Pete and Tanner: The Family Business...Dogs! D'Tails & Paradise

I was thinking the other day, how proud I am of my parents. My parents built a FA-nominal business together, back before I was born, that still continues to be one of the largest kennels in Augusta. They truly had a vision, and so gracefully completed a dream that I will forever look up to them for fulfilling. 'Paradise' reminds me of what our family accomplished together, and I am so thankful for the sacrifices they made for us kids.

I love you Mom and Dad.

Paradise: House on left, Kennel entrance on right

Paradise: Kennel entrance

Back yard view from 3rd floor (barn in background)

My parents met in Arizona, married, and moved to Augusta to start their business. Dad started it all with one little tub and grooming table in a little shop named "It's a Dog's Life." He was actually living in the back of his little shop while he and Mom were dating, and decided to expand. They moved back to Augusta, and bought the land behind Grandma's house were Dad grew up. One wing at a time, they began constructing this monstrosity of a business with full bathing, boarding, grooming, and retail space. Dad currently has the kennel, (my parents separated way back @ 15 years ago) and Mom went on to start her little grooming shop, D'Tails.

Paradise: East Kennel

Paradise: North Kennel (for cats)

Paradise Kennels is around 25,000 square feet, and can house around 300+ dogs. I recently realized how truly enormous the kennel is when I went to take pictures for an advertisement for Dad. It was so normal to me growing up, but stepping back, WOW! It's huge! While MOST kids play hide-and-seek in their living room... we used and entire kennel and could play for hours. MOST kids ride their bikes in a tiny driveway, maybe on the street... we had an entire parking lot. MOST kids have a pet or two... we always had our pick of oh, say, ALOT of dogs and cats to play with, just a walk through the backyard.

D'Tails Pet Grooming:

When Mom left the kennel, she started up her own quaint little shop. She and Tracey (her best friend) have built their shop more for grooming, and not so much a kennel. It's around 4,000 square feet, and are about to expand their outdoor play-yard. They let the dogs roam during the day, and have a wonderful clientele base that love the small family enviorment.