Pack News - Iva's Place Blog

We Did It!

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 15:54:32 GMT

We love you too, South Haven!

We Did It! Iva's Place has been named Best Pet Grooming/Boarding in South Haven. And we don't even groom! (yet)

We're still pinching ourselves.

When we opened our doors and welcomed our first furry guests onto our wooded acreage, we had one simple goal: create a place where pets feel just as comfortable as they do in their own homes. A place where tails wag freely, cats lounge contentedly, and pet parents can travel or work with complete peace of mind. Today, we're incredibly honored to share that Iva's Place has been voted Best Pet Boarding in the South Haven Tribune's Best of 2025!

This recognition means the world to us, but honestly? It belongs to every pup who's zoomed through our safely enclosed play areas, every cat who's found their perfect sunny spot, and every pet parent who trusted us with their beloved family members. You've allowed us into your lives in the most meaningful way possible, and we don't take that lightly.

Our promise remains the same. This award doesn't change who we are or what we do. We'll continue showing up every single day with the same compassion, care, and commitment that defines everything at Iva's Place. We'll keep fostering that anxiety-free experience we're known for. We'll keep hosting those epic dog parties (because who doesn't love a good dog party?), and we'll keep creating community among animal lovers right here in South Haven. Every wagging tail, every contented purr, every happy reunion reminds us why we do this work.

Thank You, South Haven. Thank you for seeing us, supporting us, and trusting us. We will continue our commitment to inspire community and well-being through compassion for animals. This award tells us we're on the right path, and that means everything.

Here's to many more years of happy pets, grateful pet parents, and the privilege of doing what we love most: caring for your furry family members like they're our own.

With gratitude, wagging tails, and contented purrs...

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The Iva's Place Family

My Therapist Has a Wet Nose

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 16:26:42 GMT

Always Grateful for Their Love & Joy

As pet lovers, I’m sure you’ve all experienced those times in life when you feel your pets are there for you just as much as you are for them. I know I sure have. Even when I was nursing Iva through the end of her journey with cancer, there were moments I just knew she was comforting me in my sadness as equally as I was comforting her. Caring for me, just as I was caring for her. Throughout the years I was blessed to have her in my life, it was always apparent to me that she was my caretaker too.

It’s a different journey with each animal who enters our life experience.

With Josephione, Iva’s Shepherd sister, who passed a mere 8 months after Iva, she helped me through the first years of my sobriety over a decade ago. There was so much joy in her, I simply couldn’t stray from choosing life over allowing my spirit to wither. She was a gift from the Universe, sent to keep me on track and right-minded…keep me living with a full heart.

Before Iva & Josephine, back in my Chicago days, there was Starlight. She was there for me through my 20s and into my 30s, when I was still trying to figure out what the point of it all is…this thing we do called life. I believe Star sent Josephine into my life to help me cope with the loss of her. I met Josie 6 months to the day after Star’s passing and they looked so similar it was almost eerie.

And now I have Miss Maggie May. My precious inheritance from my step-father, with whom I was very close. Technically, Mags is my step-sister…a gift in 2021. That year, I lost Iva, then Keith, then Josie. Maggie was meant to help me cope with those losses and the grief that came with them, and to bring me joy as I began the journey that has become Iva’s Place.

And the cats…the cats know too.

Every animal I’ve been blessed to share companionship throughout life has been able to read my energy, comfort me, and provide for me in the most difficult of times. How lucky we all are to be able to experience these bonds with the animals we love so deeply…truly something special.

As someone who will always be navigating the ups and downs of depression as I walk through life, it is never lost on me how crucial the therapy is that they provide for me. Always bringing me joy, even when I feel I don’t know what the word might mean anymore. Always.

Since I left teaching at Outlook to start Iva’s Place, I am more balanced than I've ever been in my life. Sure, I still have my days - that'll never go away - but I am able to move through them with a grace for myself that wouldn’t be possible were I not caring for all these wonderful little souls.

People often ask how I do it. How can I possibly find it peaceful to be caring for a house full of animals, each with their own quirky personalities, their own special needs…sometimes, a pack as large as 10, in addition to my own fur-kids. It took some time. I’ve made mistakes along the way, as will happen when starting a bold new adventure such as this, but, for the most part, it’s come easy…I wake up surrounded by love and bombarded with joy. I spend my days nurturing that and when all is said and done and the sun goes down, the house is quiet, peaceful, rejuvenated, and vibrating with all the feel-good energy from the day. I couldn’t ask for a better position in life than where I am right now.

Someone recently asked me if I mind spending my holidays “stuck” at home with the animals. Long answer short: NO. I’m not stuck at all. On the contrary, I’m flying high on life…it’s heaven, right here on Earth, right here at Iva's Place. This Christmas, and through the new year, we’ll have a house full of pure heart energy…what more could I ask for?

I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for trusting me to care for your beloved animals. 2023 was our first full year in business and, while I can’t pretend that this beginning has been without its glitches, I can say that I have upheld my promise to honor our core values to the best of my ability: care, commitment, compassion, and community. AND…I get free counseling from your pets every single day. Thank you for that.

So if, like me, you sometimes find yourself in a cloud of uncertainty, unwanted fears, or unwelcome thoughts, or if you happen to be someone who gets a little down over the holiday season, just remember…your therapist has a wet nose.

Merry Christmas, everyone. I wish you and your pets the happiest of holidays and all the love & joy they - and the world - have to offer throughout the coming year.

Thank you for allowing us to provide a home away from home for your precious animals. We couldn’t be more grateful for that gift.

Be well…and enjoy life.

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Hello & Goodbye

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 19:10:48 GMT

In Honor of the Journey

Hello, Knox!

Everyone, meet Knox. This blue-eyed beauty is our very first foster from Al-Van Humane Society, and we could not be more excited. When I began the journey at Iva’s Place, one of my main objectives was to honor the community by helping to find homes for pets in need. It’s one of our 4 core values: Community, Care, Commitment, and Compassion. Now that I’ve gotten my feet wet with our first year under my belt, and the busy summer season is slowing down…it’s time to step up for our community!

So…a little about Knox: He’s just shy of 3 years old and is a mixed-breed pup. If I were to give it a guess, I’d say he’s got some Husky, Shepherd, maybe some Beagle and Staffordshire Terrier ( disclaimer: just guesses! ). We’re not sure, but he’s definitely a handsome little buddy. Knox is a medium sized guy, about 40 lbs., and is neutered, microchipped, and fully vaxxed with preventative maintenance as well. He’s very healthy and in great shape!

Knox wants to STAY in great shape. We think he knows he’s handsome (he really should have an agent, don’t you think?). He likes to maintain his good looks with LOTS of running, and would need a home where that could be honored…he needs an open yard and/or the ability to take frequent trips to the dog park. He likes to party with friends, but is also very good at calming down when it’s time.

We aren’t sure what happened to Knox in his past, but he is a little head-shy, and gets nervous if someone tries to pet him from above. He has been known to nip, but not so badly that he breaks skin or causes injury. For this reason, he would be best in a home with older or no kids. He warms up to humans pretty well, but adjusts more quickly with women than men.

When it comes to meeting new animals, Knox is very good and would do well in a multi-pet household. With Canine friends, he is accepting of boundaries when others don’t want to play; he plays rough, but stays safe; his name recognition during play is excellent; he listens to instructions, and he corrects very quickly if his need to play becomes overwhelming to others in the pack. He is also quite good at knowing his own limits and does not need to be forced to take breaks; he knows when to slow down on his own.

When it comes to cats, he takes some warming up, but gets along well, and actually quite likes them. He does have a bit of a prey drive, so he will turn into a cat-chaser outdoors, but not so much that I need to worry about keeping our house cats inside. They’ve been able to maintain their preference for the outdoors whenever they feel the need for an adventure, regardless of Knox’s presence in the yard.

Lastly…he’s an independent spirit. Knox is not too much of a cuddler with humans or with animals. He likes his space. At Iva’s Place, he prefers to rest and sleep in his own chair and likes the one facing the window so he can make sure we’re all safe. He is not much of a barker, though, so you know to pay attention when he becomes vocal.

That’s Knox! If you’re interested in meeting Knox in the hopes of becoming his human, head to Al-Van’s website to fill out an adoption request. He’s going to make a wonderful companion for just the right person.

~~~~~~~~

Goodbye, sweet Adelaide.

Everyone, meet Addie. Addie was a blessing in the lives of our Iva’s Place family…always full of joy, always playful. Adelaide was a Bernese Mountain Dog, from Chicago, and after a happy life with her humans, she crossed the rainbow bridge this past August. Miss Adelaide succumbed to the difficulties of bone cancer. I trust that, wherever she is now, wherever we go…her soul is free from the earthly constraints of pain, and she is running through fields of flowers. Her spirit will live on in our hearts, as they always do, and we wish peace and love to her family - Ryan & his son, Liam.

Before we even opened our doors, I knew I wanted to honor the lives of the pets we’ve been so blessed to care for when their time came to leave us. I certainly hoped it would not happen so soon after establishing ourselves, but such is life. For Adelaide, as we will do for every Iva’s Place pet, we have planted a tree. Ryan chose a white dogwood. Adelaide’s dogwood is planted right by our front gate, for everyone to admire during the spring bloom.

While we certainly hope we won’t be planting another any time soon, we are ready when the time comes. We are happy to honor your pet’s memory with new life at Iva’s Place.

Adelaide…we’ll miss your playful spirit. Thank you for being a part of our world, sweet girl.

~~~~~~~~~

Til next time…

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Saving Pets Through Democracy

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 14:37:13 GMT

...for the ones without a voice

Hello friends, get your activist hats out, we have an opportunity to be a part of Democracy!

We are lucky to have State Representatives in Michigan working for animal rights as we speak. There are 3 actions moving forward in Michigan politics that can directly impact animal welfare and provide protections through legislation. We have a bill pending in the senate to amend legislation dating back to 1969, regarding industry regulations in animal research. We have a bill pending forward movement in the House to ban cat declawing in Michigan. We also have a petition effort to include an animal welfare vote on the 2024 ballot.

First, let’s talk about SB 149, introduced by Kevin Hertel , from District 12. This Senate Bill would call for the amendment of language & strengthening of penalties in an existing bill regarding regulating animal treatment in the research industry. Specifically: delivery, transport, boarding, buying, or selling cats and dogs for research, requiring attempts at homing before euthanization, as well as an obligation to submit annual reporting.

While this has a healthy amount of bipartisan support in the legislature, it is not a top-of-mind piece of legislation, and is still awaiting action. It has been referred to the Senate floor, but has not yet seen the House. We are heading into the final week of this legislative session before representatives are on break. While SB 149 IS scheduled to see the light of legislative day this coming week, so is the State Budget, which is...kind of important too. The Senator’s office said if we’d like to see it pass on schedule with the budget, in this legislative session, we have to step up! Like…stat!

You can read all about SB 149 here . Please call your local state representatives and voice your support. Urge them to think about how important this is in the fight for animal welfare, and let them know you’d like to see it move out of committee, and enacted into law, on schedule, right away, before the end of this session. Don't forget to say please. :)

Next up, we’ve got House Bill 4674 pending in the Agricultural Committee. This one was introduced by Representative Jimmie Wilson Jr. , of the 32nd District and would enact a law to protect our cats by making it illegal to declaw in the state of Michigan. We have an opportunity to join New York and Maryland and become the 3rd state in the nation to enact this into law. This one is not slated for this session but it needs our voices, as it has failed to pass when introduced in the past. Let’s call our representatives and get it done! You can read more about HB 4674 here . I urge you to make a 2nd call, or a 2nd email, to those same representatives, voicing your support for this bill as well.

I spoke with The Constituent Services Director from 8th District Representative, Mallory McMorrow ’s office - one of the co-sponsors of SB 149 - and received helpful guidance on how to get our voices heard loud and clear:

1) Call or email both your House & Senate Representatives. If you are unsure who yours are, you can find out for the House here and the Senate here .

2) Whether you are emailing or leaving a message, share your full name, full address, the Bill #, and - *most importantly*(!!) - WHY it’s important to you. If you are sending an email to your Representatives, be sure the subject reads: “SUPPORT FOR SB 149” or “SUPPORT FOR HB 4674”, depending on which you are advocating for.

Last, but certainly not least, there is a push underway to get a ballot initiative on the 2024 ticket, and it’s a GOOD ONE! MI would like the people to decide whether we should create a registry database of animal abusers to prevent them from owning and abusing animals in the future. This will be a much needed protection to lessen animal abuse instances in our communities. The initiative is Protect MI Pet - and you can get involved! Visit their website to find out how you can pitch in and help.

Let us please use our voices to help animals who have none. Consider taking a few moments out of your day to step up for the animals who need us most.

Thank you! I wish everyone a lovely start to the summer…we will see you soon!

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K-Nine Love

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 13:35:12 GMT

One of my favorite aspects, by far, of having a career in the pet-care sector is the joy that comes with it. I catch myself smiling on the regular. Whether I’m putting together a movie for a guest’s pick-up the next day, or sending photo updates to pet parents, or just sitting with the pack at meal time…it all brings me undeniable joy; brings me peace. I know many of you feel the same about your pets and also have a deep understanding of the spiritual fulfillment they can add to our lives. This is why we put so much effort into caring for them as we do.

We want to give them the best of everything so they can stay with us for as long as the laws of nature will allow. It’s why we want them to feel comfortable, even in our absence, especially with nervous rescues and anxious pups. And it’s why we want to choose a groomer who’s knowledgeable beyond just the skill it requires to do such a job. We want a groomer who’s compassionate to the individual needs of each animal. Don’t we? I sure do. So, you can imagine my excitement to learn of the grand opening of our new local pet-care business, K-Nine Pet Grooming.

I had the pleasure of visiting the new space, right in the heart of Fennville, for their ribbon cutting. It’s warm and welcoming, with an authentic energy, a rustic feel, and an open receiving area…plenty of room for guests to sniff around and get comfy when they arrive. The groom room is spacious and equipped with 2 comfortable work spaces - a welcome upgrade for the humans in charge of the operation, who previously shared a smaller, home-based grooming space. I couldn’t visit a new business that serves the pups in our community without making new friends with humans too. I was eager to introduce myself and schedule a groom.

Tammy Moeller and Olivia Reynolds are the resident groomers, and both are excited to be bringing their expertise to our community in the new storefront space downtown.

I had the opportunity to sit and chat with Liv for a while - she did the groom for our Miss Maggie May. We hit it off right away as we shared stories and found similarities in our separate journeys. She has a calm demeanor and a gentle energy around the dogs she works with. Maggie gets VERY nervous with new humans and Liv had her calm in no time. So much so that Maggie May allowed me to exit the building without assaulting the ears of every human within a five mile radius. She just…let me leave. Amazing.

While Liv is a native Michigander, she spent some time living in NY, and trained to be a professional groomer for several months in Albany. She had been crafting her beginnings at various grooming establishments and recently found herself back here on her SW MI stomping ground. Upon her return, it just so happened (I love this part of the story) that Liv’s mother’s best friend from high school, Tammy, had an in-home grooming business and needed some help. Well, isn’t that just meant to be?

While in Albany, Olivia learned everything from grooming, to pet health, to pet behavior, and is eager for this opportunity to work with Tammy at K-Nine. She works 1 on 1 with each dog, taking only 1 client at a time - no running back and forth between grooming tables. Each client gets her undivided attention for as long as they are with her, which I LOVE…I know Mags would get nervous if her groomer had to walk away for too long. Liv also loves to share her knowledge of any tips and habits that can improve the overall health of your dog. Maggie May enjoyed a blueberry facial and we learned about all the benefits of such a fancy ordeal. Canine tested, Maggie approved.

I was grateful to be able to chat with Tammy over the phone and am excited to get to know her as well. She also brings a wealth of knowledge to the field, with 23 years of experience, and has been serving our local pet community from the very start, bathing pups back in the ‘90s in the Douglas area. Eventually, she started grooming on her own, and her home-business evolved while she spent her days driving a school bus for Fennville Public - she’s served our community in more ways than one!

Since she said goodbye to the kids at school, Tammy has spent the years growing the grooming business and eventually needed help. Enter Olivia! Perfect timing. When Liv returned to Michigan and started working with Tammy, the need for more space became apparent. As is the way when things are meant to be, everything fell into place, and here we are.

Throughout each of these conversations, besides our shared love and compassion for animals, the common thread we kept coming back to was community. For Tammy, it’s about providing for the community she’s called home since the age of 4. For Liv, it’s about returning to her roots and finding a new place for herself in the first town she ever called home. For me, as a Michigander transplant, it’s about settling my roots. All three of us are excited to make more community connections as we begin our respective journeys in the local industry. And I’m grateful Maggie May officially has a stylist…as any Princess ought.

Check them out! Get your pups a groom! To schedule directly with Olivia, call 269.270.7066. To schedule directly with Tammy, visit the booking site or call 616.212.4824. Follow their facebook page , and you'll get to see their work - lots of cute photos. :)

Speaking of photos...fun stuff coming up! Iva’s Place is excited to be a part of The South Haven Tribune & Herald Palladium’s pet photo contest, “Most Pawpular Smile”. There will be prizes from Iva’s Place, Decadent Dogs, and Fluff ‘N Suds. You'll be able to enter your photos for the running here from March 27 through April 2, voting begins April 3, and the winners will be chosen April 10. We hope you're able to participate!

Might want to try and squeeze in a groom before you start taking those photos. ;)

‘Til next time, take care, friends…

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Let Them Show Us The Way

Sun, 29 Jan 2023 23:04:32 GMT

There are many reasons why I've grown to have an infinite well of love and gratitude for animals. Least among them, the pure joy they add to our lives. I try my best to live in the now, and animals keep me grounded in that way. They keep my mind from dwelling on uncontrollable issues outside of the present moment, and keep it, instead, focused on the simpler things in life.

There's a lot going on in the world. It can be overwhelming, and that stress reaches its tentacles into our bodies, minds, and hearts…even our DNA, arguably. The more I evolve, the more I realize how much healing there is in a single moment.

Listening to a chirping bird.

Decoding the pupil dilation of a cautious cat.

Breathing in rhythm with a sleeping dog.

Observing a friendly hen, her not-so-friendly rooster observing me.

Here. Now. Peace.

Communing with other animals, human or otherwise…it’s our lifeline. Making connections ensures we stay authentic and honest in who we are and in the energy we contribute to the world.

In the process of figuring out what has become Iva’s Place, I was led back to some introspective questions regarding the pursuit of a fulfilling livelihood. I read it somewhere years ago, and it's always stuck with me:

What brings you the most joy in life?
How can you share that in service to your community?

I didn’t need to encourage myself to think on this. The answers were the simplest to ever surface. Iva’s Place is a direct result of my gut responses to those questions and the journey has been nothing short of amazing.

I’m a bit of a hermit, so, initially, I thought this would be a perfect way to hide in my cozy little nest, caring for all these animals. Turns out, though, starting a business requires getting to know LOTS of other humans and I’m getting to know some pretty wonderful ones. Community has been unfolding around Iva's Place since day 1, and we are 100% here for it.

It's in the heart of our mission statement:

“We aim to inspire community and well-being through compassion for animals.”

There are many ways in which I believe we can foster this mission and I look forward to learning how to implement, build, and evolve. 2023 is our first official full year in business and there is so much possibility in front of us. We look forward to continuing to share our growth with you as we make our place here in Southwest Michigan. Thank you for being here with us!

Oh, hey, since we’re talking about community(��)...there are dog parades coming to South Haven. Have you heard? Yes. Dog parades. Because life is too short to go without dog parades.

Laurel Oaks of South Haven, a new Senior Living and Memory Care Center, has a whole bunch of folks who are excited to meet dogs. They will be hosting monthly dog parades starting THIS TUESDAY, January 31 at 10:30am. What a wonderful idea they're giving life to! You can find out more about how and when you can participate here . Much gratitude to Decadent Dogs for keeping us informed of such wonderful events! If you have not stopped in yet, check out their new space at 523 Phoenix street in South Haven - it's amazing! Congratulations to Roxanne and the wonderful team at Decadent Dogs...your new home is beautiful.

Lastly, on community...a big thank you to those of you who have taken a moment to give us a google review. It’s a huge help when people have input from other community members’ experiences to give them a sense for what we do here. People don’t know until they know! That being said, please help us spread the word as we continue our journey. If your dogs and cats have vacationed with us but you have not yet had an opportunity to review us, please feel free to do so here . Help us let our community know! :)

That’s all for now folks.

Remember: when the world seems overwhelming, let them show us the way.

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The Little Things...

tl@ivasplacemi.com (TL Sellers) — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 18:42:44 GMT

In the morning I sit, Freckle nestled beside me in the big ol’ comfy corner chair. He needs a little extra care this stay - he’s got an injured paw. He's a cuddle bug of love and I can't help but be comforted with him laying by my side.

Bernie is snoring on the couch, Tex is lying on the dog bed next to my chair, Chuy is in the Papazan, and Maggie May…she’s here somewhere. Sleeping. It’s the wee hours, Thanksgiving morning.

There is so much to be grateful for.

I hear Kidd, our cat guest, talking to me from his penthouse suite. He gets his own room until he feels safe and comfortable enough to come out and join the rest of the pack. I think he’s almost ready. I rouse Freckle so I can go give Kidd some love and see if he wants to join us…

…

...

He’s not ready. He will be tomorrow.

By the time I return to the living room, Bernie’s up - he and Freckle are having a full blown party. It’s 5:15 am. They make me smile and my heart fills completely. What a wonderful way to start the day. I don’t want to wake Chad, so I open the front door, turn on the porch light, and ask them to take it outside.

They willfully oblige.

When I come back to my comfy corner chair, I hear a little bell..

tink,tink,tink…

tinktink…

There she is on the floor beside my chair. Maggie May, scratching at her ear. She’s in her safe spot - for when the big dogs are too much for her - she tucks herself away against the wall between the armchair and the side table.

She’s so darned cute.

I get lost in staring at her and wonder how I get anything done with that Ewok face staring up at me all day long. I reach down, fluff up her red plush blanket, and ease her back to sleep so I can keep working.

Hours pass, report cards are done, movies are made, morning photo updates complete…

Chuy might like a walk. Chuy is a 13-year-old Havanese and he’s a little overwhelmed by all the bigs. He’s most comfortable when I carry him to the door myself so he can bypass the ever-moving maze of dog legs. I carry him gently to the back door and ease him out into the cold. We take a stroll, just he and I, to the back of the property. Chuy prefers his outside time to be peaceful and quiet.

I got you, Chuy. I got you.

Whether it’s Thanksgiving day or just plain old today…every day is Gratitude Day at Iva’s Place.

Throughout my life, in times of need, trouble, or sadness…an animal has been there to comfort me. In times when I have been alone, but full of joy with something to celebrate, an animal has been there to celebrate with me. When I have needed a cuddle, a moment of peace, or a minute of healing…there has been a pet to help me through. If I’m feeling overwhelmed and I just need to center myself, all I have to do is spend two minutes with Maggie.

Even my chickens give me this sense of peace.

Nothing makes me happier than fulfilling this debt of gratitude I have for all the pets who bring us peace and who trust us with their love and with their lives.

I simply can’t go wrong. Gratitude. Every day.

Some things I know:

When Jack is tired he takes himself to bed and requires the pillow on the left side, right next to mine.
Minnie is very nervous and is most comfortable in the safety of the bedroom closet. She’s not the only guest with this preference. I understand. The world can be a scary place. I clear my shoes out and replace them with a dog bed, a blanket, a bone, a pillow, and a toy. She is content.
Merri is like a teenager with a tablet when it comes to any ball. I must collect and hide every ball in the house or Merri will not play with others. Those darned teenpuppers and their tennis balls.
Tex needs to be inside when I go down to feed the chickens as he does NOT like it when I’m on the other side of the fence giving my attention to the chickens.
Freckle is allergic to chicken and Polly loves eggs.
Dude needs wrinkle wipes for his squishy little face, but he hates it, so you’ve got to pretend you are about to do anything in the world besides use a wrinkle wipe on his face or he will run away.
Kidd is afraid of dogs but only for the first couple of days, then he’s ready to come out of the feline penthouse and play.
Necco gets 10 seafood temptation treats each night, but her sister, Pixie, only gets 5. Necco has a thyroid issue and needs a little extra food.
Loli is a bit deaf, a little bit blind, and needs a lot of extra guidance around the house to feel at ease. Loli gets all the attention she wants when she's at Iva's Place.

These are the bits of knowing that bring me joy. This is the level of care I promise to give your pets because these are the things I am grateful for every day.

As we head into the close of 2022, I look forward to reflecting on the year behind us and all the ways I can continue to be of service to our community and to your pets.

Thank you for being on this journey with us. Thank you for trusting us to care for your pets as we do our own. Our first Thanksgiving at Iva’s Place was wonderful: a house full of love, gratitude, and joy...and food.

Looking forward to many years to come, full of the same..

‘Til next time…

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Seasons Change at Iva's Place

tl@ivasplacemi.com (TL Sellers) — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 17:26:10 GMT

SoHa happenings and Iva's Place updates...

Hello, Friends of Iva’s Place! We hope the new season is treating you well.

Autumn has crept up on us and the dogs are welcoming the cooler weather (the cats…not so much). We have been hard at work over here making sure all the cats and dogs - yours and ours - are full of joy and getting plenty of love while they help me build the business. They are my office buddies after all…one must give credit where credit is due! ��

It’s the perfect season for outdoor activities - out in the community, in the woods, on the beaches (Aahhhhh #puremichigan. We love it here.) It’s also the time of year some of us might be inclined to ease off our pets’ flea and tick meds…even though it’s when we should actually be more diligent about those precautions. Did you know that, in Michigan, our flea and tick season lasts all the way through December ? That was news to me! (If you are not a Michigander, you can find your state’s flea and tick season listed here ). We tend to associate this health hazard with the warmer months, but there are plenty of pests to be found in leaf and brush piles where our dogs love to romp and play. It’s also peak time for deer ticks and nobody, pet or human, wants to go through a lyme disease experience, that’s for sure. So make sure you protect your pets and yourselves…stay on top of flea and tick meds this autumn season so they can safely enjoy some fun fall activities!

Speaking of…

…there’s some really exciting autumn-y stuff happening in South Haven and we don’t want to leave our pets out. Two of my favorite SoHa establishments, Decadent Dogs and Al-Van Humane Society, are stepping it up for our pet-loving community this fall:

Al-Van is hosting a carnival on Tuesday, October 18…games, crafts, fortune tellings, movie night (Hocus Pocus!), and food from Smok'n Joe's BBQ food truck. Check out more information about their event here .

AND…

Our favorite local dog boutique, Decadent Dogs, is hosting a scavenger hunt - how fun is that?! All scavenger hunt photos need to be submitted by October 17th, so get your dogs out and get started! You can find out more about their scavenger hunt here .

At Iva’s Place, we have some recent fall developments as well, both on the property and on the web. At the house, we have fenced in a second play area for the dogs in the front - SO EXCITING! It’s everybody’s new favorite thing to sit in the front yard and watch the world go by after a good play session in the back. It also comes in handy if anyone in the pack needs some alone time (Harley feels seen with this statement). That being said, you will notice we have changed the landscape of the drive to accommodate the new play zone - follow the (adorable) doggie flags (from Decadent Dogs!) down the drive to our new drop-off/pick-up gate in the front. It’s our new favorite thing.

Not only are we making leaps and bounds for the dogs at the house, we have also entered the world of social media! We encourage you to like us on Instagram and Facebook to stay up-to-date on all things Iva’s Place. We love what we do and we want to share our joy in as many ways as we can and with as much of the community as we can. Please follow us to stay informed: https://www.instagram.com/ivasplacemi/ , https://m.facebook.com/ivasplacemi / …and please consider reviewing us on Facebook! Don’t do Facebook? That’s cool (neither did I until a few weeks ago)... take a moment to leave us a google review instead! https://g.page/r/CU9Dfx45qfm9EB0/review

In daycare news, we are open to the possibility of doing daycare pick-up and drop-off services for our South Haven clients. There have been several inquiries and we are doing our best to listen to the needs of the community. Stay tuned!

Thank you, friends, for your support. It’s a beautiful beginning and it wouldn’t be possible without all of you and your wonderful pets. We’re excited to see them (and you) soon.

‘Til next time…

��

P.S.

Watch out folks.

My grooming training has begun.

I plan on being very good at it.

Vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate! (your dogs!)

tl@ivasplacemi.com (TL Sellers) — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 15:52:36 GMT

Also...we're officially official!

Hello, Friends of Iva’s Place. We hope you’ve been enjoying the end of the summer season here in our lovely little harbor town. South Haven may be slowing down but Iva's Place is just getting started!

To begin - let’s talk about vaccines. I’m sure some of you have heard we have a dangerous Parvo variant that has been affecting dogs in Northern Michigan. I have been researching and speaking with veterinarians. Here are some facts: 1) We are being diligent in obtaining vaccine information from all of our clients. 2) If your dogs are up to date on their vaccines there is very little need to be concerned . A Parvo vaccine has been given to your dog in their distemper shot - that’s the DAPP, DA2PP, or DPP shot listed in your veterinary records - the P is for Parvo, so your dog will already be protected against this new variant. Here is is an article explaining the various distemper/parvo vaccination anacronyms and their meanings…very helpful! 3) Regardless of vaccination status, veterinarians are recommending that we keep our dogs away from parks and play spaces where there may be unvaccinated guests. 4) At Iva’s Place, we play it safe and will be requiring up-to-date vaccinations for all of our pet guests - daycare as well as overnights.

All that being said, if you are new to us and have just recently signed on for future services, please take a moment to enter your pets’ vaccination information. If it’s more convenient, you can also call your vet and have them e-mail current vaccination information to to tl@ivasplacemi.com . We will not be taking guests without proof of vaccination at Iva’s Place. Worry not.

Here is an informative article from MSU if you’d like to learn more about this dangerous parvo variant so you can share the news with friends and neighbors. They are an excellent, trusted source - MSU vets took care of our Iva with radiation therapy - shout out to the MSU vet team!��

If you would like to educate yourself even further on the topic, here is a broader article for your reference. It’s of utmost importance that we stay aware and informed so we can best protect our pups and our community…let's all do our part to keep our pups safe!

Well, now that we’ve got the scary stuff out of the way, let's move on to our big news at Iva’s Place…we’ve joined the Chamber! Kathy and Brandy have been integral in helping us to get our name out there and we couldn’t be happier with the services they have to offer - what a fantastic community resource, we love you guys! With the help of GB and Paul over at Midwest Family and Cozy FM, the whole community team have set us up with interviews and commercial spots and ads in the paper, not to mention an outpouring of support from our favorite spot - Decadent Dogs! Thank you to all - we are on our way and we are so excited!! (Pinch me… somebody pinch me.)

Now, folks, I thought this was something that only happened in the movies (or maybe in 1942), but The Chamber of Commerce set up an actual ribbon cutting! Thank you so much to everyone who was able to stop by for the occasion. I was so overwhelmed and excited with so many folks showing up to support us, we didn’t even get to show everyone around the entirety of the house and property! I’m truly grateful everyone got to see the place in general, but we are SO excited to invite your dogs into our home, so next time you're ready to head out of town, bring the babies by and you can check out the house and all the acreage together before your stay. We are very much looking forward to it.

Last but not least, Friends of Iva’s Place, you know how, as adults, commonplace, strange, yet highly functional items can give us the greatest sense of joy? Look no further than Iva’s Place’s new Doggie Dooley leeching septic system. IT. IS. AMAZING. Those of you who bring your food to us in plastic bags may have noticed I wash and return them. I am a very earth-conscious individual and I try to carry that into every facet of my endeavors. That being said. My quest to find the perfect, environmentally friendly way to dispose of doggie doo…has culminated in: the Doggie Dooley ! Check it out! So cool! The waste safely leeches into the ground, is easy to install, and is easily maintained with water and enzyme tablets, just like a regular septic system. Added benefit? When things like Parvo variants are going around, our yard stays clean and safe for all dogs and humans alike. Brill-Yant. We installed 2 units. These people need to hire me for a commercial.

That’s all we’ve got for now, Friends! Keep your eyes and ears out for our new ads. And please spread the word! :)

Til next time…

tl,

��

Leader of The Pack

DOGS + GRATITUDE = HEAVEN

tl@ivasplacemi.com (TL Sellers) — Sat, 16 Jul 2022 17:37:42 GMT

You know how, when something is meant to be, it just…unfolds? Well, friends, that’s exactly how this last month has felt. With very little marketing under way, we are already off to a great start.

We have opened up our daycare services and are excited to be inviting a few more guests to our daily dog parties. If you think your dog might need a mini-vaycay for the day - bring ‘em on by! Book a stay! We have a lot of fun over here but if your dog just wants a little quiet company while you're away for the day, we’re here for that too. Our boy, Harley, is the resident President of The Loner’s Club - he’s always accepting new members when we have guests who prefer a calmer environment. Either way - we’ve got a place for your pup!

As far as getting our name out there, we’ve been visiting local communities’ pet hubs and asking small business owners to help us spread the word. A big thanks to those who let us leave our cards for their clientele; we really appreciate it.

In South Haven, we visited the folks at Decadent Dogs - I’ve been frequenting their establishment since I moved to Michigan in 2011 and have been a fan ever since. You can check them out here . There's a wonderful group of people running the store as well - always a bonus. Thank you for your dedication and service to the community, Decadent Dogs! We’re big fans.

We took a trip to Kalamazoo to visit Marissa and Luke at Barks 5th Avenue. Lovely humans! Loved their dog boutique! Check it out here . This cute little spot has a great selection of everything you might need for your pup. Marissa and Luke shared that they followed their hearts and took over the store this past spring - yay for local small business owners who are taking the leap! It’s a scary ride but it sure is worth it. They’re very knowledgeable about the products they offer and they’re just plain old good vibes - I encourage you to stop by and visit. (BONUS: awesome bookstore next door)

The coffee world loves us too! Shout out to Café Julia’s for helping us spread the word. This is a great place to stop by for a latte and a sandwich while your dog is on vacation at Iva’s Place. ;) You can peruse their menu here . They offer baked goods to die for as well if you find yourself with a bit of a sweet tooth...irresistible stuff over there.

Our greatest marketing tool has been simple: being present and authentic in the community while we spread the word about who we are and what we do. Our mission, after all, is “to inspire community and well-being through compassion for animals”. That being said, please help us spread the word! We are relying 100% on good-old-fashioned community support. I firmly believe that true community - the people we run into every day, the people we talk to every day - that’s where our roots are. That’s where home is. Community is where stories are shared and hearts are opened…authentically and in real time. Helping one another in service to our communities is why we are all here. My love for animals informs my service to the community. I hope you’ll consider sharing the news of Iva’s Place with family and friends. We’re excited to add to the pack as we grow.

Lastly, I'd like to give a huge thanks to Mike Kiefer, owner of Great Lakes Signs in South Haven. As you can see from each of the photos, his artistry is superb! We highly recommend working with him if you have a need for his area of expertise. In our efforts to make our home more suitable for this business venture, we’ll be making additional upgrades as we go. We’re currently working on fencing in another acre for an additional doggie playground - ain’t nothin’ wrong with a little more runnin’ room!

Thanks again to all the local business owners who are helping to spread the word. And thank YOU, friends of Iva’s Place, for the same.

Until next time…

Be well,

��

P.S. If you have not already done so, please take a few minutes to fill out our new client registration form here . This is helpful for our records. Whether you’ve already visited us or are just joining us, we want to have as much information as we can about you and your pups. This will better serve you and us in the future, as we hope to add more human animals to our team. :) Thank you in advance!

What happens at Iva’s Place, stays at...

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 16:07:20 GMT

...wait…what DOES happen at Iva’s Place?!

Our schedule is simple here. We play! We sleep, we eat, we love, we play some more, we sleep some more, we eat some more, we love some more...that’s pretty much how it works at Iva’s Place!

Our doors open at 6:00 am, daily. Morning hours for dropping off and picking up are scheduled between 6:00 am and 9:00 am, and evening hours for the same are scheduled between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm. From 9:00 – 4 :00 we are at the will of the pack, busy giving guest tours, doing doggie photo shoots (we send you lots of photo updates!), or we may even be out on an excursion, so we try and refrain from drop-offs and pick-ups during these hours. If it’s necessary for you to drop off or pick up outside of our designated time windows for such, we make ourselves available 24 hours a day to schedule according to your needs – there is a $30 convenience fee for this service. Between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm, 7 days a week, we offer appointments for meet-and-greet dog parties and walk-throughs of the property. You can contact us here if you’d like to visit the resort and introduce your pup to the pack, we’d love to meet you!

We prefer to start our relationships off with these pack parties whenever possible and encourage you to make an appointment to bring your pup ahead of time for a play session - it’s always best to make sure everyone gets along. If you’re from out of town and don’t have the opportunity to stop by beforehand, don’t worry, we can talk through everything over the phone, zoom…whatever you prefer. We’re also happy to set up personal virtual tours for travelers who are interested in Iva’s Place but are unable to visit prior to their pup’s stay - just say the word! We try and keep the cats as comfortable as possible; dog parties help us make sure everyone is compatible. Mable (household feline matriarch), our intake coordinator, generally does the interviews and then sends the dogs off to play. If your pup doesn’t get along with cats, worry not – we have saferooms in the house and the cats can enjoy their outside time on the other side of the fence, so they have all the dog-free space they need.

If you happen to have a dog who prefers to be alone, that’s fine too. Our dog, Harley oversees The Loner’s Club and he’s always welcoming new members. We’re skilled at keeping it tame for guests who require some peace and quiet. We’ve cared for dogs with imparities such as blindness and hearing loss and we frequently have older visitors at the resort who prefer a more chill environment…we can do chill too. We even have experience nursing dogs and cats comfortably through recovery after surgeries – everyone has a place at Iva’s Place.

Lastly, you may be wondering: “Doesn’t it get crazy in there?!” Yes, sometimes it does, I’m not going to lie! But we wouldn’t have it any other way. Your pets bringing their joy into our home is exactly why we started Iva’s Place…the joy is the whole point, so bring on the crazy! We don’t mess around with our pack leader role either, so by 6:00 pm it’s time to settle down. The whole pack follows our energy quite well, it’s rarely a challenge; this is why we prefer to have our drop-offs and pick-ups done for the day by 6:00pm. After dinner, the pack has got to rest up for tomorrow’s day of play.

By evening, we are settled in. This is the best part…fur-baby cuddles! We’re really good at tiring dogs out and we are not kidding when we say your pets live in our home as if they were our own. At the end of the day everybody picks a spot…human bed, dog bed, couch, armchair, papasan…everything’s game, and the only time we crate your dog is if you tell us to crate your dog. That’s a promise.

So, that’s how we operate! Please feel free to reach out; if you have any questions, we’re here to help. Iva’s Place was a dream come true for Iva (you can read her story here ) and now, a dream come true for us. We would love to keep you posted as we build relationships in the community and begin our journey into the world of dog care enthusiasts, we’re excited! Go ahead and subscribe below to become a friend of Iva’s Place. We look forward to keeping you posted…

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

Fri, 10 Jun 2022 15:50:17 GMT

canine paradise. cats allowed.

Hello and welcome to Iva’s Place!

We are Southwest Michigan’s newest premier pet resort. Our dreams are unfolding as we enter our first summer season. We are beyond thrilled to be joining Michigan’s family-owned small businesses with our very own compassion-focused, community-driven, in-home dog boarding facility. Whether you’re traveling through, traveling to, or just need a place for your pup to play…we’re excited to meet you.

Iva’s Place is located at our home in the woods. We keep it simple. We prefer to take care of your pets as if they were our own. They stay with us, play with us, eat with us, sleep with us…you get the picture. We have a pack of our own (2 dogs and 3 cats, you can read more about them here) , and lots of land for them to share with new friends. Our property has ample fenced-in acreage for your pets to play safely outside and plenty of space indoors for rainy days and evenings. Contact us here if you’d like to come by, meet the pack, and see the property; we’re available for walk-throughs, by appointment, 7 days a week, 9 am - 4 pm.

The seed for Iva’s Place was planted in the spring of ’21. As a local teacher, I had never been blessed with so much time at home with our animals before the coronavirus pandemic began. When we first learned our rescue, Iva, was ailing from cancer in the spring of 2020 - in those first few weeks of schools shutting down - I was grateful for the time at home to be able to care for her. (You can read more about Iva’s story here .) She was divine.) Once I was afforded the opportunity to stay home with Iva and the rest of our animals, albeit under devastating circumstances, I experienced a shift in my personal well-being that could not be ignored. Animals and nature keep me in the here-and-now more than anything and I began to come into a balance with myself I had never before experienced. I wanted more of that.

Well, we already live in the middle of the woods and my partner, Chad, is not really cool with adopting another 50-or-so dogs…so I thought I’d start a business. My time nursing Iva through chondrosarcoma – the whole of my experience with her as a soul, actually - opened a well of compassion in me that I simply need to share…with other animals as well as with the community.

As with most things that are in divine order of alignment, everything just…happened. My 3-year plan worked itself out in less than a year, I have said my tearful goodbyes to the kids at school, and Iva’s Place LLC is ready to go. Our mission: we aim to inspire community and well-being through compassion for animals. Our core values: Compassion, Care, Community, & Commitment. We feel we are being blessed from beyond with this gift of Iva’s Place…come join us.

Subscribe below to become a friend of Iva’s Place, we would love to keep you informed as we wade through these waters and build our relationships within the community. I will be using our news page to keep pet parents and the community up-to date on Iva’s Place activities and future partnerships. Let us know what else you’d like to hear about! We want to be as helpful and informative as possible…please contact us or share your thoughts in the comments section below.

And don’t forget your flea and tick meds! ‘Tis the season!

Until next time…

MEET THE SUMMER PACK!

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 16:15:05 GMT

This is Bodhi. He's the best.

We’ve got three canine troublemakers in the house this summer and they’re ready for players!

Maggie May and Harley have agreed to allow our friend, Bodhi, to stay for the summer, so we have a temporary, long-term addition to our pack. Bodhi is our dog-nephew; his parents are on vacation with our human-nephew, so we’re excited to welcome him to the family for a while. Bodhi is a care-free, 3.5-year-old, well-socialized Weimaraner who loves dog yoga, taking humans for walks, and amateur yodeling. Bodhi is a sweetheart; our guests will surely enjoy his company.

Of course, we have Harley and Maggie May – the home team. If you haven’t met these two, you’re in for a treat. They couldn’t be more different, but they’re great pals and Maggie May’s idolization of Big Brother, Harley, is adorable to witness. These two both come with a heads-up...

Harley, our 10-year-old Pit-Lab mix sounds as if he wants to eat you and your dog upon first meeting (and second, and third…). He’s not going to eat you, though, we swear. He simply gets so excited he doesn’t know what to do with himself and he hasn’t an inkling how ferocious he sounds when he says hello. He has the voice of Cujo with the disposition of Snoopy. We love his oddities. Harley also has major codependency issues and enjoys spending his days at the office with Dad. It makes his heart happy, so we oblige. If he’s not heading to town with Dad, Harley spends his time waiting by the window for Dad to return home, and that’s okay. There are days he will want to play. He’s a bit of a loner and we respect that.

Then there’s Maggie May…oh, my goodness, she’s a hoot! Maggie is a Havanese mix who came to us last September (a surprise addition to the family!) when we learned her Poppa, my stepdad, passed away. Her official moniker is “Princess Maggie May of the Kingdom of Keith”. We miss Keith tremendously, he was an amazing human, but we couldn’t be more grateful to him for leaving us Maggie to remember him by. She’s a bundle of joy…she also comes with a heads-up: PLUG YOUR EARS! Maggie May weighs about 5 lbs. sopping wet, so it's ultra-important to her that everyone knows she’s in charge (ummmm, not really. Mable is definitely in charge). Depending on the guest and the day, it can take Miss Maggie May anywhere from 10 minutes to 2 hours to stop yelling at a visitor or a new guest – canine, human, feline…doesn’t matter. She’s got a thing. She needs some time. Again…we oblige.

We do love them so.

The cats are here lounging in the summer sun as well, and everybody’s ready for our first season at Iva’s Place. Harley, Maggie May, and Bodhi are excited to meet you.

Book a stay here .