Dogs take a holiday at Yellowknife kennel

Some dogs were living the high life in Yellowknife over the holidays, boarded for Christmas while their owners travelled down south to visit family and friends.

Qimmiq Kennels owner Jo Kelly says her kennel was fully booked for Christmas by last August, and when she added more spots in September they were quickly snapped up.

"Everyone wants to get out of town," she said.

"It's Yellowknife, so people are from all over and they go home for the holidays. This is a dog town and they want them to be warm and they want them to be entertained." 

Her kennel boarded dogs from as far as Whati, Wekweeti and Behchoko in the N.W.T., and Cambridge Bay and Iqaluit in Nunavut.

Qimmiq Kennels began with Kelly looking after a few dogs in her home, but due to growing demand, fuelled only by word of mouth, she expanded the business.

"Yellowknife really needed more dog boarding," she said.

"There's been boarding provided here, but the number of dogs per capita is outrageous in this city and people don't mind spending money on their animals to make sure they're cared for."

Qimmiq offers the first doggy day camp in Yellowknife — a common service in southern cities but new in the N.W.T.

Each day starts with group runs out in the field, then, if Fido can withstand the cold, more outdoor play time. If he isn't properly furred he can stay warm inside. 

Lyndsay Smallwood said he has been bringing his nine-month-old black lab, Kylie, to doggy day camp since June.

"I bring her here to unwind; she's pretty rambunctious at home," he said. "When I bring her home tonight, she'll be totally relaxed."

In the new year Kelly plans to expand again and offer more activities — like skijoring — to help keep lonely dogs entertained.