Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Elissa Cheney, co-owner of See Spot Run, takes her charges for a group walk.

Business has gone to the dogs

Dog walkers find a need and fill it

By Shari Kaplan

In the Dick and Jane series of readers popular in an earlier era, Spot the dog got out a lot--playing with kids, sniffing out his domain and, of course, running. That carefree canine was always on the go.

But what would happen if Dick and Jane went away and left Spot home alone? Would he tear up the house in boredom, gain weight from lounging around the yard or perhaps even become antisocial?

Los Gatos friends, neighbors and dog-lovers Elissa Cheney and Tracy Powers have come up with the remedy for modern-day "Spot." In establishing See Spot Run--their dog-walking service--the women took something they love, found a niche and filled it.

"I'm a wannabe dog owner but because we rent, we can't have dogs," Powers says of her and her husband's predicament. "This is a way to spend time with dogs and give them love and attention."

Cheney adds, "I'm a total wannabe dog owner, too, but we have no room. I'm like Tracy; every dog I see, I have to stop and pet it and talk to it."

Powers, a schoolteacher, recalls how she and Cheney started discussing what dog-related business they could start with low overhead that wasn't already established in the area. Following a brief but thorough research period, the women decided on dog-walking. Cheney, who spent 10 years selling dental lasers, says she was especially excited to get out of the corporate world.

Just this January, Cheney, Powers and Cheney's cousin Michael Leibow were brainstorming names in a Los Gatos pasta shop when Leibow remembered the playful pup from the Dick and Jane series.

A pile of advertising fliers and a set of logoed shirts and caps later, See Spot Run was off and running. Cheney quit her job and took to part-time dental consulting so she could devote most of her time to the business. Powers still teaches but spends much of her free time walking dogs.

New clients meet with Cheney or Powers to discuss how often and where the dogs should be walked and any special care the dogs need. The women tote pooper-scoopers, biscuits, fresh water and collapsible water dishes on all walks.

Routes vary depending on the dogs, ranging from neighborhood jaunts to the challenging Lexington Dam Trail. Most dogs enjoy group walks, the women say, although private walks are also available. They charge $10 for an hour-long group walk or $13 for a private walk of the same length.

"Dogs are very social animals, and when people only have one, they don't always get to socialize enough," Powers says of the benefit of the group experience. Another plus of frequent walks, aside from keeping dogs in good physical condition, is that it expends the energy and friskiness they might otherwise keep bottled up until their owners come home. It's also proven salubrious for the walkers.

"It's definitely a release; it's relaxing and fun," Cheney says with a smile. "It's fun to see their different personalities, and of course, there's the benefit of exercise for both us and the dogs."

"A lot of dog owners feel their dogs are like their kids, and because they're at work most of the day, they feel guilty," Powers adds. "This gives the dogs exercise, socialization and an opportunity to get out."

Holly Wolff of Saratoga agrees.

"Any time she can get out and walk or run around, she's happy," she says of Sage, her 8-year-old golden retriever. "The whole point is to have her walked even if we're not around. She's like our child, and this is like her play group."

New client Lisa Casaccia, a Los Gatos resident, says her 9-week-old golden lab Buffy gets bored when home alone and is looking forward to going on walks.

"She's very excited to get out," Casaccia says while cuddling the fluffy puppy. "I think this is great socialization for dogs, and these people are friendly and energetic--just what you want for people taking care of dogs."

For more information, call 395-9115.

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