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“Park Plaza” service for dogs in north end of Scugog Township In recent years, pets - whether they be dogs, cats or more exotic species - have grown to become an integral part of our families. They have always been special, but it seems more now than ever before they have been taken out of the role of man’s best friend and are treating them at a more equal level. We are able to purchase insurance on their lives as well as their health, buy burial plots for them as soon as we get them and spoil them with organic cuisine, which is the envy of many third world countries. When we travel however, and need to board our pets, we tend to revert to the old ways and leave them in a ken- nel, which normally has a small run area and often, having them taken for a walk is an option (at a cost). This practice, a contradiction to the inroads pets are making into our lives, is finally changing. Glen Kowarsky has changed the way we treat our pets when we are away, by opening a high-end ‘hotel’ for dogs, ata very reasonable rate. When you drive to Dogs At Camp, Glen’s brainchild, green trees, blue skies and that good old Scugog fresh air surround you. Turning into the driveway, you immediately see the pro- fessionalism of the organization. There is a spacious park- ing area and a building, which serves as an office. Glen’s renovated farmhouse, where he now lives, is also on the property, but is clearly marked so as not to confuse visitors. On his 100 acre property is a cordoned off section, which is totally fenced. It is spacious, well maintained and serves as the playground for the thirty or so, four legged guests staying at the ‘doggie resort’ “We are adamant that we have one trainer for every ten dogs out here at any given time,” Glen said, as I watched the dogs playfully frolick in the area. And in the evening, the four-legged guests head ‘indoors’ for a peaceful night’s The newly renovated barn is winterized and has all (if not more) the comforts of home. Dogs sleep in kennels or in 16 FOCUS - SEPTEMBER 2009 Glen Kowarsky and two Golden Retrievers at the camp. the open, depending on their preference. They eat twice a day, unless other instructions are given. “Usually they are so tired from all the playing that they look forward to a good night's sleep, just so they can do it all again.” Glen smiled, as he speaks. However, what about the man behind the project? Glen Kowarsky was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and at an early age showed a love for opera, a career his father had also explored. Having lived in Montreal and Florida, Glen was rapidly becoming a well-known opera singer. Ten years ago, as his career was climbing successfully, he was diagnosed with an illness, which affected his singing. “I was told I would never sing again, so I turned my interests