Pampering pets a lucrative business in NASCAR world

Life on the NASCAR circuit isn't always conducive for pet ownership.

Unless you have a purse-size pooch or a pet rock, chances are your four-legged friend is left behind with a pet sitter or in a kennel on race weekends.

But if they get the "lucky dog" so to speak, Fido is living in the lap of luxury at K9 Cabins & Dog Trails, Inc.; the ultimate NASCAR-style accommodation for canines belonging to some of the sports biggest stars and industry players.

Reed Sorenson's dog Brutus.

Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr., Reed Sorenson, Greg Biffle all board their beloved hounds at K9 Cabins while they crisscross the country. The upcoming Champions Week in New York will be no exception.

Well prepared drivers have booked their K9 Cabins months ago. They know the demand is fierce and the wait list will leave you at tail end of the longest line if your reservation is not booked well in advance.

The demand is fierce because the treatment rivals that of a five-star hotel for humans.

Boxers belonging to Nicole and Greg Biffle enjoy the K9 Cabins as much as they enjoy their own home.

Martin Truex Jr. said his Labrador retriever, Lexus, looks forward to seeing her friend Larz, a grey Weimaraner who belongs to Dale Merwin, a crewman on the No. 99 car of Carl Edwards.

Driver Erin Crocker says K9 Cabins is a regular social club for the NASCAR dogs. When she is out of town or at the track, Crocker boards her Shih Tzu, Peebles, because she knows her dog is doted on and given the same care as if she were at home.

"They totally spoil her and she has a boyfriend named Flash," said Crocker referring to Peebles' male companion, a long-haired Dachshund from Charlotte, N.C.

When it comes to the lady's best friend, Crocker, and dozens of other clients at K9 Cabins spare no expense to ensure their pets are comfortable.

And it's evident by industry trends.

Figures released by The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA) forecast pet industry spending to top $40 billion this year; $2.9 billion of which will be spent on grooming and boarding.

In 2007, Americans' spending on pets is projected to be higher than ever at $40.8 billion. Total pet spending in 2006 was $38.5 billion, a sharp increase from the $21 billion Americans spent more than a decade ago in 1996.

"People consider pets as part of the family and as health becomes a more pressing issue in our country, people are putting extra thought and care into their pets' health as well," said Bob Vetere, president of APPMA.

Pet services, similar to places like K9 Cabins, are increasingly growing with a boom in pet hotels, doggie day cares, high-end groomers, trainers, yard cleaners, walkers, dieticians and massage therapists.

This trend makes the owners of K9 Cabins, Pat and Elena Smith, purr.

Pat Smith, crew chief for Richard Childress Racing's No. 29 Busch Series team, and his wife Elena are devoted dog lovers who themselves for years tried to find quality care for their dogs while traveling the NASCAR circuit.

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Too often, they were disappointment with the options available or the conditions kennels keeps. Surely others were facing similar problems, Elena thought, so she decided to create a solution for other pet owners; namely those in the NASCAR community.

"I always had a dream of taking care of dogs," she said, "so before we opened I went to a lot of races and started handing out business cards."

In April 2004, Pat and Elena opened their pet paradise on 12 acres and designed 20 K9 cabins and an outdoor play park with an agility course.

"My husband knew I wanted to own a really unique dog boarding facility and he has made my dream come true," she said.

Each cabin is themed -- Harley Davidson, NASCAR, Gone Fishing, Jimmy Buffett, etc. -- and equipped with a doggie door that leads to an outside patio. On the front doors of the cabins, feeding schedules and tips to care for the pets are written on a dry erase board.

"If the owner has special instructions, special toys, we will accommodate them," Elena said. "We even tell the dogs when their parents call to check on them."

Elena will even photograph your dog playing throughout his or her stay and put the images on a CD as well as take holiday themed photos inside what she has dubbed the "redneck photo booth."

"Oh we just set up a pin out back and have some costumes we put on the dogs, then we make holiday cards for our clients to send friends and family," Elena said, pointing to a pile of Christmas tree ornaments and a toy sled.

After the day is done and Elena is home tending to her own dogs (Bristol and Phoenix) and daughter Skyler, she returns to the cabins at 9 p.m. for NTW.

"NTW is night time walk," Elena said. "I come back to make sure everyone goes out one more time before they go to bed. It only takes about an hour and a half."

Erin Crocker's dog Peebles.

Extra TLC like this is why Sorenson's two dogs are at the K9 Cabins as much as they are at home.

He knows Elena will talk to his dogs in silly voices, throw the tennis ball rain or shine and is willing to cook up some chicken broth to pour on top of their food for good measure.

So, a home away from home for Brutus and Zoe is important for the Chip Ganassi Racing driver who is on the road for more than 36 weekends a year.

"They do a great job with my dogs," he said. "Sometimes I think they like it better there than at home. Really though, I never worry about the dogs when they are there because I know they are receiving great care."

Sorenson and Crocker both agree K9 Cabins is the ideal place for drivers and crew members to take their pets because they understand the hectic race schedule.

On Thursdays before a race weekend, Crocker said, the lobby is like a deli; take a number. Posted near the front desk of K9 Cabins are all three NASCAR series schedules hanging above the Greg Biffle Foundation's NASCAR Pet Calendar.

Pat Smith, Jeff Burton's Busch Series crew chief, said he never expected the business to grow as large as it has. He's pleasantly surprised and gearing up for NASCAR banquet time and the upcoming holidays; the boarding facility's busiest time.

"Business is great," he said. "A good majority is the NASCAR industry and it was sort of like 'build it and they will come,' and they did."