Pet owners in Lee County have a new place to board their dogs and get them groomed.
Kiesel Bark, pet sitter, groomer and kennel, is located across from Kiesel Park on Lee County Road 51.
They are open from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. during the work week and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturdays for normal business. Sundays, they are open from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. for drop off and pick up for boarding.
Angie Assel, student at Tuskegee University, said these hours are a big reason why she uses Kiesel Bark as her dog's day care.
Donna Cullins is the self-described "jack of all trades" of the business. Originally from Maine, she has been in the South for nearly 40 years.
"It sure beats an office job," Cullins said about working at Kiesel Bark.
The business has been open for appoximately three and a half months.
Van Dozier and Wendell Smith are the owners. The entire property, used to belong to Circulation Solutions, but now the location is shared by both businesses.
"Van owns the building and has been watching the dog park for 25 years," Cullins said. "He said it was time to open the place up."
Kiesel Park, otherwise known as the "dog park," brings in customers, Tracy Taylor, groomer, said.
According to Taylor, the only requirement for dogs is they be vaccinated.
"Everybody needs to be vaccinated," Taylor said. "That protects everybody-your dog and our dogs."
In addition to walk-ins, Cullins said they often have repeat customers.
The busiest days are close to the weekend, with the slowest days on Mondays.
"We maybe have two or three dogs on Mondays," Cullins said.
No matter the amount of dogs to take care of, the dogs are treated well, Cullins said.
"They're going to be taken good care of," Cullins said. "They're not going to be stuck in their kennels all the time. They're in and out and in and out and in and out all day, and that's what they like."
However, the frequent time spent outdoors can be tiring for the humans of Kiesel Bark, especially when large dogs are present.
"We have dogs, like George, that like to jump over the kennels," Cullins said. "He discovered he can jump the fence outside, so he has to be supervised all the time when George comes. But they're so stinking cute, you can't get mad."
Another aspect of working with dogs that can get frustrating is grooming, according to both Cullins and Taylor.
"Grooming gets a little hairy sometimes," Cullins said. "You get snippy little, dogs, but then you get a nice mom, like today, that had her dog all drugged up. That dog just laid; it was an easy job."
The gratifications of a job-well-done is one of the best parts for Taylor.
"When you get the phone call after they take them home, and they tell you what a wonderful job they did, that they've never looked better, it's a rewarding feeling," Taylor said.
Cullins said it's nice the dog owners trust them with their dogs also.
"[The best part is] spoiling them rotten," Cullins said while holding one of the dogs . "I'd rather work with dogs than with people. They can't talk back."
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