The answer is surprisingly simple. Over the years, I've realized that every decision I make while caring for a dog can be traced back to three basic needs.
Eat well. Their bodies deserve good nutrition.
Play often. Their minds and spirits need exploration, movement, and joy.
Love always. More than anything, dogs want to feel safe, connected, and understood.
Everything else — walks, enrichment, routines, training reinforcement, quiet companionship — is simply another expression of those three ideas.
“Eat, Play, Love” isn't just a slogan. It's a reminder that exceptional dog care isn't complicated. It's thoughtful. It's consistent. And it's rooted in understanding what dogs have been teaching us all along.
One trusted caregiver. Consistent routines. Personalized attention. Thoughtful communication. Everything else is simply another expression of that belief.
Relationship
Routine
Trust
Peace of Mind
anyone can watch a dog
WE CARE for ONE
Watching is about presence. Caring is about attention.
It's recognizing that every dog communicates in ways beyond barking or wagging a tail. Through posture. Through pace. Through appetite. Through curiosity. Through quiet moments that most people never notice.
The Boulder Puppy Difference
Because your dogdeserves more than a sitter.
They deserve someone they know, trust, and look forward to seeing.
Boulder Puppy
Relationship First Care
Designed around your dog — and around you.
✓One trusted caregiver — not a rotating roster.
✓Tailored routines that feel like home.
✓Fear-free, relationship-centered approach.
✓Concierge-level communication — photos, notes, updates.
✓Safety-first care and professional standards.
Conventional Options
Traditional pet care
Designed for convenience — not lasting relationships.
✕Multiple unfamiliar caregivers
✕Transaction-based bookings
✕Generic care routines
✕Inconsistent communication
Dog Bespoke
Designed aroundYou & yourDog
Relationship-first care thoughtfully tailored to your dog's routine, personality, and every stage of life.
Extended care from $75 / night · walks from $45 · visits from $35 · additional dogs from the same family $25 · complimentary Boulder pick-up & drop-off · open 365 days a year.
Relationships built on TRUST.
Trusted by families throughout Boulder.
30 years of experience
While You’re Away
You’ll hearfromus.
The hardest part of leaving isn’t the leaving. It’s the not knowing. So we tell you — unprompted, the same way we’d want to be told.
Long one this morning — all the way up the ditch trail. This is how he came back. Ate everything. Hasn’t moved since.
Tuesday · 2:14pm
An example of a daily update
Every day, without asking
A photo and a few lines — what they ate, where they walked, how they slept. Not a form letter. The actual day.
Straight away if it matters
A limp, a skipped meal, a change in mood. You hear it from us first, while it’s still small.
Whenever you want
Text or call and you’ll get an answer, not an inbox. If you’d rather hear nothing and simply enjoy your trip, that’s a fine choice too — just say so.
Our Story
Origin Story
Picture it. A little boy in Buffalo, Wyoming.
Buffalo, Wyoming. The family — and Bartholomew.
ong before Boulder Puppy, there was Bartholomew. He was an Old English Sheepdog — or “Barley” as we called him — and my first true best friend. Quietly loyal. Constantly watchful. Always nearby. He was the beginning of a lifelong love affair with dogs.
Around that same time, my favorite book was Dogs, Dogs, Dogs. The pages were so well loved they were literally dog-eared. I studied every breed, but one photograph stopped me every single time: a man standing beside the world's tallest dog, an Irish Wolfhound towering over six feet on his hind legs. I was captivated. One day, I promised myself, I'd have one.
Like many childhood dreams, that one simply waited patiently.
Hunter today, with the goldens
Growing up, my mother was an unapologetic Anglophile. Everything British fascinated her — from a pen pal she corresponded with for more than sixty years to the names we gave our dogs. Moby. Nigel. Remington. Oliver. Linus. Brooklyn (which enjoyed a surge after power couple David and Victoria Beckham named their first son Brooklyn). And today: Pandora — “Pandy” for short.
The gentle giants
The Irish Wolfhound may still be in my future, although I've found myself captivated for the past fifteen years by the gentle giant: the English Mastiff.
Fast forward a thousand years — or at least it feels that way — and my home has become a revolving door of wagging tails, muddy paws, and joyful reunions. Dogs don't just visit my house; they become part of it. I often joke that I have a steady stream of furry suitors arriving at my door.
So… what's love got to do with it? Everything!
Boulder Puppy was never simply about dog walking or pet sitting. It's about creating the kind of place I wanted for Barley all those years ago — a home where dogs are known, understood, celebrated, and loved as the remarkable individuals they are.
Every dog who crosses that threshold becomes part of that story.
The Boulder Puppy van. Where most days start.
Hunter Margolf
Founder, Boulder Puppy
The Pack
FriendsNOTClients
Many of our friends have been coming back for years — vacation buddies who know each other, and the kind words of the people who love them.
Scroll to meet the whole pack ↔
Moby again
Snow camouflage. Fooling nobody.
Moby
Resident lifeguard, off duty.
Buddy
Always first to say hello.
Louie
Travels with his own linens.
Wolfy
Snow days are the best days.
Tinker Bell
Never far from her entourage.
Kicking back
Down-time, enthusiastically observed.
Rocky
Dressed for the occasion.
Warty
Small dog. Big presence.
The lion
Costume season is taken seriously.
Snow day
Every single time.
Word of Mouth
Kind words from FOLKS
Still typed. Still true.
I've trusted Boulder Puppy and Hunter with my dogs for six years, and I can't recommend them enough. Hunter is professional, caring, and always goes the extra mile. He helped my dog recover after a fire, offering support, training, and plenty of love. Communication is excellent, with daily updates if you want them. Whether it's walks, overnight care, or last-minute changes, Hunter is always flexible and reliable. My dog adores him, and so do I.
Sue R.
Hunter has cared for my dogs for 35 years, and I wouldn't trust anyone else. He gives every dog love, attention, and adventure, whether it's hikes or cuddles. He's helped with training and behavioral issues, and always goes above and beyond. He's responsive, flexible, and my dogs genuinely look forward to seeing him.
Pamela P.
Hunter has been part of our lives for over 35 years. He's more than a pet sitter — he's family. He understands my pets' personalities, routines, and health needs, making every visit positive and personal. I trust him completely with my pets and home. If you want someone who truly cares, Hunter is the one.
Karen W.
From the Fridge Door
Snapshotskept theold-fashioned way
Every friend leaves a little something behind — a photo for the fridge, a story for the journal, a spot in the pack.
lost.The elves report for duty.Fierce. Allegedly.Rocky, dressed for the occasion.
Boulder Puppy Paw-tnerships
We keep good company.
A friendly relationship with Boulder's Natural Animal, favorite trails and groomers — and sustainable partnerships with like-minded Boulder businesses.
The answer is surprisingly simple. Over the years, I've realized that every decision I make while caring for a dog can be traced back to three basic needs.
Read the whole story →
Eat well. Their bodies deserve good nutrition.
Play often. Their minds and spirits need exploration, movement, and joy.
Love always. More than anything, dogs want to feel safe, connected, and understood.
Everything else — walks, enrichment, routines, training reinforcement, quiet companionship — is simply another expression of those three ideas.
“Eat, Play, Love” isn't just a slogan. It's a reminder that exceptional dog care isn't complicated. It's thoughtful. It's consistent. And it's rooted in understanding what dogs have been teaching us all along.
The Journal
Notes on Dogs, Homes&Boulder Living
Not a blog — a journal. Where thoughtful dog care meets interior design, wellness, and the Boulder lifestyle.
Coming soon — Travel Better Together, Dog-Friendly Interiors, How Dogs Reduce Stress — and more.
Good to Know
Beforethefirst visit
What should we bring?
Your travel itinerary, your dog's food, any paperwork, and a secure leash and collar (no flexi-leads, please). We provide beds, crates, and toys — all shared, all comfy.
What does a day look like?
A calm rotation of leashed walks, off-leash play, meals, and genuine down-time. Over-tired dogs lose their manners — just like kids — so rest is built in.
Who exactly cares for my dog?
My partner of a thousand years and I are the primary caregivers — and if I can't be there, he is. Never a rotating roster.
If something ever happens
The honest answer, after 30 years: we treat your dog exactly as we'd treat our own — and that judgment call is ours to make, made carefully. We're Pet First-Aid certified for everyday matters; for anything more, several 24-hour hospitals are minutes away, including CASE Animal Hospital. Veterinary bills remain the owner's responsibility, and you'll hear from us right away.
Medications & veterinary care
Let us know 72 hours before drop-off what medications your dog takes and why. Our longtime vet now runs her own practice, Boulder's Natural Animal — and for around-the-clock needs we're near several 24-hour facilities.
Licensing & insurance
Thirty years of trusted, word-of-mouth care—now as a Colorado PACFA-licensed and insured pet handler. No employees, no rotating strangers, just providing the personal, dependable care your dog deserves.
Who isn't a fit?
Very few dogs, honestly. Intact males over six months can be a challenge — but manageable. Reactive dogs often settle here: dogs are pack-social beings, and calm group energy tends to bring them into a quieter mind. And when the pack isn't the right fit, at-your-home pet sitting is the better option — which we offer.
How do you curate the pack?
By allowing dogs to acclimate naturally into a pack, they tend to be very accepting. They may not all interact or be best mates forever, but they habituate and maintain an equilibrium among one another.
How far ahead should we book?
We always appreciate advance notice — holidays especially. Occasionally there's an overlap; we're adaptive, and it's always manageable.
Will Pandy greet us?
Eventually — she'll greet and play. Ever notice how, at the vet, the protective owner gets left in the exam room? Dogs genuinely bond with the person they're with — vet tech, groomer, caretaker — and settle in faster than we expect.
Vaccinations & temperament
Dogs should be current on all vaccinations, and every friend must be people- and dog-friendly, so the whole pack stays happy.
Cancellations
Cancel 72 hours in advance to avoid a charge (otherwise half the visit). Holiday periods need 14 days' notice, or the full visit applies. A $10 per-dog surcharge applies on observed holidays.
The meet & greet
Always — and we come to you. We'll meet your dog at home and learn their routine, so their first visit feels familiar from the first minute.
Plan a Visit
We'dLOVEto meetyou both
Spots are limited on purpose. The sooner you say hello, the better we can hold your dates.
01
Say hello
Tell us your dates and your dog. We'll set up a meet & greet — we come to you.
02
Enroll your dog
One form per dog, so we know their routine, their likes, and their people.
03
Sign the waiver
A quick liability waiver and proof of vaccinations before the first visit.
04
Settle in & relax
Share your itinerary to confirm. Complimentary pick-up & drop-off in Boulder.
Start the enrollment formTakes about ten minutes — one per dog
ong before Boulder Puppy, there was Bartholomew. He was an Old English Sheepdog — or “Barley” as we called him — and my first true best friend. Quietly loyal. Constantly watchful. Always nearby. He was the beginning of a lifelong love affair with dogs.
