Beth Ramsey opened Serenity Dog Retreat in Newnan as a secondcareer dream and can accommodate 12 canine guests. As an additional convenience for owners, Ramsey offers transportation to Atlanta and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. “We’re about 20 minutes south of the airport and very close to Serenbe,” she says. “It’s a breathtaking setting — exactly what I wanted it to be.” Pet owners closer to the city of Atlanta will soon have a new upscale dog daycare and boarding facility to pamper their pets. Lucky &Lady is set to open at the end of summer in a new building off Memorial Drive. Partners Ryan Deal and Ryan Lepicier worked to create a space to cater to dogs and allows owners to use technology to schedule appointments and sign up for services. The idea grew from Deal’s own experiences of having to find accommodations for his elderly dog when he was traveling with his government job. “I always yearned for something more like home, more human-interactive,” he says. “I also found myself with a two-hour commute every morning and evening, which left no quality time with my dogs — two Bichon Frises and one we call our ‘lhasa shih tzu poo,’ a rescue mix. One day it hit me that I needed to open my own facility.” The partners spent more than two years finding a place they 28 Summer 2019 | Atlanta Pet Life
could build and cementing the concept. The new site features an advanced HVAC system with a biological air filtration that will run 24/7. Deal also plans on welcoming a few cats, but they’ll be in a separate area with its own circulated air. The all-indoors play area is padded with rubber floors that are easier on paws and arthritic joints. A self-wash area with an ergonomically designed tub, shampoos, towels and blow dryers will be available to owners. The pets will enjoy structured periods of rest, play and one-on-one interaction that begins when the owners arrive. “Our pet valet allows pet parents to remain in the car; we’ll come out and get their pet and return him to the car in the evening,” said Deal. “This allows our team to create barriers and gives the dog time to calm down before going through the door. Nothing is more frightening than to introduce a dog into an already established group.” The staff will also update owners with videos and texts about their pets, and owners can manage accounts and communicate with the staff online. And a portion of the business’s sales will go to pet charities and rescue groups. “We’re trying to create Dog Care 2.0,” says Deal. “Everything is designed for the animals; we’re guided by wanting to create the best environment. We’re big into technology and employing that to create an environment that reduces stress — whether that’s auditory, visual or olfactory that might excite or upset them. We think that will also mean we won’t have one thing: You won’t hear a lot of barking.” Lucky & Lady | 975 Memorial Drive 30316 | Luckyandlady.com Pupcakes Playcare | 2989 N. Fulton Drive 30305 | 404.237.7440 pupcakesplaycare.com Rex and Roxy’s | 142 New Street, Decatur 30030 | 404.377.9699 rexandroxys.com Fido Fido | 275 Mt. Vernon Highway | Sandy Springs 30328 404.250.3920 | fidofido.com Serenity Dog Retreat | 3049 US-29 | Newnan 30265 678.857.3277 | serenitydogretreat.com atlantapetlife.com