Wherever Heather Moravec goes, there’s usually a dozen paws pattering right behind her.

As owner of Bainbridge Island Small Dog Resort, she’s used to the chaos that comes with taking on energetic fur babies, whether for a day visit or several weeks. Open daily, Moravec often has a little dog in her shadow no matter where she’s at or what she’s doing.

Formerly a zoologist, Moravec had a deep desire to have daily interactions with animals and she didn’t want to commute far to do it. Several years ago, she joined the staff at the Winslow Animal Clinic as a vet assistant and discovered that clients also needed care for their dogs outside of vet visits.

“I kind of gradually went into dog sitting,” she said. “There was a need for a small dog sitting service.”

With three dogs of her own, a rabbit and a chinchilla, she found herself drawn to pet owners who also had small breeds.

In talking with fellow small dog owners, Moravec realized how difficult it was for the owners to find a reliable pet service.

“I have small dogs, so it seemed like a good fit,” she said.

Cooper, a fluffy Coton De Tulear, was her first puppy client long before she decided to open a business. Around 10 weeks old, his owners, Richard and Susan Beam, could not care for him at their own home after he became so ill. Knowing Moravec from the Winslow Animal Clinic, the couple took her up on an offer to watch him at her home so he didn’t have to stay at the vet’s day and night.

Moravec watched over Cooper for nearly a month, taking care of him and forever melding what the Beams call “a very special bond” between the two. Now three-and-a-half years later, Cooper is a regular at the small dog resort.

His owners said knowing their dog is in a safe environment is one of many reasons they continue dropping him off with Moravec.

“Heather has a passion for all animals and a love of small dogs. Cooper loves going to see Heather and her three small dogs,” said Susan Beam. “It is like going to camp for him.”

Like people, Moravec’s four-legged clients all have different personalities and health issues, and each dog under her care must pass an initial “meet and greet.”

If the test is passed, Moravec moves forward with the owner on booking plans. She learns of any medical issues or concerns and discusses best practices with the owners on getting their pooch to take medicine.

Usually, the dogs she books are between 25 and 30 pounds, and Yorkie mixes seem to be the most common breed she watches, she said.

“They all have little quirks,” she said of the dogs.

“How well they mesh has been a pleasant surprise … The most enjoyable part has been watching the rowdy play times and seeing the shy pups come out of their shell and play with my chihuahuas.”

Depending on the mood of the day’s group, she has to watch where she’s going if she needs to move across the house during a spontaneous “Puppy 500.”

Sometimes, the small dogs surround her, zooming around and dodging her legs and any furniture that may be in their paths. When the dogs get going, she never knows which way they will run.

“When they’re in the right mood, they’ll just do laps. I call it the Puppy 500,” she said. “It’s just hilarious to watch … Just like kids, they romp around and then nap. They go home tired.”

The playful galavants may be in part to a certain duo in the group known to get along quite well.

Cooper’s best friend, Hugo, a fellow Coton De Tulear, also calls Bainbridge Island Small Dog Resort his second home.

Hugo’s owner, Channie Peters, said even if she doesn’t have anywhere to be, she’ll sometimes just drop Hugo off when Cooper is there so the pair can play.

“What anyone wants for their child or pet is for them to be well-cared for and have fun,” Peters said. “I know both are true when Hugo is with Heather. He loves to go and is beside himself with excitement as soon as he recognizes where we’re going. Heather is obviously someone responsible, knowledgeable about dogs, has good judgment and is trustworthy.”

When her house gets loud with barks and howls, Moravec just sits backs and smiles. Back when she started her business in January 2014, she knew it had to be something that would work for her clients and her family. Now, she has an extended family for her own pups and regular clients who she has come to know quite well.

“There’s always animals around,” she said. “I love watching and interacting with the dogs so I maintain a level of fun and enjoyment. It’s only calm when we are resting between play times, meals and toy time. (The) best part is it never feels like work.”

Visit www.bismalldogresort.com for more information.