Congrats to The Barkley Westlake's Michael Phelps who swam his way into the history books this summer when he won gold at the Olympics in London, bringing his tally of medals to 22, an all time record for an athlete!

Turns out, he's teaching his dogs to swim, too! Click here to read more!

Want to read even more about the gold medalist and his dogs? Click here.

Congratulations to August's Pick of the Litter: Chow Chow Lewis! This cuddly Pomeranian loves running around, standing on his back two legs and "talking" to everyone, here at The Barkley! He participates in daycamp, boarding and grooming, with his favorite staff member, Pam!

Please congratulate Chow Chow and family for being awarded The Barkley's August 2012 Pick of the Litter!

Want us to feature your best friend? Fill out an entry form at The Barkley today to enter! If your pet is selected he/she will receive a Barkley gift!

DID YOU KNOW: There really is a difference between The Barkley and other pet hotels?

Everytime a pet guest enters our doors, we track their actions on multiple levels, providing four different sets of critieria to pass along to shift staff and ultimately, report back to pet parents at the end of the stay.

These four areas of reporting include consumption, elimination, activity and health notes. Consumption and elimination provide a window into how well the pet is adjusting to and thriving at The Barkley. Any notes on health and safety will then be transferred to that report, if needed. The activity log allows for good record keeping, ensuring we are providing the pet with stimulation and happiness during their stay.

While multiple paper trails seems like a lot of work, the staff of The Barkley goes above and beyond to maintain happy, healthy pet guests!

The Executive Express Waggin' has arrived - and is ready to provide comfortable and convenient pick-up and delivery services for our pet guests (rates are determined by distance traveled and time of day.)

Pet guests may also "go for a ride" about town or even to the drive-thru at McDonald's for a burger or McNuggets! Ask your customer experience associate for more details.

We all love spending the long, sunny days of summer outdoors with our furry companions, but being overeager in hot weather can spell danger! Here are a few helpful hints to keep your fur-babies safe:

* Visit the Vet. Make sure your pets get their yearly heartworm and flea preventive medication.

* Know the Warning Signs. Symptoms of overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. They can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomit along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees.

* No Parking! Never leave your animals alone in a parked vehicle. On a hot day, a parked car can become a furnace in no time (even with the windows open) - which could lead to fatal heat stroke. Bring them to The Barkley's Doggie Day Camp while you do your errands!

* Make a Safe Splash. Do not leave pets unsupervised around a pool! Not all dogs are good swimmers. Introduce your pets to water gradually and be certain they know how to get out of the pool on their own. Try a swim at The Barkley's indoor bone-shaped pool!

* Summer Style. Giving your dog a lightweight summer haircut from The Barkley Grooming Salon will help prevent overheating. Shave down to a one-inch length, never to the skin, so your dog still has some protection from the sun.

Back to school isn't just a time for the kids - pets need some adjustment, too! Make sure to find some special time to spend with family pets when school is back in session!