Pet Boarding Archives - Willow Creek Kennels

A Dog’s Guide to the Best Vacation in Amarillo

Posted on August 25, 2026 - 11:57 am

Brown Labrador dog running with a toy in its mouth in the green grass at Willow Creek Kennels during its boarding stay

Hi there, humans! It’s me, your favorite four-legged family member. I overheard the word “trip” this morning, and my tail hasn’t stopped wagging since.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. When you pack a bag, sometimes that means I get to tag along, and sometimes it means I get my own special getaway. Either way, I’ve picked up a few things, and I figure it’s time I shared my wisdom with you. Grab a treat (for me too, please), and let’s talk about how to make travel and vacation time the best it can be.

Riding in the Car: Let’s Do It Safely

Oh, the car. My absolute favorite thing after dinner and belly rubs. But here’s the deal. As much as I love sticking my whole face out the window, we’ve got to keep things safe.

A good harness or a secure crate keeps me from sliding around when you hit the brakes. It’s not the most glamorous look for a handsome pup like me, but it keeps us both safe. Here are some other things that can make the ride better for everyone:

Crack that window. Fresh air is nice, but keep it just enough for a good sniff, not enough for me to leap out after a squirrel.
Bring water and take breaks. Long drives make me thirsty, and I appreciate a quick stop to stretch my legs.
Never leave me alone in the car. Amarillo weather can get crazy, and a parked car can get too hot or cold too fast for my body to keep up with.

What to Pack (And Yes, It’s Mostly for Me)

Listen, I don’t ask for much. But when it’s time for a getaway, there are a few things I need you to remember. Think of me as your very cute and organized co-pilot!

My regular food: Please don’t switch things up on me. My tummy likes what it likes.
My favorite toy: That squeaky duck or soft chew toy is my emotional support AND entertainment. Don’t forget it.
My blanket or bed: It smells like home, and that helps me settle in anywhere.
My leash and collar with tags: Just in case I get a little too adventurous.
Any medicine I take: You know the routine better than I do, and I don’t have thumbs!

Pack those, and I’ll be one happy, well-adjusted pup, whether we’re road-tripping together or you’re dropping me off for my own vacation.

Where to Stay: Dog Boarding or Vacation Station?

Here’s the part I get most excited about. When you can’t take me along, I don’t want to sit at home feeling lonely. I want a real vacation of my own. That’s why I’m so glad I heard about Willow Creek Kennels for dog boarding in Amarillo. Let me tell you why I’ll love it there.

The suites are spacious, clean, and climate-controlled, which means I stay cozy no matter what the Texas weather is doing. The folks who work there will treat me like their own, with daily exercise, fresh air, and more love than I know what to do with. For a traveling dog like me, that’s the dream.

And it’s not just a place to sleep. If you’re looking for pet boarding in Amarillo that does it all, Willow Creek has us covered. Here’s what makes my stay so great:

Comfy, climate-controlled suites so I’m never too hot or too cold.
Daily walks and playtime to burn off all my zoomies for a small charge.
Experienced, caring staff who give me the attention I crave.
Grooming services so I come home looking and smelling fantastic.
Training options to help me become the very best pup I can be.
They treat every dog like a neighbor and make sure I don’t feel alone. That’s the difference with dog boarding in Amarillo that actually feels like home.

Pawsome pro-tips: Book my stay ahead of time so you can be sure they have a suite available. Don’t forget my shot records and anything my vet thinks my hotel staff should know too.

How to Act When You Come to Pick Me Up

Okay, humans, this is the big moment. You’ve been gone, and now you’re back, and I have FEELINGS about it. Let me walk you through exactly how this reunion is going to go.
First, there will be spinning. Lots of spinning. My whole body becomes a wag, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it. Then comes the happy crying, followed by me pretending I can’t decide between jumping on you and running in circles. Don’t worry, this is all completely normal.

Stay calm and let me have my moment. If you match my excitement with too much of your own, I might just explode from joy. Give me a gentle “hello,” let me get my sniffs in, and I’ll settle down eventually. Probably. And please, act as if you missed me as much as I missed you, because I promise I counted every single minute.

Whether I enjoyed my own little vacation for a few days or one, coming back to you is always my favorite part. Now, about that treat you promised…

Whether you need doggy daycare while you visit Amarillo for appointments and errands, or you’d like to book your pet for an extended stay, we’re ready to help. Our professional team understands that pets are family, and we love to treat them that way! Give us a call at 806-383-6155 or stop by in person at 4339 St Francis Ave, Amarillo, TX 79108 to see our facilities. You can also check out our FAQ and learn more about our Boarding before their stay.

The Benefits of Dog Boarding For the Holidays

Posted on November 21, 2025 - 3:59 pm

cute brown and black chihuahua laying on a red and green Christmas tree skirt

The holidays are here, which for most of us means shopping, parties, and time spent with family. Taking trips to visit family is a highlight for a lot of people, but as a pet owner, I know how hard it can be to leave our animals behind. But just because we can’t take them everywhere doesn’t mean our dogs have to worry, too. Here are some of the benefits of boarding your dog for the holidays.

A cure for boredom

We all know how sad (or even destructive) dogs can get when they are bored. It can be hard for them when you are away, even when they are in their own home. You can have family or friends watch them, but it isn’t the same as having you home.

One of the best things about boarding your dog is that they can be distracted and stay entertained, while you can avoid losing your shoes or couch. We make sure every dog in our care has a comfortable place to sleep, ample play, and walk time.

Lots of exercise

Because we train dogs, we know how important routine and activity are for their mental and physical health. This is why we offer a variety of play add-ons, including grassy yards for fetch and running, one-on-one time, perimeter walks, and custom routines to keep your dog happy and active.

Fun socialization

We treat your dogs just like ours, so we wouldn’t want them to feel lonely. We make sure to pet and talk to every animal in our care. We even chart how much they eat and drink throughout the day so we know they are comfortable while boarding.

Expert care and medication administration

For dogs with health conditions, we make sure that they are medicated on time, every time. Although we will feed dogs without input to ensure they are fed, we prefer that you provide our team with a feeding schedule, as well as your dog’s preferred food. This helps to ensure your pet’s health, but also their sense of routine. Check out our FAQ for more information.

Peace of mind for you

With everything that dog boarding can offer, it helps give peace of mind to pet owners who are away for the holidays. We are always happy to provide any information before our pet parents leave and give updates during boarding, too, so you won’t have to worry about your dog while you’re gone.

Quick tips for boarding your dog

Now that you know a little more about how we perform our boarding services, I’d like to offer a few tips to help you and your dog have a fun and happy holiday.

1. Find out if a kennel or a dog sitter is your best option

Don’t be afraid to do a little research and ask questions before making your decision. For example, dog sitters may be able to provide more one-on-one time, but they are often more expensive than a boarding facility.

2. Look for the best facility for your needs

Maybe you won’t be gone more than a couple of days, so your dog won’t need extra playtime in a large area. Perhaps you need grooming services in addition to boarding. Spend some time looking into each facility and what they offer to be sure you’re getting what you and your pet need.

3. Prepare your dog for their stay

Take the time to prepare everything your dog will need well before their stay. This will help you ensure that they have everything they need and prevent you from getting anxious while away. Here’s a basic list of things I would suggest to help you get started.

Their dog food (if you’d like)
Comfort items (their favorite toys or something to chew on)
A crate and leash for easy drop off
Medications and instructions
Daily routine information, especially when selecting play add-ons
A list of any medical conditions, allergies, and food intolerances
Your dog’s medical records and vaccination history (This is mandatory and can be emailed to us at info@amarillodogboarding.com.)

4. Don’t leave your dog sad

You might be sad to leave your dog in boarding for the holidays, but make sure to drop them off in a positive mood. They can feel your sadness and anxiety, and will take those emotions with them into their stay.

Dog boarding in Amarillo, TX

If you need to board your dog for the holidays, we’re here all season long! Give us a call at 806-383-6155 or stop by in person at 4339 St Francis Ave, Amarillo, TX 79108 to see our facilities.

4th Of July Holiday – Willow Creek Kennels

Posted on July 4, 2014 - 11:57 am

Happy Fourth of July to everyone. We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday. It always amazes me that the news channels and media markets run stories and series around the 4th of July holiday to remind people that pets need to be taken care of and watched out for. We have been asked several times to do news interviews to remind people why this time of year is dangerous for pets. We often have people call days before the holiday to ask to have their pet boarded because they are terrified of the fire works. There are always ways to help keep your pet safe during this holiday and this is what we recommend.

1.) To keep your pet safe always start by assuming this can be a scary holiday for them. Fireworks explode at a much lower altitude than most of your thunder storms. So if you know your dog is not afraid of thunderstorms do not assume they may not be afraid of fireworks. There is also the different volumes of fireworks. Storms are a BOOM sound where fireworks contain POP and WIZZ and much different frequency of sounds. These can be terrifying to pets and may make them act very nervous or afraid. Take steps to make sure they feel safe during these fun light shows tonight.

2.) Fourth of July holiday is the day most family pets are lost, it’s a sad but true statistic. We want you to know that we take extra precautions during the 4th including keeping someone on sight most of the night and keeping a close eye on all the dogs and cats boarding with us until the light shows die down. Although the fireworks are one cause of family pets running away it will not be the only one. The fourth is a very “social” holiday and many people get together with family and friends and their pets accompany them. They also are not used to the crowds of people and the open and closing door and gates and tend to have a chance to run off. Please be aware of these dangers and take precautions to prevent them.

3.) Lastly the dogs and cats have a natural curiosity about them that makes them want to explore everything that is going on. Where in people this is one of the highest days at the ER to see injuries dogs and cats are often seen by emergency vets as well. They want to chase the firework parts that fall out of the sky, or a cat will see a sparkler and think it’s a light to be chased. Where pets can often be comical and we enjoy a good laugh it’s not at their health that we need to enjoy those. These dogs and cats rely on us for all their needs and we need to keep them safe during this holiday.

So remember keep your pets in an interior room in your house. Safe from the doors and if possible help with blackout curtains so they can not see the flashes of light. Keep a radio or TV on in the room to help mask the noise to be had by the fireworks. And make it their special day and have a healthy treat or bone for them to occupy their time because after all, it is

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Category Archives: Pet Boarding