Poland couple turns home into one big doghouse
The dogs have almost unfettered run of the house and the fenced-in yard.
By Kathryn Skelton
Staff Writer

POLAND – Allen Walker keeps a tight schedule at The Dog Lodge. There’s play time, nap time, snack time and a movie every morning at

10:30, always dog-themed.

“102 Dalmatians.” “All Dogs go to Heaven.” “Homeward Bound II.” “K-911.”

But nothing with Lassie. He used to play it and she got everyone too excited.

“Lassie would start barking and there would be six dogs wondering, ‘Where’s Timmy?'” Walker said.

He and his wife, Sarah Miller, opened The Dog Lodge in a home off Spring Water Road in September. Twelve or so regulars come to doggie day camp once or twice a week. Others stay for a night or more.

Some owners want their dogs to lose weight by getting more exercise, some feel guilty leaving them alone for long hours while they’re away at work and some want their pets to socialize.

The dogs have almost unfettered run of the house and the fenced-in yard. And everyone seems to play well together.

The couple’s business inspiration, a chocolate lab named Sienna, screens potential clients. A few minutes with the energetic dog and Walker and Miller can tell whether the new dog would be a good fit, whether it gets aggressive or is too timid.

They don’t take a handful of breeds, such as Dobermans, pit bulls and chows. There also are ground rules requiring the dogs to be neutered or spayed and to have proof of shots.

The day typically starts at 7, with owners, or “parents” as Walker calls them, dropping off their dogs.

Then there’s outside play, a movie, dinner at noon – the dogs eat food brought from home in separate kennel spaces – and nap time at

12:30. There are four dog beds on the floor and two futons in a sun room to curl up on.

Walker, who has made a full-time job of the lodge, said he’s learned to stay absolutely still during nap time or there is no sleeping. If he moves, they move.

A coveted spot anytime of day: right next to him. “Four inches around my body is sacred space whenever I sit down,” he said.

Rates range from $12 a day to $22 for an overnight stay.

The business took about a year and a half to pull together. It was destined for Auburn at one point until it hit a snag in front of the Planning Board. Neighbors were concerned about barking dogs. Walker said there’s actually little barking. If a dog wants to come in, he comes in. If he wants to go out, he goes out.

In Poland, officials held a special vote to rezone the couple’s property from residential to commercial. They’re licensed for 20 dogs, but for now, they prefer about six at a time. Holidays have been the busiest.

The couple would like to expand the business in the spring. Miller may leave her job as a high school Spanish teacher to join The Dog Lodge full-time.

Each day is a little different, which keeps it interesting, Walker said. When there are more older dogs there is lots more sleeping; when there are more younger dogs, there is lots more ball playing.

The Dog Lodge goes through a case of tennis balls each month. The floor-cleaning is nearly constant.

“You know what’s the worst? Window washing,” said Walker. Every day there are dog nose-prints left on the glass.

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