and your bunions.

Bunions are genetic but don’t have to be permanent. We can help your feet look and feel better. We can help your kids without surgery. This is one family tradition that doesn’t need to stand the test of time.

• Referrals usually not necessary

• Most types of insurance accepted

Come see one of our ABPS board-certified podiatrists:

DR. STACEY NIPP, D.P.M.

DR. ROBERT NIPP, D.P.M. DR. CURT KRISTENSEN, D.P.M

Dog lodge

Sometimes, unfortunate events have a way of putting life into perspective, and that was certainly true for Bartz. After she injured her back at a concert in 2016, she made the decision to move forward with her entrepreneurial dream.

Bartz knew she wanted more freedom and time with her kids but didn’t know exactly what she wanted to do. She listed the things she loved, and what brought her the most joy was animals.

She began by calling Tina Morgan, owner of Morgan’s Kennel in Grand Rapids. Bartz asked Morgan if she thought there was room for another dog boarding facility in town, and the answer was a resounding yes.

The Bartzes, along with their neighbor Eric Simonson and friend Dustin Perron, built the Itasca Dog Lodge from scratch. It features 18 dog suites, several fenced-in areas, a lobby, a “quiet wing,” and even a grooming area.

Dogs in the Bartzes’ care receive plenty of attention, exercise and play time. The dogs are housed in glassdoored suites, which allows them to watch television.

“The dogs are here to relax, play and have fun,” Bartz said.

Dog owners can even schedule an on-site grooming session with Liz Schultz, owner of Furget Ne Knot Grooming.

While Itasca Dog Lodge doesn’t accept intakes on major holidays, they do accept dogs in their care over the holidays. Last year, Bartz dressed the dogs up in Santa beards and texted photos to their owners, which was a huge hit.

“When people are traveling, their dogs become part of our family over the holidays,” Bartz said.

Reputation built through trust

Tiffiney Bartz is living her dream and making a lot of dogs and their owners very happy along the way.

“To know that people trust us to care for their animals is something we don’t take lightly,” she said. “The best compliment I can get is to have someone say, ‘I didn’t worry about my dog when I was gone.’” D

For more information, please visit itascadoglodge.com.

Andrea Busche is a Duluth freelance writer and frequent contributor to The Woman Today.