The next animal to join the horse, gorilla and rooster along East Douglas is . . .

Another animal may be joining the mini menagerie along Douglas that so far includes a menacing gorilla lurking over the Artist at Large Tattoo building at 1125 E. Douglas, a bronze horse atop the Superior Rubber Stamp & Seal building at 2725 E. Douglas and a proud rooster perching at the Donut Whole at 1720 E. Douglas.

But more on the possible new addition to the collection in a minute. First, the business: the Tailwaggers Canine Social Club, which Sean Anderson is opening next month at 133 N. Ohio, which is just east of the QuikTrip at Douglas and Washington.

The business, which is for dogs only, will offer daycare, boarding, baths, nail care and eventually a delivery service to pick up and drop off dogs.

Anderson is halfway through his junior year at Wichita State University, where he’s getting degrees in sociology and anthropology.

“I’ve learned a lot about sociology from watching dogs,” he said. “They’re social animals. You get to see a pack mentality.”

After the end of his first semester, Anderson said he took a part-time job at a similar business for dogs.

“But as long as I’m going to be doing this, I thought I should be doing this for myself.”

This is more of a side venture for him, said Anderson, who plans to go to graduate school.

“I’m not going to conquer the world through doggy day care or anything.”

Anderson owns the business, but his co-workers from the other business, Rachel Halberg and Laura Petry-Lam, are joining him.

“I wouldn’t be able to do this without them.”

Anderson is having a lot of work done at the business.

“I’m having a special concrete pad poured that’s just for dogs,” he said. “We’re trying to build the place from the floor up, literally.”

He said the concrete will help keep dogs’ nails worn down so they won’t need trimmed as often.

Anderson hopes to open in early August, but it may take a little longer. It will take about 10 weeks to build kennels.

Though Anderson describes his business as east of the QuikTrip, he also refers to it as just north of the gorilla.

“I’m thinking of getting a bulldog on my roof to stare down that gorilla.”

Like the kennels, the bulldog likely won’t make an appearance until after the business opens.

Anderson has two dogs himself: Miss Piggy, a French bulldog, and Miss Kitty, a teacup Chihuahua.

“They’re both bad dogs. They probably won’t be at the daycare very often.”

This story was originally published July 20, 2020 at 11:27 AM.