Mia rounds the corner with the prized red ball in her mouth, snow flying behind her.  Close on her heels are Stella, the stunning Mutt;  Lucy, the goofy Lab; and Charlie, the normally aloof Husky.  Gentle snowflakes swirl around the racing dogs.  Joyful yelps and excited barking cut the cold winter air.

Do dogs need to play?  Maybe need is too strong of a word but at Abby Kennels, we believe dogs do need to play.  Playing is serious business for dogs and playing with other dogs is the frosting on the cake.  Or rather, the best dog biscuit ever!

Dogs need physical activity, mental stimulation and social opportunities on a daily basis.  Playtime should be built into every dog’s day.  Playing keeps a dog physically fit and mentally sharp.  Every dog, no matter how big or small, young or old, needs playtime.  Toss a Frisbee.  Throw a ball.  Hide a toy and teach your dog how to find it. 

Unfortunately, as the temperature drops and snowflakes continue to fall, many owners seek refuge inside and playtime with their four legged friends gets shorter and shorter.  Sometimes the beginning of a New Year brings new stresses at work, longer hours and less energy at the end of the day.  

Mia, Stella, Lucy and Charlie are regulars at Abby Kennels’ doggie daycare.  They come to play and socialize every day.  While there are complicated, physiological reasons why play is important, all they care about is having fun with each other.  Their owners care about their dogs getting enough exercise and remaining social in a safe, supervised way.   

If you find yourself dreading an outside play session with your dog or drained of energy at the end of a long day, consider Abby Kennels’ doggie daycare.  We're located at 28 Gorham Street in Chelmsford and we love to play every day!