Scrumptious treats made by a pastry chef, bottles of Evian water, special bowls and lovely place mats —
all are waiting at the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel in Washington.
But they aren’t there for you. They are for your dog.
Yes, it’s a great time for dogs with owners who live to pamper them.
Want fancy clothing for your pooch — a wedding dress or tuxedo, perhaps? For $100 and up, it’s yours at the Dog Bar in Miami Beach, Fla. The specialty shop also sells dog furniture. Now Spot can have his own $300 sofa.
If your dog has nail issues, consider a canine pedicure. For her next birthday, hire a party consultant and buy some doggy jewelry as a gift. If you’re too busy to take her to the vet, get a dog chauffeur.
More and more, services that were intended for people are going to the dogs.
Take restaurants. Some now cater to canines. The Dining Dog Cafe & Bakery in Edmonds, Wash., sets the mood for its four-legged diners with white tablecloths, soft music and chandeliers. The menu includes appetizers (the little hot dogs are popular), main dishes, desserts and special drinks — all for dogs.
Diners eat on chairs at tables (and sometimes on the tables). For their birthdays, owner Dorothy Moore bakes cakes with dog-friendly ingredients.
If their owners get hungry, they can call out for a pizza delivery. Health rules don’t allow people food to be prepared alongside animal meals — and at the Dining Dog Cafe, it’s Fido’s tastes that matter.
In Los Angeles, dogs have their own rooftop nightspot. They are served stew in crystal goblets while DJs spin dance music for their owners; the money raised goes to a dog-rescue group.
In Miami Beach, no one — not even the police — seems to care if there are dogs in public places where meals and beverages are being served.
Hotel waiters trot out to pools with food and drinks for guests’ dogs. Many outdoor restaurants cater to them, too, offering food and Perrier water. (Sure, some people don’t appreciate it when a dog shakes his dander onto their plates, but the tradition continues.)
On Lincoln Road, an outdoor shopping and dining area, there often are as many dogs as people — and the pets sometimes have better hairdos and clothes. Westies, Chihuahuas and bichon frise spaniels travel on bikes and skateboards, attached to jeweled leashes and in the pockets of lightweight coats. It’s one big social scene from morning until late at night.
Sandra Seligman, of Detroit, vacationed this year at the Ritz-Carlton in Miami Beach with Teddy, her 2-year-old Shih Tzu-poodle-terrier mix. “She’s exhausted,” Seligman said of Teddy, “because she’s met so many dogs.”
Some hotels offer special programs for dogs, with their own toys, beds and treats.
The Four Seasons goes all-out for its canine guests (if 35 pounds or less), said public relations director Tiffani Cailor.
Dogs and owners are welcomed with a handwritten note. The chef has a special recipe for dog bones and upon request will whip up yummy meals such as fried rice and beef. And when it’s time to stretch those travel-weary legs, the bellman is waiting, at your service.
