Luxury doggie hotel chain set to open new spot in Deerfield

The notion of "it's a dog's life" may have taken a turn for the sunny side with the advent of The Barking Lot, a new luxury "hotel" for K-9s, coming to Deerfield in mid-May.

Having successfully established two other locations in Chicago, brothers Matt and Brad Kriser, originally of Highland Park, have been wanting to get to the north shore for the past two years.

The Barking Lot takes extended stay for dogs to a veritable five-star level leaving conventional kennels in the dust. But while the amenities are substantial, including private suites with televisions, Web-cams for you to watch your pooch via the Internet when away, cozy beds and endless bedtime cuddles, the main focus is more than just comfort, it is peace of mind.

"Our facility is absolutely gorgeous and we have sunk a ton of money into it but at the end of the day not about any of that, it's all about trust. It's about liking our staff, it's about the place being clean because a stinky kennel is an out-of-business kennel," Matt Kriser said.

Dirk Edwards, 45, of Libertyville, owner of 10-year-old miniature schnauzer, Smokey, agrees. "I have a couple of high school kids and when we go on spring break or Christmas vacation, it's nice to know that we have somewhere to take the dog and that it will be well taken care of."

Edwards does not flinch at The Barking Lot's $50-$60 dollar per day price tag. "You get what you pay for. Smokey has grown up with the kids and is very much a family member. The kids want to make sure she is in a nice place where someone will play with her and rock her and things like that."

In addition to private chambers, The Barking Lot has three separate play areas designated to the weights and temperaments of each individual dog. "But just because you're a little dog doesn't mean you wouldn't end up in our big play area. Some dogs need that activity and space," Matt Kriser said.

That means that your 3-pound Chihuahua, if spunky enough, may end up playing with a docile 150-pound Newfoundland. "It's funny looking but our experience has shown that (the larger breeds) tend to like to just hang out."

The Krisers' experience stems from their six-years working with area shelters in Chicago, such as the Midwest Labrador Retriever Rescue, Chicago Canine Rescue and Greyhound Rescue, among others. The Barking Lot always reserves two-four kennels as a kind of 'revolving door' to help foster out pets so that they can get adopted. "So if it takes two weeks or a month, it makes the process really nice for these animals so that their quality of life doesn't go down during the adoption process," Matt Kriser said.

Concerned about all facets of pet care and safety, The Barking Lot keeps up on the latest news in pet safety and care from closings of nefarious puppy mills to nutritional information and lists the news on its Web site.

"People think that it's just about playing with the dogs but that's really only 25 percent of the job. Safety and cleanliness are paramount to everything else," Matt Kriser said. He likens having a safe and secure facility to finding a good day care for one's child. "People hold their pets with just as high regard as their children. And this is a vacation for them while their owners are on vacation. That's why we do so much day care."

For Edwards it's the whole bouquet of amenities that makes the difference. "The extras are a nice reassurance and security that your dog will be taken care of."

Opening the second week of May, The Barking Lot promises anxious pet parents a little more to smile about. For more information, visit: www.barkinglotinc.com.