b'Where Do The Big DogsGo To Play For The Day?by Anna CookeAs the saying goes, a tired dog is a good dog. Of course, That concern was at the top of Marji and Seth Henselsthat also makes for a happy owner.However, there is a dif- checklistwhenlookingfordaycareaccommodationsforference between a dog who sleeps because he is tired and Lucille and Scotty, the familys two Mastiffs.content, and a dog who sleeps because his exhaustion was While they may look intimidating to those not familiarcaused by stress. Arousal comes with a rush of adrenaline with the giant breed, Mastiffs are patient, lovable dogs whoand cortisol, which are stress hormones. Prolonged elevated takebesttogentlehandlingandtraining.Theyhavealevels of stress hormones arent healthy.natural wariness of strangers, so early training and socializa-tion are essential. The Hensels neededto know that whoever was taking careof their dogs understood the particu-larneedsofthisbreed.Thesetwogentle giants require gentle handling.BayPawsPetResort attractedMarjis attention through their volun-teerworkwithrescuegroupsthatspecialized in giant breeds, includingFloridaGiantDogRescue. Whileresearching and visiting daycare andboarding facilities in the Tampa Bayarea, Marji immediately felt a connec-tionwiththewayBayPawsstaffgreeted Lucille and Scotty. There wasnohesitationinthestaffsbodylanguage when introduced to the twogentle giants, and they understood theconcept of gradual and soft interac-tion.Marji was relieved at how easilyher dogs took to the staff.Everyone there knows so muchaboutthedifferentbreedsandtheytake so much into consideration witheach breed, said Marji. WhiledogslikeLabradorRetrievershaveaseeminglyendlessamount of energy, the energy level ofaMastiffisdifferent.LucilleandScotty will play for about an hour andthen theyll want to sleep for the restoftheday,shetoldus.Athome,ScottycanoftenbefoundsnoringunderMarjisdesk.Heissuchanaffable dog. I am looking into therapydog work for him, Marji added.Marji Hensel with Scotty and Lucille atBay Paws Pet Resort56THE NEW BARKER www.TheNewBarker.com'