Dog Walkers

McHenry, Johnsburg, Crystal Lake, Woodstock
Kane County, McHenry County, Lake County

I was born in the now defunct McHenry County Hospital in 1973, and my family has lived in many homes in McHenry, Crystal Lake, Woodstock, and Johnsburg, over the last 35 years. I remember when Green Street in McHenry was the “city”, I still miss Hornsby’s and the prison restaurant on Woodstock’s square, and I am still dumbfounded when I drive up Randall road through Algonquin and Crystal Lake. The dramatic economic development frankly makes me feel old.

The reason I say this is because I have spent several fruitless months trying to find a reliable dog walker in Crystal Lake, and I was surprised at my failure. Of my ten years living outside McHenry County, I’ve lived in downtown Chicago, Orlando, and Kansas City.

While living in Chicago, I became reliant on several dog walking services. My years in Florida and Kansas have similarly made it possible for me to own a dog, and work 60 hours a week, without feeling bad that Annie and Katie were stuck, legs crossed, awaiting my arrival. Dog walkers have allowed me to focus on my job, own happy and well adjusted pets, and avoid the kind of guilt that all hard-working pet owners face.

I usually leave my Crystal Lake home by 7am, return by 7pm, and have spent months trying find someone to take my dogs out twice in between. I’m willing to spend $50 a day for the service, I will hand over the keys to anyone with insurance, and I have called everyone with a web site or yellow pages ad in McHenry County, without success.

I know that I have grown up, and that McHenry County has arrived, because the few dog walking services are overwhelmed by the growing demand. If anyone can help me find a reliable dog walking service in McHenry County, I would appreciate the guidance. The county’s growing affluence is both a measure of our growth, as well as a sign of the times.