Anna, Ian and Alice Miller with their dogs Odin, Raya and Trixie.
Owner Anna Miller says, “I’m living my dream.”
By Rich Wicks | Guthrie Center Times, January 2026
Alice and Victor help socialize the dogs.
Numerous surveys have found that most American dog owners consider their pet to be a part of the family. Depending on the survey, the results on this question usually fall in the 95% or higher category.
The Ian and Anna Miller family of rural Guthrie Center is no exception. The Miller family includes three dogs: Odin, Raya and Trixie. But, at any given time, many more dogs are in the dog boarding facility they run, which is named Mitzie Rue’s Canine Corral. Anna Miller explains how the business came to be.
“The name of the business comes from my wolfdog, Mitzie. I had her in college, and she passed away in 2017. We moved here with the idea to open a kennel; that was my dream. We thought this would be a good location,” Miller said. “Then, in 2017, my dad passed away. And then, a month later, Mitzie passed away. That was a rude awakening that there isn’t always tomorrow, so immediately we got started on it. By July 4 of 2019, we were open.”
Miller explained that her husband, Ian, did about 90% of the work turning an old machine shed into a kennel.
“We offer boarding and dog daycare. We’re open seven days a week, but I do close, as far as pickups and drop-offs, on the big holidays. Daycare we offer Monday through Friday,” Miller said.
Anna Miller provides TLC to all dogs at Mitzie Rue’s.
Mitzie Rue’s dog boarding is a family affair with help from the kids, Alice and Victor. Miller explained that Alice sometimes crawls into a kennel to read to a dog, which helps enhance her reading skills and the dogs always seem to enjoy.
“We offer walks while dogs are being boarded here, depending on the weather,” Miller said. “But, we don’t do grooming.”
Mitzie Rue’s Canine Corral is a state-licensed facility located at 2706 Roost Lane, just off Highway 44 between Panora and Guthrie Center.
There are 14 kennels, and the facility is licensed to house up to 28 dogs, but Miller said the most she has ever had at once was 21. Those interested in learning more, or scheduling a stay, can do so on the website www.mitzierues.com or by going to the Facebook page. The business phone number is 641-755-3793.
“On holidays, we’re always full and have a wait list, so I recommend people book as soon as they know their plans,” Miller said. “We have a lot of regulars, but it seems like I get at least one new customer phone call every week.”
Miller shared that dogs do not need to be spayed/neutered to stay at Mitzie Rue’s. She selects kennel spots to avoid any problems that might arise from intact dogs being next to each other. Miller also said it is rare that she has to reject a dog due to aggression or behavioral issues.
Alice’s reading has gone to the dogs.
“I think with me not having a staff, everyone knows me and my kids. We’ve gotten so close to some customers. We get a lot of word-of-mouth customers,” Miller said.
Mitzie Rue’s also goes above and beyond in treating all dogs like family.
“Every month, a customer of the month is nominated, where a dog gets recognition on Facebook and sent home with a doggie treat bag. We like to do giveaways, and the dogs get spoiled on holidays. This Christmas, they got Christmas-shaped treats. At Thanksgiving, they get a Thanksgiving meal that everyone likes. For Easter, they usually get an Easter egg full of treats,” Miller said. “I have fun with it. I’m living my dream.”