07/31/2026
LONG POST BUT PLEASE READ 🫶
My Curly Canine will be closing its doors come mid August!
It all started over 15 years ago when I was sitting in my parents yard playing fetch with my dog. I remember saying, “I just want a job where I can do this all day.” Looking back now, I had no idea that one little thought would turn into the most incredible 10-year journey and wayyy more than just playing with dogs.
I still remember making that very first Facebook post announcing that I was starting a pet sitting business. It all began with driving to people’s homes to let dogs out, feeding cats, taking care of chickens, and even watching turtles at one point! Before long, I started offering daycare out of our home, and it grew so much faster than I ever imagined.
That growth gave me the courage and ambition to save every penny I could and build a facility of my own. It took years of hard work, writing down and trying to decide on the perfect name, lots of stress, plenty of sacrifices, and so much help from my family. I truly could not have done it without them, and I’ll always be grateful for everyone who helped make that dream a reality.
In the earlier years of My Curly Canine, I did just about everything myself. I was there from open to close every day, caring for the dogs, cleaning, training, answering messages, you name it! I even spent some nights sleeping at the daycare with the dogs! Once the talk of kids came into the picture, I slowly started building a team. If I’m being honest, trusting other people with the dogs I loved so much was one of the hardest transitions for me. But with lots of training and some truly great employees over the years, I was able to build a team that cared for the dogs as if they were their own throughout the years.
One thing I’m especially proud of is the workplace we created. When I was in college, I worked at a boarding facility, and those are still some of my favorite memories. I always hoped I could create that same kind of fun, supportive environment for other people who loved dogs as much as I did. It makes me so happy that I was able to introduce so many people to the dog world, and it’s been so fun to watch some of them go on to careers in other dog-related fields. Knowing My Curly Canine could be a small part of their journey is something I’ll always be proud of.
Over the years, My Curly Canine became so much more than daycare and boarding. Clients turned into friends and even some like family! Dogs turned into my own fur babies who I care so much about!
I was able to offer dog training, which quickly became another huge passion of mine. I taught group classes, worked one-on-one with dogs in their homes, helped dogs who struggled around other dogs, and celebrated so many success stories with their families. I do think training will work its way back into my life at some point! I even spent time grooming, which was another part of the dog world I absolutely loved! ❤️ I spent quite a few years making dog collars and bandanas, which again I enjoyed so much!!
We’ve always provided daycare and boarding, allowing pets to have a fun safe place to stay while their owners were away! Working with nervous dogs to help them feel comfortable, that was always a big thing for me, we want all the dogs that come here to always feel comfortable and happy with their stay! I have so much happiness in my heart that we were able to be there for you when you needed us for the past 10 years!
Through every chapter, one thing has never changed: my love for dogs.
This business has never just been a job to me. It has truly been my dream, just part of everyday life for me! Every single dog that has walked through my doors has meant something to me. I remember dogs from nearly 10 years ago. I remember the dogs who only needed us a couple times. I remember the puppies who grew into seniors, we have so many of those ♥️ Every wagging tail, every goofy personality, every cuddle, every goodbye… they’ve all left a mark on my heart!!
Because of that, this has been one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make.
Many of you know that I’ve gone back and forth on this decision for quite a while. Having kids is what truly shifted everything for me. I’ve gone through two pregnancies working right alongside the dogs, welcomed two newborns while still juggling a business the whole time, and re opening the daycare just a few weeks after each of them was born. As my kids have grown so hasn’t the challenge of juggling it all! I’ve changed schedules, scaled back, and tried different ways to find a balance over the past few years, but trying to run a business that I love while also being fully present for my family, and brining another new business to our family this winter, has made this one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. It’s been incredibly bittersweet. I’ve thought about this more than I can even explain. Every possible option, every “what if,” and every little detail you could imagine, we’ve talked through it all.
At the end of the day, this season of life is calling me to slow down and be able to be more present with my kiddos!
With my daughter starting school, my son still be so young, and husbands business continuing to grow, I know in my heart that right now my place is at home with my family, without the stress of owning a business. I’m excited to slow life down a little, soak in these years while my kids are little, help my husband with his business, and simply not be “on call” 24 hours a day. Which again is such a bittersweet feeling for me!
So with all of that being said, I have made the very bittersweet decision to close the doors of My Curly Canine INC
🐾 Our last day of daycare will be August 14th.
🐾 We will continue boarding through August 17th for anyone who needs us.
From the bottom of my heart… thank you! ♥️
Thank you for trusting me with your dogs over the last decade. Thank you for supporting a dream that started when I was very young. Thank you for every recommendation, every kind word, every laugh, every memory, and every dog that became part of my life.
I feel incredibly lucky to have spent the last 10 years doing something I genuinely loved and built from just watching a few peoples pets here and there. Not everyone gets to say they turned a dream into reality, and because of all of you, I did. I’m a HUGE believer that if you have a dream, work hard and accomplish that dream! I am proof of that! ✨ so kids, remember that!!
While this chapter is coming to an end, I truly don’t think this is goodbye forever. Dogs will always be my passion, so once the kids are in school I may open the doors again, I may find another path with animals, I may find another job and just add more animals to our household 😉 I’m truly not sure what the future holds, but I do know right now I need to take a much deserved break and my future will always involve animals!
Thank you for making My Curly Canine INC into what I always dreamed it would be!!!🐾
- Rylie
