Skansen Kennel

January 4, 2007

RE: Skansen Kennel and the letters posted on their web site

Dear Ms Sheila Wagner:

I have a three and a half year old giant schnauzer from Skansen Kennel. Prior to making my decision to get a dog, I visited the kennel three times, by appointment, and each time was treated respectfully. Over the course of the last three years, I have visited the kennel, again, by appointment, and again, I was treated respectfully. I got to know Laina and met Mel. I have only talked with Sylvia by phone and she has always been willing to speak with me. I went to the web site today, as I periodically do, and learned of your experience and wish to respond.

On all my visits, I have found the grounds to be well maintained. As for a smell? It’s a dog kennel! A horse farm has a smell. A cattle farm has a smell. Every body who has a dog (of any kind) has a smell of some kind, at some time. I keep a very clean house, but if you stopped by today, you might smell my dog. It’s time for his bath. A gym has a smell. A plant nursery has a smell, hell a children’s nursery has a smell. As for the care the dogs receive, there is no question. They are very well cared for. I have reached over fences and petted most of the dogs and all of them were friendly.

I work in retail, and I have customers who have arrived hours after their appointment and got upset because they found me with another customer or about to close and I can’t stay because I have some place to be. Some of them, like you, traveled quite a distance and yet couldn’t call to let me know they were going to be detained or to see if I could still meet or reschedule. Some, way past their appointments, have called to say, they’ll “be there in five minutes”, like I’ve been sitting at my desk waiting for them to arrive. Others, who respect other people’s time, have called and other arrangements made. There’s no excuse for not calling and communicating, unless one is narcissistic and believes the whole world evolves around them and only their time is of value. If you had taken full responsibility for your time and your actions and had been thoughtful of other people’s time, you would have called, apologized for missing the appointment, rescheduled, and insured for yourself, a good experience. You see, there’s no sign posted that says, “Visiting hours 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, except for Sheila Wagner.”

My dog is healthy, happy, friendly, protective, absolutely beautiful, and sometimes, he smells, but I love him and I love Skansen Kennel.

Regards,
Ernest Frost