"Some of us will cut corners on ourselves — but never on our dogs."
Dear Winnie is named after my dog, Winnie, and inspired by her and her sisters. At home, they sleep in beds, claim their favorite spots on the sofa, and live with comfort, routine, and love every single day. I built Dear Winnie because I believe every dog deserves that same feeling, even when they're away from home.
When I looked for a place where my own dogs would feel as comfortable as they do at home, I couldn't find it. So I stopped looking and decided to build it myself.
I wanted something softer. Something calmer and more intentional. A place that didn't feel industrial or overwhelming — that wasn't designed around volume and throughput, but around the individual dog and what they actually need to feel settled and safe.
Dear Winnie was built for dogs like Winnie—and for the people who love them the way I love mine. The kind of people who notice when their dog's routine has been disrupted. Who worry while they're away. Who want more than a safe place—they want a place that feels like home.
"Hi, I'm Mary."
Dogs have been at the center of my life for years. Before opening Dear Winnie, I spent years caring for dogs of every age, size, and personality, learning firsthand what helps them feel safe, settled, and genuinely at home. After moving to Lake Charles, I couldn't find the kind of kennel-free environment I wanted for my own dogs. So I built it. Today, every decision we make at Dear Winnie is guided by one simple question: Would I trust this for Winnie? If the answer isn't yes, we don't do it.
The name above the door isn't a brand decision. It's a dedication. Winnie and her sisters are the reason this place exists — and the standard everything here is measured against.
