KVUE — Just outside the Nordstom Rack at the Gateway Shopping Center in Northwest Austin sits a big yellow car hauler that reads, "TheBarkingGarage.com: Park your dog here while you shop."

Mary Traverse is the owner of the new business. Last month, she decided to buy the yellow car hauler, decorate it, insulate it, and install air conditioning. She filled it with colorful cages of different sizes, all complete with water bowls.

Traverse said her idea for on-site doggie storage did not come right away. "I've been racking my brains for a couple of years," said Traverse, a chiropractor who is also a certified animal chiropractor.

Traverse said The Barking Garage came about out of desperation and need. "I live a little bit outside of town, and I love to have my dogs with me, and I just can't do it. I can't even run into the grocery store," said Traverse.

She's from Oatmeal, a small town near Bertram in Burnet County. "A lot of times, I make a special trip back into town on a Saturday to run my errands just because my dogs would be safe," said Traverse.

Last weekend was the second weekend for The Barking Garage to be open. No customers yet, but "the stores are really happy to have us here, because they're in a hard spot; they don't want to call the cops on their clients," said Traverse.

Gary Biggers owns a 55-pound huskie, but he didn't bring her shopping. He may next time, now that he's heard about The Barking Garage. "It makes life so much easier. I don't know what's in there, but I know it's cool. Huskies are hot in the summer, especially here, so I think that's a great idea and I want to see more of those pop up," said Biggers.

Right now, The Barking Garage is open on weekends: Saturdays from 10 am to 7 pm and Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm. Prices start at $10 an hour with a half-hour minimum.

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