I have just come back from the most amazing place - 4 Paws Kingdom Campground.  It is a campground designed for pets and their people. You all have got to go! It is perfect for neurotic dog people like us. It is North Carolina ... it is very much worth the drive. The cabin was perfect. I have a picture of Gracie perched in her usual spot - my pillow. All of the sites are named for dogs. We stayed at Bella's cabin. Most everyone there were in RVs. (Some of them were REALLY big!!!) They even have satellite TV so you can watch NASCAR, Ronnie Lee. There was even a Jeff Gordon fan there. They had all private baths that were about the size of my guest bath - big!
Trouble and Gracie had a ball. Trouble was in heaven in the fenced in pond. He could run and fetch until his heart was content. Gracie ran the perimeter of the pond area trying to get to the ducks until she wore herself out. The play areas for the dogs are safe and secure. (Just ask Gracie - she became the perimeter patrol. She ran the fences looking for birds, lizards, and heaven only knows what else!) If Gracie could not get out of
the pond or play areas to get to the ducks, then no one can! There were no snakes, no ant beds, and of course no alligators. It was perfect!
They have 2 agility fields - one for playing and one for real agility dogs. Bridgett, the lady who owns the campground competes with her corgi and offers classes. There is a rally course and fenced in play areas for big dogs and little dogs. Most everybody brought their dogs to the big play area. The little dogs kept the big ones in check. It was funny to see this little fuzzy dog named Tiffany take off after Trouble just a yapping. Then Lucy, a corgi, kept trying to herd the big dogs as they chased the balls. They have a toy box that Trouble had no problem getting the lid off of. Amazingly, all of the dogs got along. When there was some posturing, Bridgett was there to make sure that they were just playing. We were more paranoid that our
>> > dogs would not get along than she was. Bridgett gives lessons in obedience and helping owners help their dogs. 
The people are so nice. Bidgett's husband, Mike, checks all of the fences and rides his golf cart around to check on everybody multiple times a day. We did not lack for anything. I was one of the first to volunteer for BINGO at the potluck dinner. Charles even won BINGO once! Anyway, we
had a wonderful time. We are going to work on the schedule so that we can make it back in the fall - hopefully for Octoberfest. With Bridgett and Mike being German, they say it is wonderful! Here is the website for 4 paws. It does not do it justice but check it out. You will love it! 

Beautiful, wooded sites. The dogs seemed to enjoy.
Loved the German dinner and the Bingo was great. The number caller told great jokes. Your store area is great and my two labs are still enjoying the home baked dog treats.
We didn't use but thought the dog wash facility was great.
It is clear to see that you love dogs. We got a teeshirt and the artwork and painting on the signs, etc. is awesome.

Meik and Briggit,

Thought you'd like to read about our travels. Had a great time. Sorry you are not closer the Calif.
click on our blogsite,

Hi Brigit Meik Schroeder and Lucy ,I'm so sorry it took so long to email yous and thank yous for such a fun time and letting us stay with yous. We got our slide fixed at the NC RV place, they were such nice people their they did a great job thanks for all your help and letting us stay with yous longer. We will highly recommend any of our friends to your campground, your hospitality and campground are great you can't ask for nicer hosts .I've put up brochures at our vets in Windsor for anyone looking for an enjoyable place to go with their dogs, I know Sam had a great time playing with all his new found friends. Now that we found the proper way of getting their we will surely return to your wonderful, relaxing enjoyable campground. … Thanks again and hope to see yous again. Bonnie & Jim Benson and of course Sampson your big hairy friend. Give Lucy and Schroeder a big smooch from me.

Dear Schroeder, Lucy, and of course Birgit & Meik,

We had a wonderful time. It was the greatest. Your campground was dog heaven. Even our cats enjoyed. Your campsites provided squirrel entertainment for the felines. All of us can't wait to return. It is so nice to go to a campground that everyone shares the same interests. We are all nutty over our dogs and want to give them their own special time. We are planning to return in Oktober.

See all of you then.

Carlito, Missy, Joseph and I had the MOST WONDERFUL TIME!  I have shared your website with three people (one has already looked at it and is very interested). There was something for everyone...pets and humans. I still cannot believe my little Carlito actually swam and fetched a rubber duckie! I am still telling that story to anyone who will listen. Missy had a wonderful time just relaxing in the open fields and fresh air. I am also bragging about the decoupage project and the wonderful Asian cooking class! I will NEVER eat nasty fast-food fried rice any more!!!

You are two extremely talented people with wonderful fur kids. Schroeder and Lucy were particularly gracious to us as well. My husband is not a "dog" person but he had a wonderful time. We have already booked our fall vacation and are very much looking forward to it. Everything was SO CLEAN, too!!!

You guys have truly thought of everything!!! The cabins were so adorable and we can't wait to try the Holiday Rambler in the fall! We can never thank you enough for one of the very BEST vacations we have ever had!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nipper's favorite thing was the cabin porch where she could lay in the shade and watch all of the comings and goings.  (She never stays outside alone at home, but she seemed to feel totally comfortable on the porch by herself.) Dixie liked the park and the hiking trail. Of course Mingus (the black lab) loved every minute at the pond and checking out all the toys in the bin at the park. Rita (human) liked the relaxing atmosphere and she really appreciated the dog-washing facilities. My favorites were the art gallery and the wonderful dog haiku poems posted along the hiking path. We all liked the happy conversations with our friendly hosts and the other campers.

 It looks like you have done a lot of landscape planting recently--the grounds looked terrific. I'm glad you added some trees for shade near the pond.

I liked the multiple hooks on the backs of the shower room doors. (Most homes and hotels/motels neglect this simple amenity and it makes such a positive difference. It is a nice reflection of your thoughtfulness.)

What a great place.  It was so nice to meet campers who were friendly and owners who enjoyed their work creating a great experience.  A place where our dogs could have a great time and we could relax.

Keep up the good work.

Schroeder, We had a safe trip home and wanted to let you know how much fun we had camping with our moms. Meik and Birgit are very nice and the park is great. Keep up the good work -- Hope Lucy gets well soon.

The amenities were the best we have ever seen at a campground. The restrooms were cleaner than some nice hotels we have stayed at.
Your campground is a real class act. 

Hey Schroeder!
Good to hear from you!  I wanted to tell you that I had a wonderful time last weekend at your campground. It's an AWESOME place. My Mom and Dad told me that we would definitely be back and will bring my brothers Harley and Porter too.
I was wondering if you could send some pictures to me that were taken at the Doggy Fun Fair on Sunday. PLEASE!!!   My Mom wants some of the games to post on the labrador retriever chatboard.
Thanks,
Moose (Rebecca Canons Dog) - May 2006

We loved our stay at your CG!!! It's a beautiful park, well maintained (loved the super-nice bath houses) and soooo quiet. Everyone was so nice, campers, dogs and owners all included. I want to thank Birgit for showing me a better way to deal with Scout's toenails (Dremmel tool, here I come) and helping both Scout and her mommy get a little more comfortable about playing with other dogs. We're looking forward to coming back soon and trying some more new things. It was definitely a unique camping experience when compared to other parks where dogs are allowed, but only tolerated rather than embraced. We will definitely be back.

Hey you guys did a great job.  I was a little hesitant about coming there.  I was not expecting the cleanliness or service that your campground provided.  I was traveling with 2 other friends and 3 dogs, so I wasn't sure how we would be taken as at your campground.  Everyone was nice and treated us great.  I will definitely be coming back. 

We did have a most enjoyable and relaxing time with you this weekend.  We will definitely be back and I'm sure Baxter and Harley will look forward to it also.  They were worn out from all of the running they did in your fenced in area - a treat they don't often experience.  Thanks for having us - we will definitely spread the word.

Thanks so much for a wonderful camping experience!  We loved the campground very much -- quiet, beautiful, sparkling clean.  Spectacular! 
Thanks, too, for helping us out with the trailer.  We normally tent camp, so since it was our first voyage in the trailer, it was so helpful to have some experienced advice.
I'll be sure to send you clips/info on stories in which I include the campground info!

Just wanted to say that I really enjoyed myself at 4 Paws!

The facilities were AWESOME! It is really hard to find a really nice CLEAN campground. Mom and Dad were really impressed with the cleanliness of the bathhouse and all of the facilities.  Although I didn't take the opportunity of actually using the bath/grooming facilities I was impressed too.  Maybe next time.  Everyone that we met was very friendly and of course they all thought I was BEAUTIFUL (and I know I am cause Mommy tells me so all the time). I went up to the play area just for a little bit.  I was a little scared because I didn't know any of the other doggies.  Maybe if it hadn't rained there would have been more doggies that would have come out to play.  I did meet two others Gus a Westie and Turbo a miniature Greyhound.  Gus really wanted to play with me - he rolled me over and over several times.  But that's ok that's why they call it playing.   

We are looking forward to coming back for another visit.   But until then tell Meik, Birgit, Schroeder and Lucy we said hello and we will definitely come up for another visit.

Thanks again for a great weekend

Abbey Sumpter  - July 2006

Meik and Birgit,

Thank you so much for your wonderful hospitality this weekend!  We had a delightful time at Four Paws Kingdom.  We were so bummed on the way home; we would have loved to have stayed for an extra week!  Our Four Paws vacation exceeded our expectations and we are already planning our return trip for next season. I will send you some additional pictures of the fur-kids when I download them from our camera tomorrow.   Minx, Callie, and Puccini send their love.  Puccini is already pining away for his beloved Lucy ;-)  Keep in touch and give Schroeder & Lucy big hugs and belly rubs for us.

Dear Meik, Birgit, Schroeder and Lucy,

 We visited your campground in August and had a great time.  My husband Dave and I enjoyed the dessert potluck and the night hike.  It was nice to be taken on the trails and learn some history of the campground.

 Melee had a wonderful time meeting new friends, playing at the dog park and swimming in the pond.  She even conquered the agility course with a few... well, several treats.  Dave and I were so proud.  We went to Lake Lure one day and rented a canoe and the three of us had fun checking out the beautiful scenery.

Our campsite was very comfortable and the bathhouse was so clean. Everything a dog and dog lover could want is available and you are wonderful hosts.  My friend and I will be visiting in September and staying in a cabin with  our dogs and my husband and I will surely return many times with our motorhome.

Thank you again for the hospitality and I look forward to seeing you in a few weeks.  We've told our dog loving friends and our pet food store all about you too.  You provide a wonderful destination in a beautiful, peaceful setting.

Birgit & Meik,    thank you again for sharing our spoiled canine with us, and allowing us to dote endlessly over her 'specialness'...  our time spent at 4 Paws Kingdom was a joy and we have bored all our friends with descriptions of your campground - Pampa finally went swimming right as it was time to leave (of course) and spent quality time with two other dogs chasing and playing in the water... we tell everyone we went 200 miles out of our way for Pampa, but you and I know it was really for US as well!    can't wait to get back and see you again  - you two make us all seem like personal guests and we appreciate the effort you've made to make 4 Paws a special place for paws and feet alike..... regards,    

Schroeder and Lucy,

I enjoyed meeting you and I had the best time at your place.  Thank you so much for your warm hospitality.  My favorite activity was swimming in the pond and it was great to have a lot of room to romp in your beautiful park.  I was so happy on the first day, I talked my mommy into making a reservation for us Thanksgiving week.  I like to take her camping but she has to drive because I only have a dog license but she doesn't mind and the best part is I got to sleep all the way home. Boy was I tired, I didn't even wake up when she stopped for gas.  Play, sleep, eat and extra cookies....aah, it was wonderful.  See you soon.

Your paw pal,

Hi Birgit & Meik,

 We just want to take a moment to thank you so much for everything!   Our week's stay at your lovely campground was everything we hoped for & more.  We had such a relaxing, fun time there & hope to return very soon.

 We wanted to stop in to thank you & say goodbye but the rain prevented us from doing so.  Our vehicle was already hooked up & ready to go.  So I thought this was the next best thing.

 Again, thank you so much for a terrific week!

I sure am glad that my mommy and daddy brought me to Four Paws!  I was able to run and play with other fur children.  It was fun to run through the tunnel and jump over the hurdles at the play agility course.  My parents loved the clean campsites, the Labor Day picnic and getting to meet new friends.  They have promised to bring me back to Four Paws before it closes in November.  I can't wait!!  Cubby (the Yorkie)

Hi, this is Kathy Gilbert, we came with Molly (yellow lab) and Prissy (shitzuh), stayed in Cabin 3.  We hope to come back again, don't know if it will be this year but for sure next year Lord willing.  We have been telling everyone about it and giving out the website and brochures that we had, wish we had more.  No one has ever heard of such a place.  WE LOVED IT!!!!!!  We are showing everyone the pictures so they can see every part of the whole campground, I think I took over a 100 pictures to show every little area. 

Thanks for providing a great place for my little girl Prissy and the relaxation for myself.  Chris, my best friend had a good time with her Molly too.