Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
TIPPECANOE - How do a couple from Chicago get to a mini-farm near Tippecanoe?
It's easy, according to Perry and Kathy McCarthy-Olshein. "We bought this place as a weekend retreat and liked it so well, we decided to make it our permanent home."
Since March 8, home has been the five-acre mini-farm between Tippecanoe and Ind. 25 on Ind. 331. The Olsheins were joined by an English Spaniel and a Mastiff-Great Dane mix, and recently added Della (Street), a nine-month- old Weimaraner. The Olsheins were introduced to the Marshall County area by Chicago friends who moved to Donaldson.
Perry owned and operated Perry's Deli, in Chicago's downtown loop, for 22 years. One of the top three lunch spots in Chicago, the deli has been featured in a national Associated Press article, on ABC, CBS, NBC television and in the Chicago Tribune and "Bon Appetit" magazine.
But, Perry said, "'You've got to know when to fold.' I still enjoyed the regimentation of being in the deli at 7:15 a.m. every day, but I knew the enjoyment wouldn't last much longer. Knowing it was the right time was reinforced when I sold the deli to the first person who was interested, and we sold the house to the first people who looked at it."
Perry's pride and joy is Billy, his 1953 John Deere model 60 tractor, even though he knew little about mechanical things, let alone a tractor. When asked by a neighbor, "Where's your grease gun?" Perry didn't have a clue what a grease gun was. Now he has one, knows how to use it and has added a number of other tools to his collection.
The Olsheins' primary business now is the new Castle of the Dogs training and boarding kennel built on their mini-farm. Kathy's credentials as a trainer include: professional groomer, veterinary technician, champion dog breeder, guest lecturer and founder of MarKay Dog Training Inc. in 1984.
Perry picks up and delivers dogs between the farm and Chicago each Tuesday and Wednesday. He said, "I traded in my chef's hat for a tractor and a pooper scooper." He runs the kennel operation, and Kathy runs the training aspects of the business.
In addition to small group classes and private lessons, the Castle offers "Doggie Camp," which provides boarding and training. Training includes basic obedience training as well as behavioral training, Kathy's specialty. Behavioral training addresses problems such as aggression or difficulty relating to other dogs or people.
Steve Jackson, a local trainer, apprenticed under Kathy for four months before becoming an official trainer.
After the two-week Doggie Camp, private in-home follow-up training is conducted in the Chicago area by Elizabeth Georgiou, Kathy's long-time partner. Georgiou also continues to provide group lessons at two locations in Chicago and private training from her home.
The new facility at the farm will accommodate 20 dogs in private indoor and outdoor runs. The outdoor runs are partially covered to allow the dogs to be outside but out of the heat and inclement weather. The facility is adjacent to an outside 5,000-square-foot play area, where the dogs are regularly taken to play in small groups of four to 10 and to learn dog-to-dog skills, dog socializing and other behavior traits.
The grounds outside the play area also are fenced to further ensure that the dogs can't run off. At the present time, the kennel houses: two Labradoodles (Labrador-poodle mix); a full-size white poodle, who is groomed weekly in Chicago; a friendly miniature schnauzer; several other varieties of Labradors; and a couple Portuguese Water Dogs.
In addition to the dog facilities, there's a cattery with two large windows and "cat condos," which are 5-foot tall and provide three levels for cats to perch. The cattery is complete with a "Persian rug." Current residents include three reddish-brown Abyssinians and a silver Bengal.
Although most of the Castle's business still comes from the trips to Chicago, the Olsheins are branching out locally. The first local obedience class is scheduled to start Sept. 1, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The cost for the seven-week class is $85. For more information on the class, the Castle of the Dogs or other training, call 574-498-6262. The Castle is at 20388 Ind. 331, Tippecanoe, 8-1/2 miles south of Bourbon on the east side of Ind. 331.
So, what's next for the former Chicago couple? If you guessed horses, you're right. The Olsheins already have a horse trailer and plan to convert the barn into stables. Perry is especially fond of Appaloosas.
