is a Carolina dog, Pearl is a husky-border collie mix (they think) and Samantha is a lab/beagle.

They have invested a lot to make sure clients' pets get the kind of care they give their own, and they make a point of dealing honestly with customers. If someone believes a dog was injured or got sick while boarding, Dave tells them to take the pet to their own vet and send him the bill.

"It's not hard to do the right thing," he said.

Room rates include:

• Elite Suite — $50/night; second guest, $35/night
• Day rate (7 a.m.-7 p.m.) — $30

Upgrades

• Additional one-on-one play time — $10

Day care

• Evaluation — $10
• Day pass — $30
• Weekly pass (unlimited Monday-Friday) — $135

Grooming

• Elite grooming — custom pricing
• Bath — starts at $25
• Dental care — $10
• Pedicure with nail polish — $12

Elite Suites

2201 E. Continental Blvd., Southlake, (just opened a location in Rockwall), 817-442-1790, www.elitesuites.com

• Lobby hours: 7 a.m.–8:30 p.m. daily