Wyatt's Bed & Biscuit is dream come true for its owners 11/29/2009 12:06 AM
By BEN BAUGH Staff writer
MONTMORENCI -- A lifelong dream and a passion for animals made Wyatt's Bed & Biscuit a reality for owners Lori and Gene Jenkins, who opened the kennel in August 2007.
Lori had owned a similar kennel in Greenwood and is a professional pet stylist who trained at the Southern Institute of Pet Grooming. She has been a professional breeder of Boston terriers for more than 17 years and French bulldogs for the past three.
"When we moved to Aiken, I did real estate for a few years, but I really missed the kennel," she said.
When Lori discovered that the property site the kennel sits on had been zoned for rural development, she began to put together plans for the facility.
The idea and the vision for the kennel were Lori's. She drew up the plans for the facility on a paper bag, said her friend Vicki Bernard, who refers to Lori as a dog whisperer.
"It was four orange stakes in the ground for the longest time, and then it kind of all came together," said Lori. "When I was selling real estate, I came out to show this piece of property to a client, and the wheels started turning. We had a house on Banks Mill Road at the time (she and Gene now live on-site). We just fell in love with this little piece of property. It's a great location. We're 10 minutes from downtown and 10 minutes from the Southside."
Wyatt Bed & Biscuit has a one-acre play yard for the larger dogs and a smaller area for the dogs that aren't as big. The dogs have an opportunity to be outside, socialize, play and have fun.
"We have 42 indoor-outdoor runs," said Lori.
Jenkins used to gallop racehorses in New York, working for a number of trainers including Gasper Moschera and Dick Lundy. She galloped stakes winners Salem Drive and Uptown Swell.
The kennel is named after a Boston terrier that Lori had years ago. Wyatt was a fighter who overcame adversity and great odds, touching a special place in her heart.
"He was a real special dog," said Lori, who started a show kennel in his honor when Wyatt died. "I might have another hundred in my lifetime, but he was the one."
Accommodations are made for special needs dogs who may need to be isolated or have to go out by themselves, said Lori. A number of dogs just come for the day while their owners are at work.
Wyatt's Bed & Biscuit offers a number of services including central heat and air conditioning, a full service grooming station and an ample supply of fleecy cotton blankets.
Boarding regular run rates are $17 per day and $30 per day double occupancy; double run rates are $27 per day and $40 per day double occupancy. Day care is $17 per day. There are also rates for grooming, which includes bath, nail trim, ears being cleaned, and anal gland expression.
Wyatt's Bed & Biscuit is open seven days a week. Hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m., Saturday from 7:30 to 11 a.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 8 to 10 a.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. The kennel is closed to the public every afternoon. Visitors are by appointment only. The kennel doesn't accept cats for boarding at this time.
Wyatt's Bed & Biscuit is located at 147 Church St., Montmorenci. For more information, call 335-2828 or 292-0888 or visit wyattsbedandbiscuit.com.
Contact Ben Baugh at bbaugh@aikenstandard.com.
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Posted by: A. Little On: Sunday, November 29, 2009 4:18 PM
Comment Title: Wyatt's Bed and Biscuit
Having bred, shown and raised dogs for forty years I must say that the experience I have had boarding my dogs at Bed and Biscuit Kennels has been a terrific experience. In fact I now own three of Lori's dogs - two boston terriers and one french bulldog.
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Posted by: J.M. Ayers On: Sunday, November 29, 2009 7:42 AM
Comment Title: Wyatt's Bed and Biscuits awsome!
Our dogs get so excited when we pull up to Wyatt's. They love play yard & a chance to socialize with other dogs.
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